Blog #1

Technology Experiences
My prior experiences in using technology includes having used Microsoft Word, Publisher, PowerPoint, and Excel for various school-related projects, including having used Word for creating lesson plans and PowerPoint for presenting material to elementary and middle school classes. Having student-taught and being a substitute teacher, I also have experience in using SmartBoards as well as including YouTube videos in lessons. Furthermore, I have experience in using Prezi, Camtasia, Photoshop, and Adobe Acrobat Reader. Additionally, I have also included technology in lessons for student use, such as having them take a carbon footprint quiz on their school computers.


Learning Expectations
In this class, I hope to learn about a variety of mediums a teacher can include in their lessons so as to better engage their students and vary their lesson presentation methods. I hope to be able to learn of ways to lecture outside of the usual PowerPoint method as well as sites and apps I can use to engage my students in hands-on activities. For instance, it would be really cool to be able to have an app similar iNaturalist, where students can go out and find different plant or animal species, take photos of and identify them, and the results be sent to the teacher, which she can then use in future activities.


Learning about my Learning Style
I already knew I leaned more towards the visual and intuitive learning styles, and I always have felt more like an active rather than reflective learner. I must say that I didn't particularly care for the assessment, as there were many questions for which the answer really depends upon the situation or I felt was equally relevant to me as the other option. Finally, the sequential/global learning style doesn't make all that much sense to me, as I don't really feel that I identify with either one entirely.