Powtoon

   Dr. Smirnova created a powerpoint presentation on google docs where the whole class had to go on and select a slide to put their name on and make their own. Many of them had different pictures as backgrounds, but I chose a blank one and created my own background. I added a picture of flowers, wrote my name in a different font, and wrote a little paragraph about me.
   We also had to complete an "about me" project that we selected from a list of 20 different options on the first day of class. I chose to use Powtoon for my project because I have seen other people create presentations on it during my previous classes and I thought it seemed interesting. I created a couple of slides that contained some important information that I thought was necessary to know about me. I enjoyed making the presentation and I really like the way it came out. I think it's a good tool to utilize during class for students to create projects or possibly to present new information to them in an interesting way. It's also good for shy students who have to give a presentation because they don't necessarily have to talk; the video could just play.

Overwhelmed

   We started out the first day of class by creating name tags for ourselves and answering four question: who our favorite teacher was, 3 characteristics of a good teacher, what we think social studies is focused on, and what we would like to learn from this class. We did this because Dr. Smirnova wanted to know what we already know about social studies and the traits that we think good teachers have so we can become those kinds of teachers. Then we were given a letter to read and respond to on a forum. We all used different colored fonts in our responses to make it more fun. Dr. Smirnova quickly moved on to the next thing where we all had to rush to sign up for an about me activity because only one person could do each one, so that was a little stressful. I picked two different options and someone else had chosen them before I could say I wanted them, so I ended up waiting until after class to sign up for one that was left. Then Dr. Smirnova introduced us to a bunch of new online things quickly and all of us felt overwhelmed and confused about what was going on; it was a lot to take in, but Dr. Smirnova told us not to get too worried and that it'll get easier.

   Dr. Smirnova suggested that we watch the following video:

 
   This video made me realize how important it is to not only incorporate technology within your lessons, but to allow students to be able to use it to complete activities or projects. I think they made their message even stronger by using kids of all ages; there were lower elementary level students and high school students who all felt the same way about the subject. They're growing up in a world where they're constantly surrounded by technology, so we should be using it in our lessons and assignments as well.