Assignment #4

My final project can be found here

While working on this project I learned so much, not just about the actual technological gadgets and processes, but also about technology and learning. I think that completing the technological processes with the purpose of educating really served to cement in me just how big of an impact technology can have in education. When I was creating my project, it wasn't just about how many technological tools I could include, but about what tools would create the biggest learning opportunity for my students. What would benefit them and bring them to a higher level of learning? I think that's an important thing for teachers to remember; it's not just about using technology, but using appropriate technology. So through my project I didn't just learn technology; I learned to integrate technology into learning.

In my project I used the following technological tools:

• webs.com to create my own free website
• yousendit.com to give my students a way to submit projects online
• html to specify what colors I wanted on my blog
• online templates for my web page
• links: I embedded multiple links into my project
• I used webs.com to add graphics, music, and polls to my page
• I added a sidebar to my site
• I both created, edited, and linked wiki's to my site

This project meets the following NETS standards for students:

• 1.a) apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes. Through this projects students meet this standard because they are taking ideas and processes they have learned in school like writing, performing, singing, etc and combining it with technological things like uploading onto the Internet, creating mp3's, making video's, etc.
• 2.a,b,d) interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media; communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats; and contribute to project teams to produce original works or solve problems. Students meet these standards because they are given the opportunity to work individually or in groups to complete their holiday project. They have a variety of options for the holiday project, each of which uses a different type of technology. Through their projects they will be communicating their ideas to me the teacher, fellow students, and the families.
• 3.c) evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks. Students will meet this standard because after choosing their activity, they must find an appropriate technological tool to share their project.
• 5.a,b,c,d) advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology; exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity; demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning; exhibit leadership for digital citizenship. Students will meet these standards because students, through their project, will take ownership of the technology they use. The projects are fun so the students will exhibit a positive attitude towards technology and it will all take place within appropriate boundaries.
• 6.a,b,d) understand and use technology systems; select and use applications effectively and productively; transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies. Students will meet these standards because through their project they will learn new technological tools and applications and also been transferring classroom learning to technology.

This projects meets several of the NETS standards for teachers as well, but because of time I won't go in to all of them.