Crazy but Cool!

Well, after this last couple of weeks working with Dreamweaver to create my website, I am quite pleased. I thought it would be really difficult and confusing, but in reality it was not that bad. Sure, there were problems from time to time, but they were nothing I could not fix. I am very pleased with the results, and I only wish that I had Dreamweaver on my own computer so that I could do this on my own time. Either way, I am very happy that I did this!

Clueless

I was happy to finish up my multimedia presentation this week, and I must admit, the finished product was pretty cool. However, now I am afraid of a new feat that I must complete. (Yeah I rhymed, what are you going to do about it?!) I have to create my own web site using Dreamweaver. I have no clue yet what to do. I hope it is not as difficult as I fear it is.

Power Point Playtime

After I finally finished my storyboard, I was able to finally get to work on my actual multimedia presentation. After many hours of surfing the net and fighting with computers that won't do what I tell them to, I was finally able to complet my presentation on our solar system. In the end, I must say I was quite pleased with what I had done, and I felt it was quite cool. However, it takes a long time to complete something like this, and in the end I don't know if the result is worth the time. Maybe if I feel really inspired someday, I may create another one for my classes, but until that day comes, I'm just glad this one is over and turned out cool.

Ahhhh....Storyboards!

This past week in my IT 486 class, we started working on an interactive multimedia presentation using power point. I think the final product will be pretty cool, but I am not a big fan of the first step. The first thing we are having to do is create a storyboard. I realize this is a good idea as far as organization goes when we're making the real thing, but let's just say the Microsoft Word, storyboards, and I don't get along. It keeps being contrary and not so friendly. This is one area where I feel pencil and paper may beat out the computer. Oh well, it'll get done I guess.

De-EXCELerating

Well, after having a few more days in class to work with Excel, I feel a lot more comfortable. I made a shapes lesson for kindergarten that tells whether or not the answers inserted are correct and then scores the answers. This could be a really cool use for Excel in the future. I'm still not completely comfortable with the different formulas, but that's what the Internet is for. Well, I'll check in next time. Until then, abidee abidee abidee a That's All Folks!

EXCELing Above the Beast!

I will admit that me and EXCEL have never been good friends, so I am a little nervous about revisiting this BEAST in class. However, being allowed to take it slow with some directions to guide me is definitely a good start. I'm still not sure that I am be able to create something as wonderful as my mind presents to me, but hopefully I will gain enough experience and knowledge to be able to set up a fancy schmancy grade sheet for my future classes. Better yet, "I WILL succeed at this." "Do you hear that you BEASTIE...I am going to VANQUISH you!!!" Prepare yourself world, for Sir Jonathan of Smith is going to become EXCEL-lent!'

P.S. I decided to pass on the pun of using my sword "EXCELibur", but then again, I do love puns!

I Have Found Inspiration...Quite Literally.

Working with the Inspiration software in this class this past week has been interesting. I can see how it can be handy for creating graphic organizers to use in class, but I can also see that it is going to take a lot more exploration for me to figure out all the tricks of this program. Hopefully once I get the hang of it, I can use it more often and in fun ways.

Digital Image Delving

This week in my IT 486 class, we played with different methods of acquiring digital images and on putting them into documents and slide shows. I already had a good understanding of coping images from the internet, scanning, clip art, and of course, taking pictures with a digital camera. I did at least learn about taking screen shots. I can see activities like the scavenger hunt being good both as teaching and learning tools for my future students. Hooray for technology!

Lesson Plan Lingo

This past week in my IT 486 class, we discussed the creation of lesson plans. I realize that these are important to class organization for teachers, but some things are just overdone. I feel that the outline we were given asked for some things a few times too many, and other things didn't feel like they had a place. I believe that every teacher needs to have their own lesson plan outline that fits their style and can easily be adjusted based on subject or grade level. Despite the problems I felt our outline had, I did find that having the skeleton saved to a word processor with links to state standard lists and other useful information is a good idea that I might use in the future. I just wish that our state and school administrations were more often concerned with helping our students learn, instead of tests and making teachers come up with sometimes pointless technical lingo.

The Reality of Filamentaliy

In my IT486 class, we recently had to create an educational tool/activity using a program/site called Filamentality. I must say that it was confusing at first, but after a few minutes of frustration, I was able to get the hang of it. Once I did, it seemed to be quite simple, and when I had made my activity, I was quite impressed. I really can see this as being a useful tool in a future classroom of mine. Students nowadays basically live on computers, so this would be a great way to teach while getting them entranced with the subject (in this case sharks). It's simple, it's fun, and it's...EDUCATIONAL. Hooray for technology!

If your curious about the types of things you can create using this site, here is my little activity that I made. It only took a small amount of time, and it's still pretty cool if you ask me.

Blog and Wiki Power Up!

I'm starting to get the hang of this blog thing. I'm also beginning to become more comfortable with my wiki. Right now, I think my biggest problem is having to use a MAC in this classroom. I'm a PC guy and this is much different. I hope to be getting more and more involved with my blog and hopefully my wiki too.

Google Docs Rocks

I must say that I was surprised at how well google docs worked. It was very useful for collaborating with others on a project because several people could be editing at once. This let us all work on different parts and get it all done on the same file at the same time. Then we could discuss afterwards. The force is definitely with google docs.

Jonathan Smith's IT 486 Blog Power

This is going to be my blog for my technical journey through IT 486. Let's see how well this goes. I always have a hard time keeping up with these things.