Week 5 "Photoshop"

Learning about some of the history of Photoshop and the basics of how to use the program was extremely interesting. When I used to think of Photoshop I thought of current magazines and tabloids. I never really thought about historic pictures that the photographer tweaked the image by adding a missing person or changing a person from a female to a male. Photoshop seems like once you get the hang of it you can create just about anything with a few clicks of a button.

I can see how Photoshop will incorporate inside of the classroom of Kindergartners but at the same time I am not sure if it is going to be a program that I will use on a regular basis. Kids believe what they see and if I take an image of a pig and add wings to it they are going to believe that those wings belong on that pig and that pigs can fly. I feel that since I will be an educator I will need to be very particular on what I will show my students because I don't want them to have false images of particular subjects.

This photo shows a before and after Photoshop of the same person. I chose this picture because I feel by changing the model to look thinner and "more attractive" we are giving children the wrong message. What this picture should be doing is embracing the inner beauty, so children don't think they need to alter their looks to be accepted.

Week 1 "Educational Technology"

We live in a world that is electronically dependent. Everywhere you go you see computers, cell phones, and other technological devices that are designed to make life easier. We have become so dependent on these devices that it is hard to imagine life without them. Technological devices are not only used for entertainment purposes, we use them for many of our jobs and schools are implementing them as a means for a well rounded education. As time moves forward, so do the changes in the devices that we use. We can implement technology into presentations that way the viewers stay interested and do not fall asleep. Technology can allow learners to visualize concepts and problems as well as help the learner gain a sense of control with what they are learning.

Seeing how Kindergarten teachers are given the privilege of impacting students at a young age they are able to help instill a passion for learning in their students that will allow the students to enjoy going to school instead of hating it. Educational technology is most simply and comfortably defined as an array of tools that might prove helpful in advancing student learning. I feel that by becoming a teacher I need to make sure that I use all the technological devices so I can to allow my students to get the most out of the lessons. Technology can increase a teachers productivity thus allowing students to learn more efficiently.

“Educational technology is the theory

and practice of design, development,

utilization, management, and

evaluation of processes and resources

for learning”

--Association for Educational

Communications and Technology

(AECT), 1994

I feel that the picture above shows how a teacher can show a student how to use the computer and what it has to offer. By showing the fundamentals to the students they are able to learn more about technology and understand the concepts as well.

Week 3 "Web 2.0"

In today's society people spend most of their time using their applications that they have downloaded onto their phone, ipod or computers. Applications are readily available for almost everything a person can think of. Not feeling like cooking one night there are applications that will allow you to find a restaurant nearby that will please all of your taste buds and help you make decisions based on customer reviews or nutritional content. Since I am very indecisive when it comes to picking where to eat this is a great application for myself. For a person who rarely walks out of my apartment without my ipod or phone these apps come in handy very often.

I am an Education major with the dream of working in a Kindergarten classroom. I found some interesting apps that I will want to incorporate into my classroom curriculum. There are applications for students to get help with homework and others to help them study by generating flash-cards that will allow repetition that way they can memorize the terms they need to in order to pass their test. There are also games that embrace the fundamental subjects while keeping kids engaged that way they do not see it as a boring subject that they have to complete for a grade.

http://www.jumpstart.com/free-online-game.aspx?pid=googpd&cid=kindergarten%20games&gclid=CPT15tq8458CFR6dnAod0SvQGQ

This website is a great site that allows students to learn outside of the classroom walls while incorporating some structure. The fun games make learning more appealing to students making them want to learn more.

Week 2 "Did you know?"

In 1981 there were only 1,000 internet devices with the number increasing to 1,000,000 in 1992. Amazingly by the year 2008, this number increased to 1,000,000,000. There are about 31 billion Google searches every month a huge increase from 2006 with only 2.7 billion. This says a lot about the dependency we are developing for this equipment. Technology equipment is almost everywhere you go and it is almost impossible to get through the day without using some sort of device. Many people feel they cannot get through life without these modern advantages. Instead of phone calls, people now send written messages. The number of text message sent and received everyday, exceeds the total population of the planet. This new way of communication is taking away the personal interaction that is so important in society.

As a member of the 21st century it is up to me to keep aware of the changes in technology and to become educated about all of the new equipment that may be used. I want to stay informed and use the newest technology as it is developed. Since the technology becomes up dated every few years, I will need to keep myself educated so that I can properly use all of the modern devices. As a teacher, it will be my responsibility to teach my students how to operate computers and search the internet for educational purposes. I want my students to learn to use the computers and expand their minds. There is so much information at the fingertips just waiting for them to discover it. Since many of them may not get exposure to technological devices at home, it will be up to me to educate them. By learning to adapt and change with the advances in technology, my students and I will be constantly preparing for the future.

Now-a-days children are exposed to technology at a very early age. Many companies are creating devices that are for children so they can expand their knowledge before entering the classroom. Some of these companies are Nintendo, Leapster, and Apple.