NETS

=National Education Technology Standards=


 * 1. demonstrate a sound understanding of the nature and operation of technology systems.**

I truly feel that I have grown in the area of understanding how to operate various software programs and the basics and beyond on how various programs run. In this class I have grown in my knowledge of the word and excel programs. I was introduced and have learned the basics in a variety of other programs, such as Audacity, Inspiration, Wikispaces, Weebly, Moviemaker and Podcasting. I understand how these systems work and operate and feel confident in my knowledge in order to teach them to my students and incorporate them into the classroom.


 * 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 feel that coming into the class I had a basic knowledge of inputing and outputing using such devices as the mouse, printer, keyboard etc... I came out of this class with a better understanding of thumb drives, downloading and publishing Podcasts, videos and Webquests to the web. I feel that I am better able to choose the correct resources for my needs, which can faciliate my lessons and help me to be a more technological savvy individual.


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

I think I have grown tremendously in this area. Every assignment from the basic word document to the digital video helped me in order to be a more productive teacher. These tools will help me become more productive and sense my knowledge of running these systems have increased, I will be able to better teach my students. My creativity has grown tremendously from the assignments that I have accomplished in this class. Every assignment showed me a different mode of getting information to my students or provided a way that I can help them zone in on their strong suit, which is technology and use it to master a subject.


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

This class was great at helping me become familiar with content-specific tools that would help my students learn in the best way possible. The use of Windows Movie Maker and Audacity as well as the Webquests that we created will all help support our students learning and allow them to process knowledge in a more creative manner. Many of the tools such as the Webquest facilitate a new and interesting way to do research and allows children to be more in control of their work, as well as working with computers, which they are so accustomed to.


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

All the assignments that we have created have caused me to use higher order thinking skills, problem solving and creativity. Technology was not my strongest subject and this course challenged me enough where I had to figure many things out my self through problem solving, trial and error and using past lessons to help with each one. All the assignments built on one another so I was able to use my skills and improve upon them as I went along. I have never been the most creative person but the podcast and digital video, in particular really caused me to think outside the box and bring a creative side out of me that I really didn't know was there.


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

Through this class I learned how to create and publish a Website, Webquest, Podcast and Digial Video. I was able to create models that I will be able to use in my classroom as lessons, lectures or models for assignments that I would like them to create. Every assignment allowed me to create something that I could model to my classroom. I will be able to show my students the hard copy of what I have created but through their creation I have also learned the valuable tool of truly understanding how to create them. Through these models, I have become a more efficient and helpful teacher.


 * 7. use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources.**

The Internet in general is a great tool for collecting information and coming into this class I was very comfortable in using this tool. However, this class helped me in collecting music clips and images that I had not had a lot of experience in. I learned many useful tips on how to evaluate websites and how to interpret if a site is good/bad and appropriate for classroom use. I was also able to use multiple websites to include in my webquest.


 * 8. use technology tools to process data and report results.**

The use of Excel in this class helped me to learn how to process date and report results if needed. Although my gradebook normally has this feature on it, I was able to see the multiple uses of the Excel program. I learned that I could use it in various lessons and also to create organization within my own records. I was also able to create bar graphs as a visual interpretation and how to create questions that could be used to asses my students knowledge if I used this technology in a lesson.


 * 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.**

All the assignments that I created in this class can be used in the real world by myself, as well as my students. Technology is the future and all these lessons, such as the podcast and digital videos are great tools to teach to my students who will be able to understand the basics and then can add on to this knowledge. I can see myself using every single assignment we used within my classroom, which will not only benefit them currently, as a fun or alternative assignment but as a skill learn to benefit them in their future endeavors.


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

The creation of the website and excel sheets are wonderful new programs that I have learned that will help me communicating information. The website is a wonderful tool to have set up for students so that they are aware of grades, homework, upcoming due dates and expectations. Obviously we can't go home with our students to remind them what is do or instructions but the website allows them a place to go where they can access the information that we have communicated to them. I have also learned how to creat calendars using Google calendar, which helps me to manage my time and can be used for communicating due dates to students. The creation of the Excel spreadsheet is also another tool that will allow me to organize information, data, grades etc..


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

When looking at various websites in this class, I learned how to evaluate the many different "educational" sites and many sites that can be used within the classroom. I had to determine that just because they could be used in the classroom doesn't mean they should be used in the classroom. This assignment taught me how to more closely evaluate websites and to check on whether these sites are age/content approrpriate, protected and overall where they worth they time in class.


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

The Webquest, Website and Podcast assignments all helped me to learn how to publish various assignments on the web, something that I had never done before. It enabled me to show off my work to other people and evaluate other resources. Ctools was another way that we could communicate with our peers to discuss various subjects relevant to that week's topic.


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

In creating our Podcasts and Digital Videos I learned the basics of music and image copyright. I learned how much music can use of a particular artist without infringing on these laws. I learned the importance of documenting images as well as music, which I didn't realize the importance of before this class.


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

I learned that technology does not have to be scary and when taught the basic skills it can be an extremely postiive medium for using in llife and the classroom. The assignments, such as the Podcast, Webquest and Digital Video were all great examples of how we can get our students to collaborate in the classroom. Collaboration is a great way for students with different talents to come together and produce something that they have all shared in. I found that this class allowed for a variety of collaboration and discussion, which helped me to grow and learn.


 * 15. discuss diversity issues related to electronic media.**

I think all the assignments that I created in class allows me to reach different groups of students and different learning styles. Not every child learns from the traditional notes and questions type of education. These new technological skills allow me to reach various learning styles, which means I can impact more of my students. Also, I learned that alhough technology is great, it might pose a problem for those students that lack computers at home, which is something to keep in mind. I was also shown various software and tools that are available for students with disabilities.


 * 16. discuss the health and safety issues related to technology use.**

At multiple times throughout this class we learned how to protect ourselves and our students from online predators. We learned on how to make our publications secure and set to private. We also had discussions on how to protect students from online bullies and what to do as an educator if these situations arise. Health issues are something that many of us experience on a daily basis from our reliance on the computer and was briefly discussed and the various ways to help remedy these situations.