At the beginning of this course, I could do absolute nothing on an Apple computer besides use a word processor, granted it was a Microsoft based program. I have worked a lot with PC and I am quite comfortable with them but when it came to MAC's I was intimidated and never taken the time to learn them. I could barely navigate through all the programs on the bottom of screen to find the correct program to open. not alone know what program I was needing to use. After the completion of this course and a lot of determination to learn my MAC I can not only navitgate; I can create an iMovie, a Podcast, design a Website and I actually enjoy playing around on my computer! I was very impressed with the many capabilities of a MAC and its ease of operating! I have always hated MAC or atleast the learning curve but knew that if I grew comfortable with one I would probably enjoy its creative capabilities.

Throughout this course, I have been able to introduce myself to many new and challenging computer programs. I have grown my capibilites and knowledge of digital cameras, camcorder and a scanner. Just a few programs that I am now familar with is Inspiration, Kidspiration, iMovie, iDVD, Adobe GoLive, GarageBand and Graphic Converter. I have spent numerous hours exploring these programs and found ways in which these they could be very benefitial in teaching young children along communiting with parents. In addition, I have created a personal website, an iMovie, a group Podcast and a WebQuest.

I became a memeber of ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education). With this membership I received a monthly magazine journal subscription, to Learning and Leading with Technology. This subscription helps to keep me connected to the changes in technology and gives me great activities and ideas I can incorporate into my future classroom.

I think that using a WebQuest within the classroom would be very beneficial. I created a WebQuest for my third grade placement, it allows my students to use techonology resources to explore and construct an understanding of American National Symbols. For my work sample I am completing an unit on American National Symbols therefore I thought that this would be a good topic to write a WebQuest for. My students haven't had a whole lot of experience on computers so my WebQuest is designed more in an attempt to help and allow them explore and to become more comfortable with technology in general. They will work individually to create a brochure and present it to the class.

I recorded my third grade students with a digital camera during an expressive arts lesson on totem poles. I then took the video and created a small ten minute Project T.E.A.M. Video using iMovie. My students were studying a unit on Northwest Native Americans, I used the camcorder to record myself teaching and the students working on their project. Surprisingly, this was the first time many my students had ever been recorded digitally and they were very interested in the new piece of technology. So in the future I would like to use a camcorder more allowing the students to become comfortable with this form of technology.

I applied for an OTEN Grant which I don't know if I received it yet. However, if I did receive it I will use the money to purchase a couple digital cameras. I would like to use the cameras for activities in which I will introduce technology into the curriculm and enhance the learning of students. This will incorporate technology, interest students and be intrinsically motivating all while students are learning.

My Project T.E.A.M. Video on Totem Poles was able to enhance the learning experiences of my students aswell as addressing their content standards on Native Americans. After completing my video I showed it to my mentor teacher along with classmates that student teach at Hiteon Elementary aswell and we discussed what the students had learned from the activity and other benefits.

My WebQuest gives students different techniques to use technology that increases their critical-thinking skills. I also found that in the WebQuest it would be easy to modify to accommodate students with diverse needs. Depending on each student technoloigical skills they have different options in putting their final Using the information inwhich they found they would then be able to create a creative brochure to present to the class. This is a great tool to manage student learning and various learning styles.

My WebQuest includes a scoring rubric for assessing and scoring the students work. The students will be assessed on their individual performance of their brochure and an informational presentation. I also created a To create my rubric I searched the website Ribistar to get ideas. It is a really neat website designed for teachers to assist them in creating their ownrubric for assessing students.

The website that I created is a start, it still has a lot of work but it will be used as a tool to communicate with my peers, parents and students. This will allow me to have better communication. It will also help guide student learning and provide unique activities and ideas for the family to participate in.

This summer I was able to create a concept map on my Philsophy in Education using the software Inspiration. This program helped me to visually represent my philosophy. It can be updates easily and changed for professional develop. I would love to use this program with my own students, allowing them to create their own concept maps.

My subscription to ISTE has and will continue to allow me the opportunity to continue learning about technology and newest ideas and products. Not only by receiveing the journal but the emails help me connected to the always changing field of technology.

As a teacher, it is an important role to model appropiate practices to all students. Throughout my website and webquest I cited and referenced any information or ideas I recieved from other sources. It is important to abide by the copyright laws and to give credit when credit is due.

Throughout my WebQuest and Website I cited the sources where I received any ideas and images. By doing this it shows my students that I take it serious and that it is important to me.