I left a comment on this blog: http://edtech-mi.blogspot.com/ only thing is the guy has to approve the comments. The post was on the "Michigan Cyber Saftey Initiative" from 2/25/09 It wouldn't give me a link for my comments so here is what I wrote...
Wow Fred, this is a wonderful program that is being put out there by the state of Michigan. Exploring the “world wide web” can be difficult in itself, let alone have people deliberately trying to cause harm to our youth who are really clueless about the internet and the way it works. I really love the fact that this program is not only geared toward students, but it is also aimed at the parents as well. Most students learn how to navigate the net all by themselves, and this would be done, for example, by trail and error. Now, of course while doing the trail and error process a child may stumble on a couple of sites they should have never seen. I have always felt that it’s not only the schools responsibility to educate the children about the internet, but it should be more of a collaboration between the two (parents and schools). In general, most schools are going to be teaching students how to use a specific program or how to use some sort of software. It’s the parents’ duty to teach their child how to respect the internet and use it appropriately when going online during their spare time. With this program including the parents, I think it will really bridge the technology between parents and their children and the parents will be able to do a better job monitoring what’s really going on. If parents only knew what was going on with the internet and what dangers it could potentially pose, then parents would have already be educated. I’m currently in an online course called “Computers in Education” and this topic is one we happen to discuss. We are also discussing social networking and the benefits (if they are any) of using them in the classroom. I personally don’t see a reason for using a myspace or facebook within the class. The only thing I could really see if instructors using facebook to meet others around the world. This of course would have to be something used for a project and closely monitored while in class. What are your thoughts on this? Well I just wanted to check out this and see what was being said. Take care!
Spoons ED 205
Friday, February 27, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
Blog 2--Software
Ok, here are my 5 most important software apllication that students should know.
I will begin with the most important, MS Word/Word processors. Word processors can be used in so many different subjects. Places such as businesses and schools relay having on this type of software; it’s hard to imagine life without word processors. Word processors allow all people the ability to communicate in a clear and effective way. I’m starting to believe that students should start learning word processors when about 4th or 5th grade. This will allow teachers enough time to teach hand writing skills and the importance of it. Most students use the correct fundamentals of hand writing skills by the 4th grade, so this 4th or 5th grade would be about right.
Going to my second most important application, Presentation Software. Teachers are begging to assign projects that have to be presented in a more formal and creative way, especially in college. All my professors have assigned at least one PowerPoint each semester I have been in college. This is type of assignment is taking over the dreaded “3-pg paper.” I really enjoy doing these types of assignments instead of a traditional paper because it allows students to really be creative and use things such as videos and pictures. Students should be introduced to this in 8th grade, even if it’s really brief, however students should be fully trained on this in the 9th grade.
Next on my list sitting at number 3 would be Spreadsheet applications. Now, this could have been in any of the top three to be honest, but I put it here because I’m going based on me as a student. I really don’t use this type of application regularly, but I do know that because I’m majoring in education that a lot of my remaining courses do require me to use spreadsheets when doing assignments. This is because I will be using spreadsheet applications pretty much the rest of my days. Plus, this is a very good way to organize anything that might be in disarray. Teachers can use it for attendance, grades, or charts, and students can use them for products and problem solving. This would probably be tied at number one with word processors if I was coming from a business aspect.
Moving on down to my 4th choice, I would say Reference Software. I really feel it’s important for students to at least get themselves familiar with some sort of reference software such as MS Streets or something like Encyclopedia Britannica, if you get my drift. It’s really important that students have different avenues when it comes to getting information on different things. This also saves a ton of space because instead of having a ton of “physical material,” you have something, usually a CD Rom that hold the information for you and all you have to do is play in on a computer or television. Students should be allowed to learn this type of software, depending on subject between 2nd and 5th grade.
Now to conclude my list, I would have to end with Drill and Practice software. I know, I know…it’s the “Drill and Kill” software, but I used it when I was younger for certain things such as the SAT’s and ACT’s and I did pretty well using that type of software. I can see how people might think this may not be effective because they feel it’s based on beating the game and not learning the content, but I have to disagree. I remember being in the 3rd grade and we would played a ton of drill and practice games. I of course wanted to beat the game, but I also knew I had to get the correct answers in order to beat the game. Games like these usually will draw the attention of the younger students, which can make learning things such as time tables and division a little easier for the students. These can be taught as early as 1st or 2nd grade.
