Thank You Professor Aliefendic

I have learned quite an array of technological tools in my ETEC 424 class that will help me as a new teacher. Knowledge has been built of a variety of Web 2.0 applications to the extensive amount of material available to educators online. There are numerous technological tools that I will be using in my future classrooms. Thanks to Professor Jasna Aliefendic, my ETEC 424 has opened my eyes to an almost unlimited potential. The only limits will be what our school district is willing to and can afford to let us have access to in the classroom environment.

Assessing with Technology

There are many tools available for assessment. The simple practice of a computer based test permits easy grading of assessments. Computer based application further allows for the ease of accumulation and analysis of student abilities and whether or not they are grasping content material. An early indication of further instruction on specific topics can be noted when the analysis is readily accessible. This is highly beneficial in students attaining complete understanding and being able to add to knowledge gained. The importance of creating a solid base increases student abilities to master the material. Creating assessment tool can be intimidating to beginning teachers. Computer based assessment tools are found on many websites such as http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/assess.html and http://www.rubrician.com. They also provide templates on rubrics for an assortment of lessons. These are very useful to the beginning teacher. Rubrics assist in establishing fair grading. One of my favorite assessment tools is the ePortfolio. It allows for the collection of a student’s multiple assignments in one location. This allows both the teacher and the student to continually review what has been learned and improvement goals that have been met. Using computer based assessment materials and programs can help any teacher enhance the education process.

Visualizing with Technology

Communicating information in various formats enhances education. It offers students an exceptional opportunity to view topics from unique perspectives. I feel that it is easy for a teacher to get caught in a typical teaching style of textbook and lecture. Children in today’s world have grown up with extensive technology usage in their daily lives. It is not surprising that for some their style of learning and ability to understand concepts must incorporate some form of their technological world. Website such as unitedstreaming.com and safarimontage.com are excellent tools in offering variety in education. They offer a wide variety of visual productions that can be used in the classroom for instruction purposes. Visualizing with technology enhances the understanding of concepts in a manner that is quite familiar to our technologically savvy younger generations.