What are some of the next steps that I will take to
increase my knowledge about technology and find out how to apply technologies
in my major and/or future career?
The most important thing moving forward in my career is to stay educated. The easiest way I've learned to do this is to use Google Reader and stay connected to organizations like the NCTE, U.S. Department of Education, as well as CNN and U.S. News & World Report. These sources all will continually stay up to date on current and new trends in technology and their impacts on all of our lives and careers.
Each of these skills with these programs (Microsoft Office, Prezi, Wikis, etc.) need to be practiced and/or refreshed or else I run the risk of losing the knowledge of them. I've been taught how to use Microsoft Excel so many times only to have forgotten how to use it when the time comes to make a spreadsheet. Even if it just means opening something up and making something "for fun" will help keep all this new knowledge in my mind.
Additionally, I need to continue to read about these programs and technologies so that I will be prepared to help my future students learn how to use them as well as being able to use a wide variety myself in the classroom.
Proven time and again to be a valuable resource was the Purdue Online Writing Lab. I will use this to continue to understand citation as well as using it as a resource to help my students understand citation.
Citation: Brizee, A. (2012,
November). Non-purde college level instructors and students: Writing process.
Retrieved from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/owlprint/679/
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
(4) Becoming More Informationally Literate
Literacy begins simply with understanding. There were
mainly technologies that I had used before taking this class, but there were a
couple I had little to no knowledge about. After being shown how Prezis work as
well as being hands on and creating a presentation with it gave me a very solid
understanding of it, and I’ve even made a few more since being taught.
Another form of technology I had sparse knowledge of was RSS feeds and Google Reader. I have experience in blogging and I understood what RSS is coming in to the class, but I had never subscribed to a feed before. I found that assignment, using Blogger and Google Reader, to be one of the most enjoyable and interesting for me. Google Reader is just crazy to me because it’s so simple at the surface but once you start getting deeper and deeper into it there’s really so much to it (as shown in the “How To Use Google Reader” resource). Even if it’s not in an academic setting, I can now use Google Reader to be a much more informed individual which is incredibly important to me.
Citation: Noah, D. (n.d.). How to use google reader. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/videos-on_5132_use-google-reader.html
Another form of technology I had sparse knowledge of was RSS feeds and Google Reader. I have experience in blogging and I understood what RSS is coming in to the class, but I had never subscribed to a feed before. I found that assignment, using Blogger and Google Reader, to be one of the most enjoyable and interesting for me. Google Reader is just crazy to me because it’s so simple at the surface but once you start getting deeper and deeper into it there’s really so much to it (as shown in the “How To Use Google Reader” resource). Even if it’s not in an academic setting, I can now use Google Reader to be a much more informed individual which is incredibly important to me.
Citation: Noah, D. (n.d.). How to use google reader. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/videos-on_5132_use-google-reader.html
(3) Collaboration With Others
How Will I Change The Ways I Present Information & Collaborate With Others?
Wikis: Prior to this class I had very minimal experience with using wikis. However, I've realized that they're actually a very useful tool for collaboration. A specific way that I think I would utilize a wiki in my future profession is if I were to be working on an interdisciplinary lesson with another instructor, we could work together on a wiki to create notes for instruction.
Prezi: I was aware of Prezi before taking this class, but I had never personally used it. Once again, I believe that i will be able to use Prezi within my classroom not only to present on occasion, but I will also suggest my students create presentations with it to present information themselves. With Prezi being available online, it's easy to send between others to work on collaboratively.
Wikis: Prior to this class I had very minimal experience with using wikis. However, I've realized that they're actually a very useful tool for collaboration. A specific way that I think I would utilize a wiki in my future profession is if I were to be working on an interdisciplinary lesson with another instructor, we could work together on a wiki to create notes for instruction.
