Reflections

//**Sam R's Reflection Journals**//

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__**REFLECTION JOURNAL #1**__ //**How do I determine if a website is credible?**//

Oddly enough, I have never really put too much detailed thought into my web surfing. I have a tendency to start at Google and continue to update my searches with key words that I believe will be helpful in finding the most accurate information and the most credible websites. When I look at a website I find that the aesthetics of a page are generally what keep me intrigued or completely turn me away. I find that when a website is too busy or colorful it seems cartoonish and not credible. When i find a page that seems to have general knowledge of a subject matter I go to the sources and will then go to those websites to further my research. I believe that when a site has numerous sources that they are credible. Another way I go about determining whether or not a site is credible is through my University library databases as well as online journals. I tend to stay away from wikipedia as I have a hard time determining whether or not those facts could be legit or not. I might be slightly gullible at times and may not trust my own judgement. I do a lot of cross referencing and I believe sites are credible that share common general information. I immediately assume that .edu, .gov., and .org. are credible sources, however I always double check facts because nothing looks worse than when you think you got the right information and you are completely off.

__**REFLECTION JOURNAL #2**__ //**What criteria do I use when determining when a site is credible or not?**//

After reading your response to my last reflection I realized that when I surf, which actually isn't that often, and its mostly for entertainment purposes, I rely a lot on my intuition and instinct to determine whether or not I trust a site. I essentially look at the top 5-10 results on a page and go from there. I am essentially trusting what everyone else determines is popular or most entertaining. However, If I am looking for something extremely specific I find that I have to search a little further in order to get the specific results I am looking for. I wouldn't necessarily say I have a list of criteria I follow, i trust a feeling I get when I find a certain site. In contrast to casual surfing, when looking for a site that I would ask my students to use as a resource, I believe that I would do a little more investigating before allowing my students access to a certain site. I would absolutely do a bit of cross referencing and background checks for a site. Unfortunately while looking for sites for first and second graders, I am aware they will not look as "professional" as other types of resources. I think the look of a site might throw me off at first, which will force me to actually look through the entire site before determining whether or not that would be an appropriate learning tool for my students. However, I trust my instincts on most things so if a site really doesn't feel right I most likely will not use it.

__**REFLECTION JOURNAL #3**__ //**Reflect on my previous knowledge of WORD and how it has shifted**//

Funny that before we did this exercise I really thought that I had a phenomenal grasp on how to use Word 2007, and then I come to find there is so much more to this program than I had initially thought. Up until this point, I have **primarily** used WORD for letter writing or paper writing in High School and Undergrad. I am a master at the review tools (grammar check, spell check, etc) Really I am a master at using the very basic functions of this program. In the past I may have gone as far as to insert pictures or create word art, but other than that I haven't gone too far in depth with the functions and capabilites of this program. After completing this project, I have come to realize that there is so much more to WORD than just writing essays and letters. I did my project using the mail merger function which i had no previous knowledge of before. After exploring what it can do, I am eager to explore WORD and figure out how I can use even more options to enhance my teaching. Like I said in my project, I am not one to read manuals, but I love experimenting with trial and error. I am great at playing around with a program until I figure it out. I will occasionally use the wizard to help me along. I tend to need step by step instructions or a more hands on approach by someone physically helping me and explaining what to do. This project has helped me realize that WORD can be a very useful and helpful tool in the classroom for both my students and me as a teacher.

//Reflect on my previous knowledge of EXCEL and how it has shifted//**
 * __REFLECTION JOURNAL #4__

Before this exercise I really had no previous knowledge of EXCEL. I honestly thought it was mainly for numbers and averages and I had a very stereotypical view of what EXCEL does. This is the first time I created a chart or a spreadsheet, so I can't really compare it to what I have done before, I am a brand new user! At first glance EXCEL appears to be much easier to figure out than it really is. It took me some time to create a basic chart to keep track of student's attendance. However, after spending way too much time using EXCEL I can now say I have the very basic skills in order to make more charts in the future. I honestly thought that I would never have a need to use EXCEL, but this exercise has showed me that I can use EXCEL for a lot of things and it will help me to simplify basic tasks and charts that I can use to help me organize my classroom in the future. I am sure that I will be using this program a lot.

//Reflect on my previous knowledge of Powerpoint and how it has shifted//**
 * __REFLECTION JOURNAL #5__

I happen to have a love/hate relationship with powerpoint. I love it because I really enjoy creating presentations, like creating an art project on the computer. I hate it, because I never know when to stop and end up making a ridiculously long presentation and I spend hours upon hours doing the "fine tuning" adding pictures, word art, changing colors and fonts, stuff like that. With this particular project I used new aspects of powerpoint that I had no idea they existed, if you didn't mention the button options in class I probably wouldn't never of found it. Going back to my "trial and error" method, I prefer when I have a teacher or a wizard to explain what my options are and how to use certain features, however if that is unavaible or I will search around on the program til i figure it out.

