ePortfolio

The Product
I organized my portfolio by putting links on my home page so that those accessing the site would be able to easily navigate through. I remember in one of our very first W200 session when the class held a discussion about perceptions and personal experiences with technology. A very unanimous opinion was the fact that they liked the advancing in technology as long as it was "user-friendly" and easily accessible. I have to say that I agree, and I do also feel that Web2.0 has made the web very "user-friendly."
I wanted to be able to showcase my projects, so I created connections by inserting my slideshow presentation as a gadget. I also mentioned my podcast and movie, but was unable to connect them due to them not being linked on-line.
I believe organization and creativity to be the strengths of my work because once I begin a project; it most always flows together smoothly. I spend a lot of time getting the details, organizing, and planning done, and then I am able to put my ideas together and work on the creative details.
If I had to change one thing about this session's projects, it would be to allow myself more time. This summer is very busy for me; I just started a new summer tutoring program in my hometown, and with directing that, tutoring children, and planning my September wedding, I was not able to focus as much of my time and attention as I would have liked to. However, I do feel that I have accomplished very much and am pleased with the outcome of my projects.


Process
I found planning and brainstorming to be the most effective techniques in creating my projects. As stated above, once I finished the planning and organizing, my projects came together very well.
I learned new web2.0 techniques such as bookmarking, blogging, creative commons, wikis, professional networking, podcasting, and many more. These have enabled me to see how collaboration and new technology can come together to create an amazing new way to educate the future generations. I found so many techniques that I will be able to incorporate into my own classroom.
As our class is coming to an end, I am looking back at all I have accomplished in this very short summer session. I have learned not only about new technology and tools of the web, but also what and how I, as a teacher, will educate my students. Most of the classes I have taken in college have been all papers and tests and lectures, and though I am not saying they are bad or wrong, I am saying that I feel I have gotten a lot more out of this class that I will be actually able to use in the "real world."

Here is the link to my ePortfolio - http://sites.google.com/site/chanelleseportfolio/Home

Movie Project

For our group Movie Project, we focused on Right Brain vs. Left Brain and the uses in technology. We first described how left and right brain dominate people think and what types of jobs they are best at. Then we described how the future is changing and technology is advancing so fast and beginning to take over "typical" left-brain jobs.
This project was another great way for us to learn about how technology can help us as future educators. I have also included part of Rachel's group blog post, to view the links visit - http://rduntern.blogspot.com/2009/06/imovie-left-brain-vs-right-brain.html


Our video has a little something for everyone, referring to a variety of professions such as an accountant, banker, librarian, technician, teacher, musician, psychologist, and interior designer as well as a few other professions. It goes through our ideas and our perspective of right brain and left brain ways of life. In the past, left brain people were more successful but now that we have had such significant advances in technology, right brain people have the upper hand in most competitive job markets.

As Rachel stated in her blog, we found our quotes from multiple sources including Rich Morris, Daniel Pink, Kimberly Ewoldsen and Martin Mak. We also included some interesting and informative photos of the right brian vs. left brain idea.

W200 - wrapping up

As our class is coming to an end, I am looking back at all I have accomplished in this very short summer session. I have learned not only about new technology and tools of the web, but also what and how I, as a teacher, will educate my students. Most of the classes I have taken in college have been all papers and tests and lectures, and though I am not saying they are bad or wrong, I am saying that I feel I have gotten a lot more out of this class that I will be actually able to use in the "real world."

Podcasting

Once again, another great advance in technology that will benefit us as future educators. To be completely honest, before this class, I had heard of podcasting, but I had never really understood what it was. I had no idea how useful and beneficial they could be.

I don't know how many times I had wished for a way that I could study while driving or taking a long trip. I seemed to always be cramming before a test and then driving for an hour to get to class. Now, all I have to do if I want to utilize my driving time is listen to a podcast instead of my favorite radio stations! (Not always the most entertaining option but definitely the most beneficial.)

This project was actually a lot of fun and I really liked working with Garage Band. This project also helped me to see that there are so many ways I, as a teacher, will be able to educate and also capture their attention and interest!!

Slide Show Presentation

When we were first assigned this project, I was not very excited. I had done so many power points in high school and college, that I was a bit bored with the idea (No offense Mr. A) :)!! However, after we began putting it together, I became very interested and excited about the results. The process was a bit rough to start (as are most group projects), but it began to flow together really smoothly.

The Mind map and flowchart were great, it helped to organize our ideas and by the time we were done with it, the only thing left to our presentation was converting it to the slides and adding the pictures. I would have preferred to do one or the other, doing both the map and flowchart I found to be a bit redundant. Google Docs Presentation was so user-friendly and very easy to use. I love how you can share it with you group as collaborators and they can work on it at the same time you are!!! This was awesome!! All in all, I found this project to be very helpful; it was not just another boring slide show, it actually taught me a lot about what the advances in technology are capable of.

Teacher Website

Over the last few years I have really started to notice all of the advances in technology; however, I did not pay much attention until this class. One thing in particular that has caught my attention are these classroom websites. I think that they are an extremely helpful tool when trying to communicate with the parents of your students. It is a way for them to connect and share information, and also to keep up on the information and announcements on their classes.

I am so glad that we were able to create this website for our project. I will definitely use it when I have my own classroom. On my site, I have a parent's page, describing the schedule details and the important class procedures. I also have a homework list and a school supply list. This site, I feel, would be very helpful when trying to create lesson plans and sending out information to the parents; not to mention hopefully getting them involved.

Click here for my website!!!!

The Digital Divide

The Digital Divide, according to Wikipedia, states that the term refers to the idea that there is a gap between the generations that have readily available access to new technology and those that don't.

I feel that this term is very accurate for what is going on right now. For example, there are so many older people with experience wanting jobs; however they are given to the younger generations who are up-to-date on all the latest technology. Another big example of this digital divide, is in the school systems. The newer teachers coming out of college now are technology savvy and are able to get the jobs they want and even replace the older teachers that aren't.

I feel in order for the economy and job market to keep going, people must be educated and help to educate about this new age of technology.