Power Point in my opinion is a way of retelling information that has been learned. Presenters in any field can use the information they have taken in and project it to their audience. Although, this is a way of informing people using quick bullets is does away with having individuals think for themselves in depth about information because they are constantly outlining in Power Point. In addition, people that are on the receiving end of the presentation are just getting the basics of what the objective is rather than the fine details.
On the other hand I feel that this program is a good way for children to get familiar with technology along with learning how summarize information using a different media.

This class has been helpful to me in many ways. I have been less afraid to use the computer and try new things. Although many of the assignments were challenging and this makes me frusterated when something doesn't seem to work. I hope to learn many more things that can use in the classroom. My only suggestion for this class would be to have more time in class to work on our assignments. I feel that if we had more time in the classroom to do things we would accompolish much more.

What is the "value added" for the uses of technology we have been discussing in class this semester? How do they (or don't they) fit with UDL?
By adding technology to any lesson you are making your lesson more valuable. Educational technology allows students to view their knowledge of subject matter in different ways.
Also, an added value may mean having to individualize instruction to students so that way they will have a better understanding of subject matter. When a student works with digital media they become the creator of the piece that they are working on. Consequently, this will help build student confidence and give them a sense of ownership.

I have used inquiry based learning in my classroom when I had my students recreate a scenes out of the story, "The House on Mango Street." I put the students into groups and they each had a chapter that they were assigned to design with any manipulatives that they chose. I gave the students some choices on what they could choose to use as manipualtives; for instance they could use a shoe box and place their manipualtives inside the box or they could create their own book by drawing out their scene of the story with explanations.
Currently, I am using inquiry based learning in our computer class by trying to create a website and a blog. This is something that is challenging because we are given the information and the tools on how to create a website and then we are to create this site using our own creativity and knowledge. This assignment is challenging and exciting because we are learning and discovering things on our own.
I would use historical thinking in my classroom by having the students learn about geography using a blank map of the world and having the students place the correct contents inside the map. This activity will help students to see and recall where information is placed on the map.

The standard of focus that I am concentrating on this semester is literacy. Currently, I am teaching ESL to middle school children. They need a lot of help in reading and writing and as their teacher I want to give them the tools that they need to become successful readers and writers. I can link visual learning with digital imagery and inspiration to this standard by having students learn new vocabulary words and the steps to persuasive writing through concept mapping. In addition, digital imagery can be used as an excerise to create pictures that match their vocabulary words.

Jay and Savana

Here is my boyfriend Jason on his motorcycle.

Surfs Up

Digital Media

"Who are Today's Leaners?"

I found this article to be the most interesting of all three that I have read so far. Working in an urban school I can relate to encountering students that have limited use of technology. I know that my students do not have any access to the computer all day because I only have one in my classroom. Although after reading this I should have the students take turn using it to do research. This article has inspired me to find out more information about my students home life and if they have computer access at home.

Response to "eTips--Educational Technology Integration and Implementation Principles"

I felt that this was an informative article on educational use of technology. In order for there to be a great deal of use of technolgy in a classroom; the school must be the provider. Also, the teacher must have a plan and have mastered the use of the technological tools that she or he is going to share with the students before teaching them how to use it. Educational technology can mean accessing new information in different ways along with putting meaning to what students can show and manipualte through technology.

Response to "Teddy Bear's Go Blogging"

I thought that getting young children in the primary grades involved in blogging is great! They are able to communicate with children around the world and at the same time learn about their different cultures. I also liked the idea of exchanging teddy bears and allowing students to see their bears travel from place to place.