Khan_Faria-+SU2012

==== My name is Faria Khan and this is my first online course ever! I'm feeling quite anxious about it, it all feels a bit impersonal. I do like to try new things so I do feel slightly excited about that. I have taken a multitude of courses at Fordham so far and have just three more courses to go after this semester! I have taught for six years, five of which I spent at Harlem Children's Zone and one year I spent substitute teaching even though I had my teaching license because I was planning my wedding and wanted something a little less demanding than my first year of teaching.Aside from teaching and children, I am absolutely crazy about cats, books, fashion, food, and my family and friends. ==== ==== I am starting a new job next semester at a school closer to me, located in Queens. I am excited about this opportunity because I will be teaching a diverse group of students that reflect the community in which I grew up. Almost 75% of my students will be English Language Learners! I haven't had much experience with these type of students because where I work currently my students are mostly African American. For the most part they speak only one language, although there are some exceptions.

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==== Well, how good someone is at something is relative. For example compared to my parents I am a technology wiz! I am the exact opposite of wizard, if I am compared to my husband who is the IT director at his job and knows all things technology and is avidly learning and reading up on the latest tech news. Though I may not be a tech wizard, I am a technology consumer, and a good one at that. I use various means to entertain myself, YouTube videos, blogs, Facebook, Instagram, phone, Ipad and so on. As a grad student I have been exposed to some newer forms of technology usage as well. For example, I had no idea what a Prezi or Drop-box was. Last year a friend of mine showed me how to send large files through links from websites like Mega-upload( which is no longer available). ====

==== My feelings towards technology are mixed. I am amazed by it, intrigued even and frustrated all the same. I usually latch on to technology that is user friendly. My husband noticed this reservation about me and convinced me to get an Ipad. he feels it is super user friendly and using it and exploring it little by little will help me feel more comfortable with new applications. So far I have had it for about two months and I have surprised myself with the quality of work that I have handed in to my professors. Professor Uhry actually referred to my flyer I made as a book review online as "impressive". Usually when I am frustrated with anything technology related I just get my husband to fix it, but it has been different with the Ipad. He refuses to help me and expects me to figure it out myself and eventually after almost giving up I do figure it out. ====

==== In our class I hope to learn new ways to become a better user of technology and a better teacher of technology by incorporating it within my classroom. I really feel students are thoroughly engaged and are motivated to do work that is more technologically advanced. ====

technology usage during my schooling:

Elementary school: typewriter (brother) I used them to type up book reports

Junior High: Used a computer for the first time in computer class. I used to play Oregon trail and Pac-Man, as well as learn how to type. Also remember using floppy disks. No internet use yet. Had a personal beeper

High School: I had a IBM computer at home now and used it to play simple games, do some school work, simple printing and use of microsoft word. Slow dial-up internet connection and unreliable modem Used my computer to chat online and used a web cam for the first time. Also got my first cellphone senior year

College(undergrad) Got my first laptop Internet access at school and at home Joined Facebook, and similar other websites for socializing Got my first smart phone got an iPod

College (graduate) got an iPad continue to learn new ways to use technology