Prezi: I was aware of Prezi before taking this class, but I had never personally used it. Once again, I believe that i will be able to use Prezi within my classroom not only to present on occasion, but I will also suggest my students create presentations with it to present information themselves. With Prezi being available online, it's easy to send between others to work on collaboratively.
(3) Searching & Researching
How Will I Change The Ways I Search Online?
I've learned the best way to conduct searches on the Internet is by utilizing search engines and all of the tricks and shortcuts available with them. Being able to use things such as "Better Than", using quotation marks, using plus and minus signs to search for "this AND that" or "this WITHOUT that", site:URL, link:URL, etc. All of these tricks can help keep sites concise and easier to find what you need. Additionally, being able to search more effectively can assist me in my future academic endeavors in terms of research, and I can help my students do their own research more effectively.
Citation For Search Engine Tricks: Marc. (n.d.). 7 clever google tricks worth knowing. Retrieved from http://www.marcandangel.com/2007/07/25/7-clever-google-tricks-worth-knowing/
How Will I Change The Ways I Research?
Google Reader: If I’m working on a project for an extended amount of time, I will be utilizing Google Reader. Being able to have all the topics I’m researching organized into feeds makes the research that much easier. Additionally, it’s a good way to stay up to date with new information on topics.
Wikis: I'm a little hesitant to use wikis in terms of research due to the fact that they are editable by pretty much anyone and therefore are not always going to be full of accurate information. However, it is still a good way to share information with others and it’s definitely useful for any sort of collaborative work.
I've learned the best way to conduct searches on the Internet is by utilizing search engines and all of the tricks and shortcuts available with them. Being able to use things such as "Better Than", using quotation marks, using plus and minus signs to search for "this AND that" or "this WITHOUT that", site:URL, link:URL, etc. All of these tricks can help keep sites concise and easier to find what you need. Additionally, being able to search more effectively can assist me in my future academic endeavors in terms of research, and I can help my students do their own research more effectively.
Citation For Search Engine Tricks: Marc. (n.d.). 7 clever google tricks worth knowing. Retrieved from http://www.marcandangel.com/2007/07/25/7-clever-google-tricks-worth-knowing/
How Will I Change The Ways I Research?
Google Reader: If I’m working on a project for an extended amount of time, I will be utilizing Google Reader. Being able to have all the topics I’m researching organized into feeds makes the research that much easier. Additionally, it’s a good way to stay up to date with new information on topics.
Wikis: I'm a little hesitant to use wikis in terms of research due to the fact that they are editable by pretty much anyone and therefore are not always going to be full of accurate information. However, it is still a good way to share information with others and it’s definitely useful for any sort of collaborative work.
Google Scholar: Google Scholar is a fantastic tool for research,
as obviously an academic journal or other work is an extremely reliable source
for information. Google Scholar makes it easy to not only search for these
sources but also to access them. If I’m working on a very “serious” research
project, I turn to Google Scholar before anything else more than likely.
(3) Technology in Future Professional/Educational Life
What types of technology will I use in my future course work or profession?
Microsoft Word: Create worksheets, assignments, rubrics, etc. Microsoft Word is the traditional tool within the classroom, and it's very accessible. Students can do in-class writing assignments and projects with Microsoft Word.
Blogger: I will use Blogger to keep students updated with the class. I will post homework assignments and due dates on a blog, links to additional/suggested readings, and post class notes.
Bibliography Tools: I need to be sure to cite my own personal works as I continue to grad school. I also need to teach my students proper citation habits and how to use these tools.
Prezi: I will use Prezi much like I use PowerPoint. Mainly class lectures/note taking will be guided by Prezi. I will honestly prefer my students to use Prezi for their own class presentations over PowerPoint, as Prezi is much more interactive and it's much easier to do things with such as videos and photos and transitions.
Microsoft Powerpoint: I will use PowerPoint the traditional way; for lecture notes in class. Having
a slideshow with the information on it is a good way to connect with more
visual learners. I will use this
moreso as “guided notes” as opposed to having all my notes/lessons on
PowerPoint.
