Yeah, my tech class is over, and done with!!!!

I can finally breathe!!!!  I made it through.

I Made it Through

Well, this is it.  My last blog for Principles of Technology.  I am so relieved.  I have learned so much from this course, but it was very stressful for me.  I know that quite a bit of my stress came from trying to complete my assignments while working full time in an autistic unit. Being a full time mom, and dealing with preteen issues.  This has been a very hectic year to begin with, and then the stress of trying to navigate my way around a computer has led me to many glasses of late night wine.  As much as I have complained through this entire course, I am glad that I took it.  I came away from this class with so much more knowledge and confidence.  I will definitely use many of the technologies I have learned from this course in my own classroom.

I'm On Overload

I've always prided myself on being a minimalist.  My motto has always been, "I'd rather have wings than things".  I've never been one for keeping up with the latest technology.  I was probably one of the last people to get a cell phone or a digital camera.  I like simplicity.  I like developing my own photos in my darkroom.  I like not having a phone ring, or sing while I'm driving or shopping.  I like writing in my journal, and reading real books not kindles.  All this technology flusters me.  At this point in the course I feel like I'm on overload. My stomach turns every time I open a new module, but then I get so excited when I finally finish the project, and feel like I've accomplished something outside of my comfort zone.  As much as I hate to admit it, this class has been good for me.  It has opened my world, and my eyes to a whole new way of teaching.  On one hand, these projects we have been assigned appeals to the artist in me.  I love exploring this new form of creativity. 
I really enjoyed exploring the many different programs we were encouraged to use for our wiki.  I even made my own video on the Animoto site.  I also loved making the movie, and uploading it to Youtube.  I shared my movie on my facebook page with all my friends, and received many compliments, and comments.  Everyone who knows me, knows that technology is not my thing, so they were amazed and surprised.  Once I figure out how to create a webquest, I'm sure that I will like it, and use it in my classroom.  I really like the idea of a webquest.  I like that it doesn't waste paper, and kids can go at their own pace. 
Even though it sounds like I'm resisting technology, I really am embracing it in my own way.  Who knows, by the end of this class, I may be completely conformed.

I'm Beginning to Embrace the Possibilities

I'm not going to lie and say that I enjoy my tech class.  It's been extremely nerve racking, overwhelming, and frustrating, however I am learning, and I feel great about that.  As intimidated as I am about each assignment, I am also excited and proud of myself when I figure it out, and create something pretty cool.  My confidence grows with each new assignment, and task that I master.

I enjoyed creating "My Rainbow Fish" quiz with google docs, and I plan on using google docs quite a bit in my classroom.  The google docs spreadsheet however, was another story.  I know that there are many, many other grading programs out there, so I'm not too worried about my lack of success.  I was completely challanged when I had to create the "power point on steroids".  It was my first time using hyperlinks, and I spent quite a bit of time cursing, and yelling at my computer.  Once I figured it out, it was pretty easy.  I really like how it turned out, and I'm so glad that I know have this new knowledge.

Before this class I wasn't aware of all the technology resources, multimedia, and applications that are out there.  Technology in the classroom helps improve and enhance a teacher with their lesson, and the children with their instruction.  Technology transformation in the classroom is essential in today's world.  Children are driven by technology and it's the teachers job not only to keep up, but to be one step ahead of them.

Dipping My Toes in the Water

Hello, My name is Kristin, and I suffer from technophobia.  Sometimes I feel like the clique, "you can't teach an old dog new tricks."  When I was in school (over 30 years ago) our technology was an overhead projector, and movies on 2 large reels.  Our "teckie nerd" was the AV guy who helped the teacher thread the movie, and then return the cart to the library.  Now I feel like the teacher.  Only instead of threading a movie reel, I must learn how to blog, create a web page, and protopage.  Develop a power point, and desktop movie, and then incorporate these new skills in the classroom!  Yikes, it sounds a little daunting.

I understand why this class is so necessary, and I definitely see the value of technology in the classroom.  I am excited about learning these new skills, and I hope that I don't get too stressed out in the process.  For my own experience, I would feel so much more confident if I took this course in a real classroom, and not on-line.  However, making mistakes and trial and error are great teachers.  So far, so good...not perfect, but hey, I'm learning.

I think that I will enjoy blogging, and I plan on introducing blogging to my own class.  I work with kids with autism, and some of my students have a hard time verbalizing their thoughts and feelings.  Blogging would be a wonderful tool for them.  In fact all these new skills I'm learning will enhance my classroom.