Since day one, Computer's as a Teacher's Aide has been a great learning experience for me. Not only has it been fun from the first day, but I also learned a great deal. In addition to what I already knew in microsoft word, excel, and powerpoint, Professor Miceli taught us how to used different tools in word, excel and powerpoint that can be used in the classroom either as a technology inclusion in lessons or as a facilitator for different classroom projects.

The first week of class, I learned the differences between fonts. Before I entered comuter's as a teacher's aid, I never paid attention to font types. Nevertheless, I learned that sans serif fonts, such as Arial, Avant, Garde, Verdana, and Geneva have a cleaner look to them, which creates a more casual look and  aids readers to read faster. San Serif fonts are good for headings and signs because they grab the attention of the reader quickly. Serif fonts on the other hand are fonts such as, Times New Roman, Bookman Old Style, CharlesWorth, and Garamond. These fonts are more fancy and tend to slow down the eye of the reader. These fonts are preferred for books, magazines, and newspapers. I use Serif fonts for term papers and my Resume.

Our first lesson involved using Microsoft Word to create Flashcards which can be used to help teach vocabulary to beginning readers. We were also introduced to creating simple animation with PowerPoint. We called this project Bouncing Ball which is a fun and easy project.

The following week, the entire class was introduced to creating a web page. This is our edfolio site where we post our work. We learned how to create the site, upload files, insert digital images, and how to change the size and color of the fonts.

The following week, we learned how to create a class list using Microsoft word tables.

The next week, we learned more about Microsoft PowerPoint. We learned how to animate clip art, use digital images, use sound, and we were introduced to the assignment of creating a Virtual Trip Presentation. The purpose of the virtual trip project was to learn how to do research on the internet and present the findings using PowerPoint.

The next week, we created a Weighted grade book using Microsoft Excel.  A weighted grade book is an excellent tool for teachers. Not only can the teacher organize the grades for students on the computer, but she can enter formulas in excel so that projects and exams can be give a letter grade. This way, the teacher does not have to rely on her math skills to calculate the grade for a student, the grade book does it!

Next we learned  how to create Bar charts using Excel to make a trip calculator for our "Virtual Trip Presentation". My virtual trip is a fantasy trip to Aspen Colorodo.

The first chart we created was called Candy Sale This chart organizes the details of a school candy sell and is useful when a teacher plans activities such as a candy sale. The candy sale chart  shows the amount of money made for each day of the week.  If the class has to raise $50 a week in order to go on a class trip and the class does not reach the $50 goal for that day, the chart can show this because the missed goals will be shown in red font.

The other two charts we created was for the virtual trip assignment. One chart shows the expenses by day on the trip. The other chart shows the expenses by activity. 

The following week, we learned how to create a Table of contents using Word. Creating a table of contents is useful when you have a long paper to write. It helps to organize the paper bettter. For example, with the virtual trip assignment, we had to write a Trip Journal explaining what we did each day. The journal I wrote has a Table of contents

For the next assignment,  we had to learn more about the Internet by creating an Internet Timeline and answering basic Internet questions about the history of the Internet. If one can answer these questions, he/she will gain a great deal of knowledge about the Internet that may otherwise be obscure or completely unknown.

Next, we learned how to evaluate websites by using rubrics. Rubrics outline the criteria that categories an excellent website. After I found 10 useful websites that are can be used as resources for teachers, parents, and students.  I put them into an Excel spreadsheet with the headings Web addresses, Core Curriculum Content Standards,  Appropriate grade level, and name of each website.

Next we created a classroom sign. Classroom signs are important so that the students, parents and other staff members can be welcomed to your classroom. In addition, they are put on the classroom door in order for people to locate your room.

Next, we had to update and post our current Resume. Every teacher needs an updated resume to show his/her experience, certifications, and education.