Post #3

It is amazing to me how many input devices there are. Basically an input device is what you use to put things into the computers's memory. Back in the day there were just keyboards and mouses, but now there are so many more devices. There are digital cameras, pens, and touchscreens. Also there are joysticks and wheels that are used to play games. You can also get software to use your smart phone as an input device. From your phone you can download all of you contacts. It is amazing to me how many things contribute to the memory of your computer.
I am taking this course as a prerequisite for my major, which is elementary education. I think that this class would help me a lot if I become a teacher, but right now im trying to figure out if that is really what I want to do. I have always wanted to teach, but recently I have felt a desire to be out of the classrooms and into the buisness world. I would like to change my major to either event planning or some sort of management that would include country clubs or big annual events such as TPC. I am not really sure what to do, so if you have any input I would greatly appreciate it!
In the last week I learned how to use inspiration to create a concept map. I think that if you are able to create a logical and informative handout it will impact students. It may help learners that are more visual. I also think that concept maps can be beneficial to me when I study. They allow you to create a outline in a creative and memorable way.

Blog #1

The first topic that caught my eye in chapter one was the part about these so called "digital students." It says that these kids can be defined by three different things. The first thing is that they are able to communicate with several different tools. The next thing that distingushes them is their ability to multitask. The third thing that sets them apart is their ability to reach separate goals at the same time. I would consider myself as well as most, if not all, of my friends to be a digital student.
Since my last posting I learned how to do several things on Word. We had to make a newsletter, and I learned how to fill in word art as well as banners with pictures that I found on the internet. I think that this is helpful in adding a creative touch to the things that I send to my parents.
I am looking forward to all the things that I am going to learn in this class. I know how to do all of the basics, but I feel like our culture is becoming more technologically advanced, and there are so many things that I have not learned. I think that by the time I am a teacher almost everything will be done by computers.

Post #2

The first website I looked at was Quiz Star. On this website you can create quizes and tests. Your students can log onto the website and take your quizes. I think that this would be helpful because it would give you more class time and it also allows them to start using the computer. The second website I looked at was the web quest examples. This site has all of the webquest archives. You can even create your own webquest. The webquest lesson plans will be helpful in bringing in some technology.
One of the new skills that I learned this last week is how to do a mail merge. I have always wanted to know how to take all of your addresses and put them on labels or envelopes. I think that this will be useful when I have to mail out important information to parents. I also learned how to set the tab points. I was always the person that was tabbing over and spacing to line things up. This will help me when I am making handouts.
Out of all the assistive technologies, I thought that the Big Keyboard was very interesting. I like how they did the letters in a normal order. I think that this will help kids find the letters faster. I also like that they used colors. This will help the kids, because once they become more familiar with the keyboard they can associate the letters with the colors.