Welcome!

Welcome!

Welcome to my IT365 Blogfolio! This blog is full of my writings and reflections from each chapter throughout my time experienced in this class. I want to teach second grade and this class has helped me better prepare myself for my future. I have really enjoyed learning about computers.
This blog has been created to show others what I have learned during my time in IT365. The "My Artifacts" link can be used to explore all of my assignments and projects done in the class. You can also use it to read through my reflections from my readings in the book. My blogfolio includes chapter reflections, NET S standards for educators, web tools, a web site, a photostory, and more! I have spent lots of time creating and formatting this assignment.
By reading my reflections hopefully you will learn more about the many things I have learned during this semester. I hope that you enjoy reading more and find my page easy to navigate.

Standard Five

Standard Five
5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership
Teachers demonstrate improvement in the classroom and community by using digital tools and resources.
Performance Indicators for Teachers:
• Attend global learning communities and learn more about applications to improve the classroom experience for their students.
• Show leadership by demonstrating a dream of technology infusion to improve technological skills of others.
• Stay up to date with the newest technology.
Reflection:
It is important for teachers to strive for excellence. A negative attitude from teachers towards technology could negatively influence students. If teachers all over America would take this into consideration our children would benefit greatly. Wanting to help others improve their technology skills is a necessity for teachers. In my evidence that I met this standard I included Assistive Technology because it shows that I understand the importance of knowing the newest programs for handicapped students. Allowing those with handicaps to be relieved of their problems because of technology is amazing. It shows that I understand the importance of the influence technology has on the lives of students. I showed that I am eager to learn about the latest and greatest for those students. I included my youtube video because it shows that I understand the importance of learning from others. It is a great way to get others ideas on a subject. This website has definitely changed education in today’s world because you can find a video on almost anything. It allows not only our country to communicate, but the entire world. I also included my website because it would show my students and parents the importance of technology. It would help to improve the technological skills of others.
Artifacts/Evidence:
• Assistive Technology
• Youtube Video
• Website
Future Learning Goals:
My future goals are to go out of my way to learn about the latest technology and computer programs. I also would like to attend workshops on ways to improve my classroom using technology. I believe this could help me to give students enthusiasm about learning computer skills. I also would like to use youtube videos to allow students to learn something from someone other than their teacher. I believe this would help them put trust in what I have taught them because they could hear it from someone else.

Standard Four

Standard Four
4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility
Teachers exude a positive ethical and moral attitude towards technology and pass this on to their students.
Performance Indicators for Teachers:
• Teach and model how to respectfully use others work and ideas.
• Show proper etiquette when using technology
• Communicate with students of all cultures and us the digital-age to their advantage.
Reflection:
Teachers are responsible for teaching children their boundaries on computers. Using other’s work is unacceptable and they should be aware of this matter. Showing them how to appropriately use someone else’s work or ideas is important to establish at a young age. It is also important that they know the dangers on the internet. Students can get in a lot of trouble for exploring illegal material on the computer while at school. They should be taught not to open files from their email due to viruses. They should be taught of all of the dangers that can be caused by the internet. I showed that I met this standard by the following artifacts. My digital movie showed communication with people of all cultures because this is a public video. It allows comments and conversation for those of all races and cultures. It is important that I am respectful to those of all cultures. I used turnitin to show that I understand the concept and importance of not using others work. I showed that I understand the difference in copying and pasting something and reading it to gather my own knowledge. This is a very important issue to me. I believe that it is really important for children to understand how bad it is to use something that is not rightfully theirs.
Artifacts/Evidence:
• Digital Movie
• Turnitin
Future Learning Goals:
My future goals are to use my webcam to communicate with educators around the world. America could benefit from this to better our entire country. If teachers across the nation took part in this we could talk about what we are doing in our classrooms and what we can do to improve them. I will also use turn it in for my students to be sure they understand that cheating and plagiarizing will not be tolerated in my classroom.

Standard Three

Standard Three
3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
Teachers share their technology skills with students, parents and peers.
Performance Indicators for Teachers:
• Collaborate with parents using tools and resources to support student success.
• Apply knowledge to situations and technologies.
• Relay information using pictures and formats that are available.
Reflection:
Being a mediocre teacher or an outstanding teacher relies on the understanding of advancement in technology. It is the teacher’s job to use all of the technological programs to the classrooms advantage. Learning for children should be consistent and somewhat entertaining. It takes effort from the teacher, student, and parents to be successful in this. I show proficiency at creating ways to communicate through technology. Evidence of this is shown through my website. On my website I have created an environment to collaborate with students and their parents. This will make it easier for parents to keep up with what their children are doing in class. It will also help my classroom stay organized and stray from any confusion. I also used pictures and a format to make it more appealing to the eye. By creating a rubric I have met the standard by applying my knowledge of the subject into the criteria. I am using information I am familiar with and applying it to a situation used in the classroom. Once again, photostory has showed that I met this standard. Relaying information by telling a story with pictures shows that I am well informed on how to use this program.
Artifacts/Evidence:
• Website
• Rubric
• Photostory
Future Learning Goals:
My future goals are to create a website for my classroom including pictures of what we do in class. I want not only for my students to learn, but also for the parents to be able to see what we are doing in class. I want to form good communication with them. I also want to use the internet to communicate with other teachers and get ideas for my classroom. I also would like to get historical pictures and put them on a photostory to create a fun and entertaining lesson for my students. This would add diversity in my teaching and allow me to reach my children on another level.

