Reflection

After taking this class I have some pros and cons about it. I actually enjoyed learning a lot of new things about technology that I did not know existed. I did not really know that you could go on line and create your own web site for free. Wow. I though this was actually something that would come in so much use as a teacher. I actually can not wait to use it because I will be creating one as soon as I am employed, so that my parents can always know what to expect and when to expect them. When the concept maps had to be created was actually another assignment that was very interesting to me. As a teacher this will help benefit the younger age groups as well as the older. In the younger you can actually do maps with all pictures to get the point across of the assignment that is actually being taught. Now when it comes to older ages maybe this will be very beneficial when it comes to maybe doing a book report then they can concept everything out right in front of them and maybe use this as an example to show other how things may be done.
I actually found I have a weak spot when it comes to technology and guess what that is? Well I find that I get very nervous when it comes to new things that I have never had to use before. I feel like I will get into the system and not be able to get my computer back to working order again. I guess maybe I need to step in with both feet full force and not be so scared. I feel at times im just a lot less smarter than the current age groups maybe because of my age difference in my classmates. I try to do what I need to but I get afraid and I need to have more confidence than I do in myself and figure things out on my own instead of always complaining and going for help. I will just have to start using the help ans support page since I actually know what that is now because it was a life save in this class and I am sure it will be in the future as well. I do have some strong points only when it come to things like Word or Power-point. I actually can use these with my eyes closed I do believe but I know that I will need more than just these two throughout my teaching years.
I actually hope to be better at the others some day soon. I guess I will just have to continue to practice if I want perfect.
I know as an up-coming teacher I may have to take maybe some more classes in technology or either stay up-to-date on all things. I think the best part though is to practice, practice, practice and that may do the trick. Technology is very tricky and will always be in my eyes but I think the best thing is to get use to it and not be afraid to use it and I will do just fine. I give this advise to all people who have problems though, do not be afraid .
I can not wait to be able to use some of these technology ideas in my classroom. I will be doing concept maps for sure and also will be doing my own website as I stated earlier. Technology will be a part of learning in the class room for all ages I will be teaching. We will just start off with the basis but maybe that will be a great start. Using the computers at an early age may be very beneficial I do believe so I will be getting the children on them as soon as I can.
I hope to be the best teacher I can and be able to teach each child a little everyday or week about some type of technology but especially teach them to not be afraid to get on the computer and explore what there is to  work with out there.
I have enjoyed all I have learned and now am ready to put it all to use. Can not wait. Thanks for all the technology that you introduced us to.

Assistive Technology

The Assistive Technology assignment that was asked to be completed was actually I feel the most hardest one we did all semester. Actually though it was very interesting to me. I did not know that some things on my computer existed, for example the magnifier. This is great for people who actually have a hard time seeing. I was very confused on how to get this to appear but I went to the help and support and it was a great way of teaching me how it needed to be done. The help and support was actually the only thing that saved me in this assignment. When you entered what you needed to know it told you step by step how to get to what you was looking for. I also like the part for people who are a low vision computer user as well. I did not know you could go in and make the contrast different on the site so it will be beneficial to whom ever it fits that is in need. The hearing impairment controls was actually a great one as well for children who can not hear to well then you just change the setting to fit their needs as well. Our technology today actually allows a person with any disability to be able to use a computer with no help at all. This also allows our special need children to get some kind of experience on the computers also. But like I said you may need a little help in finding out how to set the controls on the computer to fit that certain child's need but it is not hard to find out. Just a little time and patience is all that is needed.
Assistive Tech Susan Graham..pptx  

Turnitin

Did you ever think that you could actually go to the net and take information off without giving someone besides yourself credit? Well guess what, it does not happen that way. If you are required to actually do any kind of research or assignments that require you to find out information you should always give credit to the place or person that is giving the information. We actually call that citing your information. And another thing is you can not go to the site and actually copy it word for word either, this is called plagarizing. This turnitin site is actually the site that is going to catch someone who has actually cheated and copied work word for word. Some teachers do not use this site but I actually think this is a great site because all of the students of all ages need to be aware they have to use their own words when writing about something. I found this to actually be very easy to do because all that is needed is for you to write your report in word and upload it to the turnitin site and it will give you a score (percentage) of what you did in your own word and you would like to be below a 25%. If you do not reach this score you may want to re-write the report. I think this meets the NETS Citizenship and Responsibility because we as students and adults need to take pride in our own work and not copy from others and that requires being responsible for what someone does.