Blog #2

Microsoft Word is the software I have used the most as a student. For every essay, research paper, outline, poem, science fair project, current event summary, history skit, resume, study guide, etc. I have had to use Microsoft Word. As a student, there are benefits of using Microsoft Word over paper and pen. The most important benefit, for me at least, is the ability to save my work on a computer. I lose papers left and right, but by typing up my work, I don't have to worry about losing a paper because I can easily open the saved document on my computer and print it again. Another important factor for me is the neatness of a document typed on Word. It is easier for me to study notes that I have typed up, because it is more neat and I can also arrange the format to my personal benefit. There are endless benefits to using Microsoft Word as a student, and even teachers profit from it too. I’ve seen my teachers use Microsoft Word while making study guides, tests, quizzes, lesson plans, letters to parents/students/faculty, etc. The great benefit for teachers is that they can save these documents onto their computers and then, for the next school year, they can simply revise a few things, instead of typing it all up again. 

I have had teachers who were more strict than others, and vice versa, when it came to copyright and fair use of materials. I have experienced some teachers who make their students give credit to every image we used in a powerpoint presentation, by making us cite not only where we found our information but also where we found our images. I have had teachers who did not really care about citing our sources, which made it easier to plagiarize. As a student, I’ve mostly had to create MLA style citations and works cited pages to give credit to the intellectual property of another writer, artist, etc. I know some of my teachers purchased softwares through the school in order to legally use the program in the classroom, which is what I would most likely try to do when I become a teacher. However, I understand that it might not be easy convincing an administration to pay for the software I’d like to use in the classroom. I would have to use the softwares and programs that the school already has in place. When it comes to the material I will be teaching, I will commonly refer to the textbook so I would need to give credit to that source. I will teach my students about plagiarism and how to avoid it by correctly citing their work.

I always used Twitter as a way to connect with friends and celebrities. Now that I’ve learned of the other uses for Twitter, like keeping up with current events and getting easy access to trending issues, I now get more use of this app. By following Education and Education Technology related profiles on Twitter, I now receive many updates on my newsfeed of education related issues and articles, some keeping me updated and others that provide advice for teachers. I can use this in my future career to be aware of what’s occurring in schools near me and also to keep me updated on new ways to teach and organize a classroom. It’s always important to know what’s trending, and Twitter gives us just that!