Course Reflection

I have really learned so much in this course. I started out in this computer class with some knowledge of what all the computer and the internet had to offer me as a student, or whether just to browse the net, but little did I know that a lot of the free software that I always thought I would have to purchase would cost NOTHING! I think that this class brought a lot of interesting materials to the table for me as a perspective teacher and hopefully one day, my classroom will be booming with exciting and creative presentations that I get to share with my students from this class. I feel that from January until now have given me so much to share with others. I really enjoyed the website that I had to create. I do not consider myself as the creative type, but after visiting the Google sites and www.cooltext.com, I now know that I can create my own website and it can be FREE! But, learning information that I can use in my classroom to help special need students or students who just need extra help seeing, like me for example, I really am amazed of what a computer had to offer just by making minor adjustments. This class was a huge help to me and I will not forget anything from it!

Blog Reflection #4

Reflect on the ways to use the classroom website with students.

There are several ways that a classroom website can be beneficial to students. One way is to use the website as a backbone to outline everything that will be covered in the class. Many classes uses websites and go by them and some classes may detour from the website; the website still gives a general overview of what is expected of in a particular class. Teachers who build websites for there students may posts notes that are taken in the class to help students that miss certain days of class. That is a really big help to students! Also, for classrooms that requires students to do actual hands on work will or may posts examples for the students to follow by to get a better understanding of how an assignment will look like and/or will post links that can be a help to students. The website have information on what standards should be met before entering and leaving the classroom as well. So, having a classroom website in beneficial for students and can be for teachers so they will not have to go over a certain subjects over and over unless major help is needed.

Blog Reflection #3

Reflect on the advantages of using web-based word processing solutions in your classroom to create, collaborate, and communicate.

By using a web-based word processing solution such as Google docs in a classroom, it is a great way for students to all put their ideas into one big blog. The students will have the opportunity to create assignments like webpage or a website to demonstrate to the class. Collaboration comes from being able to link their work whether a spreadsheet, a google doc, or powerpoint presentation to other members in the classroom. The studies can be able to allow others to edit their work if they would like. Communication comes from the g mail account by send and receiving messages inbox to oinbox or using g mail to chat instantly. All this can be done within g mail. I also like how the students will be able to upload their work directly to goodgle doc and not have to save it in other software programs or have to send a copy to themselves. I think it this web-based software is a wonderful tool to incorporate in any classroom.

Assistive Technology

The assistive technology assignment was one that I was most surprised with. I had no clue of the many, helpful tools that a computer had to offer. Not only that, they all required NO downloading and even had short cut keys to turn a certain function on and off. Assistive technology, to me, breaks barriers for the physical, hearing, or visual impaired. And, also for people who needs a little extra help trying to see or hear things on the computer. This assignment gave me an understanding on how to assist a student who needs help in a quicker and more one-on-one basis. I knew some of the functions before covering this chapter, but I am very happy that I can go in and change settings and know what I am doing when I am needing helping trying to see or hear on a computer.

Please check out my assistive technology artifact: Assistive technology

Teacher's Website

When creating the teacher's website, I first thought that it was going to be hard. I really did not have any idea that the frame used on g mail would have lain everything out for me like it did. I guess the idea of creating the website from scratch is what somewhat put a little uncertainty in my mind. After find the buttons and text from www.cooltext.com then finding the images to use with my website, things began to come together. The website was a good tool to create for future students to refer back to see a particular lesson or assignment that is being discussed in class or concerning my class.

Please view my teacher's website artifact: Art 101

Turnitin

I feel that www.turnitin.com was a very good tool for me to be introduced to. I think this tool is a great gadget to help minimize as least possible and also help reduce the amount of "cheating" that students do to get done with a paper or essay. Turnitin opened my eyes to a lot of bad habits as far as how to identify a falsified paper. This tool would be a definite tool that I would incorporate in my classroom. I feel that it is an awesome thing to get us students and all students to think on our own. This was my very first time using turnitin and I really was amazed at how the site broke down every aspect of how much of the work submitted was mine and how it even showed me if I used a little or no words from an original document.

