Post 10

After reviewing my classmates blogs the topic that I found the most interesting was POST 0. I enjoyed learning about my classmates at the beginning of the semester. Everyone posted what they wanted so no two were the same and I found that very interesting.
Unfortunately this semester we didn't have any time to learn how to use an electronic gradebook. I would have really enjoyed that project. If I would have had a choice I believe learning how to use an electronic gradebook would have proven more beneifical than two weeks of powerpoint presentations.
Overall I found the skills I learned in EME2040 very beneficial. I had never used Inspiration before and I feel as though when I am a teacher I will encourage my students to use that program. I also really enjoyed learning how to make electronic storybooks and games using PowerPoint. Overall I believe that all the skills I learned in EME2040 will eventually be benefical in my own teaching career.

Post 9

As a teacher I believe that I will use excel similiarly to the way I used it in class. I enjoyed learning how to create worksheets using another program other than a word program. Because I created a science worksheet, on the weather, I would feel very comfortable creating a chart, table, graph, etc., and having my students, 4th graders, interperut the information I have provided them. So far on our final course project we have put together the 2-4 page narriative. My partner has put together the spreadsheet, using excel, of the items we wish to purchase and the amount each one will cost. However, my partner and I have not spent a lot of time working on the project inclass nor have we discussed the project outside of class. I believe that one of the biggest challenges so far has been deciding what technology we wish to incorporate in our project.
One of my favorite web-based tools is ability the to add web pages to my favorites. As does anyone, I have some web pages that I visit more than others and I find it extremely helpful to be able to easily access web sites that I visit often.

Post 8

Overall I believe that my game for the PowerPoint 2 assignment turned out well. I had never linked slides together on Powerpoint before so I learned some valuable skills. I will definitely PowerPoint in my own classroom as a notes guide and a review tool. Although I had never used the slide linking feature I also learned how to edit buttons so they match the scheme of your presentation.
If I wasn't using powerpoint or some other computer program as an enhancement to my classroom I would use the TV to show videos about material covered in class. I would also use an overhead projector so my students would know exactly what I believe they should have in their notes.

Post 7

I am a firm believer in using presentation software in the classroom. I believe that reinforcing the material being taught via. PowerPoint is extremely beneficial. PowerPoint allows the instructor to highlight what they believe is the most important information out of the lecture. However, on the negative side of using a PowerPoint it does allow the students to focus less on the lecture because they have the opportuinity to write down essential information and then "zone-out". To use PowerPoint to support student learning dimension I would: Create a flowchart or outline with key points and helpful tricks to help students remember the material. To help students understand and apply, I would have multiple slides on a PowerPoint giving different examples of the concept being executed in everyday life or situations that my students could directly relate to. And finally to have students analyze, evaluate, and create I would require that my students be able to either write a paper or correctly create a project directly related to the material taught. Since technology is a fairly recent phenonemon schools seem to be some of the first places to gain access to new pieces of technology. However, as the technology phenonemon has grown the economy has failed therefore, the amount of money for schools to purchase equipment has also declined. Unfortunately, students in some school districts are way behind others in learning basic skills that have now become a necessity in life.

Post 6

I believe that the use of web 2.0 technology in classrooms has greatly changed the way teachers teach. In todays society the internet has become a necessity for communicating. Teachers use the web to post announcements, assignments, grades, and send emails to students and parents. Web 2.0 allows for this to occur safely and securly. I believe Wikipedia is not a responsible learning resource. Generally, wikipedia is one of the first websites that a search engine returns as a match for websites containing search words. Overall wikipedia contains a lot of factual information however, there are cases where the information posted is incorrect because the information posted on wikipedia can be edited by anyone to say anything. Although some of the most obscene information gets removed from the site not all of it does making it overall a noncrediable resource. Over the past week I have become more familiar with Powerpoint. I have learned how to download different templets from websites inorder to keep my students intregued. I have also learned how to successfully develop a powerpoint slide show so that the amount of information on it is not overwhelming to my students.

Post 5

In my opinion the ability to use the internet for student research is extremely useful. I believe that the internet has advanced students' ability to gain knowledge above and beyond the limits of books. The internet provides students the opportunity to browse material from hundreds of sources in a short period of time. The internet allows students to read facts along with opinions and gain a multi-deminisonial outlook on the material researched. However, I do believe that the internet does have a negative side- the amount of effort needed for students to research a topic is much less. The internet contributes to the extreme laziness of students and greatly lessens the amount of time students spend reading and in the library. Another way I would web-based resources to support student learning are online games and blogs. Students respond well to interactive activities and prefer to learn material in fun/unusual/unique ways. I hope to someday teach 6th grade in an elementary school. I recently observed a 6th grade classroom and the students were to give an oral presentation on a famous African American. However, one of the students did no research and read a biography, word-for-word off a website. Ironically enough, this is one of my biggest fears- dealing with students who have plagerise- especially at a young age (i.e. 6th grade). The students are old enough to understand the idea of plagerism but not necessarily old enough to understand the consequences.

Post 4

As a 4th grade teacher I would use concept maps, idea maps, storyboards, branches, and pictures to help my students understand ideas better. Visual learners would benefit from these teaching tools alot more than audio learners but reinforcing material via flow charts is an enormous help. I would encourage my students to develop outlines, idea maps,and storyboards because I am a firm believe that they help reinforce learned material. Before the last week of class I had never used the Insipration program. I really enjoyed using the program and believe it is an extremely useful tool when developing maps and flow carts. Inspiration allows one to develop ideas and organize thoughts in an easy to read and follow manner.