Week 4 Feb. 2-8 [Blogger]

For the third week of class, our whole class period was devoted to setting up our blogs (Blogger.com).  We created account, picked out backgrounds, added our classmates’ links, and began writing our blogs.  We also experimented with the photo software for Macs.  This is a good website for new bloggers (like me) who need to be introduced to blogging, because it’s a simple blogging site.  Creating new posts here are almost as easy as creating new posts in Facebook (which we all have experience doing.  I would rate this website with an 8/10, because I’m still not sure if I’m the blogging type, but it’s easy to use and perfect for a class like Educational Technology.  I would think any class or group can use this website efficiently. 

Week 2 Jan. 26- Feb. 1 [Wordle & BubleUs]

            During our second week of class, we worked with two websites.  The first, Wordle (wordle.com) allowed us to create customized word collages.  We began by tapping a blank sheet of paper to each of our backs, and having everyone write one adjective about every person, on his or her back.  We could use the same words.  Then, we tallied up the duplicate words.  All the describing words were typed into Wordle along with our name.  The more the word was used, the bigger it became in the word collage; we typed in our names twenty times.  Finally, we experimented with fonts, positioning (horizontal and vertical), and colors.  This is a great website to use as an icebreaker, especially if the kids already kind of know each other, like in Saipan.  It’s entertaining and creative.  It’s also quite surprising to find what other people think of you when they hardly know you.  I could probably use this icebreaker for students, and input and print the collages myself; it doesn’t take much time.  It could also be used for any small adult event that requires a lot of social interaction and encourages closeness with one another.  I would rate the website with an 8/10, because it’s a great activity and the product is nice and colorful, but I think younger kids aren’t capable of fully understanding how to use the program.

            The second website, Buble US (buble.us), allowed us to create a bubble map.  We used the map to create our own chain of command in schools.  We also had to incorporate technology into the map (who or where is it used).  Then we shared with the class, explaining why we thought each person job had more power.  This website is extremely adaptable.  It can be used for mapping chains of command, stories, family trees, and essays.  I would assign students all these adaptation, if they were in middle school where they start writing essays more.  I would rate this website with a 10/10, because it’s simple to use, easy to adapt to many activities, and the product is neat and colorful.

Week 1 Jan. 19-25 [Introduction & syllabus]

The first day of class begin like any other; we introduced ourselves and went over the syllabus.  After, we took a skills assessment in regard to technology.  We then proceeded to use our first online educational resource; we created timelines (of our most significant life events), printed them out, and shared them with the whole class.  The website was extremely easy to use.  all you had to do was input the dates and event description.  This would be a useful tool as a future teacher as it is a good way for students to share and learn about each other in a straight-forward and simple way.  It could not only be used for introductions, but also to help student map out their lives for a personal narrative.  I would rate this website with a 9/10 simply because it's so easy and efficient to use.