Post #8

An issue that is really important that the book discussed is computer security issues. There are a multitude of viruses that can damage the software on someone’s computer. These viruses include: boot sector viruses, file viruses, and macro viruses. There are also malicious software programs and worms. One way to combat these viruses is to use passwords on your computer, and make sure you have anti-virus software.

I have not really acquired any new skills since last class. I have dealt with powerpoint many times, especially in high school. I remember how all of the teachers I had stressed that powerpoint was the “new thing” that everyone needed to learn, and learn well. Either way, refreshing my memory on powerpoint will be useful in my career because teachers often use powerpoint slides to help them with lectures, and I plan to do the same.

In the spirit of the holiday, I would like to take this section and say HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! I am not quite sure what I will be doing for Halloween yet because I have a research paper due tomorrow. Hopefully, though, I will be able to shell it out in the afternoon so I won’t need to work on it tonight and I can go out. I am really excited about going to see my two-year-old nephew tonight, though. We are dressed the same (we are both lions). So I know I’m going to be going on a total picture frenzy. Anyway, be safe and have fun today!

Post #5

Because I am not particularly tech-savvy, I was not sure how to integrate technology into curriculum. Chapter 6 discusses strategies to accomplish this. The book recommends first identifying what the teacher wants to accomplish with the curriculum. Then, the teacher must recognize which technological tool will be helpful in fulfilling that goal. After that, the teacher must figure out ways to make the lesson fit for diverse learning populations.

Since last time, I have learned a couple of things about word that I never used before. For example, there is a way to figure out what level your papers are, and how easy they are to read. It came at a good time for me because I was writing a paper and I used that tool to figure out what reading level my paper was.

This week I want to share my job. I work at Downtown Babies and Kids, a child development center/ pre-school. I love working there! I am usually with the toddlers or three-year-olds. They are funny without even knowing it. One of the toddlers in my class cheers every time someone gives him a high-five. Another one responds to the question, “What does a giraffe say?” by licking her arm. And the three year olds are amazing because they learn knew words and phrases every day. One of my students recently discovered the word “penis” and started calling everything a penis (which I promptly correct, of course).

Post #3

Input devices are allow people to enter (or input) information into a computer. Some examples of input devices are keyboards, digital cameras, and a mouse. Output devices are the opposite; they let the user see what the computer did (or what they did on the computer). Examples of output devices include computer monitors and printers.

Probably one of the most important new skills I acquired this week was learning about Inspiration. I have never really been one to make graphic organizers, but this program made it very simple. And I think this will be useful in the future since kids are becoming such visual learners.

I guess this week I will share that I have been a little bit sick. My crazy Cuban mother has been freaking out in Miami, calling me 3 times a day. I swear she thinks I am going to roll over and die if she doesn’t talk to me on the phone. And it’s not that I don’t appreciate it; I am usually the one who has to call my mom in order to talk to her (and I call her every day), but it’s just weird hearing her so concerned over the phone. I guess she just has to realize that I am a big girl, and that I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself (or going to Thagard if it’s something I can’t handle on my own).

Post #2

Application software is probably what I use most often. It is the “programs designed to perform specific tasks for users.” These tasks include work and school related activities (like memos, research papers, and newsletters), personal activities (like a grocery list), and activities involving multimedia or graphics (like a birthday invite).

I already knew how to do a lot of the things we did in class last week, but I did learn how to do a couple of interesting things. For one, I learned that you can make columns where one side is much wider than the other side. In addition, I learned that I don’t have to make lines one-by-one if I need to write out many (like for a survey).

I always find it difficult to think of something to write in this section. I guess I can say that I am using technology to plan a couple of trips I want to take this year. I will be going to Sea World for my birthday to do the penguin encounter (penguins are my favorite animals), and I will be going to Iowa for the first week of winter break to visit my boyfriend and his family.

Post #1

When I first heard the term “digital student,” it absolutely boggled my mind. Have we really come this far, that we have to come up with new terminology for the youth of today. Apparently so! I guess I never realized how different children are growing up today, as opposed to when my parents grew up. My mother certainly could not picture life with a computer, and I certainly cannot picture life without one. What I can’t help but wonder is what’s next?

After my first practice test with Windows XP, I learned a few new tricks about some applications. Keyboard shortcuts are amazing! I also learned how to copy an entire floppy disk file into the computer. But perhaps the most important thing I learned is that I am not so behind as I thought. I only got two questions wrong on the practice test, so that means I am in pretty good shape. I may not be able to create my own website, but I can find my way around XP.

My boyfriend asked me today if I am going to be one of those “chalk-and-blackboard” type teachers when I graduate, to which I promptly responded. “YES!” But after further pondering that question, I have realized that that will not be an option for me. The students I am going to teach are going to expect, and likely need, technology in the classroom. They will need me to use PowerPoint slides and online videos and digital graphics to teach them social studies. Regular lecture-style teaching will not be effective. In addition, I will not be able to assign normal term papers, I will need to come up with technologically creative assignments to play to the skills they will need later on in life. I guess I really do need this class!

Post #0~ Initial Posting

Challenged, perhaps deficient, but I have certainly never been referred to as being technologically savvy. In fact, my favorite computer application for a long time was good-old solitaire. Sure, I know how to turn on a computer, how to write a word document, and how to find the latest funnies on youtube.com, but there are many functions that I am unaware of that this little box in front of me is capable of performing. As for my digital camera, I know how to take pictures and how to delete them, but the dozens of stettings and color schemes available on my camera are as foreign to me as ancient heirogliphics. I am a pencil-and-paper, manual sharpener, hardcopy kind of gal.

Of course, this will not be sufficient when I become a teacher. The education system is increasing its demands for the new, the improved, the faster, and the efficient. Therefore, I am taking EME 2040 (Introduction to Education Technology) to better eqquip myself for when I dive into a classroom of students who beg for online grade availability, powerpoint lectures, and email assignment reminders. Possibly my most prominent goal is to learn to ins-and-outs of the spreadsheet monster known as Windows Excel.

Because I am somewhat of a cornball, here is a poem about me:

I...

L-ove my family, friends, and boyfriend

E-at chicken over steak almost any day

S-alsa dance like a typical Cuban girl

L-ove the movie Top Gun

I-nvolve myself on my college campus (yay! Inter Residence Hall Council!)

E-nergize during my afternoon naps to keep me up all night