Final Thoughts

I was really nervous about taking this class just because I had never really had any experience using technology other than email and facebook. At first, I thought I would not like this class because I would always be behind. However, I ended up enjoying the class a lot. The explanations were easy to follow and help was always offered. I did get frustrated but I was encouraged to keep trying until I got it. My favorite thing I did this semester was making the iMovie. That was really fun and I will use it again in the future. Overall I have met my goal in this class by becoming more technological savvy!

Website

In my TPTE 486 class, we were instructed to make a classroom website. My classroom website is called Ms. Meadows classroom web site. I have never made a website before and it was surprisingly easy. I liked the way things could be organized in a way that was easy for me and others to find. I put resources that I found on my website and I think that I will use these in the future. I will make a website when I get my own classroom because it is easy fro me and others to use.

Using imovie

I really enjoyed using imovie to make a digital story about my spring break trip 2010. I was really intimidated at first when I heard that we were making a "movie." I think that imovie is more like a really high-tech, nice slide show which sounds a lot better to me than a "movie." At first it was frustrating getting all the pictures and the music to line up, but in the end it was overall pretty east to use. I really like how the movie turned out and I ended up showing it to all my friends I went on spring break with and they loved it! I will defiantly use this in my classroom and put imovies on my classroom web site.

Concept Map

I really enjoyed using the inspiration program. I really like the idea of using concept maps with students to organize their thoughts. I like doing the concept maps using this program because they are really easy to make and look a lot nicer than drawing them yourself. I can see using kidspiration in my classroom with the younger kids.

Concept Map- Solar System

Google Presentations

Using this program was a lot easier than using power point. Power point has always confused me and I hate that I have to copy and past each picture into a new slide. With this program, I can upload the pictures directly into the slides. I really liked using this and I will definably use it in the future instead of using power point!

Opposites Slide Show

Using Picasa

Using Picasa was a lot easier than I thought! It was very easy to create a new album and post it to this blog. I can see using this in the future because it was easy fir me to use! It took no time at all!

Using Wikis

The past few class periods we have been using a system called Wikis. These are pages that are used for collaboration while doing group work. It is one central location that we put all our information on. At first, I thought Wikis were going to be very confusing since I am not very good at using technology. After using them in class the last few times, I have found out that, for the most part, they are pretty easy to use. They are very convenient to use when working in group because it is a central site that every group member can access. I am excited about learning how to use a new tool and cant wait to learn about them some more!

Elvaluating Websites

After going through the checklist given to me in class, I have realized that there are many things to look for when evaluating a website. Through this I have learned that just because a website looks cool, does not mean that it has all the qualities of a good website. Now that I know what to look for in a good website, I will be more aware of the websites that I look at and the information that I take from those websites.

I am a student at The University of Tennessee.

Welcome

Welcome! This is my blog for my class. In my journey I hope to learn more about computers and blogging. I am not very experienced in using technology and I often get frustrated when using technology. I hope to one day be able to use technology in my classroom.