Project #9
Reflection
Throughout the
semester I have grown more comfortable with various forms of technology
as a result of this technology course. Now when something goes
wrong with a program, I know what to look for instead of just being
frustrated. For example, with Composer if a link doesn't work I
know I need to go back and check to see where it is looking for the
link. Often the problem is that I forgot to save the file before
I created the link. Knowledge like this will be helpful not only
in daily life but when I am teaching as well.
I feel comfortable with most of the programs we have
worked with this semester. While I knew how to use Microsoft Word
before, I learned to use features such as the Watermark and Word Art
which I had not had experience with before. With Netscape
Composer, I think there is still a lot I could learn, I feel
comfortable with it and have been able to correct any difficulties I've
had but I'm sure there are still more features that I have not learned
yet. From this semester, I have learned that you will probably
never know a program fully but you can continue to learn by playing and
experimenting with the program.
I felt the most important thing in this course was
developing my website. This is an excellent professional resource
to share with future employers. In the process of developing my
website I have learned how to do many different things that will be
valuable in the classroom. I have learned how to use programs
such as Puzzlemaker to create activity sheets for the classroom, use
Microsoft Publisher to create newsletters and calendars, and use
Netscape Composer to create classroom websites among many other things.
In terms of my future teaching, I would like
students to use technology as much as possible. They can do this
in a variety of ways, by using the internet for research, using
Microsoft Word to create a report, use Power Point to create a
presentation and much more. I want students to be comfortable
with technology so that they can utilize it in the future.
As a teacher, I want to be sure that I am addressing
the learning style of each individual student. This technology
class has given me many ways to do that. I can create Power Point
Presentations that address all learners by including pictures, text,
and sound. I can create WebQuests that give students an
alternative way to learn and in return students can use multiple forms
of technology to create their assignments.
While I often found this class frustrating, I
learned an amazing amount of new knowledge in such a short time
period. I feel confident that I will be able to integrate much of
the new technology I learned into my future classroom. I believe
the integration of technology will benefit the students in many ways
including the fact that I will be able to address multiple learning
styles.