Journal #7

    

    While researching different types of teacher websites for Assignment 3, I came across the website titled Two Writing Teachers.   This website has multiple resources that both students, teachers, and parents can use to improve their writing abilities.  It allows these teachers to write about different books to increase student comprehension and writing workshops.  Many of their posts have examples regarding the topics that are being discussed and there is also a page that explains the vocabulary that is frequently used on the site.  They also provided a link to some of their other social media and allow readers to follow the blog through email, therefore expanding their reach.  This is important for students and families who may not always have access to computers but have smartphones and other technology.  

    Once I become a teacher, I feel as though technology will only enhance my abilities in the classroom.  I envision myself using technological software such as Edmodo, the Smartboard website, and my own teacher website.  These will allow me to enhance my communication with my students and their parents.  By being available outside of the classroom through this technology, and using it in the classroom to create a diverse and enriching learning environment, my future students will learn more efficiently.  

    My experience with PBWorks was not a bad as I thought it was going to be.  When I first saw the website, I was very lost and confused.  I believed that I was never going to be able to complete the assignment in an efficient and aesthetic way.  However, after I watched the tutorials provided and researching any questions that I had, I came to enjoy using this website.  It was surprisingly simple once I jumped in headfirst and took the time to figure it out.  What I like about this platform is that it can be used collaboratively, such as with Assignment 2, or by oneself.  I also like the simplicity of it as it makes it easier to complete assignments, without going overboard.  Since it provides many of the same qualities as a more advanced website building software, without an expensive price tag or unnecessary features, it saves time.  On the other hand, there are a few things that I did not like, or found confusing.  The biggest thing was adding pictures in.  It was needlessly difficult as you could not just copy and paste an image.  It would have to be saved to the computer and then inserted.  I also did not like that you couldn't adjust an image as easy as you could on other software.  I could use Wiki in a K-12 class as a teacher webpage, or similar to how it was assigned to the class, as a start to web building.  It is a useful skill to have, as technology continues to change and spread out through classrooms and the workforce.