Standards



1. //Demonstrate a sound understanding of the nature and operation of technology systems//.


 * After taking the Educational Technology course at the University of Michigan-Dearborn**, **I feel that I have a better understanding of computer technology. I have discovered several new websites that have proven to be very helpful. Weebly.com is a website that shows you how to create a website of your own. Wikispaces is a website that allows you to create blogs, webquest and websites. Audacity.com is a website that allows you to create podcast using your voice and sound effects and music.** **Windows Movie Maker helps you create videos with pictures, music and much more. The best thing about all of the websites that I mentioned is that they are "Free".** **I also learned about a website called Voicethread that helps you edit and add sound to your pictures. I was able to use this technology at home to add captions or voices to pictures. Before my technology class my skills were limited, now I am able to create videos and much more.**

2. //Demonstrate proficiency in the use of common input and output devices; solve routine hardware and software problems; and make informed choices about technology systems, resources, and services.//


 * I have used various input and output devices such as, keyboards, printers, scanners, traveldrive, microphones and headphones**. **As a student, I was assigned to test and evaluate software such as virtual tours, educational games and blogs set up for teenagers. This was a good experience because it taught me how to spot websites that are inappropriate for children without having to subscribe to the actual site. Many websites don't have the proper security protections needed to make them safe. I am able to make the necessary adjustments to make sure that my printer is working properly such as, undo paper jams, change ink cartridges and adjust setting for different types of paper. I also develop pictures on my computer and use my printer to print copies.**

//3. Use technology tools and information resources to increase productivity, promote creativity, and facilitate academic learning.//


 * I am confident that productivity will increase by using technology in the classroom. Using computers for research and creating assignments helps to increase productivity and keep materials organized and at your fingertips. Using technology in the classroom gives students a hands on approach. They are able to gain a better understanding of how visual aids such as PowerPoint and Movie Maker bring life to their projects.**
 * I think that learning how to make videos and podcast will facilitate academic learning in the classroom by allowing students to make their own videos using their assignments and other resources. Podcasting will increase their knowledge by having them take turns reading and recording their voices.**

//4. Use content-specific tools (e.g., software, simulation, environmental probes, graphing calculators, exploratory environments, Web tools) to support learning and research.//


 * While creating my webquest, I viewed several different content-specific websites such as, websites for poetry, creative writing, book clubs, virtual tours of Shakespeare's home and a virtual tour of Hemingway's house. I also created a lesson plan based on having students create their own short story or poem. The simulations make it possible for me and future students to understand Shakespeare better by seeing how he lived.**

//5. Use technology resources to facilitate higher order and complex thinking skills, including problem solving, critical thinking, informed decision making, knowledge construction, and creativity.//


 * Creating a digital video required me to use higher order and complex thinking skills. It was challenging for me to get the pictures, music and my voice to be synchronized. This project also included problem solving and critical thinking because I kept losing the pictures that I had saved. It took me a while to realize that I needed to save everything into a folder that I had created previously. Creating a webquest was also challenging. I had to first decided on a topic and then do some research to get information on the topic that I chose.**

//6. Collaborate in constructing technology-enhanced models, preparing publications, and producing other creative works using productivity tools.//


 * I have created a website for my classroom using famous authors and books as my background to draw my students into the theme of reading for fun. I also created a podcast, webquest and a video all with English Literature as the main focus. I have also used various technology enhanced tools such as, Inspiration.com, There.com, Fauxto.com and Audacity to create a concept map, view virtual websites, edit photos and create podcast.**

//7. Use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources.//


 * I use the internet daily and recently I purchased a MacBook Pro and started using new browsers, Firefox and Safari to naviagate my way through the web. I have evaluated several different websites, blogs, Webquest and virtual webs such as There.com. I feel confident while browsing the net and I'm able to collect information from the universities library and other reliable sources.**

//8. Use technology tools to process data and report results.//


 * One of the assignments in my technology class involved using information gathered from several schools to create a graph to show things like the average temperature in each school and the nitrate readings taken at a particular school. In order to complete the assignment I had to process the data using Excel.** **I also gathered information and processed it into a webquest designed to encourage** **students to create their own short stories and poetry.**

