Project #9

    When I began this course in August, I didn’t know a lot about technology. I was apprehensive about starting this class because it seemed hard to learn new skills and I didn’t especially want to learn them. Since then, I believe I have learned a lot about technology and I am definitely more comfortable with the content. I learned how to make a website, a webquest, a puzzle, and digital storytelling project. I also became better at Power Point and Microsoft Word. I am now excited to learn more and more about technology, as I am now more comfortable and confident.
    My favorite project was the Microsoft Publisher project. Although it seemed difficult to learn and master, it turned out to be fairly easy to use. I was successful at making a calendar and newsletter that I could use someday in my classroom. I found that once you pick the format you want, and there are many, you basically just have to type and paste pictures in the spaces provided. I have always wondered how I would "look professional" once I begin teaching, and now I know one easy way of doing so. I can make calendars for my classroom, and newsletters for the students' parents, among other things. I am glad we got to use this program.
   The most difficult project for me was the elementary school website. Because this was a group project, we first had to decide who was going to do what. Once we decided who was working on what, we had to agree on the colors, fonts, sizes of text and the content. Once everyone was finished with their parts, we sent our files to one member of the group. She saved them to her flashdrive and uploaded them. Some of the pictures did not show up, so some of us had to send these remaining files we forgot. Eventually, this project worked and turned out fine, but it might have been easier to work by ourselves, even if it is more work because then you wouldn't have to transfer files.
    It is still nice, however to have your classmates close by to help you and give you advice about projects. It also make the class fun to be able to talk to classmates about their work and progress. I liked sharing my ideas and findings with my peers, as well as listening to theirs. It really helps put technology into perspective. In the future, I will use small group work in my classroom for a number of different projects. I will observe whether or not group work is beneficial for both the class overall and for individuals, and I will use it more or less, depending on these observations.

Project #9
Reflections of This Technology Course
Home About Me Projects Reading Assignments Resume Teacher Education Links Resources SUNY Cortland EDU 314 Multimedia Portfolio "He drew a circle that shut me out -- Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout. But love and I had the wit to win: We drew a circle that took him in." - Edwin Markham
	When I began this course in August, I didn’t know a lot about technology. I was apprehensive about starting this class because it seemed hard to learn new skills and I didn’t especially want to learn them. Since then, I believe I have learned a lot about technology and I am definitely more comfortable with the content. I learned how to make a website, a webquest, a puzzle, and digital storytelling project. I also became better at Power Point and Microsoft Word. I am now excited to learn more and more about technology, as I am now more comfortable and confident. My favorite project was the Microsoft Publisher project. Although it seemed difficult to learn and master, it turned out to be fairly easy to use. I was successful at making a calendar and newsletter that I could use someday in my classroom. I found that once you pick the format you want, and there are many, you basically just have to type and paste pictures in the spaces provided. I have always wondered how I would "look professional" once I begin teaching, and now I know one easy way of doing so. I can make calendars for my classroom, and newsletters for the students' parents, among other things. I am glad we got to use this program. The most difficult project for me was the elementary school website. Because this was a group project, we first had to decide who was going to do what. Once we decided who was working on what, we had to agree on the colors, fonts, sizes of text and the content. Once everyone was finished with their parts, we sent our files to one member of the group. She saved them to her flashdrive and uploaded them. Some of the pictures did not show up, so some of us had to send these remaining files we forgot. Eventually, this project worked and turned out fine, but it might have been easier to work by ourselves, even if it is more work because then you wouldn't have to transfer files. It is still nice, however to have your classmates close by to help you and give you advice about projects. It also make the class fun to be able to talk to classmates about their work and progress. I liked sharing my ideas and findings with my peers, as well as listening to theirs. It really helps put technology into perspective. In the future, I will use small group work in my classroom for a number of different projects. I will observe whether or not group work is beneficial for both the class overall and for individuals, and I will use it more or less, depending on these observations. I will definately incorporate technology into my future classroom, as it is continually more important in our society. I will also use it because it can make my teaching and my students' learning experience easier and less time consuming. I plan to use everything from Microsoft Power Point to Microsoft Publisher, the Internet to Puzzle Maker. I am glad I took this class, as I learned a lot of useful information that I can use now and in the future.