Week 2: The video link "the tools that shape us" is a presentation on how some of the tools we use as a society often end up shaping our lives unknowingly, in a dramatic way. I believe that by using the right "tools" in the classroom, as a teacher, one can definitely emerge as a leader to his/her students. As mentioned previously, the tools that we create can unknowingly shape us. Simply, by bringing awareness of this concept to future students, we can better prepare them to use them more effectively. Using electronic, online tools as an example (such as E portfolios and Professional Networks), a teacher can help increase his/her student's academic performance and future employment suitability by developing student awareness to these tools. Their knowledge of these resources can be passed on to friends, family and colleagues. Ultimately, helping many in a generation to not only help themselves in personal achievements, but also to have them help future generations by developing new, more effective tools.                   

Week 3: What piece of technology would you never want to leave out of the classroom?

A smart board with internet access is a technology I find indispensable to the classroom. There's an increasing awareness on the importance of visual cues and its relation to student learning. Smart boards give instructors a wide array of tools to use along with a large visual display in order to stimulate student learning. Ultimately, making this piece of technology an important one.  

Week 4: Reflect on the role that  "learning on-line" takes for our current an future generations.

E-learning is increasingly used for students around the world. Some might argue that it is sub-par to in-class education. I believe that E-learning currently, and will continue to play an important role for generations of learners. As E-learning continues to develop more effective teaching tools and strategies using methods such as TPACK, it will be used by greater numbers of learners. I believe that as the quality level of online education increases, so will the overall education level around the globe. E-learning has the potential to create equal learning opportunities to all. Ultimately, this could lead to an educated global society, helping us solve world problems by collectively working together.        
                    
Week 5: Are you part of the mobile age?  Can you believe that all phones use to be attached to walls?  

I am without a doubts part of the mobile age. As a result of having my mobile phone on me at all times, I am constantly connected to the online world. It is hard to believe that just over a decade ago, cellphones were a novelty item. Land lines were very much used as the main form of telecommunication. Oh how those days seem like such a long time ago. :/      

Week 6: Is there an app you want but don't have?

There is in fact an app I want but don't have. I would very much like an app that turns my words or text into the narrated voice of either William Attenborough or Morgan Freeman. Self-reviewing documents and assignments might not seem like such a chore with such sweet voices.     

Week 7: Reflect on the Apps in your phone or on your pad in your Course Thoughts Journal. Which apps do you regularly recommend? Do you post feedback for app designers on app sites?

I don't have many educational apps on my devices. As a result, I don't have much to recommend to my peers (for the time being). I also don't normally take the time to give feedback to the apps I use; perhaps a something I should get in the habit of doing as it could increase the apps usefulness. This course has been an eye-opener as to how fast technology is evolving for educational purposes. I'm excited to discover a handful of apps that will not only change my role as an educator, but also that of my students.   

Week 8:There are thousands of web 2.0 tools that can be used in the classroom.  What are some of the barriers that can prevent an educator from bringing these tools into the classroom? 

Barriers that can prevent educators from bringing web tools into the classroom can be as ridiculous as having a computer requiring an updated version of adobe or flash player. More basic problems could be caused by a lack of funding for schools, resulting in a lack of technological tools (e.g. smart board, computer, projector...) required to operate certain web tools in the classroom.   

Week 9: Are you a creative person?  Do you like taking pictures or creating pieces of art? Here is a moment when you can reflect in your Course Thoughts Journal about how technology can assist you in your creative pursuits. 

I do like creating art pieces. The art creation apps we've recently discovered in class will help me make eye-catching advertisements for my fitness company. I enjoy making "Nike-like" adds with the help of web tools to help with my sports performance personal training marketing.