We started out this class by learning how to use this edfolio site, although it seems somewhat antiquated. flashcards was our trial activity. We learned to use most of the 'what you see is what you get' functions, and how to post our coursework here.
Our first assignment was an Article Review involving technology in the classroom. I was unsure of how this had relevance to me, as I am not a traditional teacher - I am a coach in the Fitness Center. It turned out to be interesting, as I learned how some schools are trying anything they can to get students involved in physical fitness, even by using video games.
Our sign project was to help teachers better design signs and other ways of providing information to both students and parents in a classroom setting. I chose to create a sign about our weight room. This project - particularly the 'six foot' rule, will help me, because I am always posting signs in the weight room. The 'six foot' rule will give me something to think about, especially because I have excellent eyesight. I sometimes forget that other people may not have good eyesight, and I might not make the font large enough.
Our next assignment was a newsletter for our class or school. I have done many websites and newsletters before, and I usually use Adobe's InDesign program. This class assignment was very informative, because I now know how to use Microsoft's Publisher program. As a side note, it seems that Microsoft is putting so many functions into its Word program that I am questioning the need for a Publisher program....
gradebook was a basic review for me. I use Excel to keep track of our student workers, and I have also used it for designing workouts. The formulas were not a new concept for me, although anytime I'm not on a Macintosh I always seem to find a way to have problems!
database was another interesting project, that I'm sure has relevance to classroom teachers. I hope I do well on this assignment, but I am concerned that the sites I picked will not pass all of the standards on the rubric. They are all very valuable sites to my profession, and I tried to present a case for the merits of each of them.
On June 18th, we had our ThinkFinity training session. I found two sites that I enjoyed, both involving baseball. The first was an interactive database for Major League baseball players. The link above was provided through the EconEd link. The second link is a reaction simulation for a 90 mph. fastball. This can be a fun activity for younger - and some older - kids. It is provided through ScienceNet links.
I regularly use computers and technology to organize and complete my tasks at work, so much of the computers work - Word, Excel, Power Point - were just a review for me. However, one great 'nugget' of information I learned was Word07 and how it is not compatible with earlier versions of the product, unless the creator of the document chooses compatibility mode. I would get frustrated that I could never open any .docx files - but Professor Miceli explained why!!
On June25th, we did a mail merge. This assignment was a nice review, but saving the work to post on edfolio was difficult at first, due to edfolio code and the now infamous compatiblity mode. I will be able to use the mail merge function with my wife's business.
Last was our power point assignment. While I have used Power Point in the past, this was a great chance to become acquainted with the new features of the program. I had a lot of problems getting my video - originally in Quick Time format - to work in the Power Point. I switched the video clips to .avi format, and got it to work on the school computers. I don't think edfolio will accept video embedded in the file, so you'll have to email me if you want the videos to work...
Power Point is a critical program to be able to use, and I'm glad we got some practice in it!
