Reflection...

Throughout this course I have written about many things that will help me in teaching technology to any future students I have. Not only will I be better at teaching students about technology but I have learned new things that I can use to create new assignments for students, so what I have learned has helped me and will one day hopefully help my future students.

 I have learned to use spreadsheets, word processing, and databases to further help me throughout my career and all three will help me in creating assignments and teaching students. Most of my blogging experience is centered on specific concerns relating to educational technology.

 I believe most of my post will help anyone needed information on these related concerns; they also help me as I go through them and re-read them. I like that my post are educational and interesting. At first I didn’t know if I would like blogging but I have actually come to really enjoy it, it’s a place where I can express how I truly feel about certain topics and actually teach myself new things threw different research for any new topics that I can currently writing about.

Spreadsheets

Spreadsheets can be used in the classroom for many different task/assignments: making calculations, organizing data, making charts, averaging grades, and so much more. Both teachers and students can use spreadsheets. Teachers can use it to create assignments for their students and to average student’s grades. Students can use it to develop higher order thinking skills by using spreadsheets in assignments making charts and calculations.

            Some advantages of spreadsheets are that they are normally easy to use and create. Sometimes they can be hard to following depending on how they are created though. Spreadsheets can be used for many different grades levels. They also allow students to be creative with the many different choice they have in creating charts. A great advantage of spreadsheets is using functions, which calculates the sum, mean, product, or anything else you can think of for the columns and rows of numbers.

            Spreadsheets achieve the Nets for Students standards because they allow students to be creative and to communicate throughout the process of creating a spreadsheet. Spreadsheets are great for research projects and collecting information. Students also use technology affectivity and productively when using spreadsheets.

Databases

Databases can be used in the classroom for easily accessing old information. Teacher can use it to store information from older assignments to be found easily and used for another class later on down the road. Students can use it to save work from assignments that they are previously working on so when they return to the assignment they can easily find it and finish their work. Databases are very useful for the classroom in the way that teachers and students can always come back to their previous works and easily finish or reuse or add to that certain assignment. I believe everything about a database can be an advantage for the classroom. There are no real disadvantages to being able to save information in a virtual “card catalog.”

Databases achieve the standards for Nets for students by allowing students to conduct research and use different information. It also allows students to use technology effectively and productively.

Word Processing

Word Processing can be great for the classroom for both teachers and students.  Word processing allows teacher to create hand outs and worksheets for students. It also allows students the chance to work on the computer to compose different text. Teachers can easily organize information for the classroom about any projects they want to assign, new learning material, or anything to do with tables and graphics for the class. Students can also learn more about inserting objects such as graphs, tables, or photos into their text.

Advantages:

·         Great Learning Experience

·         Organizes documents

·         Helps with assignments

Disadvantages:

·         Can be overwhelming to new users

·         A lot of information to learn

This program can achieve the standards of NETS for students because it allows students to be creative. Students can also communicate with one another and their teacher using the word processing, by asking questions or working together on assignments. Word processing is also useful for research projects, because it gives teachers and students a place to work on their assignments.

Pinky Dinky Doo

Pinky Dinky Doo’s website can easily be added into any lesson plan, because it involves helping children learn. You can use this website in helping your students remember names, characters, and roles of people in stories. It teaches about dialogue, sequence of events, and details. You can engage your students in language and help them to interact with their surroundings and with one another.  Pinky Dinky Doo can help children learn to listen, think, and learn. Children can learn to focus on the meaning of different words and interact in fun activities.

Children will enjoy using this tool in class because of the fun activities and the bright colors of the web page. Because Pinky Dinky Doo is a popular cartoon that a lot of children enjoy watching you may have problems that every child will want to play at the same time and they may fight over the computer.  One way to fix this problem is to have a chart of who gets to play on the computer every day, that way every one gets a chance to play and students will not fight over it.

Algebrator

Alegebrator is software used for teaching students math, or helping them in the area of Algebra. The version I reviewed was the 4.0 which cost around $49.95. It can be used for a PC having any version of Windows including: Windows 7. It can also be used for a Mac having any version of OS X. The operating system is WinVista and WinXP. It takes up 25 MB.  It can be used for grades 4-6.

I believe this software to be very helping in the learning process for students. They can actually go to this application and type in any given problem and have help with solving the equation; it even shows them the steps in solving the problem. Teachers can use this application for lessons, practice, testing, and problem-solving.

The content of Algebrator is educational and reliable. It is clear and easily understood. Students can work together using the application or work alone. It is easy to install and set-up. This software can be very useful in the classroom and it can help teachers and students in the teaching/learning process.

Mobile Computing

Advantages & disadvantages of mobile computing devices in the classroom:

Advantages:

·         Highly Motivating for Students

·         Teaching Apps

·         Students get assignments done faster

·         Assignments are easier for Students

·         Constance internet connection

·         Students are writing more

·         Increases students engagement in classroom activities

·         More time spent on classroom assignments

·         Better quality in work

Disadvantages:

—  Text Bullying

—  Theft

—  Unrestricted Internet Access

—  Cost

—  Time Consuming

—  More technical support and maintenance needed

—  Some students may play on personal websites instead of classroom work.

I believe using mobile computing devices in the classroom can be a good thing. Students like to use these types of devices so why not teach them by using the things they love. If any of the disadvantages were to arise then address the situation at that time.   I think you shouldn’t use these devices for the entire teaching time because students will be using them for their personal pleasure instead of paying attention to their teachers, but using them for certain assignments and activities can be helpful for students.