Final Course Reflection

This class has taught me so much. I have learned how to incorporate technology into my future classroom. I believe as a future teacher, that every student has the ability to learn something. Even if it is just writing their name or learning all 50 states. This course has allowed me learn many different ways to engage with my students and their parents too. I have learned how to create a blog. I had always wondered how awesome it would be to have my very own blog. Now I know how to develop and publish a blog for my future classroom. I can use my blog to keep in touch with my students parents. I can make announcements on the blog, give reminders and let the parents know what is going on for the day in the classroom.

I also enjoyed learning about different types of web tools to use. I now know how to create an online test, which is much easier than using Microsoft word to create a test! I can also create a rubric for assignments. My students can have a rubric to go by when completing their assignments.

Working in google groups was a new experience. While taking mostly online classes, I had little "group" experience with assignments. This assignment allowed me and my two group partners to work together to create a story. Each person completed a paragraph and after we were all done we had a hilarious story! My future students can use this part of google to complete assignments and presentations on a certain topic bu using the google PowerPoint tool.

Creating my movie was also something that was a great learning experience. First of all, I learned to read  directions carefully! I downloaded the wrong version and was wondering why I could not get the movie to work right. Lesson learned. I learned how to navigate windows movie maker, how to upload photos, add a song, add a title and credits to the movie and how to make it a certain time length.

I also learned about how to create a website. I can use a website to have for parents to visit. I can list my contact information and assignment due dates. I can list whats new in class for the week. I could also use my website for parents to access their students grades when they wanted to. I think learning how to create a website is probably the best thing I learned from this semester. I can apply my new knowledge into my future classroom in so many positive ways!

Turnitin taught me how to catch cheaters in my classroom. I enjoyed actually copying someone else work and submitting it to turnitin's software. I then wrote my own paper about the same information and saw such a huge difference in the plagiarism I didn't even realize I did! It was interesting to use the software and see hoe it functions.

Lastly I was able to apply my past knowledge of assistive technology to an assignment. I created a PowerPoint that acquired all aspects, accommodations and modifications for my students with any type of disability.

I have enjoyed this class and again, I have learned so much!!

Assistive Technology

The assistive technology assignment was very familiar to me. I am a senior at USM and have had assistive technology drilled into my head :) Assistive technology is any type of technology device or resource that can be used to help students with different types of disabilities better function in the classroom. This assignment allowed me to put all of the information I had been taught about assistive technology into something that I can actually use as an assistive technology device in my future classroom. I learned how to press the "prt sc" button to select the current screen I was on and take a virtual picture of it for the PowerPoint. I also incorporated sounds, pictures, bold and highlighted text for all of the different types of disabilities that some students face. The NETS-T standards that applied to this assignment were 1 and 4. Standard number one states " facilitate and inspire student learning." By completing an assistive technology assignment for a specific student or students in my future classroom, I have used technology to facilitate student learning. Standard number four states "promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility." I have completed this assignment with my students who are differentiated learners in mind.  I have addressed all of the diverse needs of all of my students by using assistive technology in my future classroom.

Turn It In Assignment

The Turnitin software allowed the class to learn about copying and plagiarism software. This is especially important in today's society because students can just google everything and find information to use for their assignments that quick. Students then copy and paste this information into a document without ever reading or completing the assignment and turn it in for a grade. This is plagiarism and it is a huge problem in schools all across the United States. I was very interested in learning how to use, understand and publish the turnitin software. I can use this in my future classroom as a tool to detect illegal copying of others work. The standards that were used for this assignment were 3. NETS-T standard number three states "model digital age work and learning."In this assignment I gained the ability to work with students and parents to help detect illegal use of someone else's work aka plagiarism. Standard three states that the teacher is to "collaborate with students, peers, parents,and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation."

Website

The web site that we had to create was awesome! I always wondered how to create a website. I have a small jewelry making business and I use ETSY to sell my products. I always wanted to know how to create my OWN website. I had so much fun and learned a vast amount of important information during this assignment. I created a web site that was to predict what I would want my future students and their parents to see when they visited my web site. I had my contact information, due dates, assignment information and directions and a syllabus on the web site. I did not have any problems while completing the web site. The standards that were used for this assignment was number 5. Standard number five states "engage in professional growth and leadership." By learning about how to create a web site, I as a future teacher, are able to demonstrate effective leadership in understanding technology.

LINK for website

Creating a movie in windows movie maker was something new for me. I began the movie about my trip to Elvis Presley's Graceland. The movie seemed easy to create. I simply uploaded the pictures I wanted onto each corresponding page. I added a song, Elvis Presley's number one hit "Marie's the name of his latest flame." I got to a stopping point when I was to get the movie under two minutes. I could not figure it out. I has Mrs. Parker help me, we realized that I had downloaded the wrong version of windows movie maker. Once I downloaded the correct version, I was able to have the movie right at 2 minutes. The assignment was something new. I had never created a movie before. I had only completed PowerPoint's. The standards of NETS-T that were used for this assignment were 2 and 3. Standard two states "design and develop digital age learning and assessments." I  learned about the many uses of windows movie maker by completing the movie, adding a song and creating a title and credits. Standard number three states ""model digital age work and learning." Students learn about modern technology resources that are available. I had never heard of movie maker before this class. I now have the knowledge of how to operate and publish windows movie maker for my future students.

