Ah, the last EDT 610 assignment. I know I have said it before, but I am amazed at how much I have learned over the last few months. There are several reasons behind the rapid expansion of my technological skills:

(1) First and foremost, I was (comparatively) computer illiterate before participating in this class. I had a working knowledge of Word and Excel; knew how to use the Internet; and, could navigate my way with ease through most accounting software. In other words, I had enough skills to just get by. Before EDT 610, however, I had never created a PowerPoint or Publisher document – two of the most powerful applications in the Microsoft library. Unbelievable what can be done with these creative tools.

(2) The format of the class was perfect for someone with my limited skills. In much the way that someone would learn a foreign language in an immersion program, I became more technologically competent by either sinking or swimming in the techno-pool. Rarely did I consult manuals and I never used the class text (waste of money - should not have been listed as ‘required’). I just jumped into the applications and started playing. And I ‘practiced’ every day. It’s the only way – immersion.

(3) The assignments were directly related to current educational practices in schools across the country - schools, that is, fortunate enough to have access to computers. At the beginning of this class I knew nothing of how students are taught and how students learn these days. It was extremely beneficial as a teaching candidate to play the role of a student and to be assigned a PowerPoint, Newsletter and/or Web project related to a specific content area.

(4) Finally, I truly had fun working with the applications. I probably spent quadruple the time that more my more experienced classmates did in completing assignments, but I was learning as I was working. There is so much opportunity for creativity in PowerPoint and Publisher and I enjoyed having an infinite variety of formats, backgrounds, fonts, animations, etc. at my disposal. I am especially fond of newsletter publications. It is the ideal format for students both to demonstrate what they have learned and to teach others.

I plan to teach Secondary School Social Studies and it goes without saying the valuable role technology will play in my future efforts. The Internet is a particularly powerful tool in history and geography education. But a word of caution is in order. At one point, I downloaded a seemingly harmless item to post on this blog site. I wanted to add some spice to the usual prose I was presenting. The item in question came with a redirection virus. Thus, every time my blog was opened the viewer would be redirected to advertisements. A knowledgeable classmate knew how to fix it and I am both grateful and wary of straying far from convention ever again.

I am eager to apply my new-found skills to future courses. I feel so much more comfortable with previously unfamiliar practices such as unit planning and rubric development. And when it comes down to creating effective presentations – let’s just say I am ready.