-
Period: to
My years of using technology
-
Facebook
While starting my first year in the dorms at Michigan State University, I discovered my first social networking site. Facebook quickly became a convenient and fast way to catch up with old friends, learn more about new friends and find out information about upcoming events.
<br>
Facebook -
Microsoft Word
Obviously, starting college called for a word processing application so I started using Microsoft word much more frequently. I learned how to create graphs, tables, change colors and add pictures. I don’t know what I would do without it now! -
Photoshop
For a computer class at MSU I had an assignment to choose a computer application and present it to the class. I decided to concentrate on Photoshop and learn more about editing photographs. I really enjoyed discovering new things on the program, and doing a presentation on it really helped me become an expert on the different types of editing techniques Photoshop offers. -
Myspace
During my first few months in college I also made a Myspace page. At the time it was drastically different from Facebook because Facebook did not allow its users to add music, personalize their page or add video. I also experimented with basic HTML code while using Myspace.
<br>
Myspace -
Napster
Napster also became popular around this time. It was my first experience downloading music off the internet onto my computer without paying.
<br>
Napster -
Mozilla Firefox and Safari
I discovered other web browsers and realized there were other ways to surf the internet besides Internet Explorer. So, I downloaded Mozilla Firefox and Safari to use mainly if Internet Explorer wasn’t working properly.
<br>
Safari
<br>
Mozille Firefox -
Wikipedia
For a final paper in one of my college classes the professor mentioned, “Do not copy and paste off of Wikipedia.” I wasn’t aware of what Wikipedia was, so naturally I looked it up as soon as I got home. At first I was confused because anyone can edit and post on the wiki page, so it was baffling to me how the administrators could control people from putting false information on the website.
<br>
Wikipedia -
Digital Camera
I received a digital camera as a gift and was amazed that photographs could be directly uploaded to a computer instead of taking them to a store to get developed. It was only a 3.2 megapixel camera, but it worked great and took decent pictures! Not to mention I could turn the camera over and view it seconds after I took the picture. It was revolutionary! -
Photobucket
Shortly after learning how to work my digital camera, I wanted a way to allow my family and friends to view my pictures. A friend told me about Photobucket, a website that allowed its users to store several pictures and have people view them at anytime. This also freed up space on my computer by storing the pictures on the internet.
<br>
Photobucket -
Powerpoint and Excel
I used PowerPoint in high school but only for basic slides and text. For one of my college classes I had to do a group presentation with pictures, sounds and transitions. This is when I became much more familiar and comfortable using PowerPoint. I also used Excel to make a schedule of classes I took and needed to take to graduate. I am an organized person so I loved using Excel! -
Youtube
YouTube had recently come out in the internet scene and was making quite a splash with its user uploaded videos. Around this time I made an account, but I’m sad to say even to this day I haven’t uploaded any videos myself! I did not make this video, but it was done by the 3rd year students while we were studying for the EdTech program in England.
<br>
MAET -
ITunes
Along with the iPod came iTunes. Downloading songs, movies and TV shows took minutes and everything I could want for entertainment was available with only a few clicks.
<br>
iTunes -
iPod
For Christmas I received my first Mp3 player, an iPod. The iPod Nano at the time only came in 2gb and 4gb so they couldn’t hold very many songs, but they were the smallest Ipod on the market and I remember everyone being amazed by its sleek and thin design. -
Blogger
For an education class at MSU we were placed in groups and were told to communicate using Blogger. We had to make weekly posts and comment on other group’s blogs. I was familiar with blogs before this but never took the time to make one.
<br>
Blogger -
Wikispaces
Instead of using ANGEL for a class, one of the teaching assistants I had set up a wiki page for this particular course using Wikispaces. The instructor did not show the students in the class how to use the wiki and assumed everyone knew how to use. This was until everyone’s information kept getting deleted when someone who didn’t know how to use it deleted all the information on the page before posting!
<br>
Wikispaces -
Scrapblog
For a final project I used Scrapblog to explain emotional literacy. It was much more fun to create than writing a paper or making a PowerPoint!
<br>
Check out my project here!