I will begin with the most important, MS Word/Word processors. Word processors can be used in so many different subjects. Places such as businesses and schools relay having on this type of software; it’s hard to imagine life without word processors. Word processors allow all people the ability to communicate in a clear and effective way. I’m starting to believe that students should start learning word processors when about 4th or 5th grade. This will allow teachers enough time to teach hand writing skills and the importance of it. Most students use the correct fundamentals of hand writing skills by the 4th grade, so this 4th or 5th grade would be about right.
Going to my second most important application, Presentation Software. Teachers are begging to assign projects that have to be presented in a more formal and creative way, especially in college. All my professors have assigned at least one PowerPoint each semester I have been in college. This is type of assignment is taking over the dreaded “3-pg paper.” I really enjoy doing these types of assignments instead of a traditional paper because it allows students to really be creative and use things such as videos and pictures. Students should be introduced to this in 8th grade, even if it’s really brief, however students should be fully trained on this in the 9th grade.
Next on my list sitting at number 3 would be Spreadsheet applications. Now, this could have been in any of the top three to be honest, but I put it here because I’m going based on me as a student. I really don’t use this type of application regularly, but I do know that because I’m majoring in education that a lot of my remaining courses do require me to use spreadsheets when doing assignments. This is because I will be using spreadsheet applications pretty much the rest of my days. Plus, this is a very good way to organize anything that might be in disarray. Teachers can use it for attendance, grades, or charts, and students can use them for products and problem solving. This would probably be tied at number one with word processors if I was coming from a business aspect.
Moving on down to my 4th choice, I would say Reference Software. I really feel it’s important for students to at least get themselves familiar with some sort of reference software such as MS Streets or something like Encyclopedia Britannica, if you get my drift. It’s really important that students have different avenues when it comes to getting information on different things. This also saves a ton of space because instead of having a ton of “physical material,” you have something, usually a CD Rom that hold the information for you and all you have to do is play in on a computer or television. Students should be allowed to learn this type of software, depending on subject between 2nd and 5th grade.
Now to conclude my list, I would have to end with Drill and Practice software. I know, I know…it’s the “Drill and Kill” software, but I used it when I was younger for certain things such as the SAT’s and ACT’s and I did pretty well using that type of software. I can see how people might think this may not be effective because they feel it’s based on beating the game and not learning the content, but I have to disagree. I remember being in the 3rd grade and we would played a ton of drill and practice games. I of course wanted to beat the game, but I also knew I had to get the correct answers in order to beat the game. Games like these usually will draw the attention of the younger students, which can make learning things such as time tables and division a little easier for the students. These can be taught as early as 1st or 2nd grade.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Blog 1--Online Learning
This particular online course has been very in-depth in the sense that there is a ton of material to cover in a short period of a week. Now I do have 17 credits and I work 35 hours a week, so time is very limited. Today was the first time all week I have had time to really sit down and get into this week sessions. Our professor has certain things that he would like us to learn and I do appreciate the effort and knowledge that he brings into this class. but this is probably my most difficult online course. Don't get my wrong I really like this course. I'm learning some very interesting things and it seems we will be doing some sweet projects. My favorite part of the class is our discussion forum. This allows us to express our opinion freely and we are able to clearly explain our points with an option to edit our thoughts if need be. My forum seems to have some bright students. The only thing is everyone agrees with everyone else. That’s not a bad thing, but agreeing all the time really down plays a conversation. I am going to make am effort to start taking the other side of things, if necessary. Another concern I have is the material isn’t available until Monday. It would be beneficial, to me at least, to have the material for that week up no later then Sunday. It would allow the students to be ahead of the game, if you know what I mean. That would be one advantage for actually going to a classroom. I’m not sure how long it takes my professor to get everything up on the site, but its not as short as this, “Tomorrow read chap. 4 & 5.” I can respect online courses however. It’s only fitting that we are taking an online course for computers in education. I really feel we have a little advantage over the students who have this course in an actual classroom. When students are being taught to use computers, software, and technology in general, it’s geared toward students being able to use it on their own. Some may disagree, but that’s my opinion. I will always try and take an online when possible, but I would not recommend to anyone. It's difficult being able to keep up with the work and understand it without having verbal cues which we are all used to. I really feel understanding is really learned through being able to actually “view” something, not just read it. People are just able to explain themselves in person. If taking other online courses I would stick to courses that had to do with either something with computers like an online typing course, or a CAD or C++ course. I like taking psychology courses online, because it basically deals with watching videos talking about the mind and that really interests me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
