Chapter 3

Chapter 3 is about application software productivity tools for educators. I learned about topics including operating systems and various types of software such as, application software and productivity software. The operating system is one type of system software that "contains instructions that coordinate all of the activities of the hardware devices in a computer". Common versions of operating systems include Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Vista, and Macintosh Operating System or MAC OS. Application software contains programs formulated to accomplish specific jobs for users. It can be used as a productivity/business tool, assistant to graphics and multimedia projects, support to school and professional activities, help for home and personal activities and as a communication facilitator. Productivity software was developed to help people become more effective and efficient when performing everyday duties. Applications like word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation graphics, personal information management and software suites are all productivity software.
I learned a lot about Microsoft Word since publishing my last blog. The newsletter assignment was very helpful because it taught me how to use various functions in Microsoft Word that I didn't even know existed. For example, I didn't know that you could apply a background to your entire document without stretching a text box out to cover the entire page. I can use a lot of the things we did in the newsletter in my classroom when communicating with the parents. I already planned t do a weekly or biweekly newsletter anyway and now I've learned techniques to make the process go faster and more creative. When doing the practice test I found it "interesting" I guess to learn all of the real terms of things even though I doubt that I will be using them in casual situations because most people wouldn't know what I'm talking about. Some things were confusing to me because I had to first try to figure out what the question was asking and then find the translation of my idea of the answer within the choices.
I guess I can discuss something that most people may not know about me. I participate in Jumpstart Tallahassee along with other FSU students. In this program I spend a minimum of ten hours a week at Innovation School of Excellence where I work with four-year-old students. The program is basically designed to help children in underprivileged situations by giving them attention that they may not receive otherwise. We provide one-on-one assistance, small group interactions and classroom assistance and I thoroughly enjoy participating. I find it helpful because it gives me experience and helps me to be sure that early childhood education is the career that I want to pursue. We also do various community service activities. On MLK day, for example, we helped build a playground for a local elementary school. I would highly recommend that others participate because not only do you get to help out the community and educate, but it's also a great way to get serv script hours and you will receive a $1000 scholarship for 300 hours of service as well as become eligible for other scholarships.

Chapter 1

Chapter 1 discussed many topics including the appearance of digital students, International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) and its National Education Technology Standards (NETS) and Performance Indicators for Teachers. According to Apple Computer a digital student is a child that uses multiple tools to communicate, is a multitasker that does several things at once with ease, and that is goal oriented as they attempt various things at the simultaneously. John M. Keller's ARCS Motivational Model helps you to think of ways to use technology to improve teaching techniques and strategies because he believes that students only learn when they are motivated. He thinks many students are only performing to pass the test and because of this retention isn't likely. The ISTE is a "nonprofit group that promotes the use of technology to support and improve teaching and learning". They have participated in developing NETS for the National Council for Accreditation for Teacher Education (NCATE) which is "the official body for accrediting teacher education programs". The ISTE has standards for teachers, students, and administrators that are designed to use technology to get better results. There are six NETS and performance indicators that all classroom teachers should be prepared to meet. They should be able incorporate technology into all of the following: understanding technology concepts and operations, planning and designing learning experiences and environments, enhancement of student learning, effective assessment and evaluation strategies,enhancement of productivity and professional practice, and understanding social, ethical, legal and human issues surrounding its use in PK-12 schools and apply it to practice.
I a few skills since the last time I posted a blog. I think the most relevant one came when creating the first word document because it allowed me to practice creating a quiz. Since I plan on working with pre-k I won't be able to use words but I could use pictures or something. I never thought of putting a footer on the bottom of the page but it could be useful in many ways. For example, it could be a quick reference for when the quiz was given or what subject it was, etc.
I don't really have anything that I wanted to share or discuss. As I stated, my major is early childhood education. I'm not sure what type of school I want to teach in. I would rather teach pre-k4 or kindergarten and I don't really want to teach in the public school system. I don't really want to teach in the private school system either. I think I may work in a public school to get by and gain experience until I get my masters but my ultimate goal is to open my own school one day.

Introduction

I haven't had many experiences with technology besides the basics, Microsoft Word, minimal Internet usage and a little Microsoft PowerPoint. I have never been much of a computer person. Many of my friends have gotten upset with me over the years because I didn't write them back on facebook or myspace, or because I didn't respond to an email.
I would love to learn more uses for the Internet besides my occasional browse on facebook and myspace and of course, online shopping. I would like to be able to use the Internet for research more effectively. I would also like to learn more about using PowerPoint because I can only do the basics. I would to learn how to use excel because honestly, I don't even know what it is or what it's used for.
I scored a one towards the intuitive side and I understand why. I am a bit of both because I do prefer being tested on things specifically covered in class and I understand things better when I have a real-world example to refer to. On the other hand, I often make silly mistakes, especially in math, because I work too fast and I tend not to read the whole question. I get bored very easily in classes and my mind tends to wonder also if I'm not actively doing something or thinking about something. I think that is why I scored a 3 towards the active learning side. Even though I am somewhat of a quiet person I enjoy working in groups and doing hands-on activities because it helps me understand things better. I scored a 5 towards the visual learner side and I agree with that because whenever I think about things I picture it in my head and when I', trying to put things together I often look at the pictures more than the words. According to the quiz I am also a sequential learner and I agree with that because I like step by step processes when solving things. I may exclude a step or two every once in a while but I still know that there are steps and what they are and I have complete most of them in the order I know in order to solve a problem.