For some reason, I found powerpoint a lot easier to figure out and learn from, now that could be because I am not good whatsoever at math and equations. I found excel to be scary and it frustrated me to a point where i wanted to give up. With powerpoint I almost found it fun and enjoyable to mess around with all the options in creating an interactive slideshow for my students. I am now a big fan of the button option and will probably use that feature in most future powerpoint presentations. I have never really needed to use the movie feature, but I found inserting film into the presentation was no problem at all and I think it will really enhance the slideshow. I could have easily spent way more time on powerpoint creating more aspects of my slideshow but I controlled myself. Through this exercise I have definitely enhanced what I already know about powerpoint and picked up some new tricks too.


 * __REFLECTION JOURNAL #6__**
 * //Reflect on my previous knowledge of Publisher and how it has shifted//**

I found publisher very similar to that of powerpoint in that it is more creative and "artsy" than excel. I really didn't have any experience with publisher before this project, so I really got to explore the program and get creative with making my own template and inserting images, word art and text boxes to create a completely original newsletter for my elementary school students. Publisher on my computer is completely different from what we experimented with on MAC in class. so I found myself asking the wizard all sorts of questions to help me figure out how to do things. The wizard really helped me through creating my newsletter. Creating a border, altering the transparency of a photo and inserting text into different autoshapes are all things I learned through the wizard.

So going back to "my method" of exploring, I have figured out it really is experimental until I get frustrated and turn to asking the wizard questions. I find that these programs are more accessible to me because I am playing a lot more than analyzing. I find in excel I really need to figure out equations and numbers, which is not my strong suit at all. "playing" with a programs allows my creative and artistic side to shine through in my projects. I had a lot of fun messing around with color in my text and creating fun borders for the two different holidays that I created newsletters for. Again I still think powerpoint has been the easiest so far, but now I think it is because I have the most experience with it. I think that the more I practice with publisher, the more sophisticated and creative the projects will become. Even though i am very proud of myself for creating my own original designs I know that I can take it farther and get more intricate with the program.


 * __REFLECTION #7__**
 * //GAMING//**

Am I a gamer? Absolutely. LIke I said in class when I think gamer, I think World of Warcraft, dungeons and dragons, I guess more dorky side. I guess I have been a gamer since I could pick up a controller. I love old school Nintendo, Snood, Text Twist, PS3. I could probably go on for a while. I never really thought that I could incorporate gaming into the classroom, but I have proven myself wrong. I remember using video games on the computer when I was in elementary school and all i remember is loving playing those games, and I am pretty sure they helped me learn basic math and reading skills. This project defintely changed my perception on who gamers are and what games can be beneficial on a learning level. For elementary students, I don't think games are necessary because students at this age are already so excited to be in school and learning new things. But, after completeing this project I can certainly see how video games could reinforce what they are learning and present new ways of learning that information. Students learn in all sorts of ways and video games allow them to use audio and visual to connect to a lesson, which I think is really great for reinforcement.

I know that I will encourage my students to go home and play video games because on the first and second grade level most games that they understand are typically educational. PBS, Sesame Street, they all encourage gaming and they are all teaching important lessons. When I hear gamer my mind will still go to my previous definiton, but now I have expanded my definitin and can include myself in that category. Not sure if that is something I will broadcast, but nonetheless, I am a gamer.

__**REFLECTION #8**__
 * //WHAT TYPE OF LEARNER AM I?//**

I really don't believe that I am one type of learner based on Gardner's categories of intelligence. If I had to narrow it down, I would say I fall into the bodily-kinesthetic and interpersonal ideas of learning. My entire life I have been a dancer. My parents enrolled me in dance classes as soon as I could walk, so movement has always been a huge part of my life. As a result of being a dancer I find that my interaction with others has helped me in the educational setting. I am very aware of those around me and take into account what others are doing too. I believe that my communication skills are very strong and I always take into account others around me. I have a great ability to pick movement up very quickly and as a result of my dance background I have a great memory. I prefer to learn through visual means which I think is a direct result of my training in dance.

As a teacher I think that this will help me to connect with my elementary students. I think children at that age are very mobile and love to move. I think that being a bodily-kinesthetic learner will help me to express learning in a fun and interactive manner with my future students. No one likes to sit and watch for hours on end, I believe that having children move around and be interactive with one another is a great way for them to learn and have fun in the classroom.

