REflection # 9: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

This project has been an eye opener and a bundle of both the good and the bad. First, the good. I finished the power point. It was a tasking experience to prepare the presentation. I started by deciding which presentation style I would love to use to make it simple and engaging.  The bad was that I tried several software tools like Prezi but only to find out that it posed technical headaches for me. I then tried some of the software suggested in class but could not marry the presentation with many different software. It was a heap of clumsy and confusion. Indeed, in times of such level of confusion and stress, I decided to settle for what is easy and simple to operate, that is, the one and only traditional power point presentation.  In this presentation tried to ensure that I condense important information as a guide as to how the lesson will go. I really enjoyed trying different options when planning my classroom lessons. It was an eye opener.

Reflection #8 Website Building Made Easy

This week had an opportunity to try to website building tools. They seem easy to use and provide different feel and use. What I liked about them is that they are very much easy to understand and their interface is so simple, that is, drag and drop which is my favorite. You don’t need to be an expert to create a simple website for yourself.

On our assignment point, I don’t know if many of our fellow students experienced the frustration with the java assignment download. Every time I tried downloading it for an extra credit, the link would send me to the last html assignment I already submitted. Another frustration was the TechRocket site which didn’t allow me to register my account. I hope this problem is resolved quickly and it is not free. The basic fee is $19 a month. I really tried to find other options but the site would not allow me to register. So, I am a little disappointed for missing out on an extra credit and also practicing new computer language.

Reflection # 7

This week’s assignment was very much involving for me. Trying to come up with various ways to present the information to my students was as I mentioned earlier involving and exciting at the same time. Going through the state’s standards and ISTE was also fun. This process seemed too long for me but was worth it. Know that I have done diligence in making sure that all levels of performance were catered for. No student will be left behind during the class activities. The way I divided my students into groups was by their performance levels although I must admit that I was also tempted to mix the group because of their initiation and discussions levels. But at the end, I settled for groups that perform at similar levels. In future, I may divide them according to their varying levels to boost those that function at the lowest levels.

Reflection # 6

AMERICAN REVOLT

Today’s assignment was a little challenging to finish because of technical issues. But was able to finish the assignment. I enjoyed the process of testing different resources provided for this assignment. I wish the storyboard allowed the user to add his or her backgrounds or scenes and characters. I was a little bit frustrated when I couldn't find what I was looking fro in their image library. nevertheless, I really enjoyed using the resources and most of all enjoyed reading some of the stories my kids wrote created using the storyboard. They liked it and were all over the computer. I did a few of my own scenes for my lesson plan.   I am grateful for these resources especially that most of them cost nothing. I like FREE STUFF!!!

Reflection # 5

This week has been a week of mixed emotions. I didn’t know what to expect on the assignment that required collaboration. I was scared that I may not be able to handle it well due to lack of understanding what was expected of me. Most of the time I would just go through an assignment with ease but this one was different. I couldn’t figure out what to do and where to start. It made me second guess my decision of enrolling in this class. But when we started the contribution and chatting with classmates it made it easier for me to navigate.  The fear of failure consumed me up to a point of procrastinating the google hangout. I even thought of skipping it because of fear to embarrassing myself. But seeing the positive outlook of many of my classmates on the chat, it made me confident that I can do it even if I don’t do it all that well, I know there is always support from the prof and the classmates.

I feel very down after struggling to connect the hangout tonight. I feel like my fears of not making it were real tonight. All the preparations I made for presentation fell flat. I couldn’t open the hangout. Only hoping for a better outcome tomorrow.

Reflection # 4

The Age Of The Machines

This week we have been doing a web 2.0 assignment. Very fascinating process. It really opened up my eyes as to how far we have come with regard to technology.  Honestly, the past does not move me that much as the future only defined by the grib technology has on every corner of our lives. The assignment on creating the QR Code was interesting because I have never put much thought on those QR Codes due to the lack of enlightenment. But after this assignment, I had a blast with my little daughter creating as many QR codes as we can. I am glad that I now know what QR Codes do.  I must admit though that I am still technologically challenged and still needs a lot of help. I am, however, grateful of the other channels of communications like google docs where I can reach out to my classmates when I experience frustrations.

However, while many and myself included hail the advances of technology, it also makes me pause for a moment and think of what the full IT world will look like in the coming years. Will we recognize our world then? Will we (humanity) eventually relinquish our control to the power and domination of the machines. At this point, I don’t know whether to fully embrace it or limit my interactions with it. Looking at web 2.0, with all the other advancements in technology, it looks like web 2.0’s time is just coming to an end before millions of us ever know what web 2.0 is.

We are currently witnessing the advent of web 3.0, the augmentation technology. Every area of our high-tech conversions always includes the strange fascination of the Virtual Reality technology. We started with Web 1.0 way back in the early 90s to mid-1990s at that time where websites only spoke to the website visitors. It was a one-way communication. Then in the second half of the 90s and into the 2000 we began to see the start of Web 2.0 where visitors for the first time allowed to speak back to the website. In other words, visitors were now allowed to generate content and upload pictures and videos and further contribute their content to the websites.

Now looking at all these advancements in technology, all one could ask is, what’s next…….

Reflection # 3: Website Review

For this assignment, I was required to review the website I intend to use for my classroom activities.  I chose to review histoty.com website. This site’s primary focus is to provide extensive and interactive information on many topics on our American Heritage.

On the display and arrangement of this site, I found it less intimidating and easy to browse. It has a combination of large text, responsive images, videos and very interactive. I like the fact that it provided different ways of learning. For example, for the student who is comfortable with just a text, it has well written and easy to read text organized into small and manageable read. For those who do well with images and videos, the site also provide plenty of images and videos too.  What I like the most was that it also made available the interactive mode where students can interact with ease on any text or topic.

I also considered its owners. This is very important because the strength of any website is as good as its owners. I check this website’s owners and found that they are owned and published by a reputable network, that is, A&E Network which own various cable educational and entertainment programs. As I mentioned earlier, the website is very much friendly to many users.

 I tested its usability by asking my nine-year-old to try and find a video without much instruction and could get the video on her own.

Well after going through this site, I came to the following conclusion, the website is safe to use and has balanced content for diverse readers. I am also aware that the website has a potential of encouraging content that is friendly toward it objectives, like many other for profit organization do, I am confident that it will do no harm to my students as they utilized the site.