#3 - Tech Standards

Regarding ELA technology standards, the one that I feel most prepared to teach with my existing would be the standards regarding literature. These consisted of connecting text of story/drama to oral/visual presentations, comparing reading story/drama/poem to audio, video, or live version and having words and illustrations in print and digital text to understand character, setting and plot, to name a few. I feel as though the standards that I would need to prepare more for would be the multimedia standards like informational text, history/social studies, and science/technical subjects.

When I become a teacher, I hope to teach fourth or fifth grade. Knowing this age group allows me to use a larger array of software and applications in the classroom. I would like to stay away from using strictly internet based programs because they are fourth and fifth graders and I wouldn't want them to come upon something inappropriate by accident. I would most definitely use video and audio in my classroom. I know that some elementary schools offer the opportunity for students to go to a computer lab during designated class time, which I would take full advantage of because the schools have restrictions on certain websites. I believe this particular concept falls under the "netiquette" section of the digital citizenship guidelines (Lever-Duffy, McDonald, 224). Another way that I would help my students become good digital citizens is through the NetSmartz program, which is a good resource for teachers trying to guide our students in being good digital citizens (Lever-Duffy, McDonald, 225).

My Newsletter Design assignment was a rigorous assignment to say the least! I found it to be one of the harder assignments in EME 2040, but it was still very fun to me. The idea of organizing and setting up borders and titles has never seemed to be anything of importance to me in the use of Microsoft Word. I feel as though I will use the skills I learned in this assignment when writing newsletters in my future classroom. I had trouble figuring out to separate the flyer into columns; I had so much trouble I ended up not even doing that! I created a 1x2 table, and then "erasing" the borders. I will most definitely use the skills I gained from this assignment in the future.

#2 - Microsoft Word

Regarding word processing programs, the only program I have ever used is Microsoft Word. I would say I know my way around a Word Document, but there are some features I don't know how to use. I have written numerous research papers and essays via Microsoft Word, as it is a nifty and easy program to use for even the longest of papers. My teachers use Microsoft Word for about everything I can think of; they use it to make their syllabuses, write up the course schedule, prepare course material for the students and many other uses. I use Word more for papers and assignments and my teachers use Word for guidelines and instructions for the class.


For as long as I can remember, I have always been told about the consequences behind copyright infringement and cheating. There are and always will be "no tolerance" policies in the school system regarding copyright and fair use of materials in an educational environment. Regarding the fair use of materials in the classroom, I have had certain professors not being able to make PDF copies of articles and post them online for all of us to use because of copyright issues with the authors. As a teacher, I would make sure to use copyrighted materials in my classroom, for their intended purposes. I would also stress to my students the importance of misusing copyrighted material and the severity of the consequences that come along with misuse.


I have been apart of the "twittersphere" for quite sometime now, and it's one of my favorite forms of social media. I have only used my twitter account for personal entertainment, i.e. keeping up with the latest memes, vines and celeb gossip; therefore, the majority of the accounts I follow on my personal account are usually friends from school, and comedy accounts. It's going to be interesting to have a separate account for networking and connections for educational technology purposes. Personal Learning Networks are very helpful regarding networking for future employment or internships. I can use PLNs to connect with past employers, or even potential future employers. I can also use PLNs to keep up with the newest educational trends, methods or concepts to use in my classroom.

#1 - Technologically Critical and Digitally Native

Technology is critical in the education system, so critical that schools receive "substantial annual investment in technology" (Lever-Duffy, McDonald, 11). Computers specifically are important in education because they are the main tool being implemented by teachers. When I think about which piece of technology I use the most for school, it is most definitely my computer. Being able to communicate with my professors and classmates with ease, completing assignments via word processing software in a heartbeat and the occasional binge watch of Netflix in my off time shows how important computers are in my educational life. In every class I have taken at Florida State, my professors and teachers have implemented computers in order to teach their class; ranging from minimal use to solely using the computer to teach, computers are very important and prevalent in the classrooms here at Florida State. Although computers are incredible useful for education, there are some heavy concerns regarding the use of this particular technology. Finances may be a concern regarding the use of technologies. This could cause certain schools may keep computers longer than their ability to update to the current software allows them to; this makes it hard on the teachers to integrate the most current technologies within their classrooms (Lever-Duffy, McDonald, 11). Not only could financial issues affect the school, but financial issues at home could cause a gap for students; some may not be able to afford to have a computer at home. Another issue with using technology in the classroom would be that some students may have different learning styles that don't fit within that certain technology. I agree and disagree with many of the issues raised in the chapters regarding how teachers and students use computers.


The ISTE standards help with the collaboration of administrators, teachers and students towards moving education forward in a digital age. Regarding the ISTE standards for teachers, the one that stood out to me a lot was to, "facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity". This may seem like a given for some people, but I have trouble with the idea of cultivating creativity within other people, and as a future teacher I feel as though this is very important for my students. An ISTE standard that I find important is the standard regarding "critical thinking, problem solving and decision making" for the student standards. I personally believe that all three of these concepts are the most important for a student to learn in school. They are used in daily life and I know that they will be used not only throughout a students life in school, but in their lives after school as well.


I agree that the label digital native should be used for today's youth. This is because this generation has been around technology since the day they were born, and it surrounds us as we age. A digital native can be described as someone who doesn't find technology to be a foreign being and "treating it as an assumed part of life". I have noticed that some of my professors are capable of using technology to get by, but not necessarily use it to the extent that I would be able to use it. There may be a delay in time with how long it take for them to get from program to program. I personally feel as though there are some things that I am able to use with ease, while some of my professors are unable to use them at all. I haven't had anything big stand out to me about a professor being a digital immigrant, and their inability to use certain technologies. I have only had one instance where a professor didn't use PowerPoint correctly and I was unable to read the notes, which wasn't ideal.  There will always be a gap between generations regarding technology, but it's up to us as teachers to keep up with the new and improved technology to improve our students and their futures.

#0 - Introduction to Erin

I would consider my past experience with technology to be beginner and boarder line intermediate. I know how to use the basic functions of a computer, word processing programs, presentation programs, spreadsheet programs, and Photoshop. I have to admit I am glued to my iPhone, so I would say I am highly experienced with using that type of technology. I've never had any horrible issues with technology, so I would say my experience with technology has been beneficial and positive. 

I hope to learn about the potential programs I can use in my classroom in the future. I also hope that I can discover more shortcuts regarding the programs I already know how to use. I hope that I can use technology in the classroom in the future to potentially benefit my students learning processes. Finally, I hope to gain as much knowledge as possible regarding the educational technology that will be presented throughout this course so I can use them to the best of my ability for my students. 

Regarding my learning style, I learned that I am more of an active learner, a sensing learner, a visual learner and a sequential learner. I wasn't surprised that I scored the highest as a sensing learner, because I do enjoy problem solving and learning facts. I also agreed with how sensor learners remember best by connecting things to the real world, because I know I do that personally with a lot of things. I also wasn't surprised that I received a higher score as an active learner because I do like to be engaged while learning. Lastly, I also understand why I scored what I scored as a sequential learner because I know I like to be organized and have everything be linear.