The Finale

Over the semester I have learned so many things (to the point I thought at times my head would explode). I loved using picnik, Glogster, Inspriration, and Google Sites. I honestly did not enjoy the interactive worksheet and iMovie. But I will say overall, I did not mind using the Mac to try to tackle all of the Web 2.0 tools I came into contact with this semester. Somehow, I think the Mac's ease of dragging and dropping made my life easier this semester. As for Web 2.0 tools, they really opened my eyes to how many options I have in the classroom through the use of technology. I learned how to play with facts, photos, and even words (Thank you creators of Wordle!). Before the semester began, I had no idea how many fun and creative options there are for my teaching career and my students benefits. I do not expect my self to be the perfect teacher, though I do think I could better myself through the use of some of these tools. I would like to say I would take the time to use of all them, but I won't. I will say though, I am inspired to try most of them. I love being able to create an overview of a novel with Inspiration, create a digital image collection through Smilebox, and create a funky blog on Glogster. Though I did not like the confusion and irritation of iMovie with its many text and Ken Burn's affect issues, Excel interactive spreadsheet with protection, and sometimes the Wiki which was somewhat confusing to post pictures and format comments, I would like to hope that I will still attempt and conquer my fears of at least one of these tools. After all, it was just a Mac (which I think I did all right with), and after all, its just a Web 2.0 tool (can't be that hard right?----haha)