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Blog Journal 10

 Over the course of the semester, my Personal Learning Network (PLN) has grown in meaningful and intentional ways. At the start, my PLN was mostly limited to classmates, professors, and a few social media accounts I followed for inspiration. Now, it includes a much wider range of people such as elementary educators, professional teaching communities, and content creators who share strategies and resources. The spaces I use have also expanded—from mainly Instagram and Canvas to Pinterest boards, teacher Facebook groups, and websites focused on lesson ideas. The tools within my PLN have evolved as well; where I once relied mostly on basic apps, I now regularly use Canva, Padlet, and Google Drive to stay organized and connected. As a future elementary school teacher, I see myself using data collection tools like Google Forms or Qualtrics to help guide my instruction. I could use surveys to learn how students feel about a reading unit, whether they understand a math concept, or what a...

Blog Journal 9

Distance Learning in K–12 Education My main experience with distance learning happened during the COVID-19 pandemic when school shifted completely online. I used tools like Zoom, Google Classroom, and Nearpod to attend classes, turn in assignments, and work on group projects. Zoom made it easier to connect with my teachers and classmates, but it was definitely harder to stay focused for long periods behind a screen. One technology I didn’t get to try but would like to experience is Edpuzzle because it makes learning videos more interactive by adding questions and activities. I think that kind of engagement would have helped me stay more motivated during online learning. Open Educational Resources (OER) Open Educational Resources, or OER, are free materials that teachers and students can use and adapt for learning without worrying about copyright or cost. These resources include things like online textbooks, videos, lesson plans, and even full courses that anyone can access. I found a...

Blog Journal 8

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 From this Web Design assignment , I learned several new skills that helped me think like both a teacher and a designer. I developed a deeper understanding of how to apply design principles —specifically contrast, repetition, alignment, and proximity (CRAP) —to make a website that is easy to navigate and visually appealing for parents and students. For example, I used contrast by pairing dark headings with soft background colors so the text stood out. Repetition came through in my consistent use of fonts and button styles across each page. I kept alignment clean by centering the main header and aligning all text blocks to the same grid so the eye could flow naturally. Finally, I used proximity to group related information together, like “Class Announcements” next to the “Assignments” section, so parents could easily find updates. I also learned to focus on accessibility , such as adding alt text to images and using descriptive hyperlinks like “Download Classroom Rules” instead...

Portfolio Item 20

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Blog Journal 7

  Teacher Pages on a School Website When browsing the Leon County Schools website,   I looked through several teacher pages from local elementary schools. Many teachers include basic class information such as weekly homework updates, contact details, class newsletters, and links to helpful learning resources like math games or reading websites. Some pages also have a calendar for upcoming events, reminders about tests, and classroom photos to keep parents informed. The layout varies by teacher, but overall, these pages are meant to keep communication open between teachers, students, and families while offering connection at the same time.  Using Technology for Teaching Efficiency As a future teacher, I plan to use technology to make my classroom more organized and interactive. I would rely on tools like Google Classroom , Microsoft Teams , and Canva for Education to manage assignments, communicate with parents, and create visually engaging materials. I also plan ...

Blog Journal 6

Standards Paragraph One of the Florida Standards I found on the CPALMS website that incorporates technology is from the new Computer Science standards that will take effect soon. It focuses on students using digital tools and programming to solve real-world problems through coding and design. In simpler terms, this standard encourages students to think creatively and logically while using technology to come up with solutions. I feel somewhat prepared to implement this standard because I am familiar with basic digital tools and technology used in classrooms, but I would need more training when it comes to actual programming and computer science concepts. I know how important it is to stay updated with technology since it’s always changing, so I would definitely want to keep learning to better support my students. CPALMS Educator Toolkit Paragraph When I looked through the CPALMS Educator Toolkit, I found several helpful resources for teachers. One of the ones that stood out to me was...

Blog Journal 5

  My Experience with Blogging Throughout this course, my experience with blogging has been both enjoyable and educational. I like that blogging gives me a creative outlet to share my thoughts, reflect on class concepts, and organize my ideas in a clear way. However, sometimes it can feel challenging to make sure every post is long enough or detailed enough to meet requirements while still sounding natural. Overall, I’ve learned that blogging is not just about posting information—it’s about communicating ideas in a personal, engaging voice that connects with readers. Artificial Intelligence in Education Artificial intelligence in education is a topic that I find both fascinating and a little uncertain. On one hand, AI has the potential to make learning more personalized by adjusting lessons to fit each student’s needs and pace. On the other hand, I worry that overreliance on AI could reduce creativity and critical thinking if it replaces too much of the human element in teaching....