Blog Post #3

1. The infographic I chose is found at http://www.fastcodesign.com/1670750/infographic-the-astounding-power-of-pinterest#  This graphic is very eye catching.  It uses a bright blue and black.  There are various charts that show he way pinterest has impacted people and businesses. It uses  pictures, graphs, and much more.  This a very appealing infographic that has a lot of information.  
2. Chapter 9 of our textbook talks a lot about software and applications available for education.  As a Kindergarten teacher a lot of social media and other software's will be too complicated for 5 and 6 year old students.  In my classroom, I can see myself using some applications.  One I would use is interactive programs for myself and the kids.  For example, a smartboard that both myself and my students can use.
3. Working on the Newsletter I realized that I don't know as much about word that I thought I did.  For one, I forgot how to use word art.  Another thing I didn't know how to do was making columns.  At first, I had to trouble with making it work but I finally got it.  I really liked this assignment, because I got to be creative and it got me excited to become a teacher. 

Blog Post #2

• MS Word has been used in my education since Kindergarten.  I have written papers, done projects and much more on Word.  I have seen teachers write countless tests on Word.  They have also used it for notes, study guides, project instructions and so much more.  Something new that I learned about word is the Smart Art link.  I think that this will help a lot when creating charts for the classroom.

• Throughout my years at school I have has experience with copyright and fair use of materials.  I have been able to use songs and videos in presentations, because they were not put out on the internet and it was not used for profit.  When writing papers, we must be extra careful when referencing someone else’s findings, because if it is not cited correctly, that is plagiarism.  As a teacher I will use pictures, videos and some songs in presentations, but I will never use them for profit.  When teaching kindergarten, I don’t think my student will have to worry about this yet, but if I were to teach an older group, they will have to learn all about copyright and fair use before doing any assignments.

• As we use twitter for this class, I have learned how to connect with other educators and peers in this class.  When using social media in the future I think that it will help tremendously for my lesson plans.  Especially as a new teacher, social media may help a lot.

Blog Post #1

• I think computers are becoming an important part in people's education.  Starting even in kindergarten the children are learning how to use computer programs in their classes.  Many concerns come up when using computers in a classroom.  An example is students handwriting and spelling.  As students begin to start typing assignments, they stop writing and if teachers don't make them write much, their handwriting will get worse and worse.  Also, many students don't know how to read or write cursive which is very surprising.  I know that I use spell check ALL the time, because I am a horrible speller.  If kids learn how to use programs like word at a young age, they will learn how to use spell check instead of being able to spell the words out. I do agree with the issues raised in the chapters.  I am majoring in elementary education and I have mixed feelings about technology in classrooms, but the issues raised in the chapter are very important.
• As an elementary education major I know that technology will be a part of my teaching career.  I would love to be a kindergarten teacher.  In my classroom I will use a smart board or projector and do the work with the students if it is on paper.  I will also probably have math and reading programs that the students will use. In this class I hope to learn creative ways to keep kindergartners interested.
• I agree with the term digital native.  Kids who have been born in the past few years grew up around technology.  They can turn on computer and get on the internet.  Others know how to use iPhones and other technology.  Digital immigrants are people who didn't grow up with technology.  An example would be a teacher who has never used a smart board or maybe new programs,  I have been in classes where a teacher is a digital immigrant and i wasn't a bad class, but the teacher had long lectures and the teacher wrote everything out.  Sometimes our tests would be copied written questions.  I think my future students will know technology better or as well as I do.  Since I will be teaching Kindergarten it will depend on how much their parents show them.

My Twitter Username:
@mary_eme2040

Blog Post #0

Prior experiences using technology
Prior to this class, I would say I have a pretty good idea about how to use technology.  I know how to use most of the Microsoft programs, and the internet pretty well.  My iPhone is always in my hand or in my pocket,  so I know how to use that very well.  I am on many social media sights right now, so I would say that I know social media very well.

What you hope to learn in this class
In this class I hope to learn how to use different programs and touch up on the skills I already know.  I would also like to learn how I can use technology in my future classroom.  From social media for the students to communicate with me, to presentations in the classroom.

What you learned about your own learning style today
My results from the Leaning Style questionnaire show that I am in the range from about 1-3, with the exception of the 5 in VRB.  If scores are in the range of 1-3 that means I am pretty well balanced in those categories.  In the first category I lean more towards the reflective learner, which means I tend to see the facts and try to memorize them.  It is suggested that when studying I need to do more than just try and memorize the material.  I am a pretty well balanced sensing and intuitive learner. My results also show that I am a verbal learner instead of a visual learner.  I have noticed this all throughout my schooling.  Lastly, I have a 3 in sequential learning.  This means I like to learn things step by step.