Final Post

This course has really helped me in numerous ways to open up using technology in the classroom.  I have learned a lot about different programs and organizational tools to use when planning activities for my students.  I think that using concept maps as a way of brain storming is a great way to tie the kids into using technology in the classroom, I would use it as a group project on a research paper of some sort where each child would have to complete one part to make one whole project.  I also really like using Movie Maker, I think it would be great to use to create slideshows for open house or holiday classroom parties.  Google docs is also something that I was unfamiliar with coming into this classroom, now me and my peers use them religiously!   They are such great ways to communicate with each other via the web.  I do plan to utilize each and every program that I have been introduced to in my future teaching career.

My strong point coming into this class would have to be that I am familiar with computers, my weak being I had no idea about any of these software programs so direct instruction was a must!  I did learn a lot though, a lot more that I thought I had already knew.  Another strong point I think that I had was that even though I was unfamiliar with the programs being introduced I caught on quite quickly.  Another weak area, as I think it is for most students, is procrastination.  I do plan on working on my procrastination skills by setting personal due dates versus the original due dates.  By doing this I hope to not be doing five hundred assignments at one time, if you know what I mean.

Integrating technology in the classroom is a must today, everything revolves around technology.  I plan to utilize this by introducing to the students some of the organizational note taking skills that I have learned throughout this course.  I think it would be great “bonus points” for students to turn in a concept map of the topic of test, kind of like a personal study guide.  I also plan to have the children use google docs in research projects, with the monitor of a parent of course.  I look forward to becoming a future educator and being the best that I can be!