Standard Two

Standard Two
2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
Teachers accommodate a classroom that makes every child comfortable with technology.

Performance Indicators for Teachers:
• Incorporate digital tools and resources to further students learning and creativity.
• Establish a technology friendly atmosphere that allows all students to pursue interests students might have.
• Acknowledge diversity in learning styles, strategies, and abilities.
Reflection:
It is important that every student has equal opportunities to explore their curiosities through technology. It is the teacher’s job to make students feel comfortable with digital tools and resources being used in the classroom. Being educated on the many uses of computers is vital to the success of teachers’ students. It is the administrator’s job to ensure that each student is granted a fair share of the equipment. It is also their job to use their judgment on what tools are absolutely necessary to have in the classroom, and which ones are not. It is especially important for students with disabilities that they do not feel as if they are being left out due to their disability. Teachers make a sizable impression on students. If a teacher does not used technology in the classroom, children may not see it as being important. I feel as if I have used several programs and I am comfortable with my creative abilities when using computers. I feel as if I could make room for improvement in learning about the different programs for handicapped students. Artifacts listed below demonstrate my capability to use technology to assist my classroom as needed. My digital movie shows that I know how to edit and organize video’s to expand the knowledge of students. My photostory exemplifies my understanding of tools used to create captions and images to better explain material being taught in class. The assistive technology assignment I completed shows my understanding of the different programs used by impaired students. These will all help improve the quality of my teaching skills.
Artifacts/Evidence:
• Digital Movie
• Photostory
• Assistive Technology
Future Learning Goals:
In the future I would like to learn more about all the many ways to help students with disabilities. Someone has to show them all of the ways they can use these programs to their advantage. I believe as a teacher this should be my job. I also would like to create several photostories to assist my lesson plans. These are a good way to stay organized and I personally believe the best quality to have as a teacher is organization. Video’s have always been an interest of my so I feel like I have got a handle on this aspect of technology. I will definitely find ways to incorporate videos in my classroom.

Standard One

Standard One
1. Technology Operations and Concepts
Teachers demonstrate basic knowledge of computers and use technology to advance student learning.
Performance Indicators for Teachers:
• Demonstrate knowledge on the basic functions of input and output devices.
• Promote innovative thinking.
• Use technology in real-world situations using digital tools and resources.
• Demonstrate technical knowledge that can be used to expand creativity.
Reflection:
Teachers are responsible for applying technical programs to their classroom. It is their job to be sure that students are grasping the many ways computers can make learning fun and easy. They should not only use them in their lessons, but should also allow students to create and explore the boundless possibilities a computer has. I have always found technology to play a major role in my education. In our world today it is very important for students to understand the many ways technology can improve and expand our knowledge and creativity. Artifacts listed below show that I have met this standard. They show that I am capable of fixing general problems that occur when using technology. They also show that I have a basic understanding of functions of input and output devices. My concept map was used as a way to explain history, which is my endorsement. I successfully showed my capability to link the ideas and give an explanation for each of them. My worksheet shows my basic understanding on how to manage websites. My digital movie helped me meet this standard because it required thought and creativity. It also shows my knowledge on downloading pictures and video’s. I believe teachers should be required a certain amount of time and experience with programs used in the classroom. This has been a great way for me to improve my skills and familiarize myself with several programs such as photostory, which I had never used before.
Artifacts/Evidence:
• Concept Map
• Worksheet
• Digital Movie
Future Learning Goals:
My goals for operations and concepts include finding ways to use these in the classroom. As a history teacher, I want to learn more and deepen my understanding of concept mapping. This tool could be used in various ways and I find it to be a creative way to explain history to my students. It is a good way for visual learners to grasp a concept or idea. I would also like to learn more about creating worksheets. This is a handy way to make an assignment look more professional. Digital movies are a fantastic way to visually incline student’s studies. A mental image will help students to see images and discuss them as a class.

Chapter 12 Reflection

Reflect on ways to use the classroom website with students
Websites are becoming more and more popular in the classroom! I find this very interesting and important. When I was younger, I would have never imagined that the internet would become such a big part of education. This has become a handy tool used by teachers. It allows them to keep in contact with their students and their parents. Children can sometimes forget to tell their parents everything about what is going on in school. It is a good way for teachers to allow the parents to stay updated on what is going on in class. One way this is beneficial is by putting up a class supplies list. It is also a good place to put up homework assignments and class policies. This saves ink and paper, which saves money for our schools! It is a good way for teachers to avoid any confusion or excuses of why a student might not be prepared for class. These websites are a good way for parents to keep up with what their children are doing in the classroom.