Software Evaluation

This week we studied google sites and software evaluations.  While creating a google site, at this time I don't see how it would be useful to me in my teaching.  In google documents I find it very easy to find a document, spreadsheet, etc. I'm not sure what the purpose of google sites is for.

With that being said, I can say that I did like the software evaluation.  Even though in my district teachers don't have any real input when it comes to purchasing software, it never hurts so see what else is out there. I chose to evaluate Kidspiration.  I have used Inspiration before, but never Kidspiration.  I really liked Kidspiration.  It provides cross curriculum opportunities.  It really provides students an opportunity for all students including special needs and ESL students visual and written opportunities.  Students can create web diagrams, venn diagrams, and other types.  They can do this using text and pictures, and then with a click it will change to an outline.  In the outline they can expand on the text, creating complete sentences.  In also includes math concepts - online manipulatives.

The program also has many built in activities, which include phonics, blends, parts of speech.  There are activities for reading/writing, math, science, and social studies.  The program is designed for grades K-5 and even has sound for non readers.  When the students get into different sections they can choose their grade level, so it's a program that will continue to challenge students throughout their different grade levels.  As I was demoing the program I was imagining all the ways I could use this program with my special needs students.  This program provides differentiated instruction.  This program promotes creativity, and creativity has been the underlying theme throughout this whole course.

I Love Spiders

What I liked about this video and lesson was the hands on.  The students took pictures of different spiders, researched them to find out what kind they were, and then sent them to another classroom in a different state.  This lesson gets the students involved, and I think I will try and incorporate a similar idea in my classroom.  We do an unit on animals, plants, and the environment.  The students could do something similar and then either exchange with another class or find a wiki or an online learning area to do share with.  Since I teach older students, I'd really like it if we exchanged this information with another class in a different country.  They could do science or social studies with cultures.  They could take pictures of food, costumes, decorations, etc. and share and compare with another country.  The possibilities are endless.

Spreadsheets

Spreadsheets intimidate a lot of people.  I think it's the thought of using formulas.  What a lot of people don't realize is that they can be used for so much more.  I use them all the time, although I don't do a lot these days with formulas.  I use them for organizing data, tables, columns etc.  Some of the ways I currently use spreadsheets is by making flashcards for students, organizing information into neat rows or columns, create worksheets especially for science labs, to name a few.  Spreadsheets provide an easy way to add formatting such as font size and type, color, position of text, width of columns, height of rows, and amount of rows.  It's easy to add and delete information, columns, and rows in spreadsheets.  Spreadsheets also provide an easy way to sort information.  I use spreadsheets in both my professional and personal life.  

Type with me

Type with me is very similar to Google Docs.  There are a couple of differences.  One difference is that everyone has there own color and no one else can change or delete the others' work.  I can see this being beneficial in a classroom.  As the teacher I can see what each student has contributed to the document.  Although I find it difficult to read through sometimes with all the colors, and students with ADHD or ADD might have a very difficult time with this application for the same reason.  They might have a hard time focusing.  Another difference is that it doesn't automatically save the work like Google Docs does.  If you loose a connection with the application or it synchronizes while your using it, it doesn't save it.  While using it our group had to keep retyping the same information at least 10-15 times, because it was synchronizing while we were using it.  I can see students just giving up and leaving it as it is, especially since we as adults were at that point.  I'm still working on all of this weeks work, so nothing else to add.

How does technology effect my life?

Before you ask how does technology affect your life you have to define what technology is.  Technology is the tools we use - computers, software programs, iPods, Smartboards, and the internet to name a few.  When I think of technology I think of electronics, apps and software, and their accessories.  We use technology every day and there is so much to choose from these days.  

As a technology continues to advance and more becomes available we need select and use the tools best suited to the person and the situation.  I don't believe that just because it's new or free always makes it better than we sometimes already have.  Take Windows Vista for example.  Have you ever heard anybody say anything good about it - even when it was new?  This week I found some tools better than others. 

