Blog Journal 10

     Over the course of completing Assignment 5, I have entered an entirely new world of Powerpoint. I had no idea that the software even offered buttons or a sense of creativity, as I have always seen Powerpoint as strictly and entirely academic. Overall, I enjoyed being able to develop a storyline and really appreciated the freedom of the assignment, but I felt as though it was hard to be both creative enough and time/energy conscious. Next time, I will try to plan out a more solid storyline, but I would also like to discover what other functions the button features may have.

    As a teacher, I would love to use data collection tools as a source of feedback and/or getting to know parents. Because I will be working in elementary schools, this could be an excellent way to check in with parents throughout the year and get honest feedback about how they may be feeling as their children attend my class. In the beginning of the year, I could ask parents about their children's struggles/strengths, their worries and expectations for the year, and use that data to see what I may need to spend extra time on in lesson planning. This form of data collection will also be useful as softwares such as Qualtrics are fast and simple; meaning that if a parent is unable to attend a conference or meeting, they could share their information and feedback there. 

    Next, I would like to learn the functions and uses of Excel and Google Sheets. My ultimate goal is to learn how to use formulas and formatting to make a spreadsheet which can help me budget and track spending and saving within the next six months. To accomplish this goal, I will use free Excel and Google training modules and Youtube videos to begin practicing mastering basic functions. Then, I can move on to create a personal budget and spending spreadsheet in which I can apply my own numbers and possibly develop new uses for the functions I learned.