2 - Word play

Good ol' Microsoft Word. The platform on which I have written countless essays and assignments. Without its familiar design and layout, I have trouble completing assignments. For example, I am writing this from an IMac computer that does not have Microsoft Office installed. Yet google has designed this blog software to be similar to the layout of Word. I believe most people are most comfortable with Microsoft Word to create documents and the like.

In the past, my teachers have used Word to create tests and other documents like the syllabus. Teachers have also used Word to create tables and other diagrams, but I do not favor the table functions in Word. Maybe I'll learn more in this Ed Tech class and become more comfortable with the table features.

                                                     Mueller, A. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2016, from http://www.memes.com/img/712830

My experience with copyright neglected the citation of images like the one above. Normally I am not taking an image and then re-posting it online as my own, but I still failed to attribute the credit to the original source. I don't believe it was common practice for other students in my classes to properly cite images that they borrowed from the web either. As a teacher, I will be sure to inform my students about copyright and fair use of materials. No student of mine will be able to claim ignorance I have in this post. I will include the proper citation of images in my grading rubrics so that my students are aware of the importance of its inclusion.

Finally, after beginning the Twitter and personal learning assignment, I have learned how quickly I can network and find information on Twitter. I began to receive followers on my new Twitter account that are associated with the subjects that I was interested in. The interconnected social media sites are a great way to branch out into a field of interest and find all sorts of useful tools and information. I will use social media to look for job openings when the time comes. I will also continue to use Twitter and other online networks to find new tools and techniques to use as a teacher. I know that my future students will be involved with social media and I want to stay on par with the resources online.

1 - Digital Natives

Computers are an important part of the educational experience because they assist in so many areas. Almost every teacher has a computer to aid in administrative and teaching tasks. Computers make recording attendance, grades, and progress simpler and more accurate. The technology also increases student interaction and reinforces what is being taught. The text includes some concerns such as the financial aspect associated with technology, allotting time for technology use, and adapting the use of tech based on the school's culture. 

I agree that every school will have a different plan for how technology will be used. Not every school can afford computers in all classrooms and their focus may not be on the inclusion of technology. Teachers also need to take the time to research and practice new and different resources before implementing them into their lesson plans. 

ISTE standards for students create a overall picture of effective technology use. The standard that stands out to me is Digital Citizenship. Many online applications create an environment for students to interact with other people. Ethical decisions and positive attitudes should be the focal point of technology use. It is easy for many people to use the distant communication as a defense to "troll" or attack the views of others. Students should also actively avoid plagiarism and use technology to strengthen their ideas rather than simply taking information.

An ISTE standard that may fall outside my current abilities is Technology Operations and Skill Sets. This standard implies the progression and use of new technology and the understanding of what applications to use for your goal or lesson. I, like many others, am sometimes hesitant to try to technology and I generally stick to what processes I am comfortable with. However, there may be better and more efficient ways for me to accomplish tasks if I branch out and increase my understanding of new systems and hardware. 

Today's youth can be accurately labeled as 'digital natives". Students are comfortable with a technology-led environment and are able apply technology to most daily tasks. It is rare to see a student without some type of technology in their hands (ie cell phones, tablets, laptops, etc). This may cause a problem for teachers that are not as technologically inclined as the students they are trying to connect with. 

I have seen many teachers in the past struggle with including technology in their classrooms. It is sometimes painful to watch a teacher try to load a video on YouTube or utilize the newest versions of Microsoft Office. Students will sit there frustrated as they try to help and guide the instructor to the goal. Teachers must continue to develop their use of technology so to not fall behind the world that their students know. 

In the future, I anticipate having to find a balance with the use of technology in the classroom. As a history teacher, there will be times when I need the students' focus rather than directing them to computers. Smart phones already cause a distraction in classrooms and other forms of technology will have to be used to ensure that students are staying on topic. I use the same technology in my personal life and I will continue to ask students about new applications so that I stay on par and relate to their abilities. I predict learning just as much about current technology from my future students as they learn from me.   

0 - Blog Rookie

     My prior experiences using technology include my time as a meteorologist in the Air Force. Most of my shifts included working on the computer to forecast the weather and create products for my customers. I would also create briefings and training materials on Powerpoint and Word documents. Social media and messaging programs have also helped with typing and key stroke commands in the past. Like most students, I am on my computer or other electronic device most of each day.

     In this class I hope to learn how to further utilize technology in the classroom. My goal is to teach high school and college history courses and I would like to include technology in my future lesson plans. History can be a boring subject for some students, so videos, slideshows, pictures, and other media may be able to maintain students' attention better. I hope to learn more about the education technology options that I will have because I already have a general understanding of Microsoft Office.

     My learning style results match what I expected from the questionnaire. I am fairly neutral between an action and a reflective learner. Sometimes I prefer to think things through, but other times I like to jump right in and get things done. I am also a sensing, visual, and sequential learner. I tend to remember images better than words on a screen, but I also like things in order. I have no trouble remembering timelines or ordered steps if I am able to hear a story or see an image/video to associate with the information.