Blogger: I will use Blogger to keep students updated with the class. I will post homework assignments and due dates on a blog, links to additional/suggested readings, and post class notes.
Bibliography Tools: I need to be sure to cite my own personal works as I continue to grad school. I also need to teach my students proper citation habits and how to use these tools.
Prezi: I will use Prezi much like I use PowerPoint. Mainly class lectures/note taking will be guided by Prezi. I will honestly prefer my students to use Prezi for their own class presentations over PowerPoint, as Prezi is much more interactive and it's much easier to do things with such as videos and photos and transitions.
(2) Universal Design in Technologies: Other Technologies
SLU Global
Equitable Use: SLU Global is useful and accessible for all people. However, there are no zoom or large text features to help users with vision impairments.Flexibility in Use: There is not much flexibility to SLU Global. It is how it is, and that’s what you must work with while navigating the site.
Simple & Intuitive Use: SLU Global is pretty simple and approachable. It has a very neat layout that makes finding everything very easy through the menu bar on the right ride of the screen. There is a lot to SLU Global, but it’s not difficult to get a grasp for getting around the site.
Perceptible Information: This website is very clean and legible, but there is little to no sight of other modes of perceptible information. Only once you open up a different tab “announcements”, “messages”, “grades”, etc. is there an icon along with it that MAY assist in showing what each one is for.
Tolerance for Error: There is a spell check feature when you put in text for an assignment on SLU Global. Apart from that there isn’t much tolerance for error on this website. I can’t find many fail-safe features.
Low Physical Effort: SLU Global provides low physical effort. Unless you type up your assignment on the website as opposed to uploading it, there is really no need for typing. All you need to do is use your mouse to navigate the website.
Size/Space for Approach: Much like the rest of these, they’re only as approachable as the computer/desk is.
Prezi
Universal Design: This program is pretty easily accessible for any person. There are features to zoom in and increase text size for people with vision impairments. Additionally, it is easy to access any pictures and videos right from the Prezi itself. With every label there is an image to draw understanding from. The site itself is very clean and legible and it is very easy to construct a Prezi as there are tutorials on the website as well. There is also a spell check to help minimize errors.Podcasting
Universal Design: Podcasts are a little bit different than the rest of these technologies in terms of its universal design. It is difficult for a person with a hearing impairment to use podcasts, as usually there is not a visual or textual aid to accompany it. However, creating and listening to a podcast are both very simple. As long as you have access to a microphone, it’s easy to turn on a recording software and speak. This being said, a podcast is not necessarily well designed for someone with a speech impediment or disorder.Citation For Universal Design: Collaco, L. (2012). Universal Design [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from SLU Global
Monday, December 10, 2012
(2) Universal Design in Technologies: Microsoft Excel & PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Universal Design: The design features of Microsoft Excel are very similar to Microsoft Word. However, Microsoft Excel is a little more difficult to just “pick up” as you will more than likely need a general idea on how things work with building spreadsheets.
Microsoft PowerPoint
Universal Design: Once again this is similar in use to the rest of Microsoft Office. PowerPoint is moreso like Microsoft Word with the semi-labeled toolbars and the guided work (automatic text boxes labeled “click to add title/subtitle/text”). Additionally, PowerPoint features adaptations such as narration over the slides as well as being able to easily insert photos and videos.
Universal Design: The design features of Microsoft Excel are very similar to Microsoft Word. However, Microsoft Excel is a little more difficult to just “pick up” as you will more than likely need a general idea on how things work with building spreadsheets.
Microsoft PowerPoint
Universal Design: Once again this is similar in use to the rest of Microsoft Office. PowerPoint is moreso like Microsoft Word with the semi-labeled toolbars and the guided work (automatic text boxes labeled “click to add title/subtitle/text”). Additionally, PowerPoint features adaptations such as narration over the slides as well as being able to easily insert photos and videos.
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