Google Groups/Presentation

Google Groups was a fun activity to complete. I enjoyed having an assignment that allows us to work with partners. I learned how to upload an assignment to google documents. I learned also how to edit assignments to google documents. Those two steps was very frustrating to me and took some time to understand. I am not very computer savy, but I enjoy learning new things. I solved the issue I was having with uploading my part of the google story to google documents by reading in my book. I also found a online tutorial on YouTube on how to edit and upload a document to google documents. The group I had was also very helpful. Our group leader Raja explained step by step what I needed to do. I can integrate this knowledge into my future teaching by my future students possibly creating their own story for a English or History assignment. Each students can add to the story like my group partners and I did. This is a fun activity that is something different than just writing on a piece of paper or looking in a book. The NETS-T standards that were used in this assignment are: 1,2 and 4. Standard one is to "facilitate and acquire students learning and creativity". The google groups allows for students to engage in a assignment in a different way and it inspires them to have fun while learning. Standard number two is "design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments." This assignment is completed completely based on digital age learning and knowledge. Standard number four says "promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility." LINK for online story   LINK for google presentation

Web Tools

Web tools are very easy to use and understand. I think web tools have a signification importance in the classroom. Every teacher should be familiar with all computer concepts including web tools. I enjoyed completing assignment 2. This assignment gave me ideas on different web sites to go to create a rubrics and tests. I also discovered new websites to find online, free ,printable worksheets and a puzzles. The NETS-T standards that were used in this assignment are the following: 2 and 3. Standard two states "design and develop digital age learning and assessments." Us students learn about the many uses of web tools by completing the different projects. This assignment broadens our knowledge of how to create a test, rubric and online activity for the classroom. Standard number three states "model digital age work and learning." Students learn about modern technology resources that are available online for when we become teachers ourselves!

Concept Mapping

I chose to do a concept map for first grade Social Studies. This map would be introduced to the students at the beginning of the year, before I begin teaching in depth lessons about our history and state.I believe it is important for children with special needs, as well as all children, to learn to identify and understand different signs in their community.
I enjoyed completing this assignment. It was fun! I played around on the Kidspiration website before completing my assignment. The website is easy to maneuver. There is a help guide if questions arise, which I used myself. It was very helpful. I am glad I was introduced to this software. I will definitely use Kidspiration in the near future, when I am a special education teacher! The NETS-T standards that were used in this assignment are 1, 2, and 3. standard number one states "facilitate and inspire students learning." This assignment allowed me to learn alot! I never herd of concept mapping before this assignment. I had never been taught how to complete a concept map. Standard number two states "design and develop digital age learning and assessments." This assignment allowed us students to have a online resource that we can use in our classroom for our future students to better understand a certain concept. That itself is a digital age assignment because it is all completed online!

Concept Mapping Assignment 2

Standards

1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments. Teachers:

a.	promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness.
b.	engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.
c.	promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes.
d.	model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments.

2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments

Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS•S. Teachers:

a.	design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity.
b.	develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress.
c.	customize and personalize learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources.
d.	provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching.

3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning

Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society. Teachers:

a.	demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations.
b.	collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation.
c.	communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats.
d.	model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning.

4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility

Teachers understand local and global societal issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital culture and exhibit legal and ethical behavior in their professional practices. Teachers:

a.	advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources.
b.	address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources.
c.	promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information.
d.	develop and model cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with colleagues and students of other cultures using digital-age communication and collaboration tools.

5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership

Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources. Teachers:

a.	participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning.
b.	exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building, and developing the leadership and technology skills of others.
c.	evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice on a regular basis to make effective use of existing and emerging digital tools and resources in support of student learning.
d.	contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and self-renewal of the teaching profession and of their school and community.

Introduction

    Hi, My name is Courtney Ware. I grew up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and now live in Lyman. I am a senior at USM majoring in Special Education. I have been married for five years to my high school sweetheart. We have two wonderful children, one on the autism spectrum (Hunter,4)and one not (Bella Claire,2). My family and I are far from the "typical" family, having a child with special needs is far from typical. But we are blessed in many ways! Every day is a new day, a new beginning and a learning experience. I spend most of my time in and out of speech and ABA therapy appointments, dealing with my sons "quirks," fighting with insurance companies to cover therapy etc.

    My career goals include many things. I hope to be a wonderful inclusion or self contained classroom teacher one day.  I have the belief that "If a child does not learn what the teacher teaches, then the teacher should look at the way they teach" That statement is very so true for special education students. Every child has the ability to learn something! In the future, I would like to retain my Masters Degree from USM.

   I know how to complete basic technology requirements from a computer.I have been in online classes for the last five years, but I am still learning new things everyday. I can produce, save, organize and open documents on the computer. I can use PowerPoint's and usb drives. I do have problems inputting information in spreadsheets, excel and excess.

   I have a very positive view of technology and teaching. I believe every teacher should use all tools that can help child to learn educationally.