http://smf06.podbean.com/
Enjoy!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Blog 9: Oh the places you go when you travelling via cyberspace
Interestingly enough, teachers you would assume would not have a lot of resources available to them as far as finding information for classroom activities or even material for classroom lectures. I dabble in teaching both English and Social Sciences, and I find it's easier to find resources for the former, and not the latter. But then I happened to stumble upon Ben's Guide (bensguide.gpo.gov) a very interactive site that allows students and teachers to peruse information about topics concerning the nation's foundation as well as each state's individual stats. Also, this is a great tool for any social science teacher. There is a comprehensive vocabulary guide that would be great is you ever wanted to quiz students on the terminology.
Continuing with the social science theme, (thank you Dalton :D) the site http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/Geography.htm provides an excellent source of games involving different continents and areas of interest. But the fun doesn't stop there. If you're an English teacher, you are in luck! They have games and flashcards that involve vocabulary and questions that can be seen on the SAT or GRE. This is an invaluable tool for both the young and old. Seriously, check it out. You might think you know some words, but alas...they aren't the definition you think they are.
We have learned so much about Office 2007 as well as how to apply it to our teaching careers. But one thing I wish we learned more about is something that doesn't involve Office 2007. Windows Movie Maker is an interesting tool because it allows you to create interactive presentations, something that would catch student's attention and just be different. Also, it's something I could envision using to create a special tool celebrating my students' achievements, as well as creating a videography if I ever wanted to apply for National Accrededation. Hopefully I'll pick up on it later in my career, but indeed it would be cool to learn about it :-D
To achieve my future technological related goals, I would probably take outside classes that I could get funded by my school. Also, by attending graduate school, I could also find a way to learn even more about technology. The great thing about learning about technology is that there is several different ways to accomplish this need. Microsoft is generous on how they offer different ways to allow one to train themselves on their variety of products. The only issue I have with using Microsoft is that their trainings don't allow you to actually practice with the technology. Rather, they tell you how to accomplish the tasks through diagrams, not actual practices. If anyone knows anything else that may be out there and worth a gander, let me know :-D
Continuing with the social science theme, (thank you Dalton :D) the site http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/Geography.htm provides an excellent source of games involving different continents and areas of interest. But the fun doesn't stop there. If you're an English teacher, you are in luck! They have games and flashcards that involve vocabulary and questions that can be seen on the SAT or GRE. This is an invaluable tool for both the young and old. Seriously, check it out. You might think you know some words, but alas...they aren't the definition you think they are.
We have learned so much about Office 2007 as well as how to apply it to our teaching careers. But one thing I wish we learned more about is something that doesn't involve Office 2007. Windows Movie Maker is an interesting tool because it allows you to create interactive presentations, something that would catch student's attention and just be different. Also, it's something I could envision using to create a special tool celebrating my students' achievements, as well as creating a videography if I ever wanted to apply for National Accrededation. Hopefully I'll pick up on it later in my career, but indeed it would be cool to learn about it :-D
To achieve my future technological related goals, I would probably take outside classes that I could get funded by my school. Also, by attending graduate school, I could also find a way to learn even more about technology. The great thing about learning about technology is that there is several different ways to accomplish this need. Microsoft is generous on how they offer different ways to allow one to train themselves on their variety of products. The only issue I have with using Microsoft is that their trainings don't allow you to actually practice with the technology. Rather, they tell you how to accomplish the tasks through diagrams, not actual practices. If anyone knows anything else that may be out there and worth a gander, let me know :-D
Monday, March 17, 2008
Blog 8: The ethics of cyberspace
You would think that just cheating on a test could be grounds for punishment in a classroom. But now, with the new technology age, we need a whole new set of rules to govern how we use and execute our privileges on the net and on the computer. According to our book, the ethics are outlined to include 1) unauthorized use of computers, 2) hardware, software, and information theft, 3) information privacy, 4) copyrighted materials, and lastly 5) the existence of objectionable materials on the internet. These rules are of course up to debate as far as how fair they actually are, but if you think about it...truthfully...they are like any other set of rules and regulations provided to individuals to best safeguard their safety and safety of others. More importantly, technology for educators can be detrimental to students if used in the wrong way. For instance, by using others' work, we are not giving credit to those who most certainly deserve it. I mean come on, at the end of the day, it's really basic ethics.
