In Chapter 3 I learned that application software, also known as application programs, consists of programs designed to perform specific tasks for users. It can be used for many purposes, for example: as a productivity tool (word processing, spreadsheets), to assist with graphics and multimedia projects (paint/image editing), to support school and professional activities (grade book, note taking), to help with home and personal activities (personal finance, tax preparation, entertainment), and to facilitate communications (e-mail, chat rooms, blogs). I read about how to apply software, and also how to work with it. Productivity software is designed to make people more effective and efficient while performing daily activities. This software includes applications dealing with word processing, spreadsheet, personal information management, etc. I read how to use the different types of productivity software and got examples of what to use them for. Because I don't know much about presentation graphics software, I liked reading about that... I've always wanted to figure out how to use PowerPoint better! I also thought it was funny that they had PDA software in the textbook, I didn't even know they offered programs like that. Lastly there was the graphics and editing software. I have tried to work with this kind of stuff on my own in the past, like putting together a video and everything. I like that software, because I feel like you can make things more personal. I really liked reading the "End of Chapter" section. I learned several different things that I can actually use for when I begin to teach. There are different pages that give information on things like education issues, software and digital media programs to use.
The main thing that I have learned since my last posting was probably the newsletter. I haven't finished mine yet, but it has been a very fun learning experience. In class we went over the different aspects of visually making the newsletter, and on my own I've done some experimenting to make it more fun looking. I can certainly use a newsletter in my classes. In class we also went over many of the SAM questions, because SAM isn't working on many people's computers. Going over those questions I learned a lot more about Windows XP, and the terminology that it uses. Also, through reading the chapter I did come across a couple things. I said I liked the "End of Chapter" section, ,and in there I found an interest in a software called PrimeTime Math. Reading about the program it seems very good, and I would love to try it out. Also, Thinkology was another software listed. It helps K-3 students, so I would be interested in checking that out too.
Well, my sister graduated from the University of Florida as an Elementary Education major, and then got her Masters in special education. She has her own classroom at a school linked with Nova University. She is teaching kindergartners with autism, although she doesn't have any severe cases. She has told me about her classroom and some of the fun activities that she has done lately, especially around the holidays. I am actually using some of the pictures she took in her classroom in my newsletter. She also tells me that they have a certain days of the week they just put shaving cream all over their tables and they play with it for a little while. It is meant to improve their motor skills. They also have a day that they get to go play out in the fountain outside. I am hoping to go visit her in her classroom sometime soon, because I feel like it would be a really great experience for me... and they seem to have a ton of fun!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Post #1
This first chapter of the text was actually kind of interesting to read. The beginning was lots of history on computers and other media, and I found it funny that the iphone was shown in the text. The International Society for Technology in Education is a nonprofit group that promotes using technology to improve teaching and learning. The ISTE has standards for teachers, school administrators and students. The standards for teachers define the fundamental concepts, knowledge, skills and attitudes for applying technology in the K-12 educational setting. The standards for school administrators, and the standards for students are organized into separate categories, but I will not describe them. Digital students are kids who are (1) hypercommunicators who use multiple tools to communicate, (2) multitaskers who do several things at once with ease, and (3) goal oriented as they pursue multiple goals at the same time. Today's generation is full of these digital students, and reading the section discussing digital students helped me to understand how to teach. John M. Keller's ARCS Motivational Model stressed that even the best designed teaching strategy will fail if the students are not motivated to learn. The ARCS stands for Attention, Relevance, Challenge/Confidence and Satisfaction/Success. I completely agree with Keller's model. Lastly, schools use computers in every aspect of teaching, from the superintendent to the parents. Computers are used to communicate within schools and also with parents. There are also many other uses for each individual.
I have learned some new skills already this week. I haven't tried the SAM practice test yet, I am doing that after posting my blog, but I did already make my test (Assignment #2). I enjoyed that a lot! I added several shapes into my test, and I even added a graphic. I am very proud of the way my test came out, because I did not think that it would be as good as I made it. Also, in class last week when we went through in groups teaching each other something that we were assigned to figure out I learned several new things, or new ways of doing things I already knew how to do. I played around with Microsoft 2007 a bit, and I figured out how to use charts and graphs. I would say that for a first week I have already learned lots of new, helpful techniques, and I can't wait to learn more!
Well, I am also taking EDF1005 at the same time as this course, and I am very excited because I can start signing up for some of my service learning hours. I am debating on the different levels and everything, and I think I am also interested in visiting a special needs school. I can't wait to go to my first service learning and meet some of the students and teachers! If anyone else is doing this as well, let me know if you get a good class to visit! Actually, I think right now it's only after-school programs, but still let me know if it is fun!
I have learned some new skills already this week. I haven't tried the SAM practice test yet, I am doing that after posting my blog, but I did already make my test (Assignment #2). I enjoyed that a lot! I added several shapes into my test, and I even added a graphic. I am very proud of the way my test came out, because I did not think that it would be as good as I made it. Also, in class last week when we went through in groups teaching each other something that we were assigned to figure out I learned several new things, or new ways of doing things I already knew how to do. I played around with Microsoft 2007 a bit, and I figured out how to use charts and graphs. I would say that for a first week I have already learned lots of new, helpful techniques, and I can't wait to learn more!
