http://www.wikipedia.com/: The biggest multilingual free-content encyclopedia on the Internet. It has over two million articles and still growing. I count on this site to give me the facts on people, places, and things from all walks of life--history, geography, politics, and more. I would recommend it because of the fact that it has the facts! Actually, I had a friend just the other day say she didn't like Wikipedia; my question remains, ''How could you not?"
http://www.wired.com/: You can read all of your news, technology, business, and culture in one place!! Unbelievable. I recommend this because instead of typing in five different URLs, you can simply go to this site, and, more than likely, the hot news is right there with the details and up-to-the-minute stories that everyone will be dishing! This is a more attractive site for students to go to in order to be in-the-know. It's official, yet somehow "cooler" to the middle school age group. They would rather be "wired" than cnn.com-ers...
Friday, July 1, 2011
Week 4--Multimedia Pick...
I have to say Power Points! I know it's common/normal, but oh, it's effective. The more colorful the more attention they command. I would use Power Points at least three times per month so that when the lights go out, students know we are either going to view the month's objectives in review OR a brand new (probably more difficult learning objective/concept). They can brace themselves because as much time and effort as I put into making the Power Point, they would already know it's going to be a GREAT one that is fun, buzz-worthy, and worth their time as well.
Week 3--this one is late, but...
How would I use different types of software in my classroom?
A. Drill/Practice: Math Wizard-Students in my class could use this software to create math drill and practice worksheets for a group I place them in charge of, work out the answers together, then print out an answer sheet to check their answers. From multiplicaton tables to fractions, whichever math skills are being studied or drilled, this software can help. (I would rotate the student who could chose the worksheet from the software so that all felt empowered.)
B. Tutorial: Prentice Hall World History Connections to Today-Students can use this interactive breakthrough test preparation tool for mastering essential world history content as the school year progresses and with the onset of state standardized testing.
C. Problem Solving: Stepping Stones-This software introduces young students to the foundations of critical thinking (math, sound-symbol relationships, visual discrimination, etc.). I would use this with my struggling readers as part of the Problem Solving/Critical Thinking Corner in my classroom.
D. Simulation: Virtual Driver Interactive-I would use this to help 7th and 8th graders become acquainted with real-life driving scenarios which they could face as they begin practice driving and branch out into more traffic-heavy destinations. I would use this as an incentive for slower learners who complete assignments early and satisfactorily. Eventually, I would give everyone a chance to experience it and tell how it helps them.
E. Instructional Games: Editor in Chief: Grammar Disasters and Punctuation Faux Pas-this interactive CD features 33 activities with begnning, intermediate, and advanced levels of play. The instructions and quick and detailed; there's a guide to Grammar, Usage, and Punctuation that reinforces concepts. The software also saves unfinished games, self-grades, and gives printable student data. I could use this with ALL students since it has all three levels of play. This is a great Monday activity--even for just 20 minutes. Students simply love technology--and games! This software gives them the best of both worlds with a lot of learning on top!
F. Integrated Learning Systems: Academy of Reading-Rapid results for struggling readers is the mission of this 20-year researched integrated learning system. It provides a web-based platform for intensive training in reading foundations. I would use system with the class of struggling readers I teach. I would use it whole-class twice per week--since everyone in this particular class could beneft from learning at this level.
A. Drill/Practice: Math Wizard-Students in my class could use this software to create math drill and practice worksheets for a group I place them in charge of, work out the answers together, then print out an answer sheet to check their answers. From multiplicaton tables to fractions, whichever math skills are being studied or drilled, this software can help. (I would rotate the student who could chose the worksheet from the software so that all felt empowered.)
B. Tutorial: Prentice Hall World History Connections to Today-Students can use this interactive breakthrough test preparation tool for mastering essential world history content as the school year progresses and with the onset of state standardized testing.
C. Problem Solving: Stepping Stones-This software introduces young students to the foundations of critical thinking (math, sound-symbol relationships, visual discrimination, etc.). I would use this with my struggling readers as part of the Problem Solving/Critical Thinking Corner in my classroom.
