Chapter 4: Computer Software in Today's Classrooms

There are so many types of software; how do I know which ones to include in my lessons?

Due to the widespread of the advancement of technology many companies have created all types of software programs.  Some of the software is beneficial in the classroom while others are not.  Many teachers and websites have evaluations on how to evaluate a software program to see if it is something beneficial to use for a lesson.  Teachers and educators evaluate software on the internet and in local schools on software used.  Another aspect is that teachers should pick software programs and experiment with it before introducing it to their students.  Websites such as Super Kids also offers reviews on Software Programs used for students.  It can be visited by clicking  http://www.superkids.com/ .  Many educational websites offer reviews on software programs, evaluations and criteria on software programs, and examples of how the software improves the lesson plans.  Another great site to visit when looking at the software reviews or how it works is YouTube.  It offers many examples of software tutorials and examples of lessons.


I understand why students should use educational software and the Internet, but why should my fourth-grade students learn to use spreadsheet, database, or video editing software?

Students embrace technology faster than adults and many learn technology skills faster than adults through experimentation and practice.  Technology in education is growing and many students are introduced to the technology advances earlier in life.  Many students by the fourth grade are very familiar with computers, texting on cell phones, video games, ipods, and other advanced devices.  This gives them a head start on learning how to use spreadsheets, databases, and video editing software.  Many of the fourth graders today are advanced with technology and teachers introducing new software to them improves their education and knowledge because they learn these skills early on that will help them succeed later in their education.  Summer camps and afterschool programs are filling the world with technology advancement for young people.  That goes to show that fourth graders can start learning and playing around with this sort of software.  Students are proud when they learn new things and introducing them to new software encourages their minds in the area of technology and how it can be applied to their lessons and life.  Many students find themselves educating parents and grandparents in order to catch up to the Technological Global World.

How can student use of different types of software help improve scores on states tests?

The importance of standarized testing has become a major aspect in education of students.  The students and teachers spend more of classroom time focusing on passing these tests than the curriculum of learning and having fun.  Students are stressed so much for these tests that teachers are finding resources to use to help prepare students for the state test with fun activities that are beneficial.  Many types of educational software has been created to help improve students knowledge and understanding to perform better on these tests.  Many students spend time with programs such as Accelerated Reader and other programs preparing them for these tests.  Students are reading books of their choice but are learning how to approach reading comprehension testing through these tests on the computer on their book.  Many schools have adopted certain programs to improve students reading, writing, and math skills for the End of Grade Testing.  Duplin County Schools at North Duplin Elementary School has  Power Up and Power Down everyday except for Fridays to help prepare students for these tests.  Many of the students uses a educational software program to work on their reading or math skills.  This has been beneficial to their understanding and testing scores.  Many students enjoy learning and practicing these skills on the computer.  Other help and tutoring is also done during this time to help students improve their skills.  The Smart Board is a great tool to help teachers also.  I have seen a teacher use this to engage students in learning Math and other subjects.

Voice Thread Assignment

The voice thread program and assignment in the course was very enjoyable.  It gave me many ways to be creative in presenting and creating a lesson plan or subject to others.  It kept the information interesting with pictures, interaction, and voice.  I really wish I had known about VoiceThread earlier.  It would have been a great tool to use in schooling and my undergraduate years.  The VoiceThread would have kept my audiences attention and made a much more powerful presentation than just showing a normal slide show.  I intend to use Voice Thread during my teaching career and hope to encourage my students to use it as a tool in technology and other subject areas of the classroom.  With the advancement of technology, students love to be creative using the tools of technology.  I found VoiceThread to be user friendly and exciting to set up the way the creator wants.  I have really gained a positive outlook on the use of VoiceThread in the classroom.  I have always been fascinated with the Lost Colony and I was really happy how my VoiceThread turned out on it.  I intend to save that for future use during my teaching career.

Chapter 8: Spreadsheets

Can you identify two types of data your students could collect as part of a lesson?

Students can collect data in many different lesson plans.  In social studies, students can collect data on populations, birth rates, death rates, and war casualties.  The 8th grade social studies curriculum discusses American History.  Students can collect data from casualties from the Wars discussed throughout the year and they can also record the average data of the age of soldiers in each war.  This helps students understand that age was not mandated early on during the Wars in american history and also helps them see what wars had the most casualties.  Another example would be the population during these times of war.  For example during WWII you had the baby boomers.  Students have the opportunity to collect many times of data in social studies dealing with War.  A great tool to help students is the teacher to watch closely and observe their work in order to make sure students place the proper calculations for formulas of the spreadsheet.


　
　
How could your students manipulate the data to discover relationships and trends?
　
Students recording data can manipulate the relationships and trends because data is not 100% accurate when it comes to casualties of War.  Students can figure out the casualties killed in action, death from injuries, and death through illnesses.  Students can use the data to determine the life expectancy and birth rates during times in history.  This helps students acknowledge changes in social, economical, and physical advances today in medicine and well being.  Data allows students to build the trends and relationships on their own views promoting critical thinking skills.　
　
Can you identify three graphs or charts your students could make that would help them develop a better understanding of the content?

