Strengths and Weaknesses

The UNI survey was a great way to point out the areas in technology that are strong and weak. For the most apart, I was an apprentice. Though this is in the middle and not great and not bad, I feel it is a good start, while still allowing for me to learn and improve. The UNI surveys brought out the weaknesses I did not realize I had. Fr example, one of them is the lack of knowledge I have of equity, ethics, legal, and human issues concerning the use of computers and technology. This is something I have not thought about but realize it's importance and hope to improve and learn more on this topic. I also need improvement on video conferencing which is something I have had little experience with. Also, though I have used Excel many times, I feel I could still learn more that would help me in the classroom. Some of my strengths according to the UNI survey include, word processing programs, e-mail, and graphic organizers. I hope to use the knowledge I have on these to share with my students.

Once again, according to the Net standards, a weakness I have is the social, ethical, egal, and human issues aspect that surrounds the use of technology. Part A says I need to be able to teach and model this for my students. I hope to learn more about this so that teaching it is possible. Another aspect I a not as familiar with is the assessment and evaluation part of the Net standards. I have never thought of using technology to assess students but it is something that would be very interesting to use. I feel that some aspects of the Net standards that I know well are the use of research in planning out my lessons. I have named my weaknesses and my strengths, but for the most part, the majority of the Net standards are steps I am familiar with but need more information to be able to teach it.

One tool that would help me improve one of my weaknesses is the course on Excel 2007 for teachers. It would teach me more about the tools that Excel offers and ways in which to use Excel the most effectively. There is also a video World Language Assessment. Technology in Assessment. This would be helpful for me to learn more about assessing students using technology. The descriptions to these are listed below.

Excel 2007 for Teachers
Description:
Designed for those who are unfamiliar with spreadsheet programs, this class covers basic Excel functionality, including simple math formulas, formatting and the chart wizard. We focus on classroom projects and applications, especially activities your students can do with Excel. The course aims to provide a sufficient foundation in Excel, so that participants feel comfortable showing students how to use it, and assigning projects that use Excel as a tool to help students develop critical thinking skills and enhance their learning of curriculum standards.

World Language Assessment. Technology in Assessment.

In this program, Jen Charles and Brian Wopat use technology to assess their students and track their progress. Jen and Brian discuss the advantages of using different technology to engage their students in world language learning. In Jen's class, pairs of students create a presentation on a Central American location using Moviemaker for their presentation. In addition to the presentation, students take an online vocabulary quiz on "Moodle" and practice current grammar on a language website. In Brian's classroom, students are shown a Photo Story to create a presentation they will give their fellow classmates. Students are shown building their Photo Story with Brian's supervision.