Amanda's Goodbye

OK everyone, we made it! We actually survived Intro to Computers! The best part is, we survived by working together. Thank you to all of those who have helped me throughout the semester and helped make the class more enjoyable (Tony and Eric...need I say more?!). I'm actually really sad that this is over with. I've met some great people and it's weird to think I won't see most of you again. Saying goodbye to this experience is definitely hard.

I wish the best of luck to everyone. Afer this class, I'm pretty sure we can handle anything! Have a great vacation. We all deserve it, especially after that final! Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

Image source: http://www.web-site-and-graphic-design.com

My Life As A Student Blogger

Wow! Where do I even begin?! When I first found out that we were creating our own blogs, I was extremely excited. I had never heard of them before and I couldn't wait to see how they worked. However, after the first day, I almost had a nervous breakdown. I seriously thought I was going to die from stress! I had no idea how to do anything and because the entire class was in the same boat, I felt completely lost. We were given multiple tasks right from the start and I didn't have a clue how to do them. But, now look at me! I can create posts, I can insert links and images, I can manipulate the template so that the blog looks the way I want it, and I can make comments and suggestions on other students' websites. I have accomplished so much in such a short amount of time and I am proud! I never thought I would be able to do something like this.

Overall, this experience has been very enjoyable for me. Yes, at times it was pretty tough to devote so much time to one class and one assignment, but it was all worth it. I am so glad that I was given the opportunity to use such an incredible technological tool. I have learned so much just from blogging alone that I feel like I am better prepared to become a teacher. This blogging experience has opened my eyes to so many new possibilites and, for that, I am thankful. Not only is blogging a great way to connect students in a particular classroom, but it is a great way to communicate with people all around the world. I will definitely integrate blogging into my curriculum when I become a teacher.

Image source: http://www.librarystuff.net

Website Evaluation

"The content of this website is just not presented well. The layout is not convenient; there isn’t a table of contents, a list of resources, or a site map, and there are quite a few dead links, which means that the information probably isn’t very accurate. In addition, something doesn’t match up with the way the content is presented and the website’s targeted audience. I can’t decide if the targeted audience is supposed to be young children or young adults. The “How to Use the 1492 Exhibit” link on the homepage opens up a page that would seem to be child-friendly; it describes in very simple, basic terms how the miniature ship icon can be used to navigate through the website and where the icon will be located. The EXPO Shuttle Bus idea also appears to be directed more toward young children. However, the rest of the content seems to be too advanced for young children; the information would go right over their heads. If the targeted audience was supposed to be young adults, then those same features would seem inappropriately childish."

This is an excerpt from my Website Evaluation project. We were required to compare and contrast two different websites provided by the instructor and decide whether or not they could be used as an educational tool in the classroom. The website I referred to above was a nonprofit organization website that provided information on the history of America from the year 1492. However, I didn't like the website at all because it wasn't credible, it wasn't visually appealing, and it contained several dead links, which meant it wasn't updated. The only link the website provided that I thought was of any use was the “free” EXPO Shuttle Bus, which took viewers on virtual EXPO tours to various places all around the world. I thought it was a neat concept from which teachers could gather ideas on how to create their own virtual Shuttle Bus, like the EXPO Shuttle Bus. They could organize electronic field trips, which would correspond to the subjects they were teaching in class.

The problem I had with this assignment was that, honestly, I did not care for it. It was extremely tedious and time-consuming and I was left with one big headache. If I had been able to pick one of my own websites to evaluate, I could have maybe picked a website that interested me and I felt I could have elaborated on more. As it turns out, history is my least favorite subject! Oh well...you win some, you lose some!

If you'd like to read more of my Website Evaluation, click here: Website Evaluation