Challenges

The main challenge that I have with the technology we have been using in class is figuring out how to make my own website.  It is not because I'm having problems, it is that I am not familiar with making and adding things to my own website.  I think as I continue to work on it and add ideas and information to it, I will gradually become more familiar and more efficient with Google Sites.  I also found out that the best help to me is this Google Site Help.  It's simply the support site for how to do things with your website, but it gives good directions on how to do specific things for your website.
The other things that are more challenging are using the Google Docs and Presentations.  Once again I'm not very efficient with these because I have never used them before.  I think as I continue to use them I will become more confident in how to use them effectively.

Copyright Laws

In general, copyright laws are very useful.  I think they're helpful because we should give credit to the original creator of music, movies, pictures, etc.  The rules that lie under Fair Use make perfect sense when it comes to educators distributing information to students.  Also, it is typically not difficult to give citation for different items.  The only thing I feel they could change when it comes to citation is making it simpler and more accessible.  For example, the general citation for a book or magazine or article could be included when it is published.  This would make it more likely that works are cited because the hardest part is finding the information to put in the citation.
Although I do believe copyright laws are good as a whole, I think there are some that could be adjusted.  I don't think it should be against copyright laws to watch a movie outside with a group of people or even on a laptop.  Maybe I don't fully understand the law, or if this is even a copyright issue.  But it seems like showing a movie in a public area to your friends isn't any different than watching it in a home.  It's not like you are making a copy of a movie and distributing it do everyone.  There is the possibility that someone might not go buy a movie because of doing this, but it is also as likely that someone could go out and buy the movie after watching it with their friends.  As I said, copyright laws are good, but I do feel that some could be relaxed a little.

Helpful Resources

Using this blog as a Personal Learning Environment is a great way for future teachers and current teachers to share their ideas with each other.  I feel that if we can be in contact with professionals who have experience and things to share with those becoming teachers, we can be greatly benefited.  Also, there are times where being in school right now we can learn things that are new to current teachers and we can share those ideas on a blog.  As fellow students, we can use our blogs to share extra information we may find more easily with each other.
The other resource we discussed in class that struck me as being extremely useful was Google docs and presentations.  While we are still in school this is helpful because there are going to be many instances where we will be doing group projects, making lesson plans together, and putting together presentations in groups, where we will need to share information with each other.  The nice thing about Google docs and presentations is that we don't have to be with our group in order to work in the projects.  I think this is so helpful because we all have such busy schedules and it is difficult to find a time to meet up and work on a project.  As a teacher this resource would be helpful because it provides a way for teachers working at different schools to share documents with each more easily.  If one teacher has a worksheet or information that has significantly worked well for them, they can easily send the actual document to a number of other teachers in different locations.  Although this is possible using a fax machine or e-mail, Google docs is easier because it doesn't need to be printed or attached, it can simply be sent to whomever would like access to the document.

Technology

In eighth grade I had a teacher tell me that I was "computer retarded".  Ever since then I have told myself that I do not know how to do anything on the computer.  The truth is, I know more than I give myself credit for.  When it comes to using technology, my knowledge lies somewhere between a techie and being completely lost.  If there is a program I am slightly familiar with, I can usually spend time and figure out how to use it to the best of my ability.  I know the basics of computer programs and other technological devices, but I do not know how to do anything too complex.  My biggest struggle with computers is when there is a problem.  I never know how to fix it and if something stops working I never know what to do in order to make it work. 
Having been in school and part of the technology generation, I have learned how to adequately use word processor, power point, the basics of excel and the internet.  After those basic computer programs, there is little I know about making videos and any other more complex programming.
This semester I want to learn how to more efficiently use the programs on my computer.  Typically it takes me awhile to figure out how to do something, but I would like to know more shortcuts and become more familiar with my computer.  I think being more familiar with all of the programs that I will be using as a teacher will give me the confidence I need to be more tech-savvy.