PowerPoint is an Amazing Tool !!!!

What?
Today we talked about using PowerPoint and using it to create learning activities for our students. It was great. I loved working as a group, and enjoyed brainstorming together to think of a fun PowerPoint activity for our project. Together we researched different interesting ideas. Then we searched for pictures on google and created a collection of pictures. I enjoy using PowerPoint, it is so user friendly, I totally enjoying putting together this project and will definitely use this tool in my future classroom.

So What?
Now we will be creating the rest of our presentation. We haven't quite decided exactly the game or activity we want to incorporate into our PowerPoint, but we are thinking about a type of matching game, which will allow the students to be able to see the various choices and make the decisions to which country they are associated with. We are also helping create activities for Dr. Waters to possibly use in her book about PowerPoint. I have enjoyed working with all of these tools in creating this project. I used PowerPoint, Picasa and google documents to make this presentation. I was great to be able to know my way around and know what to do. One skill I had to learn was printing the screen and pasteing it into my google document. That was a bit tricky but after practicing a few times I knew just what to do. I am so glad I have been able to take this technology course, it has taught me amazing things, that I never thought I could accomplish.

Then What?
In using PowerPoint in my classroom I will be able to better engage my students with pictures and facts and sound. I can bring in pictures and information they feel is interesting and help them become more interested in our topics. I still believe the old saying "a picture is worth a thousand words". I feel that by using PowerPoint in our lessons we will be able to make our lessons more meaningful, enjoyable, and bottom line--help our students understand and learn what we are teaching. This tool helps us by giving us the opportunity to use our creativity to produce wonderful educational presentations. I like having the option of making up my own ideas and allowing me the freedom to choose information I feel will suit the students best. I like to be able to edit the information each year according to my students needs and add or eliminate material. Knowing how to use these tools gives me that option. I have loved learning to use all of these tools--They will benefit my students, and help me be a better educator.


Video Reflection
This video showed how much education can positively effect our students lives in and outside of the classroom. It helped us realize that what these students learn and the skills these students gain will be able to help change their futures. It will also give them the knowledge of what they are interested in and help them build the skills to be successful in those areas of interest. I feel it is very important to give children every opportunity to experience life, and to see what is out there for them. By giving them a wide variety of experiences it just helps them develop into a more complex and successful human being.