This is the diagram that I created. I am really excited about this diagram and feel like it is clear in the way I laid it out. One aspect of creating this diagram that I realized, is that it is very important to incorporate several learning styles within the way you lay it out. I made my color coordinated, I put arrows so that children will know the direction, I made it available in a word document if children do not think in diagram form, and several other things. I do feel that this is a great learning tool, but I will definitely need more practice to become faster at utilizing this program and all it has to offer. Overall, I am very excited about continuing to utilize this tool.

Digital Images

This is a slide show of photos that I learned to edit in Tech 486. We created an album with four different types of images. One picture from the internet, one scanned picture, on personal picture from our digital camera and one clipart picture. This assignment was very practical and I learned all about Picasa through Google. This is a great way for your pictures to come along with you wherever you go technologically. My computer actually just crashed and I lost all my pictures. I will most likely be keeping track of my photos through Picasa now because they will be guaranteed to be in a safe place.
This is also a great thing for the classroom because if you can create digital image slideshows for a lesson that can illustrate different concepts. For example, if you are teaching a history lesson, you could make a digital image slideshow to show pictures of historical landmarks or people. Another great aspect of digital image slideshows is that they really cater to visual learners. A huge majority of children are visual learners and this can be a great reinforcing tool for these children.

Classroom Connections Lesson Plan

After finishing my classroom connections lesson plan, I am very excited about the ways I found to utilize technology with young children. I was struggling with feeling like the content in class wasn't as applicable to me because I am in the Early Childhood Field. After writing this lesson and applying some of these new ideas, I am really beginning to sink my teeth into how useful technology can be for teachers of all ages.

One aspect of technology that I am excited about is teaching young children to research. Acquiring the skills to research is vital for success is school and life. What better time to start teaching children the importance of research then when they are young. This will allow them to incorporate researching into their entire school experience rather than waiting until high school to learn what researching is.

I am also interested in the concept of assistive technology (AT). This is very important in an elementary classroom. I was interested to see that technology moves beyond computers and smart boards, but also gives great resources to help children with learning disabilities in their learning experience. This aspect of technology I feel is very important and can make or break a child with a learning disabilities overall experience with school.

Overall, I am really enjoying all of the new things I am learning about in Tech 486. I feel that the connections lesson plan was a very good assignment for me. It allowed me to really apply the material and really see ways in which it is applicable to me and my personal field. I am excited to continue learning more ways to incorporate technology into my style and values as a teacher.