D. Simulation: Virtual Driver Interactive-I would use this to help 7th and 8th graders become acquainted with real-life driving scenarios which they could face as they begin practice driving and branch out into more traffic-heavy destinations. I would use this as an incentive for slower learners who complete assignments early and satisfactorily. Eventually, I would give everyone a chance to experience it and tell how it helps them.
E. Instructional Games: Editor in Chief: Grammar Disasters and Punctuation Faux Pas-this interactive CD features 33 activities with begnning, intermediate, and advanced levels of play. The instructions and quick and detailed; there's a guide to Grammar, Usage, and Punctuation that reinforces concepts. The software also saves unfinished games, self-grades, and gives printable student data. I could use this with ALL students since it has all three levels of play. This is a great Monday activity--even for just 20 minutes. Students simply love technology--and games! This software gives them the best of both worlds with a lot of learning on top!
F. Integrated Learning Systems: Academy of Reading-Rapid results for struggling readers is the mission of this 20-year researched integrated learning system. It provides a web-based platform for intensive training in reading foundations. I would use system with the class of struggling readers I teach. I would use it whole-class twice per week--since everyone in this particular class could beneft from learning at this level.
Week 2--late this time...
Two issues shaping role of technology in education:
First, funding for technology in education is an issue. How important does the government--local, state, or federal--see this topic is linked to how well it is funded. Without access to the hardware, software/programs, and training, generations will become lost and more uncompetitive because the rest of the civilized world already has made it clear that they highly value technology in their education curriculum--and they match it with dollars $$$$$$$$$$.
Second, legal issues continue to overshadow the good that technology can do/has done for us a human race. How terrible it is that with ALL the good that technology brings--to the medical, education, automotive, law enforcement fields just to name a few--some citizens insist on using it for negative reasons. How legal is it for an ex-boyfriend of a student to degrade another student and then direct his fellow schoolmates to the site to "read all about it"? Is it his legal right to speak freely in that manner? In our school system, some sites are blocked for everyone; in some systems, it is not. Parents must now sign to give permission for their child(ren) to use the Internet at school. Some sites are just that scary--so legal issues abound when it comes to Technology in Education.
First, funding for technology in education is an issue. How important does the government--local, state, or federal--see this topic is linked to how well it is funded. Without access to the hardware, software/programs, and training, generations will become lost and more uncompetitive because the rest of the civilized world already has made it clear that they highly value technology in their education curriculum--and they match it with dollars $$$$$$$$$$.
Second, legal issues continue to overshadow the good that technology can do/has done for us a human race. How terrible it is that with ALL the good that technology brings--to the medical, education, automotive, law enforcement fields just to name a few--some citizens insist on using it for negative reasons. How legal is it for an ex-boyfriend of a student to degrade another student and then direct his fellow schoolmates to the site to "read all about it"? Is it his legal right to speak freely in that manner? In our school system, some sites are blocked for everyone; in some systems, it is not. Parents must now sign to give permission for their child(ren) to use the Internet at school. Some sites are just that scary--so legal issues abound when it comes to Technology in Education.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Name: Valerie B.Y.C. Burrell, currently a middle school Reading/English teacher
Residence/city of employment: Sumter County, Alabama (Panola)
Goals for my online degree: I would love to get this degree and my Education Specialist degree and use it to teach online high school to assist those students who chose to earn their diplomas in a non-traditional way.
Favorite technology: I love Yahoo as far as a favorite site, but technology in general, I just like computers (Power Points, etc.)
Other info.: I love poetry, music, and the arts, as well as traveling, fine dining, and volleyball; I have been married for almost two decades; and I have made my Bucket List (as of last year). After my recent close call with these last two tornadoes, I plan to try to complete that list before I reach 45!
Residence/city of employment: Sumter County, Alabama (Panola)
Goals for my online degree: I would love to get this degree and my Education Specialist degree and use it to teach online high school to assist those students who chose to earn their diplomas in a non-traditional way.
Favorite technology: I love Yahoo as far as a favorite site, but technology in general, I just like computers (Power Points, etc.)
Other info.: I love poetry, music, and the arts, as well as traveling, fine dining, and volleyball; I have been married for almost two decades; and I have made my Bucket List (as of last year). After my recent close call with these last two tornadoes, I plan to try to complete that list before I reach 45!
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