chapter 6

Chapter 6 deals technology, digital media, and curriculum integration. Technology helps teachers promote active learning and create authentic learning experiences by allowing students to conduct Web-based research, explore concepts in a digital media presentation, create a slide show [maybe as a history presentation], or a database of results [from perhaps a science experiment]. Curriculum integration is the combination of all technology parts, together with each subject-related area of curriculum to enhance learning. The best way for curriculum integration is to put technology into the hands of trained teachers, make it easily accessible, and let them decide how best to use it at the point of instruction in their classrooms. Instructional models are systematic guides for planning instruction or lessons. They help to integrate technology effectively and ensure that the technology is appropriate to the learning objectives. One example is the ASSURE Model. It was developed in the late 1990s and has since become a popular procedural guide for planning and delivering instruction that integrates technologies and media into the teaching process by utilizing a series of steps one must follow.

This week we learned how to make non-linear power point presentations. I found these to be very interesting! I had never seen them before and I had no idea that you could do something like that on power point. I think it is so cool how it is set up like a web site and once a slide is presented there are links on it to other slides [anywhere throughout the power point document] and you get to decide which links to explore first. You can be far more interactive with a nonlinear power point than you can with a linear one and although it’s really tricky to get the hang of, I think its well worth it in the end.

I don’t know much about technology in general, but I thought I knew a lot just in the aspects of Microsoft Word and PowerPoint; Nonetheless, each new lesson that deals with either of these subjects, I still find myself learning so many new tricks. I guess I always just knew enough to get by, and now I am learning a lot that will certainly enhance my presentations in the future. It is really fun to explore all the different features from programs that I have had for so long, but knew so little about!

chapter 5

Chapter 5 examines how to use and integrate digital media and educational software applications into the classroom curriculum, these are technologies that allow users to create new forms of interaction, expression, communication, and entertainment in a digital format. It discussed how terms like technology, multimedia, and digital media have evolved over the years. Then, it talked about the elements used in (and the variety of) digital media applications and the growing popularity of distance learning. Next, it discussed educational software applications and how to create and present digital media presentations. Finally, I learned the value of effectively integrated digital media software as used in education.

This week’s assignment was on Microsoft PowerPoint. I already knew how to use it, but having to make a slideshow for a potential class made me put a much greater effort into my presentation. I tried very hard to make it both fun and educational. Since we had certain requirements to meet for the completion of the assignment, I found myself learning new tricks on PowerPoint that I didn’t even know about, like the notes section and the hyperlink and spell-check aspects of it. I also played around with clip art, pictures, background settings, and font styles and colors. It was really fun to do this assignment and I learned a lot in the process, I just can’t wait to try it out in my own classroom one day!

Because we didn’t have class this past Wednesday I thought we would get a bit of free time, but I was wrong and kind of bummed at first, but I think the way the lesson was handled was really great. Although it got a bit annoying after awhile watching those videos about power point, I did find several of them to be both interesting and educational, which is good! I am usually not a fan of the Internet-based learning, but in this case, it worked out well and I am impressed.

Chapter 2

Chapter 2 is called Communications, Networks, the Internet, and the World Wide Web. I will just highlight a few key points in the chapter. The Internet is a worldwide collection of networks that link a variety of institutions to enable people to accomplish a number of tasks. Some of the services available on the Internet include access to information, news, research, and entertainment, conduct business and banking transactions, shop for goods and services, explore virtual worlds, meet and converse with people, listen to music, take courses, send messages, and access other computers and shared files. World Wide Web (WWW) is a worldwide collection of electronic documents that have built-in hyperlinks to other related documents. Search Techniques include how to use subject directories and search engines to find educationally appropriate Web sites. Search tools are those that enable users to locate specific information found at Web sites, including search engines and subject directories.

This past week we did a web scavenger hunt that required us to search on Google for various different topics that would bring us to a variety of sites. I already knew how to use Google but this search required me to find things that were more difficult than what I was used to searching for. In doing this project, I learned how to use different aspects of Google that I didn’t even know existed before. I discovered Google video search, image search, and scholar search and I found these tools to be very useful to me.

I found a really cool site when I did that web scavenger hunt that I could actually use when I am teaching. It was a website that allows you to create your own mathematical equations. That could definitely come in handy when I have to make my own worksheets and homework assignments. I also found a few other websites that actually didn’t relate to teaching, but I found to be quite interesting as well! Four of my favorites were the currency conversion site, the metric system conversion site, a website that shows a live camera of African safari animals, and this other website that allows you to pick newspapers from different countries and read them. I guess I am just really stoked on that scavenger hunt!

Post # 3

Chapter four is called Hardware for Educators; hardware includes the electric, electronic, and mechanical equipment that makes up a computer. Input devices, output devices, and storage devices are three major aspects of computer hardware. Input device is any hardware component that allows a user to enter data [a collection of facts], programs [series of instructions that tells a computer how to perform tasks], commands [instructions given to a computer program], and user responses [user’s input to a question from a program] into the memory of a computer. This includes a keyboard, a mouse, and a microphone. Output device is hardware used to convey the information generated by a computer to its user. This includes a printer, a monitor, speakers, data projectors, facsimile machines, multifunction devices, and headsets. Storage device is hardware used to record and retrieve data, information, and instructions to and from a storage medium. It often functions a source of input because it transfers items from storage into memory. Storage is nonvolatile, meaning that data and instructions in storage are retained even when power is removed from the computer.

On Wednesday, we began learning about Inspiration Software and I have found this to be the most interesting thing we have explored so far. I am a visual learner and I just love Inspiration Software because it is visual learning software that allows you to create webs, concept maps, plots, Venn diagrams, etc. that can enhance student’s thinking and learning skills. Just playing around with the software these past few days, I can see how easy it would be to create so many different maps and webs that would make it easier for students to remember the data and information on it.

I have never really liked computers very much, but as this class progresses I can’t help but be amazed at all this world of technology has to offer. I admit, I am learning a lot of very interesting things in this class and I am eager to learn more and continue being impressed.