__**REFLECTION #9**__
 * //REFLECT ON WHAT I HAVE PREVIOUSLY KNOWN IN AUDIO SOFTWARE//**

This project was completely new for me. I have never created an audio project before and this was my first time using garage band. I found that I had a lot of fun making my radio show, but I really didn't like listening to my own voice. I didn't use a help wizard at all, I definitely played around with the program til I figured out how it worked best for me. I think that there is a lot more for me to learn in the audio/editing programs but I think I did an okay job for the first go around.

To be honest I was extremely terrified of this particular project, because I really have no previously knowledge of audio software and I am even more unfamiliar with using MAC computers. The more I sat with the program, the more comfortable I became. After this project I can certainly see myself using audio projects in the classroom, especially because young kids love to play with technology and they really love to engage in pretend play


 * REFLECTION #10**
 * //REFLECT ON MOVIES V. EDUCATIONAL MOVIES

I think what I like most about movies that I watch for strict enjoyment is the the general "non-thinking" nature of the movie. I, personally, love comedies, although there are clever aspects that require someone to have a basic intellect, it doesn't seem like I am actually trying to think about it, I just get it or I don't. I guess, overall, movies for enjoyment just require me to sit back and enjoy, sometimes I pick up on things that I don't think I would have, but that is almost done subconsciously and without thinking too much about it.

I find that educational movies have a stigma about them that can't be avoided, pretty much you are going to be bored til the end and information is going to be thrown at you that you may or may not want to learn about. And in most cases, educational videos are extremely outdated and haven't been upgraded for today's students. I find that even before the movie begins I am already bored and my brain instinctively turns off. However, if the movie is a product of the discovery channel or national geographic, I find those movies to actually be enjoyable and compelling. I think the documentary layout is hard just because students know that all they are getting is a bunch of images and a narration that might put you to sleep. I think the disconnect between educational videos and movies for enjoyment is the "fun" factor. Personally, I enjoy a movie that makes me laugh and entertains me. It is rare that I find an educational video that can engage my attention like an Adam Sandler movie, but it can be done.

With that in mind, I think that it is important to include elements of fun and laughter into an educational video which will help the students pick up the information in a more subconcious manner, without them thinking about the fact that they are actually watching an educational video. I would want my students to want to watch the film because they know that they will have a good time watching it and the bonus would be that they learn something valuable as well.//**

//REFLECT ON HOW CREATING AN EDUCATIONAL VIDEO HELPS YOU UNDERSTAND STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES AS "THE EXPERT"
 * REFLECTION #11**

I don't necessarily believe that I am "the expert" when it comes to creating an educational video for a group of elementary school students. However, I do think that I know what I want to show them and what they should learn from it. My group created a virtual field trip at the Adventure Science Center here in Nashville. We went on a Saturday, so there was an abundance of families and young children there exploring. I think by seeing how excited all these kids were helped us pick what we wanted to film and what aspects of the Science Center would be most exciting and fun for out students.

In this case we aren't creating a funny story, but trying to generate excitement about science. I think that filming other young children experiencing and loving the science center will produce excitement in our students as well. Like you said in my past reflection response, children at this age are already excited about learning, so our job is a little easier. By choosing such a stimulating venue, I believe the children are going to be so excited to experience the virtual field trip along with us. We made sure to film funny things about the science center such as the aging machine and us teachers engaging in child like activities that will spark laughter and silliness.

I think that being able to put ourselves in the kids shoes so to speak helped us film footage that we know would appeal to our class. Instead of just filming the science center, we also participated in the activities that the kids were. Watching your teachers play like children is enough to make the kids laugh, or at least it did for me when I was younger. I think the only way we could of made it go to the next level was to Sesame Street characters come along with us. Thinking back to Sesame Street, young kids love the idea of Fantasy which is why I think they love "muppet" shows, it is incorporating reality with the fantasy. It is fun for them to pretend that those characters actually exist. But through creating this video I have become more away of elements that I think would appeal to a classroom of elementary students. It is interesting trying to think back to when I was in grade school and what I thought was so much fun.

We were lucky in choosing a place to visit that was already visually stimulating, so all we did was try to capture as much of that as we possibly could. By just watching what we experienced, hopefully the kids will have a great time watching and learn something from it! I think my strength in this particular case was knowing what children find funny, silly, and engaging, i have always been able to connect with young kids, which probably has a lot to do with my upbringing and always being surrounded by younger relatives. My weakness is actually filming and capturing that on film, I think that our virtual field trip will certainly appeal to our students and if nothing else, they will know that they want to experience that hands on by the end of the film.//

__**REFLECTION #12**__
 * Reflect on what I had previously known about video software and how that shifted throughout the project

Before this project i had absolutely NO experience with the video software on MAC computers. In fact i didn't have any experience with videos and editing period. I must admit, before I began this project I was very intimidated by it, simply because I had never done anything with it before. My younger brother is a film guy and does a lot of editing, he always made it sound very complicated and intricate. I do believe, after finishing this project, that there are a lot of intricate details, but once you get a hang of what you are doing, I found it to be pretty basic. I am sure my younger brother deals with a lot more complicated editing techniques, but for what we were doing, I found the learning to be quite easy. I was lucky enough to have someone in my group who knew a little more than me, so he could explain to me how to crop clips, use transitions, add music, take out audio and do voice overs.

