Introduction Journal

Assignment

Please write a journal in which you introduce yourself and complete a self-assessment of your computer skills.  Use any computer word processor and send to Dr. Schulz as an email attachment before the beginning of class next week.  I suggest that you copy this page and paste it into a word file to use as an outline in writing your journal.  Send the completed journal to the instructor as an e-mail attachment.

 Part 1 - Introduction

Begin with these lines:

• Name
• Class level
• Current Address
• Local Phone (if you work please include a work phone)
• E-mail address

Next use these topics as a guide to describe yourself in several paragraphs

• Hometown and Family
• Education background
• Teaching work experience (if applicable)
• Feelings about technology
• Your aspirations upon graduation from college
• Any other information you would like me to know about you

Part 2 - Computer Skills Self Assessment
This part of the journal will help me understand your computer skills and also will help you when you look back at the end of the term to reflect on how much you have learned. Please answer the following questions. If you don't know an answer, that is all right. You will not be graded on how many questions you answer correctly (see rubric below). DO NOT look up answers you do not know; just write, "I don't know."

1.       What kind of computers have you used?

2.     What kind of computer do you have access to besides those in the lab?

3.     What software have you used?

4.     What is operating system software?

5.     What is application software?

6.     What are two key terms used in describing databases?

7.     What is the World Wide Web and how do you access it?

8.     What is PowerPoint?

9.     What is a web site? If you have one, give the URL.

10.  Describe and define major categories of educational software?

11.   When is it legal to copy software from one machine to another machine?

12.  Describe 4 ways that technology is used in the classroom?

 Part 3 - Learning Plan

Describe what you expect to learn in this course and on which areas you feel you need to focus most intently.

Merryellen Towey Schulz, Ph.D.  College of Saint Mary  Spring, 2000