Blog Journal 2

Using Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word is an amazing program. Personally, I have used it more times than I can remember. I have used it to write essays and journals. I have also used it to create flyers, posters, and to advertisements. My teachers in the past have used Microsoft Word for many purposes, as well. Some of those include displaying rubrics and syllabi, writing letters, and giving in-class instructions. Currently, a few of my teachers mainly use Microsoft Word to edit and/or comment my essays and other pieces of work. 

My Experience with Copyright

My experience with copyright and fair use materials has not been that extensive. However, I have abided by copyright laws when writing essays. As a college student, I am constantly being reminded to cite and reference an article, website, video, image, etc. when using them in my work so that I do not run into plagiarism issues. I have also used copyright in high school when creating flyers and advertisement on Photoshop. I have seen Youtubers use copyright so that other influencers do not take their work or so that they do not get in trouble for using someone else's work. I have also seen teachers use this frequently when creating and displaying PowerPoints, lessons, and other personal work. In developing my own work as a teacher, I will make sure to give credit to other teachers and publishers that influence the work that I create and share. I will also encourage my students to do the same when they turn in work. Citations are a sign of respect for other creators and I want my students to know that.

Classroom Solutions

Academic honesty can be a major issue in classrooms. In order to keep this under control, I would give out a printed document stating what Academic honesty is and have my students read and sign it at the beginning of the school year so that I know they understand what it is and can hold them accountable for practicing it, or not. In regard to cyberbullying, I think it would be beneficial to show videos or a movie on cyberbullying and its effects on an individual or group. I would also give my students an opportunity to speak to me, or the school counselor, about their personal experiences with cyberbullying. I would even introduce a website in which students can anonymously write their thoughts, concerns, and experiences. Lastly, digital divide is the gap between the individuals who have ready access to computers/technology, and those who do not. This can create issues and tension within the classroom. To solve this, I would have days that the students can bring in their devices to complete partner work. The students who do not have a device will pair up with a student who does so that everyone has a fair chance of working with technology.

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Blog Journal 1

Influences to use Technology in the Classroom

Teachers and students are influenced by the society to use technology in the classroom. Our society is changing constantly and new generations of students are exposed to much more technology than they were in the past. Teachers implement technology in order to keep students interested and students use technology to work more effectively and efficiently.

ISTE Standards

ISTE standards are extremely beneficial to the education system and learning environments today. It ensures that no matter the generation the teacher is a part of, they can become adequate in implementing and utilizing new technology. With this, teacher-student relationships become more cohesive, understanding, and reciprocal. Students will enjoy learning more and teachers will have a greater impact on the class. The Innovative Designer states that "students use a variety of technologies within a design process to identify and solve problems by creating new, useful or imaginative solutions" (ISTE, 2019). This is meaningful to me because I am a strong believer that students all learn differently and there are different ways to go about teaching and demonstrating concepts so that it can satisfy the learning style of all students. The Innovative Designer allows students to take control over their learning style and develop problem-solving skills that are unique to them. The Global Collaborator seems to be outside of my current skill set. It states that "students use digital tools to broaden their perspectives and enrich their learning by collaborating with others and working effectively in teams locally and globally" (ISTE, 2019). I have not practiced or been trained to interact with others in other countries. I wouldn't really know where to begin or how to communicate effectively.

"Digital Natives"

Digital natives are those who are part of Generation Z, born between 1995 and 2012. They are said to learn best in media-rich environment, have short attention spans, prefer to learn via technology, and dislike reading. I do agree with the label "digital native" for today's youth. The newest generations were exposed to technology and technological advance throughout their entire lives. They also tend to use technology, or want to use it, whenever they are given the chance because that is what they are familiar and comfortable with. Teachers and parents are usually slower and fidgety when it comes to using technology. It does not come as natural to them and they often ask for, or need, help from their student or child. Teachers also sometimes tend to lean more towards using textbooks and worksheets, paper agendas, poster boards, etc. for classwork and projects. If it was up to the student, they would probably want to use online resources and apps to complete their work. In the future, I see myself in the same position my teachers are in today. I will be a little more effective than my teachers are because I do have more experience with technology, but I know my students will be quicker, more technologically savvy, and more socially withdrawn than me.

ISTE. (2019). ISTE Standards for STUDENTS. Retrieved from https://www.iste.org/standards/for-students
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Initial Blog Post (#0)

About Me

My name is Marilda Tavares. I was born in Boston, Massachusetts and moved to Orlando, Florida when I was 8 years old. Both of my parents were born in Cape Verde, ten small islands located off the west coast of Africa. My sister and I were exposed to the Cape Verdean culture, language, and values at a very young age and those things are now engrained in us. I attend The Florida State University and am majoring in Family & Child Sciences with minors in Education and Psychology. I hope to become a counselor some day, but I am not yet sure on what level. 

Experience with Educational Technology
Throughout my years of schooling I have been exposed to a few different types of technology within the classroom. Some of these include things like the using SmartBoards and Elmos to present and learn information. Others include the utilization of iClickers and SMART Clickers to take in-class assessment. I have also used helpful aids such as Kahoot and Quizlet to memorize and learn information. In college, I have gotten to experience the use of Virtual Reality, 3D printing, and 3D pens/drawing.

In this class...
During this semester I would like to come in contact with forms of technology that I have not yet been exposed to. I would also like to learn more things about the types of educational technology I have utilized already. I am not expert with any of the technological devices that I use so, I would like to develop a deeper understanding for them and various ways that I can implement them in educational settings. I also am excited to create and personalize my blog. I hope that it inspires me to use blogging as an outlet more often and to appreciate technology even more.

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