Blog 3 - Affordance Analysis reflection

I think I am getting the idea of blogging finally! It is becoming easier and actually enjoyable.

This has been a harder week for me with my assignments for all classes. Our affordance analysis assignments have been a little more difficult. When I first heard the word affordance and then read the definition, it didn't fit to me. I understood the definition, but the word "affordance" just seemed wrong for the definition! After a day or two thinking about it, I put the two together. The PowerPoint we watched on this was very good and clarified any questions I had. It made it much easier to understand than reading the material that was in our course material folder. The reading material was difficult to comprehend.

So far, I have enjoyed reading my groups critiques on my analysis, and I have found them to be helpful. I think we were all shy about doing that, but it truly does help. Our group sees things in our learning activities that we do not see. It is a good thing to do this. Six eyes are always better than two! I have learned that gently critiquing others is a very good thing in the right circumstances.

Reflecting back on this week, I've learned that helping others in critiques in beneficial. It's not that I thought they wouldn't be. I think I have always wanted to have them given to me, but giving them to others is harder. I did know a lot about the 2 other sets of tools my other team mates analyzed, so I'm ready to look at the other groups and see their thoughts.

PowerPoint class and this past weeks reflection -Blog #2

Yesterday I learned so much in class.  I have never been taught how to use PowerPoint on the computer.  It is incredible what you can do.  There are so many choices and options to make your presentations eye catching and professional.  I am so glad I could go yesterday, although I was a little late due to PARKING!

I began thinking about what I've learned this week.  Everything is new to me with this class.  Many times it is so easy to complain about our schools and not being "up to par".  As I looked at all the technology opportunities through the categorizing activity, I noticed how blessed we are.  Yes, I realize that teachers are not getting their supplement money this year to help out, but I think this will be a time where teachers can help each other.  Hopefully, parents will be willing to help especially with the new teachers on the block.  With our country having economic problems, we need to stay focused on the goal of teaching and  try with all our hearts and minds to remain positive.  Many problems can be solved with positive attitudes.

The only thing that I really had problems with was trying to figure out how to have a group discussion online.  I don't know if I'm clear on it yet.  I know my 2 to 3 posts from the group discussions will not be very good this time because I really didn't know what to do.  

 

Amanda Hardenbergh Blog #1

This is my first time to ever blog so here we go...

I enjoyed using the PowerPoint on technology affordances.  Being from a generation of paper and pencil (typewriters as well), these terms are new to me.  The PowerPoint was an excellent way for me to learn.  

Technological affordances refers to ideas that I haven't given a lot of thought to in the past.  As I read the materials, it came to life.  I learned that technology is an affordance that opens up the opportunities for humans to expand their senses.  It is the interaction between a person and the potential for an action.  I also thought it was very interesting that the designs of technology operate best in the way it was designed to be used.  Yes, that makes sense.  For example, I could use my refrigerator to hold my book collection, but that was not what it was designed for. That's not the affordance of the refrigerator.  The affordance of the refrigerator is to keep perishable foods cold so they won't spoil.  

I thought this information was very interesting!  It definitely made me think about the design and interactions of technology and us.

Hey - this is Amanda Hardenbergh.  Blogging is new to me, so I am sure it will be an adventure!