Week Fifteen Course Wrap Up/Final Evaluations

This week was our final class meeting. I am sad to see that this class is over because I really enjoyed learning about the different technologies that are out there! In class this week, we discussed our final project. I am once again excited to get started in this because for the project, I will be writing a mock cover letter that shows how the skills that I have learned in this class relate to a potential job. I think that this will give be experience and I plan to actually write the cover letter for a legit job and apply and everything and see how it goes, so it should be very interesting.

I think that writing cover letters will definitely be something that I have to do when it comes time for me to start looking for a job, so I think that the project that we talked about this week will definitely help me out in the long run as it will give a chance to practice without pressure!

This is a link to a website that I found using Yahoo that shows the format of a cover letter. This website will definitely help me with my final project for this class because it will show me how I should format my letter.

Week Fourteen Using Games for Teaching and Learning

This week in class, we talked how games could be used for teaching and learning. We also discussed second life. I definitely agree with the need for educational games because I think that they are a great means for both teaching and learning, however I don't really understand the need for second life. It seems kind of weird to me and from my understanding it's kind of like a 'real' version of the Sims if that makes sense. However, I think that programs like second life definitely take the virtual world too far and I think that they make it very easy to get caught up in the virtual instead of the reality.

I think that the stuff that I learned about educational games definitely applies to my major. I plan to use educational games in my classroom as a teacher because I remember playing them when I was younger and I think that they are a great resource.

Here is a link to an article that I found on Yahoo that describes some of the benefits of educational games. I think that this is a great resource because it makes a great case for the use of educational games in the classroom.

Week Twelve Creating a Professional Web Presence

This week we watched a tutorial on Google Sites. Prior to watching the video, I had thought that creating a web site would be very hard and that there was no way I could do it! However, I was surprised to see just how simple it really was. It took me actually making my Google Site to believe that it was super easy because even after I watched the video I was like there is no way that it can be that easy...but it was. I really enjoyed creating my site and making a web presence for myslef!

I think that my web site that I created for the web presence project will definitely help me when I start applying for jobs. The web site will allow me to show employers things that I have done that won't fit on a resume. Additionally, the web site allows me to showcase that I am ready and willing to be a 21st century worker and take advantage of all of the new technologies that are available to me!

This article that I found using Yahoo describes the benefits of having a professional personal website.

Week Eleven Open Source Software

This week we discussed Open Source Software. Once again, I learned about something that I had no idea even existed. I wish that I would have known that there were free versions of programs like Microsoft Word before I went out and bought the software for my pc laptop and then my new macbook pro!!!! Programs like these can save people a lot of money and I think that they are a great alternative to traditional programs. In class we also went over our Web Presence Project. I am very excited to get started on that project because I think that a professional website will be very helpful when I start applying for jobs.

I will definitely be able to use what I learned about open source software in my field. This is because as a teacher I will be able to use programs in class without having to worry if my student will be able to have access to them at home. The Web Presence Project will also help me because it will allow me to have another way for employers to see what I have to offer.

Here is a link to a video that I found on youtube that shows some examples to open source software.

Week Ten Tech Tools for Critical Thinking

This week we learned how to use tools like Inspiration and Bubbl.us to create concept maps. I didn't know that there was free stuff like these programs online to use until class today! I think that mind mapping is a great way to organize your thoughts especially for individuals who are visual learners.

I will definitely be able to use mind mapping tools like the ones I learned about in class today as an education major. I remember making/using lots of mind maps when I was in elementary school, so I definitely think that I will be able to use them as a teaching device when I become a teacher. These tools will enable me to make mind maps for my students so that the students can easily organize their thought processes, notes, etc.

Here is a link to a youtube video that explains why mind maps are so useful as a teaching tool or even as an easy way to remember important information.

Week Nine Social Tools and Cloud Computing

This week in class was amazing! I learned about two of the most useful tools ever - Delicious and Google Documents!!!! I had absolutely no idea that something like these tools even existed. I was so excited after hearing about these amazing new tools, that I started using them right away and I told several of my friends about them! These tools are examples of cloud computing. Cloud computing is a term for being able to use server-based applications as a service rather than being tied to a specific platform on a specific device or machine.

I think that these tools will definitely be helpful for me as an education major. I will be able to use Google Documents to collaborate with other teachers on things like lesson plans or presentations. I will be able to use Delicious to share links to helpful websites that I can use in the classroom that might also help other teachers.

This is a link to a youtube video that has teachers, principals, and students telling why they use Google Documents. I think that this is a great video because the people in it love Google Documents for the same reasons that I do!!

Social Tools Mind Map

Today in class we learned how to create ‘mind maps’ using an online program called webspiration. These programs allow the user to create flow charts or mind maps that help the user to organize the information in an easy to read and understand manner. I think that mind maps are great for people who tend to be more visual learners, as the reader can see how the information relates together by looking at the picture, rather than by reading a bunch of text like in traditional notes. Here is a mind map that I created to show how I can use social tools in the field of education.