ms word ...

I personally am the proud owner of ms word 2003. This is not because I never saw the point of upgrading, I have wanted to. However, this along with a new laptop were going to be my graduation present to myself since I bought the computer that I currently have when I began my undergrad in 2003, and it has been a long run! In saying that, the experience that I do have with 2007 have come from using the computers on campus in Longmeadow and no where else. I currently have to go to the library in town in order to use the new version of the software. I will be honest in saying, I am not comfortable with the new layout at all but I know that that is something that will come with time as I remember feeling the same way about the 2003 version. I do like the fact that there are many additional features that have clearly been developed over the years and I could see this software being highly useful. I like that you can create envelopes on the new version which is something that I migh find useful when making my wedding invitations and the envelopes to send them out in. I know that it is about time that I get comfortable with this new package, but I really did not see the point in doing so until now. I like that I am being exposed to some elements of the software before I own it myself and this should make the whole process that much easier for me. Not to mention, I am sure that once I enter a school system, this will be the version that they have and it would only make sense for me to be aware of how to work and manipulate the software before attempting to help my own students do the same.

I am in the beginning stages of creating both my flyer and my newsletter and at this moment, I have been doing mostly what one might consider, playing around. I am trying to get comfortable with the whole format. I have been using just random words and ideas on a blank document, moving them around, adding pictures, changing fonts and texts, and coloring backgrounds just to see what it all looks like before I begin to apply it to my actual work. I think that through this, when it comes time for me to complete what needs to be done, I will know how to do more editing than I would have been able to before in not knowing where certain features of the software where located. I am hoping that I will be able to be successfully creative and either way, I am enthusiastic to be learning all of the new information that I have been and I can not wait to apply it to elements of my own classroom some day!

elements of design ...

I never really learned specifically about the principles of design although you often apply them while creating a power point, handout, or flyer subconsciously without even realizing that you are using them and taking them into consideration. I always tend to think about everything that I create that will be seen by anyone more than just myself. I like to present information in a way that is eye catching, easy to read, and most importantly, easy to remember so that the points that I am trying to get across stick fresh in the minds of the reader. I have never enjoyed having to set through a presentation that repeats the same background on every slide, that repeats the same color, that uses the same font and text, that has no pictures and no animation (which at times I do not really mind). A few new considerations that I have learned through this unit would be to be bold when I display information, stay away from always finding comfort in a central alignment, use repetition in your piece and if colored print is not an option, consider a colored piece of paper.

I think that all of what I have learned this week will help me to design better handouts and flyers when it comes time for me to do so for my classroom. I never really thought of the reason as to why so many of the handouts that got sent home with me from my classroom never made it to the hands of my parents, this was probably due to the fact that I had no interest in them and from that fact assumed my parents would not either, so I kindly placed them into the trash. If you send home a flyer that is plain, all black and white, with the same text and font, and no pictures, it is not going to even excite the local librarian. I think that all of the information that I have learned this week is great information to have as when I do begin to create handouts, I am going to take all of these elements into consideration. If you are going to take the time to create something, why not take an additional minute or two in order to jazz up your piece for your readers and make it that much more memorable for them. Not to mention, that there is a greateer chance that it is not going to end up directly into the trash bin. I also think that on a professional level it will help your creative pieces get noticed by your co-workers and administration. If they see your hard work and efforts perhaps they will turn the tables on the work that they produce as well.

web pages in the classroom...

At first, I could not really see what the value of creating a web page for your classroom would really be other than being one of those teachers who felt like doing things just to show off the things that they are able to do in their spare time. However, after doing some research, I can see how a web page could be a tool that is used for not only teachers but parents, students, other educators and distant family members as a means to keep more than just the individuals that are in the immediate classroom involved with this class. How easy it would be for anyone to log on to the web and search the site is as easy as it would be to keep them updated. Within minutes, anyone would be able to be locate recent achievements, events, fundraisers, and anything else that you felt like sharing with those who would be logging onto the site. In addition to this, you could use it as a resource for your students and allow them to search information covered throughout the day, week, or unit, as a link to support enhanced learning or practice with a certain skill, and a way to post reminders for the students in the event that they forget to write things down or tell their parents (which always happens). As a teacher, the web page could be your organizational tool. You would no longer need a day planner or a journal to write down creative ideas for lesson plans, you could simply post them on your own web page and not have to worry about always carrying something with you in order to keep your reminders organized. If you used it as a calendar for the class, you could always access your page anywhere and keep yourself reminded of upcoming events with the click of a mouse. You could find articles, worksheets, or other links that you wanted to share with your class, upload them to your page, display any information that you wanted to distribute and even print relevant materials for the class straight from the page itself.
In terms of communication, the web page could answer that question, "what did you learn today" to all of the parents that are concerned when their child says, "nothing". You could log on and see the materials that were covered or will be covered at any time of the day. I think that what might be difficult for many parents is that fact that some parents work two or three jobs and are single parents. Any additional time that they have they are most likely not going to want to spend making a trip to their childs classroom as unfortunate as that might sound, but they probably want to rest or spend any extra time that they can with the child or children that they are working so hard to support. This eliminates the need for these visits and allows parents to remain connected at their convenience.
I have not yet fully jumped into the process of creating the google site although I have looked over the materials that were posted in order to help of through the assignment and located where to begin in my google account. Again, that is something that is so far out of my comfort zone for me but I am hoping that it is something that I am successful with and something that I enjoy so that I will use it in the future. Either way, I feel like knowing is better than not knowing, and just in the exposure I feel so much more confident than I have ever felt in regards to using the internet as an educational tool.

