Final Course Reflection

After completing IT 365, I feel a lot more confident in using technology in my classroom. I learned how to effectively use different programs. I learned how to create my own personal teacher website through using GoogleSites. My website goes into depth about what my class weekly schedule would be like and has a personal page, as well. I learned how to create a concept map through using the program Inspiration. I learned how to create my own personal blog through using Google’s blogger application. I learned about Assistive/Adaptive technology that is offered for students with disabilities. I learned about how to assist both a deaf and/or blind student.

My most favorite thing that I was taught in this class would have to be how to effectively create a digital movie. I could definitely utilize this tool in my classroom. I could make a digital movie to go along with any activity that my class were in process of. The great thing about using a digital movie in a classroom is that it could be used as a form of visual representation for the students. This would definitely help a child who may not understand the topic or lesson.

I feel like IT 365 was a great class, but it may need a few minor changes. I believe that there should have been more class time to discuss the assignments together. I also wanted to work more with Powerpoint. The class definitely could have been made more fun for the students. I wish a lot more enthusiasm was present during this class.

I learned about a lot of different programs that Google offers that can be used in the classroom. I learned how to create my own personal blog off of Google’s blogger application. A blog can be used in the classroom to have a way for the teacher, students, and parents to communicate. I learned how to create a Googledoc. A Googledoc can be used to communicate different ideas between teachers. I learned how to create my own website through Google’s site application. A teacher website is a great way for parents to see what their kids would be learning about. A teacher website also helps the parents get to know more information about the teacher. I learned how to create a slideshow through Google’s slide program. It works the same way as Microsoft Office’s Powerpoint program.

Assistive/Adaptive Technology and their effects upon Education

      Assistive or adaptive technology is described as any type of device or software that helps assist a student with physical or cognitive disabilities. Assistive technology was created to help students with disabilities. It is used to help strengthen the student’s weak educational areas and work around their specific problems. Assistive technology can help produce a sense of independency for a student with a disability. The use of assistive technology leads to a greater chance of success for students with disabilities. Some examples of assistive technology used in education include: abbreviation expanders, alternative keyboards, audio books, etc. Assistive technology has really helped many students with disabilities.

Reflection about Web Sites/ Google Sites and their uses in Education

                GoogleSites is a great way to make a website.  It is free and very easy to use. A website can be made in just a matter of minutes using GoogleSites without any technology knowledge. By using GoogleSites, it can increase students’ literacy skills. Teachers use GoogleSites to help make their classroom more collaborative and interactive. Teachers use GoogleSites to post homework or even create a discussion board for the students.

                Websites can be used in many ways in the classroom. Students can view different websites when researching for a project. A teacher could create her own website using GoogleSites to inform others about herself and her class. A website is a great way for parents to get in touch with their child’s teacher. 

Online social networking (google groups) and their uses in education

    Everyone is using online social media and networking in today’s society. Teachers have recently been incorporating social media and networking into their curriculum. Social media and networking inspires students to share their work socially. This approach could be done through Google docs, Twitter, Facebook, etc. Blogs are also effectively used in the classroom for daily class reflections for the students. Some teachers like to use Google Hangouts. If the teacher is unable to meet face to face with her students, Google Hangouts can be a great way to see who is there and check-in. Some teachers create a social classroom on Edmodo. This is a social website that teachers can post assignments, quizzes, and/or tests on. Students receive feedback from the teacher on everything.

Digital movies and their uses in education

                Digital stories can be used to create movies. They always are narratives turned into multimedia material. Digital stories can contain picture, audio, music, and text. They always tell a story and present inspirational messages. There are seven elements: (1) point of view (main point of story); (2) a dramatic question (key question that engages the audience); (3) emotional content (issues in the story the audience can relate to);(4) the gift of your voice; (5) the power of the soundtrack (music that correctly expresses the story); (6) economy (use just enough content to let the audience know what is going on); and (7) pacing (rhythm of the story).

                Digital stories implement a world of opportunities for students. It combines content learning with 21^st century media. By using this form of media, it could help engage the students’ interests more effectively and increase comprehension of content. This approach utilizes technology as a means for students to show and understand what they have just learned. Digital stories may also be used as a great review for students. Students tend to be more detailed with assignments that had a digital story as an aide.

Web Tools Reflection

      Web tools use students’ knowledge of what they already know and create new data based off of it. Web tools support project-based learning. A blog is a type of web tool. Blogs let people share ideas or reflections with others. A blog is basically a web page. Blogs can be used by teachers to carry out communication with students’ parents about something class related. Another web tool is the Read/Write application, or wikis. Wikis allow communication and alliance with members of a wiki society. You can edit, change, post, or delete any data in wikis. Podcasts are used to make and issue multimedia to anyone who can access audio files through the internet. Some teachers use podcasts as a review for the students.

Reflection on Turnitin/Plagiarism

               The Turnitin/ Plagiarism assignment was a good exercise to inform me more about plagiarism. All throughout my educational journey, I have been informed and warned about plagiarism. Plagiarism is when you copy someone else’s work without giving them credit and using it as your own. Most teachers see this as a black and white issue. There is no happy medium when it comes to plagiarism. The Turnitin program helps detect plagiarism through submitted assignments. Turnitin should be implemented in all schools, from elementary to college. This program would help eliminate a good bit of plagiarism amongst students. Copyright laws were created to help enforce protection to the creator of the piece of work.

                Plagiarism has always been a big issue that teachers stress to their students. Teachers want students to be able to create their own pieces of work based off of knowledge they already know. Students will not be able to fully grasp the concept of what they are learning through plagiarism. Teachers have been more and more adamant about enforcing the consequences that come along with plagiarism. In college, if a student plagiarizes, it is automatic expulsion. I believe even high school and possibly middle schools are becoming the same way, as well.