Post #2

I use Microsoft word constantly as a college student. Word has great tools for writing papers and even short assignments like this blog post. It has spelling and grammar check, which checks over my writing for small errors. I have to save my assignments as docx. in Word in order to submit them to Blackboard. My professors also use word to create these assignments for us. Word is the most widely used word processor, and the file format is required for many assignment submissions.  Word can be used to create test and quizzes for students as well, like we did in Assignment 3.

The Fair Use policy allows the use of copyrighted material for non-profit and educational purposes. Most school assignments fall under the category of education, but it is important to be aware of copyright laws for specific media and for specific purposes. Students must learn from an early age how important it is not to steal others work, and always properly cite sources. Media literacy is important now more than ever. A student must possess media skills in order to access and use articles for information related to their project. As a teacher I would always make sure to keep my students informed on the fair use policy and copyright rules. Wrongful use of a copyrighted in or outside of the classroom is unacceptable.

Social media use has greatly expanded over the last few years. Twitter is a great platform to use for communication between students and teachers. Twitter is extremely easy to use and keep up with others profiles and posts. Direct messaging can be used for independent conversations, while replying to tweets and retweeting can be used so that all other students can read the conversation as well. It can be used as a great learning and communication tool in the classroom. Blogs can be used in the exact same way. Both are good platforms to foster discussion and learning. 

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Post #1

The ability to use technology is a basic essential skill in today’s society. Our educators must possess skills in technology so that they can educate our youth with skills in technology. Computers make teacher to student communication much easier and more efficient. The teacher can put grades online so that the student can have quicker access and feedback. Word processing software is essential to the classroom. It is vital for students and teachers to be able to type and format writing for assignments, making lesson plans, or communication purposes. Computers also make communication between the teachers and parents much easier. This can be through email, a class blog or website, or any other real-time communication platform.

The number one thing I will use my computer for is presentations to go along with my lessons/lectures. A large majority of students are visual learners, so it is important to have graphics and videos to help explain my point. Technology can be incorporated to suite all other learning styles as well. Technology can help interest and motivate the students to learn and be involved in the lesson. I would like to incorporate different online podcasts for students to watch, and even games to help to learn and study. In this class I hope to learn how to efficiently incorporate technology in the classroom. I want to learn about all the different resources that are available.

A digital native is someone who doesn’t remember a time before technology, and it consumes a large part of their life. I believe there is a huge gap between digital natives and digital immigrants. One big difference I have noticed is that my generation, aka a digital native, is much more likely to give up personal information on the internet. We trust technology because it has been around us our entire lives. The generation behind us is even more dependent on technology. Children are getting phones and tables younger and younger, and they can learn how to use new technologies very quickly. With this being true, technology is still constantly changing and evolving. Each age group must learn the new technologies at the same time, so no age group is at a disadvantage. I assume that there will be some gaps in the technology myself and my students may use in the future, but it is my job to keep up to date with new technologies, and since I was also a “digital native” this gap will not be as clear as the gap between me and my current teachers. 

I am currently a Junior ICT major, so I have a lot of previous technology experience. I have taken web design classes and Photoshop in high school. At FSU I have taken many coding language classes, more web design, photo editing, and various information classes. I am already fluent in Microsoft Office, so this class should not be a huge challenge for me.

In this class I hope to learn how to use my vast technology experience in an education setting. This is my first education course of any kind and I am excited to see all the things I am to learn in this course. I have been taught Microsoft office before, but it has been updated since then, so I’m sure I will learn new skills.

I am an extremely visual learner. I knew this before completing the questionnaire, but I didn't realize there were other learning styles besides visual/verbal. I was pretty neutral on the other three categories.