These are the links that I used this week to enhance my learning of web pages:
http://www.misscampioni.com/
http://www.kinderart.com/teachers/webpage/shtml
http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2sql/content_storage_01/0000019b/80/19/26/94.pdf

web search engines...

I believe that web engines are the most amazing resource for completing a quick and easy search for any topic, it is just a matter of making sure that our search is yeilding relevant/reliable results. There are times when you will search for a given topic and immediately find what it is you are looking for, or so you think. It is important to remember that accessing the information contained within a web site is crucial to determining the validity of the materials retrieved. It is also important to step outside of your comfort zone. "Forty-five percent of students use Google as their first port of call when locating information". I WAS one of those who encompased that forty-five percent. I am not saying that I am no longer going to use Goolge and I am sure that I will still at times resort to this site first, but I will keep in mind that I have other options and most importantly I know where to find them.
It is imperative to consider that while using web engines in the classroom, we must make sure what our students are being exposed to is relevant to the materials at hand and also appropriate, if I can find anything on the internet, than so can my students. It is amazing to realize how far that we have come as a society. As recent as forty years ago, you had to drive to the library and use their index system by hand to locate a book that you were trying to find. At that, you had to already know that the book you were looking for contained the information already. It was not like you could ask a piece of paper, "hey, does this book contain information on dinos" you can literally type this question into a search engine to get this answer, THAT is amazing to me.

I found this article to be of particular help when researching student use of web engines: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1387/is_4_53/ai_n14732768/

periodical databases...

Hatch Library used to be very overwhelming, now that I have been shown how to navigate through it as well as the databases contained within the site, it is not something that scares me as much as it used to. I think that the lesson that I have learned from all of this internet searching is that you can not expect your students to initially find what you ask of them unless you first teach them and show them the tools necessary in order for them to do so successfully. You can not always assume that everyone is on the same academic/experience level in regards to anything when it comes to teaching, over-teaching and repetition is better than not teaching at all.
I have learned that there is WAY more information on the internet than I ever realized. I knew that there was a lot out there, but I feel like I have always limited myself to the same sites out of the minimal comfort and familiarity that I had with them and because of this, I never felt as though there was a reason for me to change my habits. Now I am realizing that when given the tools to properly search any given topic it becomes remarkably easier to find not only what you are looking for, but a CREDIBLE, VALID website that gives you ACCURATE information. While doing a search you are going to find your answer and what you are looking for, you just need to make sure that the information is not unfounded and published by just anyone.
It is unfortunate that not all databases are free and that they can not always be accessed by anoyone and it takes a bit of practice in order to become comfortable with their use. However, selecting one database that is relevant to either your career or interests and subscribing for a small free is worth it. I am currently searching for an educational database related specifically to teachers/teaching. If anyone know of one and would like to share it, I would grealy appreciate your advice.
* In my searching I found a single page excerpt published in 1939 describing the same issues that we face today in exposing our students to literatures and periodicals http://www.jstor.org/pss/806192 you can subscribe to get the full article, however, I feel that the one page sums up many of our frustrations.

blog appreciation...

Before the start of this class I never understood what a blog was let alone the variety of uses that they can have within the classroom. I personally am not in the classroom and do not have any subjects to test my new found technology on, but I can assure you that blog use will be something that is utilized within my personal classroom in one form or another. The administrative end of blog use is what I find to be the most interesting and the most useful. As an educator you would be able to keep your students and other educators current by posting up-coming events, classroom highlights, reminders, lunch menus, sport achievements, student awards, deadlines, and even pictures for them to easily share with the click of a button. At a more advanced level of sharing you could use a blog for your school, not just your classroom, in order to post new hirings, policy changes, introduce new members of your staff, post cancellations or even use your blog as a forum for advocacy.
I am not saying that I am opposed to using blogs in the classroom for your students, perhaps this is only because this is something that I have yet to be exposed to and would like to see it used before I attempt it myself. I could see it being most productive at the college level as a way to communicate between other classmates, professors or other administrators with questions or concerns. I feel that younger student might be unaware of the gravity of an open communication forum and use it in an inappropriate manner. There are evidently ways to monitor students as they use blogs through monitoring and consent forms, I could just see blogs being more of an issue when being used with younger students.
One website that I found really highlighted the benefits of the use of blogs within a school community http://www.schooltechleadership.org/storage/CASTLE_WhyBlogAsAnAdministrator.pdf and used great examples through the use of additional links that specifically detailed the examples that they were discussing. This was very useful to me as I am a visual person; you can tell me one thing, but I REALLY just need to see it in order to fully understand.

You Might Be a Schoolteacher if...

you have no life from august to june

you want to slap the next person that says, "must be nice to work from 8 to 3 and have your summers off"

you refer to adults as, "boys and girls"

you encourage your spouse by telling them that they are a, "good helper"

meeting a child's parents instantly answers the question, "why is this kid like this?"