Of all the skills I have learned thus far in this course, the ones that I have acquired for the internet have been the most useful. I use to constantly load webpages within my current window, and that was becoming extremely tiresome. Now, knowing I can right click and select open in new tab, problem solved! This may seem to many as miniscule and well...kind of pathetic, but to me this is like hitting a gold mine of time saving! It really makes you think, what would we do without the tab feature in our web browsers? I'm glad that Internet Explorer caught up with the world and instituted the whole tab thing.
I know Facebook gets a lot of flack for...well...being Facebook, but seriously have you ever thought what the world might be without Facebook? Facebook, as problematic as it currently is, at the true basics is a great resource. it allows you to share pictures and videos with your friends now in lightspeed timing and it eliminates the task of sending (as well remembering your friends' e-mail addresses) everyone an e-mail. I hate Facebook now, but oh how great it was back in the good ole days. Isn't life funny like that?
Of all the skills I have learned thus far in this course, the ones that I have acquired for the internet have been the most useful. I use to constantly load webpages within my current window, and that was becoming extremely tiresome. Now, knowing I can right click and select open in new tab, problem solved! This may seem to many as miniscule and well...kind of pathetic, but to me this is like hitting a gold mine of time saving! It really makes you think, what would we do without the tab feature in our web browsers? I'm glad that Internet Explorer caught up with the world and instituted the whole tab thing.
I know Facebook gets a lot of flack for...well...being Facebook, but seriously have you ever thought what the world might be without Facebook? Facebook, as problematic as it currently is, at the true basics is a great resource. it allows you to share pictures and videos with your friends now in lightspeed timing and it eliminates the task of sending (as well remembering your friends' e-mail addresses) everyone an e-mail. I hate Facebook now, but oh how great it was back in the good ole days. Isn't life funny like that?
Monday, March 3, 2008
Blog 7: ASSURE, ASSURE, ASSURE
Have any of you heard of the ASSURE model? Developed by Heinich, Molenda, Russel, and Smaldino in the late 90s, the ASSURE model is consdiered a provedural guide for planning as well as delivering instruction that integrates technologies and media into the teaching process. The ASSURE model breaks down into the following categories: Analyze the Learner, State Objectives, Select methods, media, and materials, Utilize said media, methods, and materials, Require Learner Participation, and Evaluate and Revise. I think one of the most important elements of ASSURE is the Evaluation step. Many times, we as educators rely on traditional methods and proven methods as the backbone of our teaching styles. As time goes on, these methods are proving to be useless when trying to deal with a new crop of students. We need to evaluate our methods and even though we may find particular fondness with a method that has worked in the past, it can always use a fine tuning every now and then.
Wikispaces are becoming a very interesting phenomenon. You would think that their purpose would only be to create phony information. But actually, there is some (gasp!) legitimacy behind wikispaces. It's a fully commercial site, yes, but it is also heavily monitored by censors. This allows information to be accurate and not be filled with innacuracy. Kudos to technology for finding its way to the "wikis" and revitalizing their accuracy.
Did you go to theultimatesteal.com??? Well, hate to tell you, but come April 29th, you may have to pay 300 dollars again to get Office Suite 2007. It's a great package which includes Word 2007, Powerpoint 2007, and even Excel 2007. If you need to practice for EME 2040, this is your tool. I absolutely love it, and I can't think of any other great deal out on the current market.
Wikispaces are becoming a very interesting phenomenon. You would think that their purpose would only be to create phony information. But actually, there is some (gasp!) legitimacy behind wikispaces. It's a fully commercial site, yes, but it is also heavily monitored by censors. This allows information to be accurate and not be filled with innacuracy. Kudos to technology for finding its way to the "wikis" and revitalizing their accuracy.
Did you go to theultimatesteal.com??? Well, hate to tell you, but come April 29th, you may have to pay 300 dollars again to get Office Suite 2007. It's a great package which includes Word 2007, Powerpoint 2007, and even Excel 2007. If you need to practice for EME 2040, this is your tool. I absolutely love it, and I can't think of any other great deal out on the current market.
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