Google Docs

This week in class we learned about Google Docs. Google Docs is just one more neat feature that Google provides for its users. Simply put, Google Docs provides a sort of forum for collaborators on a project. It eliminates the need for countless emails and updates sent to everyone. There is just one copy that is continually being updated that everyone in the group has access. Google Docs also provides resources and tools to the individual. You are able to upload documents and presentations of your own that you will be able to access and utilize from any computer that has Internet access. It is a great way to back up your work as well as cutting down on the amount of computer equipment that you have to travel with when attending conferences and presentations. Overall, Google Docs provides helpful options for those working individually or as part of a group.

In my future as a teacher I imagine that I will be able to use Google Docs for many things. It would be helpful to utilize Google Docs as a place to store extra files as well as back up very important ones. I could save my lesson plans on Google Docs once I have taught them. This way I could clear up some room on my computer while still maintaining easy access to all of the work that I have done so that I will be able to use them again in the future. Teaching is often a collaborative process. Because of this, Google Docs could prove to be very useful as I work with others who are striving for the same things as I am. It would provide a great forum for any projects that I would be working on collaboratively. Google Docs is a very useful tool for anyone, but could prove to be especially useful to educators.

Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007

This past week in Technologies of Instruction we learned about Microsoft Office PowerPoint and the multiple features that make it user-friendly. We learned about the strenths and weaknesses of the program. A major strength of PowerPoint is that it provides a great teaching tool when used properly. The biggest weakness of the program would be that it is easily abused. It is easy to put more emphasis on the appearance of the presentation than on the actual content. This is very distracting and ineffective. We discussed suggestions of how to effectively put together a successful presentation using Powerpoint, covering the areas of design, delivery, and instructional strategies. Design is important because you want your presentation to look nice but you do not want to overdo it and take away from the content. We learned multiple tips on how to best present the needed information, including things such as limiting the amount of text on the page and choosing one design style for the entire presentation. Delivery focused on tips like arriving early to test equipment and what to do when you want to shift attention from the PowerPoint to you, and vice versa. Instructional Strategies emphasized making the presentation interactive so that your audience is not merely staring at a screen for your entire presentation.

I had never really thought that I would use PowerPoint very often as an Elementary and Early Childhood Education major. I still can't see myself using the program very often, if at all, in my actual classroom to teach my students. However, the program is a good tool to know how to use if I ever need to give any sort of presentation. I may also be able to use PowerPoint for some activities or interactive games with my students.