Well, I am also taking EDF1005 at the same time as this course, and I am very excited because I can start signing up for some of my service learning hours. I am debating on the different levels and everything, and I think I am also interested in visiting a special needs school. I can't wait to go to my first service learning and meet some of the students and teachers! If anyone else is doing this as well, let me know if you get a good class to visit! Actually, I think right now it's only after-school programs, but still let me know if it is fun!
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
My First Post
My prior experiences using technology are rather slim, however I did learn a bit through middle school and high school. I don't really remember too much of it off the top of my head, but when I start doing certain projects it sparks memories and I remember some things. In middle school I made my own web page by using html encoding and it turned out ok, but I don't remember anything else from that class! I use computers a lot, and I can manage to work my way through and figure out the things I'm trying to do. I am pretty good with technology once I learn it and I can be very creative with it, but I need to be properly taught all of the new, cool programs to use.
I honestly hope to learn a lot in this class, and gain tons of knowledge to use later in my career. I am really looking forward to learning how to produce cool powerpoints and weekly newsletters for my classes when I begin teaching. I want to be able to impress the students' parents, and even other teachers, with my ability to use technology. It is very hard to keep a 5 or 6 year-old child's attention focused on one topic or activity, and wanting to go into 1st grade teaching, I would like to learn some programs or activities that I could teach them to use on the computer that would be educational for them, but also keep them interested and busy. Also, I'm looking into high school teaching as well and would like to be knowledgeable of some of the technology that would be good with that level. Overall I would like to get a brief learning of the standard programs for teachers, like grade book, and learn some of the more exciting ways of teaching, like blogs and PowerPoint.
After taking the learning style questionnaire, I learned that I am a more active, intuitive, visual and global learner. However, I only have a strong preference towards visual learning over verbal, and the others are only a fair or moderate preference over their counterpart. I completely agree with the fact that I have a moderate preference towards active learning, because I certainly do retain information better by doing activities to help me understand. But I also agree that it is only a moderate preference, because sometimes I do need to reflect and think about a subject to better understand it. I have a fair balance between intuitive and sensitive learning. This is true to me, because in different subjects I have different views of what I like to learn. In subjects like history I like to learn strictly the facts so that I can memorize them, but in science and other social science classes I like to learn the theories and make other relationships from the information I retain. I can certainly understand why I am a little more towards the intuitive learning though, because I am not patient with details or good at memorizing facts. I am good at grasping concepts, but not the specific details. Also, as and intuitor I am more comfortable with mathematical formulations than a sensor, which is very true. I knew that I was a visual learner, but I was shocked that I had a very strong preference towards visual learning. I hate straight lecture classes because I can never fully understand the subject matter. At cheerleading practice all the girls try to explain what I need to do, and every time I tell I just need to see it... so then they show me. I can definitely relate to the fact that I am a more visual learner than verbal. I am very well balanced between sequential and global learning. I don't completely understand what each of these types of learning are, but from what I read I feel that I am both types. I will try to think concepts and other things through step by step (like a sequential learner), but sometimes I will be lost and then boom, I get it (like a global learner). I have noticed before that something will all of a sudden click in my mind, yet when I try to explain it I have a very difficult time, like a global learner. I was very interested in finding out more about my learning styles.
I honestly hope to learn a lot in this class, and gain tons of knowledge to use later in my career. I am really looking forward to learning how to produce cool powerpoints and weekly newsletters for my classes when I begin teaching. I want to be able to impress the students' parents, and even other teachers, with my ability to use technology. It is very hard to keep a 5 or 6 year-old child's attention focused on one topic or activity, and wanting to go into 1st grade teaching, I would like to learn some programs or activities that I could teach them to use on the computer that would be educational for them, but also keep them interested and busy. Also, I'm looking into high school teaching as well and would like to be knowledgeable of some of the technology that would be good with that level. Overall I would like to get a brief learning of the standard programs for teachers, like grade book, and learn some of the more exciting ways of teaching, like blogs and PowerPoint.
After taking the learning style questionnaire, I learned that I am a more active, intuitive, visual and global learner. However, I only have a strong preference towards visual learning over verbal, and the others are only a fair or moderate preference over their counterpart. I completely agree with the fact that I have a moderate preference towards active learning, because I certainly do retain information better by doing activities to help me understand. But I also agree that it is only a moderate preference, because sometimes I do need to reflect and think about a subject to better understand it. I have a fair balance between intuitive and sensitive learning. This is true to me, because in different subjects I have different views of what I like to learn. In subjects like history I like to learn strictly the facts so that I can memorize them, but in science and other social science classes I like to learn the theories and make other relationships from the information I retain. I can certainly understand why I am a little more towards the intuitive learning though, because I am not patient with details or good at memorizing facts. I am good at grasping concepts, but not the specific details. Also, as and intuitor I am more comfortable with mathematical formulations than a sensor, which is very true. I knew that I was a visual learner, but I was shocked that I had a very strong preference towards visual learning. I hate straight lecture classes because I can never fully understand the subject matter. At cheerleading practice all the girls try to explain what I need to do, and every time I tell I just need to see it... so then they show me. I can definitely relate to the fact that I am a more visual learner than verbal. I am very well balanced between sequential and global learning. I don't completely understand what each of these types of learning are, but from what I read I feel that I am both types. I will try to think concepts and other things through step by step (like a sequential learner), but sometimes I will be lost and then boom, I get it (like a global learner). I have noticed before that something will all of a sudden click in my mind, yet when I try to explain it I have a very difficult time, like a global learner. I was very interested in finding out more about my learning styles.
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