# 3 ELA Standards and You

The first ELA standard that I would feel most prepared to teach would be RHST.7 "Multimedia: History/ Social Studies: includes charts, graphs, photographs, videos, maps, research data". I feel that I could most easily do this because I have already had to integrate multimedia before into teaching experiences that I have had previously. I feel that using multimedia gives an extra tool for the children who are visual learners to understand. Along with being able to utilize these tools in lessons giving something to go off of and make lessons a little more exciting and engaging this way. The ELA standard that I would need more preparation for would definitely be "SL.5 Use Digital Media: Make strategic use of digital media and visual displays of data to express information and enhance understanding of presentations". I would have to do some preparation for this because I am not very skilled when it comes to audio use and recordings, along with making interactive digital media elements. 

I would truly like to utilize using technology in the classroom as much as I am able too using the Internet, blogs, videos, and take advantage of academic portals. But when it comes to digital citizenship one of the concepts that I would definitely address would be to be polite and respectful in all interactions. It is so easy to sit behind a computer and be critical and sometimes rude to and of others work. Along with refraining from sharing or posting personal information about themselves or others, it can be so easy to think posting where you are or your address is not a big deal. But it can easily make children targets for stalkers and predators so any amount of personal information is not advised. Since I do plan on working with middle school ages 11-14, this is one of the most important times to learn to be nice on the Internet along with not sharing personal information.

Through working on the Newsletter I have learned many new skills such as using multiple text boxes with how to arrange them. Also I have learned how to make borders and use word art, which I haven’t used in a very long time since many college professors and high school teachers are not a fan of word art when it comes to essays. I did not like having to figure out what to write and it was difficult making it sound different than the example, but I feel that this has helped me to be able to come up with my own ideas to do better next time. I will definitely be able to use this in my future career by actually having to make newsletters for my future classrooms. 

# 2 MS=Good, Copyrighting= Bad

Microsoft word has been an essential staple in work in and outside of the classroom especially when it comes too assignments. When it comes to papers and any written work that needs to be completed MS word is typically used to get the job done with its handy tools such as spell check it is every student’s best friend. I have used MS word for every one of my papers due from the time I was in elementary school to now I still continue to use it. All of my teachers have used it when it comes to giving us assignments, syllabi, quizzes, or test, basically anything you can think of when something needs to be written out and presented to the class. This program is one of the easiest to use which is why so many students and teachers use it and I feel will continue to use it as long as necessary.                                                                 

When it comes to Copyrighting it is the protection of the ownership of creative works, granting exclusive rights to determine who can use it and when along with the financial gain that comes along with it. Due to the internet giving us such easy access to copying almost anything you have to be careful about copyrighting as a teacher along with your students understanding what that means. But under the copyright laws there is a "fair use" section, enabling educators and students to use copyrighted material only if certain criteria are met. I personally recall how much copyrighting and plagiarism was stressed to me as a student starting in elementary school. I feel as a teacher the best thing that I can do to benefit my students is to help them understand what copyrighting is and what these criteria are that are to be met. I also would utilize the organizations and websites where educators are free to share their creative ideas and works without it being copyrighted to help benefit one another.                                                                                                 

 Throughout the years through new technology developing all the time I have learned so many new skills, from learning how to correctly and efficiently do research to as simply as enhancing my typing skills. Specifically through twitter and personal learning networks I have learned that when it comes to education I will never be on my own. There are so many sources to utilize for help and ideas when it comes to being an educator, utilizing these sources will help me to connect with my peers, collaborate and access information that could be very useful to my career in the future.

# 1: Technology & Today

Paragraph 1: When I look back on how technology has been used throughout my whole education starting from the very beginning what stands out to me the most is the use of computers. While in elementary school getting to go to the computer lab one day was a privilege and something to be excited about, while in middle and high school it just signified more work that had to be done and was less of an excitement. While using computers can be very useful and helpful in getting what needs to be done accomplished there are some major downsides to having all children in one-classroom use computers. One of the biggest concerns is the fact that many schools have very diverse populations of students when it comes to socioeconomic status, in which that higher statues children are more comfortable and used to having computers and using them while lower children who may not have access struggle when in the computer lab. This takes extra time for the teacher to go one on one with the student to help them and show them exactly what to do and how to do it. Overall slowing the process and sometimes not even using the computers at all. Not only this but the fact that the role, played by teachers is getting overtaken by technology itself. Al children do not learn the same and computer systems do not change based on how the child learns. They need that one on one interaction and guidance from the teacher to help them succeed the best way possible. These problems addressed in the first two chapters are very real issues that need to be considered when technology is used in the classroom. 

Paragraph 2: Looking through the ISTE standards makes me happy that there are standards like this in place to truly mold and help the next generation grow. The standard the gladdens my heart would be the first one "Facilitate and Inspire student learning and creativity", this makes me happy for the simple fact that a child’s creativity in learning is so important to the process. A child’s imagination is one of the best tools a child has when it comes to learning and I believe that we should promote and engage that as much as possible when relating to the real world and problem solving. The standard that seems outside of my skill set would most likely be "Model digital age work and learning" simply because of the fact that the digital world and technology are not my strong skills. I feel that I still have a lot to learn about other kinds of technology necessary in the teaching environment to communicate properly with others. 

Paragraph 3: The term "digital native" has been very controversial for this generation because they truly are the first generations that are digital natives. This term meaning being born into a generation/society where technology is so easily accessible. Our parents never had to deal with that which is why it was so different for them growing up. You are able to tell with many older teachers while I was in school that were digital immigrants mainly because there were students having to help the teacher with technology many times. Along with many older teachers sticking to using chalk boards or white boards and the younger teachers using smart boards due to that comfort level that has been established there using technology in everything they do. A main difference that I anticipate between myself and my future students in terms of how I use technology is too make sure that I stay up to date on the technology at the time which is going to influence how my students learn. It will be important to know how they learn new things at home through technology so that I am able to transfer it into the classroom overall making it simpler for them to focus and learn.

# 0: My Discoveries

Paragraph 1: My prior experiences using technology are about as extensive as using my smart phone and laptop, but not much more. I have been able to know the basics when it comes to making projects and papers but when it comes to the nitty gritty details my knowledge ends there. I wish I could be that person who is able to pop their hand up when there is technology assistance needed but unfortunately I am not. Other than being on my elementary schools news team in fourth and fifth grade there is not much more that I am able to contribute to the technological advancements of society.

Paragraph 2: I do hope to learn the advancements within technology and our education today along with seeing how much technology goes into our education which most do not think about. I find it fascinating how different our childhood educations have changed involving technology in the classroom. I am interested in learning so much more about computers and the things that we use on a daily basis so that I have a base knowledge of what I am working with and on.

Paragraph 3: What I have learned about my learning style is, first of all that I am primarily an Active rather than reflective learner meaning that I prefer to be very hands on in the process with a try it first attitude. Which I completely see and agree with once I have thought back on it and how I typically learn faster. Also I am pretty in the middle when it comes to Sensing and intuitive learning but being slight more intuitive than sensing meaning that rather than facts I prefer possibilities.  I am very positive and agree with the fact that I am all the way a visual learner but I am very in the middle when it comes to sequential and global learning. Seeing that I am slightly closer to global than sequential I prefer to get the big picture of it all then focus on the details.