Rebecca Rockmaker

Reflection Paper Assignment

EDT 180 iCourse
November 22, 2019

EDT 180 was very interesting, and I learned how to use various useful tools that I will be

able to utilize throughout my career. When I initially started this class, I was very nervous

because I have never been great at technology, and I was not sure I would be able to succeed. I

did not know how to create a website, make videos, or use Microsoft Office to its fullest extent.

Some of the tools we used I had never even heard of! However, the step by step instructions and

video guides provided easy to understand information, and I was able to accomplish the main

targets of the course.

The primary objective for this course is to achieve computer literacy and I definitely

believe I succeeded in fulfilling this goal. I attained a mastery level in the following goals: the

ability to discuss the functions of computers in classrooms, businesses, homes, and other

environments, create, share, and familiarize myself with Google based applications, and create a

web-based personal portfolio showcasing my learning over the semester.

Firstly, I learned a lot about the technology that can be useful in an educational and

business settings, as well on a personal level. Through the Mobile Apps assignment, I researched

different technologies and tools that would be useful in a professional setting, especially in the

classroom. Although not included in my final presentation, I familiarized myself with the

infamous Google Classroom. Interestingly enough, after talking to a lot of current elementary

school students, almost all of them use it regularly to submit assignments. I also learned about

Mathway and Quizlet, both useful tools that can be used as review tools for students at home.

I also familiarized myself with the Google based applications such as Google Docs,

Google Slides, and Google Sheets. While I had used all of these tools in the past, it was really

interesting to learn the ins and outs of the programs and discover features I never knew about

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Rebecca Rockmaker
Reflection Paper Assignment
EDT 180 iCourse
November 22, 2019

before. It was also extremely intriguing comparing these programs with Microsoft Word,

PowerPoint, and Excel and see which tool would be more effective for certain circumstances or

projects. Specifically, Google Sheets was especially meaningful to master because I have always

just guessed and never fully understood how to manipulate the program in an efficient way. The

tutorial, however, alleviated a substantial amount of aggravation, especially how to add columns

automatically, find averages, and create customizable graphs. I am so excited that I can add the

proficiency of the both Google-based applications and Microsoft Office tools to my resume.

Creating my own web-based portfolio through a website was also a huge achievement for

me. As a future, educator I will need to construct my own website with embedding, buttons,

images, text and more, so it was really advantageous to understand features such as these.

I had many “lightbulb” moments throughout this course, where I have used certain

technologies my entire life, but I have never used it to its fullest extent. For example, I really

enjoyed utilizing the screencast and screenshot tools, because I think they will be applicable to

my future teaching job. I can upload instructions for how to access certain technologies or

websites used in my classroom through the screenshot and annotation tools. Teachers of mine in

the past have even used the screencast features to teach complex topics for us to learn at home as

opposed to reading from the textbook. This was a lightbulb moment for me because it was one of

the many programs I could see myself using often in my career.

Throughout this course, I gained valuable knowledge about technologies I plan to use

when I become an educator, and I proud to say I achieved a mastery level in the goals set for us

at the start of the course.

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