Students can use the data that they have recorded to create graphs to help their viewers understand the relationships.  One example is creating a bar graph of information.  This allows the student to create a graph in a manner to explain data through bars.  Another great example of a chart would be a creating a table with information recorded.  Tables allows students and viewers to understand the information and hits the key important facts.  Students also can use line graphs to help them show relationships between two subjects.  One example is that the line graph can show births and deaths between 1860-1865.  Charts and graphs allow visual learners to see the relationship of the data and subject.  Many students learn to draw conclusions by viewing visual aids. 
　
Is it possible to create an interactive simulation or model with a spreadsheet?

Due to the high costs of simulation software many schools can not afford to purchase the programs.  The advantage of spreadsheet is that it allows teachers and students to create simulations by students manipulating one or more variables when using a spreadsheet (Morrison, G.R. & Lowther, D.L., 2010).  This improves student participation and classroom interactions. 

Chapter 7: Word Processing

Doesn’t word processing make the writing process too easy?

Using word processing does not make the writing process too easy because it still requires planning, organizing, creating, and checking grammar/spelling. Just because a story or letter can be wrote doesn’t mean that word processing is going to catch every mistake. The creator is still expected to follow the same guidelines as if writing with paper and pencil. Many mistakes can be made on word processing documents and these documents still require proper citations and formats. Typing skills are not easy for everyone and some people and students can not type anything without writing it out first. Word processing does make documents easier to read than people’s handwriting and has a more professional look.  However, it is not easy for people or students who do not type well or have lack of technology skills and understanding.

How can word processing be used to engage students in higher-level thinking?
　
Word Processing can be used to enhance student learning by (1) entering and editing text, (2) organizing information with charts, tables, and graphic organizers, and (3) inserting objects and hyperlinks in documents (Morrison, G.R. & Lowther, D.L., 2010).  Students can become engaged through a higher-level thinking by using word processing.  It allows them to type their stories or research in a professional manner making them proud of the work they have done.  One example I have seen is in a book wrote by Erin Gruwell Teach With Your Heart: Lessons I Learned From The Freedom Writers.  She is the teacher who inspired the Freedom Writers.  She had her students to write a journal throughout high school.  These students were labeled the bad students by other administration but she continued to work with them through their struggles.  These students attracted alot of attention as she did in the US and she encouraged her students to type up the stories and diary entries they had wrote throughout school.  Her reasoning was that several publishers and influential people were interested in their stories.  The students spent a significant amount of time typing their own stories up, proofreading other classmate stories, and had a higher self esteem when their work was completed. They took the extra time needed to create these documents because they wanted the reader to be able to read them and understand what they had overcome in life. Word Processing is a great tool for students to jot down information or a way to brainstorm.  Computers are the technology of the future and students can benefit from the use of word processing.　
　
　
In what ways are the individual needs of students met when their work is completed with a word processor?

Individual needs of students are met when their work is completed with word processor because it allows them to type their stories and research at their own personal pace.  This helps students identify spelling errors because word processor highlights spelling errors and helps identify fragments and grammar errors.  This allows students to learn to improve their proofreading while fixing the mistake easily.  Word processing allows corrections to be made without damaging the professionalism of the document.  This helps them focus on their actual writing than on their handwriting (Morrison, G.R. & Lowther, D.L., 2010).  Teachers and schools can find lots of software to improve students technology and communication skills through using word processing.  This video is an example of a software program that teachers can use for students to improve their writing skills with the use of a computer.  The link can be viewed on the promotion of the Webspiration software  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ5h81Rpn94.

Sources:
Gruwell, E.  Teach With Your Heart: Lessons I Learned From The Freedom Writers.  Broadway Books: New York, 2007.

Morrison, G.R. & Lowther, D.L.  Integrating Computer Technology into the Classroom: Skills for the 21st Century. (4th ed.)  Pearson: Boston, 2010. 

Chapter 10: Graphic Organizers

How do you know that students understand a concept?

Teachers know when students understand a concept by students ability to take key information and place them in some type of graphic organizers.  Graphic organizers allow teachers and students to insert graphics, videos, audio, text, links, capture brainstorming ideas, create outlines, and organize the information (Morrison, G.R. & Lowther, D. L, 2010).  Students learn concepts through different types of learning methods.  There are four types of learning methods of students:  Active/Reflective, Sensing/Intuitive, Visual/Verbal, and Sequential/Global (Felder, R. M. & Soloman, B.A.,   Students learn through one or more methods.  It is important that the teacher allows lesson plans to be presentable to all learning methods of the students.  This will help students understand the concepts of the lesson.  A wonderful and informative article about the types of learning methods can be found by visiting the website:
http://www4.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/users/f/felder/public/ILSdir/styles.htm.  Teachers know that students have grasped concepts through discussions, assignments, and other activities in the classroom.  Students learning will be able to identify to the concept and be able to relate  to the knowledge.  Students understanding concepts will have those "aha moments" in the classroom when the information clicks for them.

How can you depict student misconceptions of key information?

