Post Number 3

I would like to be a high school History teacher, so my lesson plan would be something along those lines. For the sake of this entry, I will make my lesson plan for Advanced Placement European History. Generally, this is a senior class, but juniors, and sometimes sophomores, also take the class. I would use Inspiration to create my lesson plan because it allows me to easily creat flow charts and have multiple branches. Each class could be a different branch and from their different branches I could have their lesson for the day. I could also use Microsoft Word to make a pacing guide and the anticipated assignments and lessons for a given day to pass out to students in case they are getting behind or miss class for any reason.

My visual critique will be of the Facebook homepage. The Facebook homepage makes good use of limited color, and provides of an accent or contrasting color to improve visual interest. The page has eliminated superfluous items and provided only the necessities with one image related to page content. There is no stacked text, which makes it easy to read, and the text lines are short. It makes proper use of upper and lower case lettering and does not use flashing text to get the attention of the reader. The size of the image helps to relay the message of the site without the use of written words. The screen is well organized to provide visual efficiency and orient the users. The type styles are limited which helps maintain the user's attention without being flashy. Bold text is used in an appropriate manner to grab the user's attention. The site anticipates its audience and the focus is on one idea - signing up.

I have always been very conscientious of copyright laws and have always done my very best to give credit where credit is due. Unfortunately, I know some people who don't do this and it makes me very angry. In my opinion, it would be easier to type your own thoughts or come up with your own ideas, rather than copying and pasting an entire paper. There is technology to detect these instances, such as turnitin.com, and I am glad when teachers utilize this because it hurts those that did not do their own work and reinforces the good feeling of knowing you did the right thing for those who did. Students don't have to worry about being penalized if they do their own work, knowing that it will be checked for plagiarism. In my classroom, I will make sure to use the materials that have been provided and are available for copying, but I will also use outside materials. If I use other material, I will ensure that it is either public domain or comes from a membership site where you pay an annual fee to copy materials posted by others. With my students, I will go over the pitfalls of copying another's work, and emphasizing that they can be caught through the use of something like turnitin.com. There will be harsh penalties for those who try to cheat the system by violating copyright laws and grade will be lowered tremendously, if not a failing grade period. However, as long as they use footnotes and/or citations, then students have nothing to worry about since they cited their source.

Post Number 2

As a student, I've used Microsoft Word in various ways. I've written papers for different classes or typed notes from chapters that were assigned to read from these classes. I've seen my teachers use Microsoft Word in different ways as well. Some of them have used it to make tests, while others use it to make study guides which they distribute to the class. Many of my teachers have also used it to write letters at the beginning of the year and for different updates throughout the year.

As a teacher, I have different ideas as to how I want to utilize Microsoft Word. At various points throughout the school year, I will have my students do research papers and they will have to use a word processing program such as Microsoft Word. I also plan to write letters to parents, make tests and study guides, and even possibly teach my students more about Microsoft Word by having tutorials different times throughout the course.

So far in the class, I have learned how to use print screen and mail merge. Print screen will come in handy for demonstrations and tutorials, which I will probably do throughout the year. Mail merge will be very useful in making class labels and distributing letters to parents. I like the skills I have learned so far in the class and plan to make the best use of them throughout my teaching career.

Post Number 1

I think computers are an important part of the educational experience because they enhance learning and have the potential to keep students engaged in a lesson. However, if it doesn't relate to a lesson or help a student's understanding, then computers can become a problem in the classroom. I do agree that problems arise when students believe that everything can be accomplished through a computer and plagiarism or hacking occurs.

I will use computers to present material in a fun and informative way, such as through powerpoint presentations. I will also have research projects that the students will have to use computers in some way to complete the required research. I had some teachers who did web-hunts throughout the year and I think those are a fun and informative way of teaching as well. I hope to learn how to make better presentations and more ways to use the computer to enhance my teaching.

I really enjoy making powerpoint presentations and throughout high school that is how material was presented in many of my classes. I really believe that presentations help keep a student engaged in the lesson, rather than just listening to a lecture and trying to pick out and remember the important points the teacher discusses. Powerpoints offer a starting point for notes, and then a student can supplement where they feel it is necessary if a teacher makes additional points. I hope to be an interactive teacher and use computers and technology to enhance my students' learning process!

Introduction

My name is Rebekkah and I'm a Social Science Education major. I'm from Jacksonville, FL, and am currently dating a sailor stationed at Mayport Naval Station in Jacksonville. I consider myself an acolyte with computer technology, and enjoy using Microsoft Powerpoint and my cell phone. I love to read and have been to twelve countries in Europe.