File Management Module
I found this assignment to be very fun and informational. Once I downloaded Inspiration, I was hooked. I was amazed at the variety of pictures the software offered. It was fun to look at the areas of my life that are so important to me. I used the tutorial to walk me through the process. The tutorial was a great help for me.
I was so excited that I went to school and told the existing librarian about the software. I would definitely use this software. At school I use mapping to plan lessons and to explain content to students on the board.
This assignment showed me how to organize the information I need into a filing system. At work, I am guilty of not labeling folders with subheadings. This creates more work for me in locating the document I need. I am going to go in at work and label folders with subheadings to make things easier. All in all I really enjoyed this assignment.

Lifemap

WWW Search Strategies Module
Awareness:

When I first began this assignment, I thought it would be easy and quickly finished. I soon learned how wrong I was. I was aware of a lot of the sites on dinosaurs, yet I did not realize how many sites there really were.

Exploration and Filtration:

I began to explore the sites and webquests about dinosaurs. This took me several days and several hours each night. It was very rewarding to find multiple sites to look at. Some of the sites I filtered were not in appropriate for the Kindergarten to Second grade students.

Learning:

I learned that you have to check to make sure that the webquest or links are still current and active. That was the most frustrating item for me. Some of the great webquest I couldn’t use due to unavailable links. I learned how to link my sites. I was familiar with this from the last class I took. I still had to go back and refresh my memory.

Application:

I feel very comfortable with this project. I plan to create several of these during my summer break.

Sharing:

Hope you enjoy my pathfinder and find it useful.

Pathfinder

Multimedia Module
Awareness:

I chose to create a game on power point, since I had never created one. I have used power point in presentations last semester and learned a little about power point. I had a hard time deciding on the topic of the game. In the end, I chose rhyming.

Exploration and Filtration:

I wanted to create a game with sound. So many of my Spanish students have difficulty with rhyming, I decided to create the game with my voice asking the questions. The sound would be great for Kindergarten since they can’t read. I wanted to learn how to hyperlink the slides for the correct and incorrect answers.

Learning:

Technical Learning:
I used prior knowledge to create the slides in power point. A friend who had taken this class previously loaned me her microphone so I could record my voice. That part was the easiest, other than I was having voice problems when I recorded. When I tried to hyperlink the slides, the first time it didn’t work right. It took me some time to figure it out with a little help from the power point help bar. Eventually I figured it out. The next problem I had to solve was the correct and incorrect slides only played one time. So I went back and recorded a voice button for that slide.

Pedagogical Learning:
I created this game for my students who speak Spanish. Most of them are still having difficulty with rhyming. I emailed this slide show to the school to use in centers. It still hasn’t shown up. I am going to try to save it to my flash drive and then show the students.

Personal and Professional Application:

This activity will be applied to reinforce a Literacy First Phonological Awareness skill as well as covering a state standard. I plan to use the information I learned with this module in other areas of learning.

Sharing and Reflection:

Hope you enjoy the rhyming game.
Rhyme Time Powerpoint

Online Communication Module
Awareness
In this class and last semester I learned how to use Blackboard and power point. This semester I have learned about pathfinders, multimedia, and now about listserv’s. I became aware of the term listserv when I read the selected reading for this module. I already knew how to email and use discussion groups, so I have the tools to be a part of a listserv. The next step would be to locate a listserv of interest to me.

Explore
I went to the TECH4U site to discover more information about a listserv. I read all of the information. My next step was to click on the hyperlink for the listserv. I decided to use the search button in the listserv. I typed in educational and got 889 hits. I tried to narrow the search with different words, but the sites were too narrow. So I went back to the 889 hits and began to look for one that I would be interested in.
Later when I have more time, I would like to look at blogging. I had not heard of that term until last semester. The tools I have available for the listserv are a laptop with high speed internet and a willingness to learn.

Learning
The types of online communication I use on a regular basis are email, discussion groups, and now instant messaging. Last semester, I learned how to attach items to email. I am learning who to go to for help in my building. In my classroom, mostly I use the email to interact with colleagues.
I learned with this module joining a listserv was not as hard as I originally thought. I am going to observe for awhile the listserv I chose before I contribute. I want to learn their procedures before I interact on the listserv.

Application
I have only been a part of the listserv for a couple of days. My experience with the other online tools has been very positive and informative. I feel very comfortable with using the online tools of email and discussion boards. I will have to wait and see about the listserv. The listserv I chose was technology in early childhood education.