I was really excited about the different graphic sites at first until I looked closer to the home page.  On some of the sites I saw content that would not be appropriate for school.  It disappointed me because I really thought they could become good sites to use for language arts and social studies.  I talked to our school librarian who is going to take the list of sites and see if she can find similar sites that have more suitable graphics for the students.  I was really disappointed in the Face in Hole graphics and MagMyPic content.

I liked the TypeWithMe site.  It has some similarities to google docs.  It's easy to use and everyone can type directly into the document.  I like that you can tell who typed what with the different colors.  My only question is can students delete someone else's work?  I didn't try it so I'm not sure.  Or can you sign in as another person?  

What have I learned that will be helpful in the future?

What have I learned in this course that will be helpful to me in the future?  In this course I learned more about the “workings” of a computer than I’ve ever known.  Prior to this course I had heard of words like RAM, MB, video cards, memory cards, and more.  Some of these terms I knew more about than others.  I found the research projects and the Under the Hood assignments useful in learning more about the computer components.  I especially found the printers and digital cameras useful since I am or will be in the market for both very soon.  I learned it’s important to know what I already have when looking to add components.    

Prior to this course I only knew about Windows and Mac operating systems.  I had no idea there were other OS and that they are free.  To be honest at this time I have no intention of using those again (I had problems with the one of the systems “invading” my PC), but it’s good to know there are options.  It’s amazing how much free stuff is available.  At least today it’s free; I have to wonder how long before that changes.  When the Internet first came about almost everything was free, now there’s plenty that is still free, but there’s plenty that has a cost.  

One of my favorite assignments was watching the Triumph of the Nerds recording.  I found it to be a very interesting recording and I learned so much.  It filled in the holes of what I knew and then some.  It was interesting to learn how things came about and to think about how different things could have been.  Take Xerox and Apple for example, if either had done things differently both could have completely changed the computer world as we know it.  I’m not sure how I’ll use this information in the future, but it sure was interesting and enlightening.

Now I’m working on my perfect computer.  I don’t do a lot on my computer today, but slowly that’s changing.  Today I don’t have a digital camera and I don’t download music.  I use my computer for work, school, and email.  In my previous career I spent all day on the computer and it got old.  Now I use it for what I need to do, and while I’m grateful to have it, I don’t care to spend any more time on it than I need to.  As things change (I’m looking at digital cameras for wildlife pictures) I may need to find the “perfect computer.” As I do it will be great to have all this knowledge that I have gained in this course.  

What's all this to me?

What is all of this to me?  To me it means making changes in the way I do business everyday.  In addition learning things I wouldn't have taken the time to do before, I'm being forced to make changes in my everyday life.  So far the biggest change I've made is upgrading from dial-up internet to high speed internet.  I use high speed internet everyday - at school, at places around town (especially for classwork), at family and friend's houses - pretty much every where except at home.  The only reason for not making the change sooner was solely cost and just having one more bill to pay.  So am I glad that I made the change?  Absolutely.

What's next?  Do I think that I will change operating systems?  No, not likely.  I like Windows and I'm getting used my Mac's operating system.  As a matter of fact, I'm scared of the other operating systems wiping out my installed operating systems on my PC and Mac.  I wouldn't consider myself tech savvy, although I can find my way around what I need and I like to learn and use new technology.  Until this course I wasn't aware of any other operating systems.  I find it interesting that Windows and Macs operating systems aren't as common throughout the world as they are here in the United States.  Until last week I thought those were the only operating systems.

The project I'm really excited about is the research component project.  I'm currently in the market for a new printer, mine is 12-13 years old, and a wireless router.  I'd also like to invest in a nice digital camera next year.  It can be daunting to research when purchasing especially when I'm not always up to speed on the technology lingo.  The research I'm doing for my project will come in handy when I buy a new printer this year, hopefully very soon.  Some of the information that I would have considered important before I've learned isn't as important as I thought.  Sometimes it's difficult to keep up with the constant change of technology, especially the cost.  I'm looking forward to learning more about the computer components.