Favorite Technology

Actually I have several favorites. I like them all that was introduce to us in this class because it was the first time I have ever used them. Now I know were to research and reference using the technology introduced to us in this class. Power Point was my pick because it was the very first thing I was forced to use with presentations and classes. So all introduced in this class has a little favortism in them.

Final Unit Plan

The final unit plan is different and new to me. I see how you can build your own personal reference with the collection of other plans by different people. I know that unit plans help you develop lesson plans and also orient lessons that week after the teaching of the unit plan.

1st Draft of Unit Plan

My draft for the unit plan will be an interesting experience. I get to compile all the assignments into one to complete my unit plan. I see that using this plan will assist me in the classroom and also with lesson planning. You can also add to or take away as needed to update the plan. You can pass it to others in the same field to use in their teachings. You can also use it to measure the knowledge you have learned since creation of the plan. In other words you can look back and see how far you have come with use of the programs to reference.

Webquest Thoughts

I just finished the webquest assignment. It wasn't so bad I just had to follow the steps to get it down. I notice that I have to do alot of opening and closing browsers which sometimes causes me to shut something that is important. I did have to retype my work over because I clicked save and continue and I looked up information and when I came back it didn't save. I would also backspace a few letters and it took time for it to respond. I guess it's my computer. I closed it out and started over with no problems.

Wiki Creation

I finally created my wiki URL. Now I have to figure out the webquest portion of it tonight. I'm looking up information on the cloud and water cycle. Most of the information is the same when I view different sites. I notice that there are different approaches on teaching the cycle. It all depends on the students age groups. I feel that it is important to tailor the instruction to that age.

Assisted Learning Technology

I checked out several of the other discussion boards on blackboard this week and read about different Assisted Learning Technologys. I then checked the list out. There are some interesting and amazing pieces of equipment and software outhere for use. Imagine the teachers and caregivers who do not poses this knowledges that these tools are out there for use or tools that are similar. Centers and schools are always up to standards but imagine the head supervisor stuck in old traditions and fail to use the new technology because of stuck in old ways. I imagine it would be tough as a new caregiver. If you are in that position you can either learn what to do and what not to do.

Assisted Learning Technology

Assisted learning has grown tremendously over the years. Inclusion within the classroom for children with disabilites is possible and they can be accomondated. There are many tools it is important to find the appropiate one to fit the intended student. The one program called"Clicker 4" is like a mini microsoft software. Children with disabilities with their hands or speech problems can utilize such a program. Information can be recorded with this software like a student taking notes.

Visual Design

The creator of visual design should keep it at a level that the children can understand. I'm talking about a level where the visuals are appropiate for the age. Younger childern watch cartoons and kid shows regulary, therefore visuals oriented to those characters can inspire children to listen and have undivided attention. I think keeping it simple visuals help children comprehend and helps them remember better.

Visual literacy

Visuals are used daily for all types of communication purposes. Combinding them together offers visual messages that are important to people and their safety. Input and output strategies help learners code and encode visuals to communicate with each other. Using this in education can help get your instruction across in a proven technique.

Coming Together

I know I'm the slow poke but I'm getting the hang of utilizing the instructional technology. I see how important it is to have knowledge of these applications because you never know when you need to use them. I think that exploring the web makes teaching more effective because you are not limited to the school you are in. You can explore the world and share other thoughts and ideas to tailor your own teaching style. So it's coming together for me. I'm not an expert but I have a foundation of what to look for. I'm know that you can google anything to help out. There is a how to for everybody on the many search engines. I'm also picking up on the lingo so don't laugh at me when I use some stale or old verbage.

Podcast Assignment

I checked out the podcast web and saw some really cool casts. I see now that each cast varies in length of time and information. I viewed the news portion and realized that I had the news at any time from different sources. In the search box I can type anything and find someone talking about the typed subject.

Podcast Experience (not the summary)

The podcast web has a lot of information that can be used in the classroom. Knowing that this reference tool is available can help in research and information for lesson plans. The cast that I listen too had lots of information. You have to take notes and extract information that is important to you. I can't believe all the accounts that have to be set up in order to complete assignments. I'm now affiliated with more accounts than I would like to have.

Podcast Summary

I set up an account and subscribed to podcast. Once logged on, I was immediately able to scan through the many subjects that are available. I searched for "integrating technology in the classroom" and came up with 8 matches. Out of the matches I choose the first one which was about cheating in the classroom. This podcast was 1 cast of several more and they were fairly long and lengthy. I felt as if I was listening to a talking encyclopedia with detailed examples and descriptions. I see me using this tool in the classroom to get advice or to compare to others who experience the same. Also I would use it to reference. I believe in simplicity and strait to the point. I think that the castings had more information than needed. I looked at a few others and they were different lengths. I could filter what the cast was about and it's point but there was a lot of information in the 3 hour cast to go through. This can be an alternative in listening rather than reading to gather and analyze.
Listening to the cast I found the information to be very detailed and full of examples. When the caster would talk, I could understand her clearly, but I was bored with the very detailed information. I felt that the caster could have made their point within 10 minutes compared to the 3 hour length. Having said this means that a lot of note taking is required. Another advantage is that the cast can be stopped and replayed over as many times as needed.

Learning Computers

I'm Figuring my way around on the computer now. I'm not a master, but I'm picking up alot of information. I feel so behind in the world. My own kids know more than I do. A few friends have computer knowledge, but not enough to give me advice. I feel I'm doing alright but I have a long ways to go. It is alot to soak in at one time so I just going to focus on schoolwork.

Word Processing

I think that sending a URL compared to an document is easier over the e-mail. A document can be to large and sometimes too large to send. With Google docs and Zoho writer you can send the URL which is way smaller in size compared to a saved document file.

Word Processing

That is real cool how there are other tools to use in writing besides MS Word. I was never aware thaqt these internet applications were out there. I have to get myself more familiar with the buttons on that tool. I had a hard time in modifing the written material. At different times I would write a word or even a single letter and it would aotomatically update at that moment which each time would would nvary. It's a type of freezing of the work. Anyway I will figure it out.

Clouds

When I was browsing the web I found alot of neat things about Clouds. I found out that about 200 years ago an Englishman classified clouds according to what they looked like to a person standing on the ground. He grouped them into 3 classes and gave them Latin names: cirrus, cumulus, and stratus. These names along with other Latin words are used to identify cloud formations. By being familiar with the different cloud formations and what weather they portray can help you take appropriate actions when needed.

Wiki assignment

Wiki is a good tool for assignments where people are not together at a table but can join together through Wiki.

Workout

This semester has been a workout for my brain this year. Picking up on all the new web applications ha sopen up my knowledge of computers more than ever. Now I can pass on the knowledge I pick up and pass it to students so they can do the same.

Delicious - Finally

I finally got my computer settings corrected and now have a "links" toolbar to use delicious. I searched google until I found a set of step by step directions that worked. It was so simple. I have been looking all along for my "links" toolbar at the top of my browser when it was hidden at the bottom. Now imagine how I feel right now that I can utilize the assignments teachings. If I had never took this class I probably would never use blogs but now I have further expanded my knowledge of the internet.