Blog 10

I did not really find anything interesting from reading other peoples blogs. everyone read the chapters and wrote a response just like I did. All of the entries were basically the same. only one thing sticks out...Allen's blogs were always like a gazillion pages long. At least someone went above and beyond in their blogs =) YAY for NOT having to read any more blogs!

I am interested to learn more about formula generators. I know there are programs out there that will help make a math test or a formula sheet with symbols and characters that are not normally on a typing program. I think it would be beneficial to know how to create math sheets like this for a lesson.

I plan on integrating technology into my lesson plans and into my classroom in general. The students need something to keep them interested and PowerPoint's or virtual tours are a good visual in the classroom. Hopefully in a few years every student will be able to have access to computers in the individual classrooms. this would provide a ore interactive and "funner" way to learn and teach.

Blog # 9

I would use the National Geographic website as a tool in my classroom. The website is well known and is a valid website. National geographic has been used for decades as a tool in the classroom. The kids will enjoy it because there are a number of different sites and different educational links for kids to use interactive, games, pictures, and educational articles on current events. I could use national geographic to show pictures and get creative ideas for activities.
I wish there was a big imax like TV area in every school. this way we would be able to take kids into a virtual reality on tours through Africa,space, and underseas. It would be a fun innovative way to learn

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/

Chapter 8

Chapter 8 is about security issues,ethics, and emerging technologies in education. A computer security risk can cause a lot of damage to computer equipment

Let me just add in my personal experience with a computer security risks...My computer jumped out of my arms over spring break and fell hard core onto the floor. the screen cracked and it was completely dead =( Its now on vacation to the Gateway warehouse to be fixed. I am with out a computer for a month now. HOW SAD IS THAT?? I'm a little frazzled to say the least.

Anyway a computer crime is any illegal act involving a computer. This includes unauthorized access and use (like a hacker-a person who tries to break into a computer usually with the intent of stealing or corrupting data. Computer viruses are also designed to corrupt data in a computer. there are three main types of viruses. the first is a boot sector virus that replaces the boot program which is used to start the computer. the second is a file virus which inserts virus codes into program files on the computer. the third main type of virus is a macro virus which uses the macro language of an application to hide the virus. there are several different programs that can be used to keep a program from getting a virus. for example virus detection and removal software such as Norton antivirus, and spy sweeper. these programs protect computers and networks from viruses.

Internet ethics are important in education because students have to be restricted to being able to use objectionable materials on the Internet. with educational con trolls like AUP regulate rules on school district computers. these rules are designed to emerge educational technologies that will influence public education in a positive way.

Last week we did our PowerPoint's. YAYYY PowerPoint!!! =)

Chapter 7

Chapter 7 is all about evaluating educational technology and integration strategies. Recourse's are available from school districts, professional education organizations, Departments of education,catalogs, and websites can help educators to identify and evaluate the suitable integration strategies of educational technologies. Software evaluation rubrics help teachers evaluate educational software.For instance when evaluating a website teachers must consider the credibility of the author of the web page or website, the affiliation, and the content of the website. There are a few alternative ways to evaluate student performance such as authentic assessment,project based assessment, and portfolio assessment. when using authentic assessment, it is common for teachers to make a checklist,rating scales, and rubrics. Teachers also learn to change up their lessons to continuously challenge and motivate students to learn. Founding for classroom technology can come from a number of sources including people with their school district, businesses, private organizations, foundations, and grants. the majority of outside founding sources for technology in schools fall under the general grant category.

Last week in class we made our WIKI sites. I thought it was neat, I have never really done anything like that. Stacey was the best WIKI partner EVER!!

Chapter 6

This chapter is all about integrating technology into the classroom. As teachers we must be able to understand the curriculum standards and be able to apply them with an appropriate technology project. We create learning objectives which is essentially tied to an understanding of the curriculum standard. Basically for technology integration to be successful in the classroom, the students must be able to get into and enjoy the project through authentic Learning.. Authentic learning is instructional activities that demonstrate real life connections by associating the lesson with a real life activity. In my opinion the best strategy for curriculum integration is to weed out the teachers that do not have proper training and prior experiences in technology and give this type of curriculum to trained teachers. The students will find that they enjoy learning about technology as well as learning content in a subject related curriculum areas, as long as the teacher is using proper strategies for technology integration.

Last class we talked about our Web page evaluation assignment. At first I did not really get the point of having students evaluate a web page. after reading and doing the research it became obvious to me that this assignment could be beneficial to most students. I did not realize how many websites out there provide false information. being aware of this fact could be very beneficial.

Chapter 5

I believe that this has been the most important chapter we have read so far. Technology is changing the way children learn in the classroom. There are so many different way to incorporate digital media into the classroom and this chapter really pushed into all of those different techniques. in this chapter you learn how to create and present digital media through educational software applications such as power point, inspiration, and kidspiration. The programs like Reader Rabbit, Math Blasters, and Geo Safari let kids learn inside the classroom what they do not have the means to learn outside of the classroom. The most interesting program I read about was the English Express Deluxe, and the Instant Immersion language programs. These software applications can solve the problem of the language barrier in the classroom. how much easier would i be for a child to learn English if his teacher could provide him or her with a program on the computer everyday in class.

Last week we did the Google searches. I did not find this assignment to be challenging at all. I use Google everyday to help me get through school projects and just for fun fact finding =) YAY Google!!

Chapter 4

When it comes to describing the system unit...I know NOTHING. Reading about system units, data representation, the control unit , and the arithmetic/logic unit was absolutely horrible. I do not find the makings and complications of a computer very interesting quite honestly. The section on input devices like the keyboard, the mouse, and joysticks was easier to follow because i actually know what a keyboard is and I use/have used all three.

Moving into all of the output devices like the screen and high def...that is an easier read. I think that knowing about flat screens and plasmas and the differences between the two is important to me in the real world because i watch a lot of TV and i need to know what the best one out there is =) getting into the storage part of the chapter was kind of interesting. I did not know how much memory a computer could hold/what it does with all of the information.

Last week we used inspiration to make flow charts. I liked this assignment the best so far. I had never used it before and I believe that a program like that is very useful in college; writing papers and taking notes more effectively, and very beneficial in the classroom helping students prepare for note taking and long papers in college.