I just made a new Voki. See it here:

Final Post-What I Have Learned

This class has been a great way to broaden my horizons surrounding technology and the different uses of it in the classroom. I have been able to learn more about using Mac computers and all the benefits that can go along with that. The different websites that offer tools to create things for use in the classroom have also been beneficial to learn about. These will allow me to come up with different ways to present material and engage the students in my classroom. Learning about the different issues surrounding technology and especially the internet has helped me become more aware of the things that are going on in cyberspace. This will allow me to be more informed and be able to have a better awareness of my students' internet use. It will also help me to do a better job of regulating the different things I may post or say online. Overall, the class has expanded my knowledge of technology use and the integration of technology into the classroom.

Academic Honesty

Academic honesty is extremely important in the classroom. As an elementary school teacher I will still need to teach this to my students, however I believe it will focus mostly on the concept of "honesty" in general rather than specifically in academic honesty. Student will need to understand that lying, cheating, copying, etc. are things that are not allowed in the classroom and should not be done out of the classroom either. When teaching this to my students It will be approached as rule as well as something that should be a part of one's life.

My Philosophy of Education

I believe that all children are important and special and a way to communicate this to them is to invest in their lives through education. Education is a window for their future, it creates opportunities and goals in peoples' lives. Because of this, my passion lies in teaching kids while loving them in a classroom environment. Education extends farther than the simple academic requirements and state standards. As a teacher I believe it is my responsibility to teach students about compassion, responsibility, integrity, and other important qualities. At young ages kids are extremely easy to change and mold-this is a huge thing that teachers need to be actively aware of in their profession. My goal as a teacher is to enrich children through education, love, and challenging.

The Future of Technology!

The future of technology immensely impacts education. Education is a high customer of technology because it is used so much in the classroom and in other ways! Technology changes so quickly and advances so quickly that there is bound to be competition within it. This being said, technology will still be used in education as much as it is today and probably more in the future. The more advances that come along, the more desire for it there will be. That is why teachers much stay up to date with the different advances that are being made. This is because not only will teachers be using technology, students will be using technology-and sometimes in a negative way. So, as a teacher this will impact me quite a bit. We need to stay informed and up-to-date.

On-line Etiquette

When you are working in an on-line environment, it is important to express yourself in a professional way. The internet can be used as a tool for many different things. Your future employers can look into the things you post or comment on and it can effect the possibilities you have at being hired. Also, just like in person, there are certain things that people need to properly communicate. You cannot speak in disrespectful or inconsiderate ways. When I am working or posting things online, I always try to keep in mind that anything I write can be seen by almost anyone with access to that particular site. Even if I have privacy settings set-up I still act as if the things I have wrote can be read by others. I think this is a good practice to have, because it will keep you from the possibility of anything inappropriate being seen by others.

Cyberbullying

STOP Cyberbullying

What is Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying can be somewhat of a broad definition, yet it covers many different areas. Bullying in itself is when a person will intentionally try to hurt someone emotionally through comments, actions, intimidation, physical contact, looks, etc. Cyberbullying is when this is happening through online social networking sites, emails, or instant messages. This can happen between peers or even a parent harassing a child. This is a growing problem with kids. Many kids (and people in general) think that it is easier to simply "hide behind" a computer and attack others in this way. It is also common for someone to impersonate another person and try to hurt others through comments this way. The links above will provide lots of information regarding this issue.