PowerPoint

Interactive power points are a good teaching tool especially in the elementary classroom. They can act as visual aids when presenting lessons and fun activities like review games that increase student productivity. I created a jeopardy game that reviews basic second grade level grammar skills.

Working With Excel

Excel is a great tool for teachers. As Microsoft’s go-to program for data analysis, including graphing and producing tables, Microsoft’s Excel is a wonderful application that can be used to achieve student learning outcomes. As a teacher you can not only average grades and sort students by abilities, but as I learned in this lab, you can also create seating charts. Students can benefit from using excel as well. The program enhances the understanding of content with  a graphic presentation of the information;therefore,  it provides a visual representation of data that makes it easier for students to analyze. In addition, students can see how different types of graphs and charts can be used to represent the same series of data, which is an important point for kids to understand. Excel is a tool that students can learn the basics of at a young age, and the skills can be built upon over time.

iMovie Reflection

Inspiration was a a great visual learner friendly teaching tool. I learned that I can use it to create diagrams and webs. I used it to show my tutoring plan, but it can used for brainstorming as well as projects in the classroom. Microsoft office Visio is similar to inspiration and can be used to make flow charts, diagrams, and mind maps just like you can do with inspiration.

In iMovie, I learned how simple it is to create a movie using PowerPoint slides, narration, and music! I would use this program in my classroom. I could have my students use it to create a digital story with pictures that they can narrate and personalize And share with the class. It can also be used to create a story board for my students. iMovie can be used to not only integrate technology into the classroom, but to truly bring lessons to life. A user friendly alternative to iMovie is called Slideshow Maker for Mac. Personally, I prefer this application to iMovie because it is easier to use and offers a lot of themes to enhance your videos in one click!

Efolio

The Efolio is a really great way to showcase and keep up with our progress through the School of Education. Because it is such an important part of our journey, even if it is a pain to work on at times, I decided to change a few things about it from last year. First of all, I changed my picture to a more professional one that I felt would be much more appropriate for the efolio. I also went back and edited my teaching philosophy and one of my benchmarks (so far).  I think the most difficult part of the process was actually remembering how to use Dreamweaver the way we were taught last year.  From this experience I learned that the efolio isn’t as scary as I thought last year, and I should treat it as an essential part of my time in the school of education. I also learned how Narratives should be written.This can also impact my future website as a teacher because in the 21st century it is best to keep up with technology, especially when you can use it to communicate what’s happening in the classroom with the parents. I can use what I learned from the efolio and apply those skills to my future website as a teacher.