Final Blog

This class has changed the way I look at technology, it has taught me different ways to use it and I have discovered new websites and resources that I can use in the future. More importantly, this class has taught me that there are creative, and innovative ways to incorporate technology in the classroom.
This semester I learned a lot about technology and how it can be used in school. A few things that I learned,  and that I would like to use in my classroom were the following.
Personally, SmartBoard fascinated me. I like how it is very hands on and that the teacher is able to create or download new templates that can be used as a teaching tool for students. This technology can be used by creating interactive lessons were students are able to use their hands, and move things around.
Another thing that I discovered this semester was how to use Voki. I can definitely see myself using Voki in the classroom. Students can introduce themselves at the beginning of the year by making an animated character that tells their  peers facts about them; what they like, and what they don't like, without having to stand at the front of the room and feel embarrassed.
Two other tools that I liked, were the ipad and podcasts. With these two technologies in the classroom, students have an opportunity to be creative by making their own podcasts. After a lesson, students can use the ipads to record themselves and to talk about a certain topic of the lesson that was taught. This would be a great way to asses what they have learned, and for them retell part of the lesson in their own words by doing a podcast where they pick a certain concept of the lesson and film themselves explaining how they can use what they have learned during the lesson in real life.
In conclusion this class really introduced me to new resources of technology that can be incorporated in the classroom. Not only did I gained a deeper understanding of how technology can be used as a learning tool, but I also learned how to work these technology tools, as well as simple features in microsoft word and ipad. Without doubt, this was my favorite class of the semester.