Thoughts from Me

Blog Post #3

2006-08-17T16:30:00.000-07:00

It is amazing how much of a transformation has occurred in the past 4 weeks! I went from being scared out of my mind, to complete frustration, to semi-understanding, to an intermediate understanding. If anything, this ed tech ckass has inspired me to learn more about all of the amazing software programs that are out there. There are far many more resources for teachers and students than there was even 10 years ago. I just have to remember to be patient while learning the programs!
I am very content with the final outcome of my website. However, if I had more time I would have liked to add more pictures and pretty backgrounds to the pages. But for the purpose of the class, I am very content!
The assignment that surprised me the most was the claymation video. I had the MOST fun seeing the final outcome of our video in the short amount of time we had to complete the project. It was a great group collaboration and actually a lot easier than I had thought! It inspires me to use projects like this in my own classroom in the future.
All in all, I had a good time in Ed Tech. With the growing presence of technology in the classroom, it is only fitting that we as educators are familiar with it!

Blog Post #2

2006-08-05T19:29:00.000-07:00

Well it seems as though I have come a long way even from my first blog (which was only one week ago!). Technologically speaking, I have completed all 3 photoshop assignments and I am quite proud of them! Once I took the time to navigate though all of the manipulations it can do, I will excited to try them out! I must say that I am definitely no photoshop genius by any stretch of the imagination, but I can definitely manipulate photos if asked to!
Also, I have created my first webpage! I'm on the web!! :) haha
I am actually looking foward to learn how to complete my webpage (since all I have right now is changed the color of the text!).
This feeling of accomplishment (that I originally thought was unattainable!) is a great feeling. I have to keep that in mind when teaching my students. I have to really remember how frustrating it is at first, and encourage them to keep trying. A funny story of the weekend: my fiance is as ANTI-computers as they come. He is only 30 years old but he describes his schooling as completely lacking in the technology department and refuses to learn anything about them. He came home last night from work and wanted to make a diagram of his department to bring to work today. So he popped on our laptop and started to work. I was amazed at his patience and drive to do this diagram. But I have to tell you how PROUD he was at his final product it was unbelievable! He had a smile from ear to ear when I printed it out for him (printing was a whole different beast we won't get into!). But it just made me think of how students will feel when they accomplish something they didn't think they could do!

That's all for now! I can't believe the term is half over!!

In addition to post #1

2006-07-31T14:20:00.000-07:00

I wanted to add on to my original post because I have learned a bit since then! I actually took the time to read the tutorial for photoshop and started from scratch. I took a sample picture and successfully manipulated it using the "feather technique." I also added text to the bottom in a fancy way. I was so proud of myself when the final product was actually what I was wanting!
This led me to realize how important educational technology is to students. I realize that it is completely frustrating at first, but once it "clicks" it is an amazing feeling. I have to keep this in mind as a teacher, that students will get frustrated, but the end result will be quite rewarding.

My mood has changed from last post to this one from complete frustration and a sense of giving up, to hopeful and optimistic that I can do this!! :)

Blog Post #1

2006-07-27T19:58:00.000-07:00

To be quite honest, I am a bit frustrated with my computer right now! I have just attempted to manipulate a picture I have taken and I couldn't get it the way I wanted it! I have trouble finding the patience required to read the tutorials! I am hoping that when I actually finish the project, I will be happy with my results! I really liked the examples that were shown in class where the 3 different pictures were "layered" (<--one of the words I DID learn however) on top of each other. I wanted to create something similar to that but it wasn't working! What am I doing wrong? I need a photoshop tutor!! haha

Thats all for now...when my frustration is gone, I will attempt round 2 at photoshop! :)

Test

2006-07-26T15:44:00.000-07:00

Testing to see if this blog thing works!! :)