Sharing
I am enjoying all the new technology tools I am learning. Some of the tools we’ve learned I’ve been able to share with our technology teacher. She said she has inspiration but wasn’t familiar with it. I showed her my finished project and explained how it would be really beneficial to the students she works with. She seemed really interested. The next technology I would like to learn more about is blogging. It sounds like it would be a great tool.

Teacher Tools Module
Awareness:
I was knowledgeable about how to create a newsletter. Each week I send home a one page newsletter. The spreadsheet was a little more challenging. In college, 13 years ago, I was a computer major. I vaguely remember creating a spreadsheet. I knew where to locate each template on Excel and Word.

Exploration and Filtration:
I immediately accessed the program of Microsoft Word and Excel to create my projects. I did not complete a data base, since I use more spreadsheets in my current job. I also have access to a ready made data base with my student’s information for me to access at my convenience.

Learning:
I already was familiar with Word and Excel. The project that took the longest was the spreadsheet. I encountered the problem of how to count only the students that had mastered a skill. It took several tries and asking the online Excel help menu, to master the COUNTIF function. Once I got that solved the rest was easy.

Application:
I feel very comfortable with both of these tools. I would like to create a flier for the beginning of the school year. I think parents would like to see all the skills their child can learn. I would also like to translate this in Spanish, since we are the English as a Second Language Elementary in our district.

Sharing:
See my attached Phonics Spreadsheet and my weekly newsletter.

Newsletter
Gradebook

Internet Tools
This module showed me lots of additional resources to use to extend my curriculum on butterflies. I decided to create printable resources for the second grade teachers to use. I will also use these resources with my Kindergarten students. Some of the printable resources will need to be complete with the help of book buddies or other helpers.


Awareness:
I was aware of some of the educational tools that are listed in the Tech4U website. I had not accessed all of them. This was great for me to see the vast variety of tools that are accessible for me to extend my curriculum.

Exploration and Filtration:
I spent an entire evening searching through the websites and tools on Tech4U. There was a lot of information to take in, but good information. Once I decided on butterflies and the tools I needed to create the worksheets, I was able to choose from one or two tools to create the worksheets.

Learning:
I learned a lot about how to save, cut, copy works into other programs. At first, I was very frustrated with my inability to save to Word. It took me several tries; however, I learned how to accomplish the task. This is a new task for me. I usually get frustrated and give up or call someone for help. This time I decided to stay with the task and was successful. I have gained a tremendous amount of locating websites and tools that will help my students learn in a fun and effective manner.

Application:
I realized how many more sites and tools are out there for me to access. It was great for me to get out of my usual set of sites. I know I will revisit the sites I used for this module to create other ideas for my students.

Reflection:
I loved this module. While it required a great deal of time, it showed me how many tools are simply clicks away if I will only take the time to look. I am going to try to teach my fellow teachers at work not to be so scared of the tools and internet in general.

Butterfly Word Search
Sequence Cards
Butterfly Bingo

Copyright Module
This was an easier assignment for me since my presentation in the Print vs. Nonprint class was on copyright. I have learned a lot about copyright. I still do not feel as if I am the expert since the fair use issue is subjective.
I knew about copyright; however, I still believed a lot of the myths that are out there.

This assignment caused me to look at what I am copying. It seems that one copy can’t be that bad, yet, if all of us copy that one copy then we have denied the owner of the copyright monetary gain. I now really consider and double check that I am not violating copyright.

In my classroom I will continue to teach children that they should never steal someone’s work or ideas. I will also teach them about copyright law. Even though they are kindergarteners, they can still be taught that you cannot copy or print anything you want.

My school doesn’t really address fair use. The copyright laws and fair use guidelines are not displayed above our copiers or printers. This is a topic that is not discussed other than a brief mention to be careful. The school policy does discuss student repercussions about misusing the Internet. That is about the extent of the discussion.

Web Development Module
Awareness:

I knew a little about web pages, but had never created one. This experience was challenging for me. I had to ask several times for help. I was unaware of free web pages and how to post. This assignment caused me to get out of my comfort zone and totally learn something new.

Exploration and Filtration:

I immediately accessed the Tech4u site for information and tutorial help. The tutorial was very helpful. I then selected the web program free web page and joined for free. I then began to upload my information. I really enjoyed the selection I had for my webpage. Some of the web programs were not free so I filtered them from my selection.

Learning:

Since I worked the tutorial I knew a little of how to add my information. This took me some time, but was very rewarding. I also learned how to add clipart to my page. I had added clipart just not to a webpage. I remembered how to link my sites.

Application:

At first, this assignment had me apprehensive. Now that I have completed the assignment, I feel more knowledgeable about webpage’s. I can’t wait to get back to school and work on my web page at the school site.

Sharing:

Enjoy my web e-portfolio.