//9. Use technology in the development of strategies for solving problems in the real world. observe and experience the use of technology in their major field of study.//


 * My major is English and I used technology in my field by reading, writing and critiquing websites. All of the assignments had real world situations and problem solving involved.** **The class used Zoho Writer to outline the agenda for the day and to take notes. Zoho Writer tied into my English background.**

//10. Use technology tools and resources for managing and communicating information (e.g., finances, schedules, addresses, purchases, correspondence).//


 * The website that I created has a calendar included in it. this allows me to schedule meeting with parents and inform both students and their guardians about their up coming exams. The calendar was created from Google on their Google Calendar site.**
 * One of the technical tools that I use daily is e-mail. I use e-mail for communicating with other students, professors and friends. I have a cellular phone that allows me to send and receive e-mail messages, make appointment**s **and store family and friends addresses and phone numbers. I also have a lap top that allows me to do all of my banking and shop online if I choose too.**

//11. Evaluate and select new information resources and technological innovations based on their appropriateness to specific tasks.//


 * Assignment 3 in my technology class involved evaluating websites, virtual tours and software. I had to download a evaluation template and answer the questions after visiting several websites and evaluating software. This assignment allowed me to see first hand some of the websites that were** **inappropriate for elementary and middle school students. I was able to select a few websites that high school students might find enjoyable as well as educational.**

//12. Use a variety of media and formats, including telecommunications, to collaborate, publish, and interact with peers, experts, and other audiences.//


 * Through my Educational Technology class I became comfortable with using the internet to gather information and publishing information on websites, blogs, podcast, webquest, wikispaces and other forms of media.** **Once I created my website and published it others were able to view it and respond to any of the material on the site. Wikispaces, Weebly.com and Zoho Writer are all available for others to view.**

//13. Demonstrate an understanding of the legal, ethical, cultural, and societal issues related to technology.//


 * The legal and ethical aspects discussed in the technology course were, copyright infringement and the issues involved in internet crimes such as, posing as a minor on a chat line intended for teenagers, cyber-bullying and sharing unauthorized photos online. I have also heard of many "get rich quick" scams used my people, often in countries overseas, claiming that you have won a monetary prize of a large denomination and in order for you to claim the prize, you would need to send money to their P.O. Box to cash the check.**

//14. Exhibit positive attitudes toward technology uses that support lifelong learning, collaboration, personal pursuits, and productivity.//


 * Many of the technical skills that I have obtained recently from my technology course have given me a boost in confidence concerning the use of computers. I feel that I am capable of retrieving information from various sources, creating excel spread sheets and graphs, creating websites, blogging, creating concept maps and digital videos. All of these skills will increase my ability to preform well as a teacher. Technology helps you organize your lesson plans, create interactive assignments and get students involved in the learning process.**

//15. Discuss diversity issues related to electronic media.//


 * I was a substitute teacher for a year in a district that was socioeconomically deprived**. **The school that I worked for did not have up to date technology. There were a few computers in a room that was labeled as a computer lab. It was really an old biology lab. Teachers had to do progress reports and report cards manually. There are many students that do not have access to computers and therefore lack technical skills. We discussed this in class and talked about libraries and other public centers that could accommodate these students and adults.**

//16. Discuss the health and safety issues related to technology use.//


 * Discomfort from setting at a desk for long periods of time as well as strained eyes are health issues that are directly related to working on a computer. Carpal tunnel syndrome, a disorder of the hand and wrist is often related to working on a computer. Safety issues include, internet scams, internet predators (preying on children) and shopping online on sites that are not secure.**

//17. Observe and experience the use of technology in their major field of study//


 * My major is English and I used technology in my field by reading, writing and critiquing websites. All of the assignments had real world situations and problem solving involved.** **The class used Zoho Writer to outline the agenda for the day and to take notes. Zoho Writer tied into my English background.** **I also answered questions weekly online in ctools. Ctools is a online website created for students at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, to send and retrieve assignments, answer questions and e-mail others.**