Post #1

In Chapter 1, we learned about the ARCS Model. The ARCS Model is a motivational teaching tool that was developed in 1983 by John M. Keller. This technique is based on a teacher's ability to grasp the Attention of the students through a lesson by either using technology or an unorthodox technique to intrigue the students; make the lesson Relevant to the student's lives in order to better motivate them; to make the lesson Challenging enough for a student that once they complete it they feel Confident in themselves; and to ultimately give students the Satisfaction of their Success. Thus you have, ARCS. The book also taught us that today's generation of students are digital students because of their ability to use multiple forms of technology for communication, their ability to multi task easily, and to be goal oriented all at the same time. We also learned about the ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) which is a nonprofit group that advocates using technology as a tool to improve teaching and learning. The ISTE was important in the development of the NATSE (National Council for Accreditation for Teacher Education) which defines the concepts and fundamentals that teachers should apply to using technology in the classroom, as well as tests them in order to receive accreditation for using technology. Some standards that are expected of teachers when using technology are to demonstrate a common knowledge of computers and their computer skills, to be able to use their skills to effectively plan, teach, and asses the students and the curriculum, as well as being able to empower the diverse students to take something away from the lessons as well. We did learn about the different ways schools use computers, from taking attendance to finding substitute teachers, to keeping addresses and phone numbers up to date, and to planning lessons and keeping grades.

Some new skills I have aquired have been learning how to use Windows XP once I started working with the practice test. I do not have Windows XP, so I know this will help me. I think this will help me in my further career as a teacher because it is important to stay up to date with the changing technology so that I can help my students with it and use it to my own advantage when preparing lesson plans and using the grading capabilities provided by a computer.

Something interesting that I thought could apply to this class was an extra credit assignment I received from my music professor. She decided that since the world of online video has erupted, we can chose to create an online YouTube project. I thought that was very inventive, clever, and adventuresome. It made me think about the ARCS model because this would help us to learn something in a new and exciting way that would grasp our attention. I have never submitted a project using YouTube before and I thought that was a very unique way to incorporate technology into the classroom. Maybe one day I can do something like that in my own classroom.

Post #0

My prior experiences using technology range from using it since I was eight years old for school to taking actual computer courses in high school. I use technology everyday, from surfing the web to checking my e-mail for class. I had to become familiar with various computer programs such as Microsoft Word and Powerpoint for projects and assignments, as well as learning how to use different photo programs while I was on my school's yearbook. I don't know everything about PCs though because I prefer to use Mac, but I do remember some stuff.

In this class, I hope to learn more about certain programs, especially Microsoft Excel. I also hope to become more PC proficient because I do not use it as my main computer so I do need some refreshment on the programs that are solely PC. I also hope to be able to learn how to post things on the web more easily, and how to use online learning tools that I will need to give to my students when I am a teacher one day ( i.e. online projects and research sites).

With my classmates I would like to share my love for Mac! But really, Macs are great for some things that PCs just cannot do. They can create some projects that PCs need programs for, but that Macs come with.