Week 5

This week we learned about using different types of tools and other software. This included open source software, using Wordle, and using other internet tools. There was also a section in our lesson about learning theories and different ways of thinking and learning. Bloom's Taxonomy is an example of how we develop the skills to think critically. Also, we learned how to make concept-maps in order to organize thoughts, activities, assignments, or just about anything.

Some of these tools will help me, but I do not think that most of it will with the teaching profession. The teaching styles and the ways we think critically would definitely be helpful. The teaching styles give me different ways to educate my students and formulate lesson plans. Plus, showing my students how to think critically and how to approach their work and situations with a critical mind set.

I used this image, Bloom's Taxonomy, because it shows what I hope my students will be able to achieve. That would be going from Lower Order Thinking Skills to Higher Order.

Week 4 - Extra Blog Post - Copyright

I really just like this video, it is simple, short, and to the point. I found it on YouTube when I was just looking at different copyright videos and this one was the most enjoyable and explained upfront the premises of copyright laws. Other videos I watched had montages or tried to explain the law through an example or lesson, instead of listing the points of copyright. I enjoy information and lessons that are straightforward, instead of beating around the bush for an eight minute video just to wrap it all up in thirty seconds at the end. That is why I chose this video and I hope you enjoy it too!

Week 4 - Copyright and Multimedia

In class this week we talked about designing media that is used for instructional means. The PowerPoint presentation about designing media discussed how to make the media that you create attractive, yet effective. As well, we learned about hypermedia and multimedia, including definitions, the difference between the two, and examples of them. There was also a PowerPoint that provided more depth about them and Web Based Resources. An activity that we had to complete this week was about information literacy, which basically means knowing how to find information on a website and determine if it is a legitimate site or not. The last, but probably most significant, thing we talked about was copyright issues and issues surrounding educational technology. This section explains the complications that accompany teaching technology in the classroom.

There is definitely a use for this with my major because when I teach it will be helpful to know how to make a presentation more effective. As our world is growing in technology, we have to teach our children these new technologies. This means it is mostly put on teachers to make sure that students become literate with computers, the internet, and other devices. Plus, teaching students that copyright laws are in place is very important so that students know how to produce a paper without infringing on those laws or plagiarizing. It is also good for teachers to know about technologies in the classroom and how do know what is too much and not enough. This shows that this pertains to my major for sure being an Elementary Education major.

Top Ten Myths About Copyright
I decided to use this website because it was awesome that there were direct quotes that people say about copyright that is not true. Plus, Brad Templeton, who wrote the page, used factual support to back up his answers for the myths. This is a quick way to answer your questions about copyright if you are not sure about what is copyrighted, when to post certain works, and more. I thought it was really useful for me personally.

Week 3 - Web Technology

This week the main focus of class was to talk about the history of the internet and discover the future of where our internet is going. In class, we watched a YouTube video about how the first internet connection was utilized and how we came to where we are today. There were many new terms that were introduced that I personally did not know about. They ranged from the beginning of the internet to the most common terms we use today, but they were taught more in depth than before. There was also this pretty cool video done on Frontline called Growing Up Online, which was really true for generation and a little bit scary how dependent we are on the internet and just electronics in general. I liked the Web 2.0 information that was posted for us to read because it gave insight into the tools that our generation will be using for education, communication, and other various aspects of life.

The future of the web definitely relates to my major because it is good to know where the next generation is going so that I can understand the technology my students are using. Also, many of these tools and programs and new innovations in technology and the internet will most likely end up in the classroom somehow, so I should be comfortable using them and knowing about them. The history aspect is kind of important, but I do not think it will be very vital to what I am teaching. Technology is a tool for students to learn, so I do not really need to harp on tools of the past, but encourage my students to keep learning and looking ahead. The terminology that I learned will help though because it will be good to have a strong vocabulary basis for technology so that my students can learn effectively.

I decided to use this video entitled "1967 Future Predictions - PC" because I thought it was funny how the video correctly portrayed what would happen now. It was a very outdated way of envisioning what would happen, but the online shopping and sending mail from computer to computer was really what has become of the internet and so much more. It was definitely correct on how far the computer would develop by 1999.