That's All Folks

Sadly, this will be my last blog entry for literacy and technology. On a positive note, that does mean that I finished with graduate school after 3 years - boy does time fly when you are learning! So, as a conclusion, I would like to take a minute and reflect on my overall blog performance. As blogging was not something that I was familiar or comfortable with, I am sure that there will be many areas that need improvement- so i will just keep trying!
As far as structure, design and titles go I think that I actually did fairly well. My design was fairly plain, but relfected my style and kept things colorful but not too loud. I find it is difficult to read a blog with too much color and pictures all of the place and feel that I kept a happy balance with pretty colors but readability. As far as titles go, some of mine are a little strange, but relate to the content of the entry in one way or another. I felt that by going with titles that were a little different, people may be more intrigued to actually read. After the title, my entries were nicely organized with an introduction and conclusion. I feel that my entries were easy to read and follow!
Although I feel that my blog entries were easy reads, I am not sure how anaylytical they are... As afore mentioned, blogging is not something that I was familiar or comfortable with up until this point (and I am still a little shaky!). I also was fairly unfamiliar with most topics that were addressed during my literacy and technology class. I have realized over the course of the semester that I am definitely behind on technology and need to get with it. Teaching students with severe disabilities really limits technology usage in my classroom (my student either don't know how to use a computer or would damage it if left to their own devices!) which has really allowed me to fall behind on all of the capabilities today. As a result of this, I really did not have knowledge of the various topics, previous assumptions, or even personal experiences to relate to throughout this course. I was like a student who has never taken a math course and barely knows what a number is taking algebra. I really learned as a I went along and developed opinions as I learned. I will say, I am pretty proud of myself and impressed at some of the things that I have learned to do. I am really proud that I know how to create a digital story and that I figured out how to create hyperlinks! I am not going to lie, i showed some of these skills off a little bit! Despite my lack of knowledge, I tried to reflect on each experience as much as possible. Each entry really allowed me to discuss my feelings about the various topics or assignments and how, I, as a novice felt throughout. This is definitely a great blog for anyone that is not computer saavy and is trying to learn!
Overall, this class has been a really good experience. I will admit that I became very frustrated at times and even felt a little bit stupid when I could not figure something out or did not understand what was being discussed, but I made it through. I definitely learned a lot of neat tricks and have a ton of new resources to add to my toolbox. Next step, get my students to be able to use technology so I can try out all of this fun stuff!!