After spending close to 10 hours editing and creating this video project, I am confident that I could make videos and edit them all on my own. I certainly have the basic idea down. And luckily, I have friends and family that are very familiar with this software, so I could always get hands on help in the future if needed. By the end I found the project to be a lot of fun, and after learning about the software, I wasn't intimidated at all. This was a great learning experience for me and really opened up my eyes to the great advantages of using video projects in the classroom.**

Reflect on the course...
 * __REFLECTION #13__**

Lets start with my place in this course. I would absolutely say I was an active participator in the course and made sure to ask questions as I needed to and sought out extra help if that was necessary as well. Coming into the course I didn't really know what to expect. I knew that I would be doing all my work on the computer and there would be some challenges, even though I think i am pretty savvy on the computer, there is a lot that I am not familiar with or even aware of. After seeing the syllabus I have to admit I was a bit concerned when I saw all the projects with Office, just because I felt that those are programs that are used a lot and I wasn't exactly sure how they were going to be used on a more educational level and be implemented in an elementary classroom setting.

I think right from the beginning I was pleasantly surprised with this course. Let's be honest, by the time I am in the classroom as a teacher, so many of my students will be aware of all that technology has to offer and I wouldn't want to deny them any aspects of that in the classroom. I have found that there are a plethora of ways that I can use every program that I have only skimmed the surface on how to use. I have gained a much broader spectrum on how to use simple programs in Office that i probably wouldn't of even explored if it weren't for this course. I was a bit hesitant when we were first started discussing these programs because I thought they would end up in busy work. I really felt that I pushed myself in terms of how far I can take a program and what I can get out of it. I was most comfortable with Word, as I use that almost on a daily basis, but truly didn't go deeper into the functions it has to offer. I was always aware of Excel and Publisher, but again never took the time to play with the programs and really see what they can do. It is truly amazing to me how if you take a little time and play a little longer you can really discover some amazing things and what an awesome way to get students excited about school. I mean all kids love playing with computers. This course has really helped me to think outside the technology box and push myself into uncomfortable territory.

Like you commented on my previous reflection, each week I got slightly more and more intimidated by the projects. It's just interesting how each week we went into projects that I had less and less experience with, with worked out great for me because i feel like the class was almost geared specifically to me. I had the most experience with the Office programs and by the time we got to audio and video, I was completely clueless as to what I was doing. I really have learned so much in terms of creating fun projects for my students and creating projects for me as a teacher that can benefit not only my students, but their parents too. I am confident now that i can go into most programs on MAC and create fun and exciting projects for my students, this is going to be such a great asset to me as a teacher and I really look forward to implementing them in my teaching

The beginning of the semester almost felt like an extensive review of programs I was already familiar with and I was able to pick up some fun new tricks in those programs. The second part of the semester is really where I learned how to use programs from scratch. I think I benefitted most from working with garage band and Imovie. I actually think that garage band was more challenging because i was working by myself and was determined to figure it out on my own, simply because I know that i learn best that way. The video project opened up my eyes completely to video making. I loved making our video and like I said in class during my presentation, it was really nice having someone in my group who had more experience that could teach me how to use the editing functions beyond a basic level.

I think the greatest part about the course was that each class you gave basic instructions, told us what you expected and let us go figure it out, but you were still very available if we needed help or had questions. I absolutely appreciate how you didn't over instruct us and you kind of let us figure out our own way to approach each project. Personally I like having the extra help if I need it and I usually seek it out, but I preferred to kind of play around with the programs until I hit I wall. i think that allowed me to really absorb what I was doing so that I can duplicate those projects in the future if I choose too.

Every project I worked on this semester will somehow be used in the classroom with me and I know that i learned something new with every assignment. I approached every assignment with my future students in mind, so each one had a specific purpose and it wasn't being done just for the sake of doing an assignment (this is the part of the course that I appreciated the most). I appreciate how you made the course relevant and everything i did had a future purpose. And the best part is, is that everything is on wikispaces, this is a great outlet for the projects and I love how i can explore what everyone else has done. Thank you for a great class. 