Prior to this course, my knowledge about and skill level in educational technology, exteded not much farther than how to create word documents, use spreadsheets, take still pictures with a digital camera, navigate the internet, and use iTunes for music. My familiarity to operating systems was also very limited to PC's. This course challenged me to and broadened my horizons, in terms of the many ways that technology can and should be incorporated in the classroom. With term projects such as designing a website and creating a WebQuest, I was introduced to a website creating and managing program called Nvu. I had my share of challenges, but eventually started to get the hang of it, and I was able to create a basic website with active links to several of my projects; Our podcast project allowed me to collaborate with a peer, while using another new program, GarageBand, which I quickly disovered is a lot easier to operate than I thought!; And finally, our integrated T.E.A.M. (Technology, Expressive Arts, and Methods) Project required me to gain very necessary experience in working with Apple computers, iMovie, and iDVD. I'm pretty sure most schools are teaching their students to use Apple computers, so it would probably be a good idea for me to become familiar, if not proficient with it.

Through these projects, I was given the opportunity to learn about multiple programs, media, and formats for communicating information and ideas to a variety of audiences. But I am sure that there is still more to be offered by these programs, as I must continue to practice to learn more. I am walking away from this course and all of these projects, thinking, "If I can do this, children can definitely do it too," and am committed to incorporating technology in my classroom, in as many ways as I can. I also intend on staying abreast of current and emerging technological advances, by attending future conferences and continuing my membership to the ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education).

The WebQuest that I created will give students the opportunity to gain experience in using the computer and utilizing appropriate internet resources for a purpose. While I recognize that some students may be coming into this project with various levels of skill, experience, and knowledge, I feel that all students will benefit from this unique learning opportunity.

Prior to working on all of these projects, one of our tasks in class required me to look at and evaluate websites and WebQuests, checking to make sure links were active and accurate, and information was appropriate to the site. Because of this practice, I became very aware as I was creating links to, from, and throughout my own website and WebQuest.

Though I have not yet implemented any curriculum plans that utilize technology, my WebQuest is designed to give students the opportunity to explore pre-selected websites to learn more about the continents. Because this is a group project, in which 5 of the 6 areas of scoring are given as a group, it is crucial that they work together and all have a part in the researching process. This may mean that those students who have more experience with computers and the internet, must help their team mates who do not have as much experience- a win-win situation (everyone will receive an exemplary score for collaboration and participation, and those who do not have much experience, will gain some, and even some very valuable training from their peers)!

While currently I have not directly applied technology in assessing student learning of subject matter, I feel as if this could be used in the next 6 months, as I will be conducting pre- and post-assessments for two units (one in 1st grade, one in 3rd grade) of my work sample. Graphs and charts done through word processors are great for analysing and comparing data from the pre- and post-assessments, to show improvement (or ).

I have recently been made aware of a program called Rubistar- a website designed to help teachers create scoring rubrics. From what I hear, it's a great program and a fabulous resource. Rubistar makes creating a scoring rubric, specific to your particular area or unit of study, as simple as filling in the boxes of the already set grid. But you as the teacher chooses what areas you would like the students to be scored on, as well as what type of actions, behaviors, and/or product will be observed for each score, allowing you to present clear expectations from your students.

Though I have not had the chance to use Rubistar quite yet, I did create a scoring rubric for my WebQuest (a template similar to that just described was provided). According to the rubric I created, students will be scored in six areas, five of which are group scores and one of which is an individual score. Being that the scoring rubric is provided on both the student and teacher pages of the WebQuest, the expectations are very clear. Students will be able to look at this directly, and know what they will need to do in order to receive an exemplary score in each area.

If there is one thing that I took away from this course, it is that technology can and should be incorporated into the classrooms, in the form of assignments, projects, and any other learning opportunities that are appropriate. It can be adapted to any grade level, as it is never too early to expose children to these amazing vehicles to learning. Having been able to use programs such as NVu, GarageBand, and IMovie for my projects, I am fully confident that children can learn it as well. And with everything, practice makes perfect, so the only way I'll be confident and competent enough to expect my students to use these tools, is to continue practicing myself.

The world wide web is an amazing tool, and people today, yes, including myself, have become nearly dependent upon it for everything from email, to paying bills, and to looking up anything and everything! Some people work through the world wide web, and some are even receiving an education online. There's practically no limit to what can be and is done with the web, which is one of the main ways in which I will engage in my professional development and lifelong learning about technology. On top of maintaining my subscription to ISTE and attending professional conferences, I will continue to increase my knowledge and awareness about advances in technology and how it may be incorporated into the classroom, through the web.