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Project 8: Reflections on the Learning Journey of Technology

    EDU 314 has been one of my favorite classes this semester! I enjoy creating new things on the computer.  In this class I have been able to create 7 projects which has made me realize that I have had a lot of success in this coarse.   I have completed all the assignments in a timely fashion and I have learned how to operate new programs.  
    I have never made a website before, therefore it was a great experience for me to create my own website.  Creating my own website will be helpful in the future because most schools require teachers to create a website for their classroom that lists homework assignments and educational websites for parents and students.  
    Technology in the classroom is important and can enhance children's learning, therefore creating a webquest is a skill I will use when teaching.  All children have different learning styles, therefore, learning through lecture will not always work for students.   The use of technology can get children excited about learning.  A webquest is created for children! A webquest allows children to explore the approved websites on the internet to find educational information.  The Internet can be a great educational and informational source for children.  The websites they view must be approved by the school or teacher.  A webquest is a great way for children to explore the Internet safely.
    I can use the Internet as a resource for my teaching.  This course has introduced me to certain websites that will be useful in my teaching.  Such as, the puzzle maker website.  This website allows me to create puzzles that are specific to the topic presented in class.  Puzzles can be fun and educational for students.  I also learned how to create a professional brochure.  In my future classroom, I may need to create a brochure for a field trip the children will be going on or a special event that is going on in the school.  The Microsoft Publisher project introduced me to the many projects I can complete using the program, such as creating award certificates, calenders and brochures.  Microsoft Word is also a program that as a teacher I can use to create many new things, such as, an educational handout.  A handout that I will give to parents at the beginning of the semester or a handout that I give to students that explains a task they must complete.  Handouts do not have to have a plain white background and black lettering.  They can have a fun bacground image and colorful lettering.  Another project that I can use in my future class room is creating a Word Acrostic.  At the beginning of the year, students can create a Word Acrostic to describe themselves and introduce themselves to their new classmates and teacher.
    The most fun I had during this semester was creating the elementary school website and the digital story telling project.  Those two projects were creative and fun to produce and make.  The elementary school website allowed me to create a school website, I may enter a school that needs to update their website or create on from stratch. This project will allow me to help the school create or update their website.  The digital story was very personal.  The story displays the members of my family that mean a lot to me.  My family includes, my sisters: Betsy and Mary, my parents: Mary Kay and Ed Cole, and my best friend: Daina Marsh.  All of these people have influenced my life in some way and have made me the person I am today.  The photo story is a tribute to my family members.
All of the projects I have completed in this class will help me become a more well-rounded teacher.
EDU 314 has been a great experience!
Thank you for all your hard work, Professor Shi!!!