Visualing with Technology

Visualizing with Technology is an important part of the learning process. As an art education major, I can really relate with this topic. Without demonstrations on the techniques that I teach my students would never really comprehend the instructions that I wold try to relay. I am the type of learner that I can read it, but I have to see it to fully understand a topic. I need a different dimension. I believe that this is also the case with students. It is always best to have multiple examples to back up your lesson and provide support for your students. I believe that visualizing with technology helps accomplish this. The websites that where listed in the lesson were wonderful sources of this type of media. I loved them and found them really helpful. I could see so many opprotunities for using them in the classroom.

The Wonderful Web 2.0!

The thing that I enjoy about this class is that it is supplying us with tools for our teacher toolboxes. The tools will help keep our lessons fresh and engaging for our students. Not only that but using these types of technology in the classroom expose our students to tools that they can use for themselves outside of the classroom. I consider my self in the average catagory when it comes to technology. But, the amazing thing about Web 2.0 is its enormous capabilities, that it is hard to keep up with its fast pace. I have never heard of Social Bookmarking or Voice threads before this week. I have to say that they are both really interesting. They hold alot of potential for learning in the classroom. I think that it is wonderful that our society is using technology more socially. It keeps things personal and fresh. Being able to connect with people and mutually share information the idea in itself is amazing.

Copyright, Fair Use, Cyberbulling, Nettiquete, and Cybersafty.

Wow! This week had a lot of really important information to cover. Most of this information was a review of things that I had already learned in previous classes. However, I believe that it is important to be refreshed and updated on things such as copyrights and fair use, because the limitations of what is acceptable change so often.

I feel more confident with my knowledge of copyright, after this weeks lesson. I also believe as an educator it is important to cover the topics of netiquette, cyberbullying and cybersaftey inside the classroom. To often these things are taken lightly. Netiquette is important because you can make an impression on someone by the way you conduct yourself online. Practicing good habits online is very important, and can insure that people receive a good impression of you.

Cyberbullying is important topic, especially with older students. In the news a couple of years ago there was a young teenager who killed herself because of the cyberbullying taking place by a peer's mother. It was a eye-opening tragedy, because to most it was something unprecedented and nothing anyone really had thought about. Could this tragedy have been avoided if better education on cyberbullying was available? I think so.

Introduction, Vison, and Goals!

Buenos Tardes! (Good Afternoon)

My name is Ashley Thornton. I am a senior Art major with an all-level certification emphasis. A little about me, or three random facts. I am President of a Sorority on campus. I have a puppy. She is a Chihuahua-Poodle mix (Chipoo), and her name is Pumpkin. Finally, I hate the taste of Italian Sausage. So there are some things about me. I have actually had a blog previous to this class, but I had never thought about using it in a classroom setting. I have to admit that I am in love with the idea!

My vison for technology in the classroom is where I am able to create a positive and fun learning enviroment with the help of technology. That I am able to make my lessons more engaging and productive with the help of technology. Its important, not only in art, but also any other subject area, for instructors to explore and be creative with all the advancements technology has made and working to always being incorportating them into the classroom. As teachers we are responsible for creating effective and engaging instruction. Instruction that prepares our students for not just what is going on in the classroom, but also for life outside of the classroom. Staying current with technology and incorportating it into my classroom is one easy way to accomplish this.

The goals that I have for this semester is to be open minded and collect ideas for my future role as an instructor. For example, using technology to plan engaging, fun, and effective lessons for my classroom. Even though it is the fourth week of class, I have already learn so much. I am excited about what we will be working on in up coming weeks. Another goal that I have is that I can add more tools to my teacher toolbox. In this class I hope to become aware of what it means to engage my students with technology.