<br>
Scrapblog -
World of Warcraft
I was never really interested in multiuser games until a friend told me about World of Warcraft. I played for a few months and was intrigued by the graphics and the time spent to create such a complex game. I just wish I had more time for it!
<br>
World of Warcraft -
Skype
During the summer of 2008 I studied abroad in Plymouth, England for the Educational Technology program. It was my first time out of the country and I had never heard of Skype until one of my teachers suggested we download it to talk to friends and family back home. Since that day I use Skype daily and would be lost without it! I even managed to install a webcam on my grandmother’s computer so she can see and talk to me while I’m abroad.
<br>
Skype -
RSS Feeds
I had heard of RSS feeds before starting the Educational Technology program but I honestly had no idea what their purpose was. This summer I made an account with Google Reader and subscribed to several RSS feeds for a class. I try to keep updated with them daily but the amount of information can be overwhelming!
<br>
Google Reader -
Window Movie Maker
I also had to make a movie using Windows Movie Maker for a class while studying abroad. I was amazed how easy the program was to use and quickly realized its potential when it comes to education in the classroom. Unfortunately, I haven’t incorporated it into a lesson yet, but I am hoping to do so in the near future. -
Podcasts
I subscripted to a few podcasts through ITunes, but until this summer I had no idea how easy it was to make my own! For an assignment my group had to create our own podcasts about culture in England compared to the United States. It was a lot of fun to record and can easily be adapted for classroom use. -
Picasa
I took many pictures during my study abroad this summer and needed a place to publish them for my family and friends. I used Picasa to upload all my photographs and continue to add pictures all the time. I love how simple it is to use and it offers a lot of storage space. There is also an editing, cropping and enhancing option to make my pictures even more beautiful!
<br>
Check out my pictures here! -
VoiceThread
I was introduced to VoiceThread after choosing to use it for an assignment. It is a simpler version of Windows Movie Maker and would be an excellent teaching tool for students who are not yet comfortable using more complex programs. It could also be easily adapted to put an entertaining twist on a dry lesson.
<br>
Voice Thread -
Del.icio.us
I enjoy using Delicious instead of searching through several websites on the internet for information. It is especially useful for online classes because the information tagged is directly correlated with content I am currently studying. I have found many interesting websites to use in my classroom from tags on Delicious.
<br>
Del.icio.us -
Digital Video Camera
I bought my first digital video camera to bring with me while studying abroad. It is very convenient to be able to transfer my videos straight from the camera to the computer instead of burning it onto a DVD first. It’s a big step up from the 10lb VHS camera I remember my parents using when I was a child! -
Audacity
Using Audacity made creating a podcast and a movie with Windows Movie Maker so much easier! I wasn’t worried if I stuttered or paused for too long while reading a script because I could easily go to Audacity and edit out any errors.
<br>
Audacity -
Wordle
A co-worker introduced me to Wordle during the first semester of my internship year. I thought it was unique and had real potential for getting students interested in topics that otherwise may not be entertaining for everyone. Since learning about Wordle I have used it in every classroom. The ESL students enjoy it because it gives them a visual representation of words which is a nice change of pace from the textbook!
<br>
Wordle -
SMART Boards
During the second half of my internship year the classroom I was placed in received a brand new Smartboard. It was very foreign to the teachers and students so it wasn't used as often as it should have been. I tried my best to utilize it as often as possible for games, morning announcements and lessons but unfortunately I didn’t have enough time to explore it as much as I would have liked. My classroom in Korea has a large Smartboard and I am so anxious to use it, but it's all in Korean! -
Professional Website
I started a professional website with my resume, teaching philosophy and information about where I am currently teaching using a website called Webs. It is not completely finished but I hope to have it done soon so it is easily accessible to my students and future employers.
<br>
My website! -
Twitter
I singlehandedly boycotted Twitter by myself for as long as I could, but I finally gave in and created an account recently. I still don’t use it very often, but it’s fun to read what some famous people are Twittering about!
<br>
Twitter -
Digital Reader
I always considered getting a digital reader but since I am currently living in South Korea it would have been impossible to use the wireless internet feature because they were not built for international use. However, recently I found out that Amazon’s new digital reader is compatible with international Wi-Fi so I am anxious to order one and create another digital footprint!
<br>
Kindle Global
