Farewell!!

My journey has just begun!!

I will first start with this class, the EDU 697 Capstone. I felt an overall of the class was good. I think I could have put forth more effort but had many things going on in my life that put school last. I did learn some new things and will have something to take away from this class. I did struggle some in this class, mostly on knowing what fit each PLO. I felt I was doing well on most assignments and then would receive my grade and was disappointed. I struggled some with the final project, but not because it was difficult to figure out but because I was using tools I have never tried before. I found that the Weebly site was a tad glitchy and didn't like some files that I was trying to attach. I had to watch the instruction video to get started and still had a hard time finding some things to make it work. I spent many hours on this and know it will still need improvement. I am hoping that I was able to make the changes that were needed and pass this course so I can receive my degree. I have worked very hard to get to where I am today and to fail now would be such a disappointment. I felt I did well over the last year and pushed myself to places I have never gone. I conquered Jing, speaking into a mic on my computer and allowing others to hear it, and the over all degree itself. I like that I was challenged to use new technologies and think outside the box. I found that maybe a few of my classes should have been placed in different orders, I took a research and writing course at the very end and felt that may have done me more good around the beginning of this degree program. With all the papers that had to be researched and written it just would have improved my writing skills. 

I have many people to thank for getting to where I am. First off my amazing husband who has supported me and my crazy ideas for many years. He worked extra hours so I could work part time at first and he was there to pick me up when I felt there was no hope. He is truly my rock and I couldn't have done it without him. I also have to thank my baby sister, she is my best friend and biggest supporter. She has pushed me to be my best and stood by any decisions I ever made. Her and I have attended all our degrees at the same time but at different school. She is an amazing young women and I look up to her even though she is my baby sister (by the way she hates that I refer to her as my baby sister...She is 26 and a mommy now and says I shouldn't call her my baby sister). 

I also want to add that this has been an amazing journey, but is just beginning. I have big dreams and goals for myself and I hope I go far. To all my classmates over the last year I want to thank you as well. Many of you helped out of the goodness of your heart. I have had issues with books, tools, software and there was always someone who helped. I will miss the weekly post (ok maybe not to much, but the conversations between peers), the interactions with others all over the world as well. I would say that my favorite part of this was the beginning of every class so I could read introductions. It was fun to see where everyone was from and what brought them to where they are now. I felt connections with many and hope and wish you all the best!!

I also would like to take a minute and welcome the newest addition to my family, he is the sweetest boy ever and the reason my time was taken away from school. He was born 2 months premature but is a fighter just like his mommy...

Smily clipart www.canstockphoto.com

We have come to the end!!!

For my last class EDU 697- Capstone Class, it's all about changing past assignments and making them to fit a certain criteria. This week is about ethics and technology and what better way to show this than a blog. Because there are so many issues that can arise from putting information in the internet. Because I only used this blog spot for certain classes it wasn't kept up. But there are things on here about privacy and the use of technology. I would say this assignment definitely seems to focus around Gagne's Theory of Instruction. The reason I chose this principle is because it's about gaining attention, informing learners, stimulating them, presenting the stimulus, providing learning guidance, providing feedback, assessing, and enhancing retention. I believe technology does all this and more. By bringing technology into classrooms and advancing the way students learn it opens a whole new world of information. But it also opens up many issues of ethics and whats appropriate. A blog is a great way to get opinions out there and share them, it also is a great way to give information to students in a class as well. This particular blog was made to show that I knew technology, could navigate my way around and I could share a blog with my fellow students. I then used it for a class to show information about privacy and technology. With the use of Gagne's theory in this blog I have given information to the reader to get their attention. I gave subjects to read on for objectives, and it also makes them look back on what they have learned already and take some of the new information as well. I also believe this theory works for me as well. Because with this class now I have to look back at prior learning experiences and bring something new to them. Here is an example of Gagne's Theory in chart form.
 
I found this via Wikipedia and I liked the layout. Just to give a little more information of the theory and why I chose it for this weeks assignment.

This assignment didn't seem to challenging to me this time. Because it's all about ethical practices I felt something posted on the internet that could obtain personal information was the best way to go. The only real challenge was it couldn't really be adjusted or redesigned because it is what it is. But I felt it was a great way to show that information can be put on the internet by anyone and if the person isn't careful their information could be taken and then it becomes an ethical issue. Technology is a very forward thing in our lives, but if not used properly it can hurt the user. It's important when we are teaching our students about using things like blogs, wiki's, webcams, chat rooms, and social networking that information given on there is now public knowledge. Even if one thinks they are safe and have security it's still possible for viral predators to access the information. Thats why it's important to not share to much when posting blogs, or videos, or even when using social networking like Facebook or Twitter.