I have always considered myself a technology savvy individual.  Since the age of twelve, I have owned computers and have enjoyed tasks such as e-mailing, word processing, instant messaging, scanning photos, and playing online games.  When I began teaching in 2002, I even attempted to incorporated technology into my classroom.  For me, this simply meant popping in a drill and practice CD that reviewed concepts for my struggling students.  However, after taking ETAP 526, I learned that my experience was that of a technology novice.  Through discussions and readings, I learned that technology is more than e-mail and games.  Rather, it is about providing students with learning experiences that motivate, energize, engage and respond to their diversity.  Through this course, I learned how to use and incorporate invaluable technology tools such as blogs, voice threads, podcasts, e-cards, and webquests.  These tools, I believe, will change the face of education in schools, and ones that have transformed me from a technology novice to an expert.

  Blogs and Voice threads

Blogs and voice threads were the first part of my transformation.  At first, I was a little nervous about using them because I have never used technology before to this extent.  As I entered the program and realized how easy it was, I began to think about all the ways I could utilize them in my classroom.  Immediately, I thought about using them as a math tool.  My kindergarteners are learning about sequence.  They could use the voice thread and blog to put daily events in order.  I could also incorporate them into the writing period to improve writing skills.  In kindergarten, children are always taught to sketch a picture before they start their writing.  This way, if they cannot read what they wrote, they can always look to the picture.  However, because their drawings are not always the greatest, children sometimes have no clues to help them whatsoever.  With a voice thread, not only will students have a clearer picture, but they will also have their voices to remind them. All in all, voice threads will be a wonderful addition to any learning experience.

Creating the tools lesson and podcast also aided in my transformation to an expert.  I chose these as my artifacts because these tools were very new to me and I always look forward to the challenges that new ideas present.
 
The podcast is my first artifact.  Upon first glance, I was extremely overwhelmed.  However, after playing around with the program, I realized that it was not difficult at all.  It was simply a tape recorder on a screen.  All I had to do was click the record button when I wanted to record, and the stop button when I wanted to end recording.  Once I learned the program, my only difficulty was figuring out what I wanted to say.  That afternoon, I had a very unpleasant experience at my gym, and I decided that I would use my podcast to share my dissatisfaction with the world.  The end product was an advertisement that dissuaded people from joining the Cross Island YMCA. 

Upon completion of my podcast, I was very excited.  I realized that it would be a great asset to my future writing lessons.  Everyday I teach my children that we write for many purposes.  One of those purposes is to persuade.  In class, I can have my students write advertisements, on topics of their choosing, and turn them into commercials using podcast.  When you are passionate about an issue it is so wonderful when you can voice it to anyone who will listen.  Incorporating podcast into the curriculum gives children that opportunity in a fun and exciting forum.

The tools lesson is my second artifact.  I chose this because it encouraged me to utilize Kidspiration Software.  As I began to navigate the software, I realized that it would be a great asset to any K-2 curriculum.  This software allows the teacher to create math, science, and reading activities that children can complete on the computer and then print.  It also allows the teacher to create child friendly organizers, equipped with graphics. 

Kidspiration is an excellent tool for early learners who are just learning how to read and spell.  The graphics enable them to construct deeper meaning of the skills that are taught, in a fun and interactive format.  In my lesson, I used kidspiration to  create a classification template.  Using its pictures and organizers, the students had to sort country and farm pictures.  While I have not as yet executed this lesson, I know that once I do, students will enjoy learning with Kidspiration.  In addition to it being interactive and fun, the software targets the individual needs of learners.

Webquests are the last piece in my transformation.  Through this course, I learned that webquest enables students utilize the internet as they attempt to develop a product which exhibits their knowledge of the problem and its solutions. The webquest I created is for kindergarten students, and it teaches them about various aspects of farm life.  This webquest allows each child to take a virtual farm tour to learn about many of the animals on the farm, what they eat, the sounds they make, and the goods they provide us with.  In addition, by providing them with the resources, this web quest acts as a mindtool.  Students can focus on the information available through the webquest pages, rather than wasting time looking for it.  I would definitely include webquests in my future lessons because not only do they provide an interactivity that addresses the individual needs of my students, but they also save time that is often wasted in the search for information.
 

 Throughout this course I made a significant transformation.  I began as a student knowing very little about technology, to someone who is proficient and can incorporate her new knowledge into any teaching situation.  I now know that technology exists to create fun, interactive, motivating and engaging learning experiences that are precisely what children need to become active participants in their learning.  Since 92% of children ages 2-17 utilize computer equipment on a daily basis, it is my belief that technology integration will be the catalyst that pushes our current generation of learners towards higher levels of achievement.  This form of learning, after all, stimulates them the most. I myself am intrigued each time I utilize the technology discussed in this course, and learn something new.  I believe that when teachers become more proactive about learning and incorporating technology into the curriculum, students will become more proactive about learning.