Teachers can depict student misconceptions of key information by the graphic organizers they use in class.  It is important that teachers cover the concepts of the lesson when using technology or graphic organizers.  Teachers should allow students to participate in creating these graphic organizers and use of technology in order to see which students get it and who is not understanding.  Any time a teacher uses technology, feedback and discussion is a great way to end the lesson.  This identifies student misconceptions of key information.  It is important for teachers to use learning software that has an educational purpose and supports the ISTE Nets guidelines for students (Morrison, G.R. & Lowther, D.L., 2010).

How can students capture and transfer brainstorming ideas into written thoughts?

Students can capture and brainstorm ideas through the use of graphic organizers.  Graphic organizers allow students to record key information and organize it in a way to discuss the topic or write about the topic.  Many students using graphic organizers to brainstorm improve their education through various ways.  Graphic organizers allow students to collaborate on their ideas and thoughts.  By writing key information it allows students to evaluate their thoughts and ideas.

Sources:
Morrison, G.R. & Lowther, D.L.  Integrating Computer Technology into the Classroom: Skills for the 21st Century. (4th ed.)  Pearson: Boston, 2010.

Felder, R. M. & Soloman, B. A.  Learning Styles and Stategies.  Article Retrieved on 10 July 2011 http://www4.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/users/f/felder/public/ILSdir/styles.htm.

Chapter 9: Integrating Multimedia as a Tool

How can my students use multimedia for their projects?

Multimedia can be used by students on assignments and projects in the classroom because of the advancement of technology use in the classrooms.  Students have more sources avaliable when creating projects and assignments for class.  Students or teachers using multimedia in the classroom is used as a tool to explain and elaborate on findings that can be enhanced by motion or interactivity (Morrison, G.R. & Lowther, D.L., 2010).  Teachers who use multimedia introduce students to these sources that can be used to enhance a assignment.  Multimedia can be used by students adding photos or graphics, text, video, sounds, animations, and hyperlinks creating a new grade of creativity.  Students using multimedia in the classroom helps promote technology in the classroom and global technology in the world. The applications of Web 2.0 has created an easy way for students to incorporate multimedia in their assignments and projects to enhance collaboration and input from users.  Using multimedia will also help teachers and students achieve the ISTE Nets for Students guidelines and they can be found online at:  http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-students.aspx. 

What applications are available for creating a multimedia presentation?

Multimedia presentations can have the use of many applications in the presentation.  Students can use text, photos or graphics, video and sound, animations, and add hyperlinks in the multimedia projects.These applications along with Microsoft Power Point, Publisher, Google Docs, and Voice Thread allow students to choose different options in choosing a presentation using multimedia.  Web 2.0 is a great source in helping students understand the applications that help create a multimedia presentation.  Multimedia presentations have advantages and disadvantages of using the aplications.  Some sources may not be available because of the limited access to the student.

Should I place limits on how my students use multimedia?

Teachers should use limits on how students use multimedia.  It is important that teachers monitor the use of multimedia of students to prevent too much multimedia on a presentation or the student getting off the topic.  Students get excited over the use of multimedia and sometimes lose track of what the teacher expects from the presentation.  Teachers need to use and encourage careful and thoughtful planning in using multimedia in presentations (Morrison, G.R. & Lowther, D. L., 2010). 

Chapter 3 Reflections: Digital Tools in Today's Classrooms

Reflecting on What I Know

Why is it important to learn about different technology tools when they are constantly changing?

Technology is advancing in the classrooms of schools to enhance learning.  Technology has allowed teachers more resources to enhance lessons and assignments in the classroom while creating a fun and positive learning environment for students.  Technology has helped engage students in the classroom and outside of the classroom.  Technology in the classroom is constantly changing but it is important for teachers' to use all resources available to them in the classroom.  It is important for teachers' to understand how all technology tools work in order to use them fully to their advantage.  This is one of the reason's that many websites post reviews on technology tools used in the classrooms and software programs available to educators.  One great tool in the classroom is the SmartBoards.  It can be used in so many different ways beneficial to students and teachers.  It also helps teachers' engage their students by creating activities in the classroom.  Another great reason of using the SmartBoard is that it allows the teacher to create a lesson plan in less time because the teacher can get most of the graphics and resources from the SmartBoard.

Most desktop computers do the same things as mobile devices, so why do teachers need to use both?

Mobile devices in the classroom allow the teacher and students more flexibility.  Mobile devices today perform many of the same functions as desktop computers making them more efficienent.  Many students are exposed to mobile devices outside of school with things such as ipods, mp3 players, laptops, cameras, and cell phones.  Teachers realize that mobile devices are a tool of convenence in society.  This allows teachers and students to use mobile devices for educational purposes.  A teacher can use a desktop computer in her classroom but the use is limited because she can not move it all over the school.  If she has a laptop she can move her students to areas such as the library or outside for a lesson.  Allowing mobile devices is helpful to teachers, engages students in the classroom and outside of the classroom, and creates a classroom that is grasping the technological advances in the global world.

How can the cost of digital devices be justified when the functions they perform are often limited in number and scope?

When looking to justify the cost of digital devices that perform limited things one great aspect is to look at the NETS and the NCSCOS to see how it would benefit the students.  The teacher and educator will put a value on the technology it advances to students and the learning capability of using the device as a tool.