Please view my turnitin artifact: Version 2

Movie Maker

I really enjoyed doing this project. It was a lot of fun for me to create something on my own and be able to see the end product. I found this to be fun to use in the classroom for making short presentations or films for the students. I did not like that I could get my voice captions on point with the pictures and that made it somewhat disturbing to me.

Check out my movie!

Spreadsheets

Spreadsheets have really played a big role in many fields of work. I have found it to be a major help by alphabetizing names or information by the click of a button or finding totals to problems just by inputting a formula. I think spreadsheet will be beneficial to students who really want to pursue a career in the business field and also jobs that requires dealing with records. Not only that, it can be used as a helpful tool to help an individual maintain a budget on their own money or items.

Please clink on the link to view my concept map of spreadsheets: Spreadsheet

Concept Mapping

I found that the concept mapping exercise was a great tool to use to help show comparison and contrast between things and/or ideas; by definition, it is use to show representation or organizing of knowledge.. This assignment was the first ever for me to use and by Dr. Wang showing us how to use each of the functions, the end product of the one we completed in class, was very clear to me and it gave me some ideas on how I would use it in my classroom one day. This project will not only allow me to express my ideas on a subject, but will enable me to see how my futures students think individually.


Please view my concept mapping artifact by clicking on the following link: Concept Mapping

Web Tools

Before starting this class, I was somewhat aware of the many, many useful websites on the internet that could assist me in whatever I needed. But, little did I know that the sites could help make my job as a teacher much easier and more exciting. In addition to that, they're free! I found the web tools to be so much fun and gave me a peace of mind on having to come up with all the information that I thought I would have to key in myself. I did find the TrackStar tool to be a little confusing, considering that I never used it before. The web tools provided additional links to help with any subject, any topic, and ANYTHING! I think that web tools are wonderful gadgets that were created by people for the people.

Please click the links to view my artifacts: Rubric, Test, Test answers, Online bookmark

Google Groups

Google group is a wonderful tool to use to keep in contact with while working on a particular project or something of that sort. Since using this tool, I was very unsure if I would be able to get the hang of it, but I know now that it is not so bad. I think that using google group in the classroom, age appropriate that is, will be a benefit, especially if more than one person is involved. The idea of having access to a tool that can be used in or outside the classroom is great! I also think that it can be used as a great way to keep up with students who are and are not doing their work in a group assignment.

Blog Reflection #2

Reflect on the importance of access to technology


Having access to technology is very essential in many aspects of our lives. Technology is used in schools, libraries, hospitals, and just about everywhere! In schools, technology has made it easier for students who work and have a family, for instance, myself. Online classes save me a trip from traveling to go and sit in a classroom if I do not have time. Libraries provide the latest software to help assist people in searching for the right books. Hospitals use technology in unlimited amounts of ways. From the nurses station to the operating room, the access of technology is used to help save people lives. Wherever we may go, there are some type of technology being used. The access of technology is right at our fingertips. We can access it through our cellular phones or in our vehicles through GPS systems. Technology is never-ending and is steadily becoming more and more advanced daily.

Blog Reflection #1

Reflect on the characteristics of special learners

Special learning students are not only students that have a physical disability in the classroom. Teachers should prepare their classrooms for children who are from different backgrounds and face many challenges such as learning challenges and behavior challenges. Learning challenges affect memory and language as well as the academic performance overall. Students that move from one environment to another may find it really hard to understand a new way of teaching. This too can make the student to become withdrawn from the classroom by not talking to other people and feel isolated from everyone else. Behavioral challenges causes students to not be able to pay attention and may cause disruptive behavior like becoming aggressive. Assistive technology is a device or service that legislature supports to achieve a learning goal. It is also defined as "any piece of equipment, excluding being surgically implanted, to help improve functional capabilities of individuals with any disability. Technology then, more so today, has given special learning students the opportunity to be integrated into classrooms to learn the same material but on a different level.

Hello there!

Hello everyone! My name is Sherri Smith. I am an elementary education major at the University of Southern Mississippi. I am originally from Louisville, MS and has been living in Pascagoula for almost two years. I am a graduate of Louisville High School. I also have an associate's degree in social work from MGCCC. I have a beautiful two year old daughter named Mi'Angel and is expecting a new edition to my family in July. I am engaged to be married in November to a wonderful guy named Travis! I currently work for WalMart and cannot wait to start my teaching career!