Independent Learning Project #2

For this ILP, I attended the technology convention Digitech at FSU. Digitech was very interesting seeing what amazing technological and educational ideas that my fellow students and peers had. There were so many different aspects of technology being used; I saw biological advancements, wooden sculptures, food apps for your phone, and different types of art work. As I was looking at the 3D printed art I actually saw one of my friends pieces! It made me feel connected to the convention, like I could relate and if I wanted to, precipitate next year!



The convention was very eye opening and I am very glad that I went! I got a few souvenirs such as a small notebook, class ideas, technological ideas, and a cool new app for my phone! My favorite part was the creativity, I couldn't believe the things people were coming up with! I actually saw some of the technology we used in the Tech Sandbox, they were a big educational technology hit!

Blog #10

I believe that as a teacher I will use Data Collection mostly for tests, quizzes, assignments, and anything else that has a mass amount of grades for my class. As a teacher you have a lot of students, especially if you teacher in middle, high, or college level having 6 plus classes, it is easy to lose papers and to get grades messed up if keeping tracking of them manually. Having everything recorded on your computer not only is a back up for lost papers but makes it easy to calculate averages and overall grades for your class(es).

From reviewing my peers blogs I have found the different perspectives of people most interesting. It is crazy how when I look at a subject or comment I have can my point of view and then go and read one of my other classmates and they have a totally opposite or different perspective on the subject. It really interests me to see what everyone else has to say and think about the same thing that I go through or went through!

The technological skill I would like to learn would have to be how to speed up my computer if it starts slowing down. I know as a child, if my computer started slowing down, either my dad or his tech guys at work would take it in for a day or two and it magically became faster! I know this will happen to me in my future for my family and I or for my career, so knowing this magical skill would truly come in handy whether it is at work or at home.

In the future I believe that I will be able to reach my educational-technology goal if the school I will be teaching at has the resources and tools for my students and I to use. Once given these opportunities I know my class and I will have a fun learning with technology and have a more functioning classroom the more opportunities we have! I will be working at Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, this is one of the best schools in the country for the deaf and blind. Therefore, there will be a lot of technological opportunities for me there and my goals will be reached. I hope to use such tools as Smartboards, 3D printing, iPads, laptops, etc. in my classroom.

Blog #1 (make-up)

Technology in the classroom has become a necessity in the 21st century, I guarantee you cannot walk into a classroom in America and cannot find one technological device. 99% of teachers say they have or have the ability to use computers in the classroom everyday. Computers have become so important in the classroom because of the amount of opportunity presented on them. There are endless assignments, educational games, tests, quizzes, endless information, etc. that could be used on a day-to-day basis. I know that I would not be able to have the same education I have today without the help of computers. The only problem with computers is how easy it has become to get side tracked/distracted. In school this is not an issue thanks to blocked websites and restricted internet, but at home assignments could be easily put off, unfinished, or not done at all. Thus, depending on the student.

Facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity: This is something that could be very exciting yet terrifying at the same time. Creativity is a major part of teaching and for learning as well. Although I believe I have some creativity in me, students may not have this ability. I know as a child I had a hard time being creative and coming up with ideas for projects or making my projects look "pretty" so I had my mom help me, for she was the most creative person I knew! I think because of her I have become the creative individual I am today. What makes me excited about this is that I can try to pass on this creativity to my students! I can only hope.

To me a Digital Native is someone who has used technology their whole life, been surrounded by it their whole life, and never not had technology in their life. I am a digital native, I can't remember a time in my life that I didn't have a phone, computer, pager, etc in my household. The difference between how I, a digital native, and my teachers and parents, digital immigrants, use technology is what we use it for. We natives usually use it for social media, homework, research, and mostly school related topics. Whereas immigrants use theirs for emailing, work, work, and occasionally some social media. The immigrants, my parents, taught me the basics of technology but I taught myself the tricks of the trade and has become very tech savvy over the years. I don't think there will be a big difference between me and my future students, for I will keep up with the technological times through work and school, being able to help and teach my students on how to become tech savvy themselves.