Webquest

         I looked at the all around elementary school websites and I ended up looking at just two of the five websites that were listed. The two that I looked at were “I Scream for Ice Cream” and “Grow School Greens”, both looked interesting by the title so I wanted to check to see which one is more helpful than the other.
            Starting with the “Grow School Greens”, I really liked how the person started out with the problem because they included it with their school. Although the tasks and instructions seemed kind of long and difficult it really explained to the student on what to do and how to do it. Everything dealing with all the pages seemed very organized and clear and I really liked that because students will understand their work better and not get confused. Overall this website seemed the best out of the two.
            For “I Scream for Ice Cream” the problem didn’t really catch my attention. The tasks seemed very short and not really catchy. The steps to go by did seem helpful and long because the steps went by each little thing. It seemed to be very easy and not a hard challenge and I feel like the students might have more questions. This website could use some work but it wasn’t awful.
            Overall both websites would help the children, and they both seemed fun to do. I wouldn’t mind having my students try this new type of work and seeing what or where they could get at.

Academic Software

If I could change some areas on this list it would be the state license because I don’t see why someone would need a state license to buy a computer program. It would be very useless to buy a license and not even have to use it. I would add to the list qualities, usage in classroom, and learning abilities. Qualities would be important because sound and image is needed to be able to use the software. If the picture is bad and the sound if bad then the program is useless and not very reliable. I wouldn’t want to waste my money on a program that isn’t very well when in use. Another would be the usage in the classroom and if it is even needed. If a teacher bought a program to use and ends up only using it once or twice, then they would have wasted spending that money. I would do some research on the program to see if I need it in the classroom first. The last thing that needs to be added would be the learning abilities, such as if the students get anything out of it. Say I was to use software and the students weren’t able to learn much from it, then I would be upset. I think by adding this, teachers can see percentages on how much students take in from it.

                The most important ones that I had noticed or stood out to me were grade level, cost, and documentation. The grade level on the software program must be in the same range as the grade level that and I would be using it for. The cost must be in reasonable price range and if I were to buy a program worth $200 over another that costs $25 and the they both work the same, I would go with the smaller price one.  The last area I thought was important was the documentation because it needs to be easy to read, and easy to understand. If the program is not easy to use then the students can’t use it.

                The three programs I choose were:

1)      Reader Rabbit- I used this when learning to read and it does help and some areas get stuck in your mind.

2)      Microsoft Office- Students can always use different programs on there and it is fun to use.

3)      Dictionary- students who don’t understand how to say a word can hear it on the program and it would be easier for them.

Digital Tools

         

                My first digital technology item that I would need in my classroom would be a touch screen computers. These computers would only be used for reading and games that would or could influence them in the class to learn better. I would still have regular computers for typing or researching, but I would like at least 2 or 3 touch screens. Then the students could be more interested in learning how to read by actually interacting and touching and moving words or the games they could play, instead of clicking a mouse.

                The next choice I would like to use in my classroom would be the electronic whiteboard. This digital technology device would be able to help me teach my lessons and not have to stand at the front of the class and be a distraction. Most teachers may still use chalkboards, dry erase boards, and overhead projectors, but this item would be the best choice for my classroom. I wouldn’t have to be in the front the whole time, I could be able to change colors for the writing and that may interest them more and I would be able to move around as  I teach the lesson on the board and not have to stay in one spot. I think this is the best thing that they have invented yet.

                Another technology item I chose was speakers and head phones. This may go back to last week’s question if it is okay to allow students to listen to an electronic version of a book instead of another student or teacher. Well in order to allow my students to be able to accomplish that they will need head phones or speakers to do so. Speakers could come in handy for me when I teach something and may to show them a video of some sort. Having speakers and headphones would be a very helpful item in the class.

                The last digital device I chose was the e books that a teacher may get. E books are a good item to use in the class room because I remember as an elementary kid and having to use a text book got boring and kids don’t take care of them well. Having an electronic book to read or listen to may help the students focus more because it switches things up and it won’t be so boring. I liked the e book I had to use for class and I could see students in elementary school liking them also.

Personal Theoretical Foundations

                There are many different ways that students learn; I have seen many varieties on how they are easily taught. I have noticed before that some students are set in categories when they learn a new topic. Students understand subjects better by watching and repeating, hands on, something similar to their past learning, just reading the directions, and many more. It all depends on how their brains take in the information or how they need to see the information. The personal learning test that is located in chapter two would actually come very handy in school or classroom. I know that they test students every year to see what they do and do not know, but maybe the school systems should also make them take this test so they can be taught better. I think that if I were a teacher and every year more and more students were failing or not learning much because of the style, I would have the students take this learning test. Once the results come out, the school could put the students that learn the same way all in the same classroom so there would be more taught and test scores would go higher.

                I took the test to see my multiple strengths and weaknesses and this is what I had found out which some of it shocked me. My strengths are interpersonal and intrapersonal, that was not shocking because I am very outgoing and enjoy being around others and having fun while I’m learning or whenever. Then again there are times when I have my blonde moments and can’t figure something out. (Everybody has a blonde moment). Naturalistic was one that was in between my strengths and weaknesses. My weaknesses were musical and visual, the body and work. Lastly was number smart which is not surprising at all. Some of these did and did not shock me because I know this is exactly how I am on most of them. I will be honest I am not one of the smartest students, but I try to be and I try to do as good as I can. I am a student who does need examples, or hands on things to do so I can learn better. That is just my way of learning. There are students I teach that will be like me and there are students that won’t understand so I know to come up with different methods, and I know that the personal learning test would help!

Digital Generation

When I think of the digital generation, I think of all the digital items that I am involved with and all the digital items that I use on a daily basis. I would definitely have to say that I am a part of the digital generation. I use my cell phone every day, and I also use a computer every day. It is all just a part of my daily living and what I do and what I obviously have to use in life.

These portraits compare with me because I have done some of the things that they do or some of the things that they like. I have done something similar to what Cameron does for fun. I took a radio/ TV class in the high school. I have done some special effects when making a video for class. Just how Cameron does his special effects that’s how I did mine. I agree with Dylan when he said he couldn’t learn his ABC’s if it wasn’t for technology. When I did cadet teaching I saw that in a lot of the classrooms they learned either math or English by playing video games on a computer. The students had remembered how to spell or count by remembering how they did it on the computer.

 I think that once I get into the actual school I will be teaching my students how to do most of the work probably on computers or with some sort of technology. I know that it will change and it won’t be the same as in using books. Technology is moving fast in this world and before we know it as teachers we won’t be using textbooks.

           

Starting Something New

Hello all, I am new to blogging but I guess it can't be to hard since I use to write in a journal everyday. I am taking "blogging" as a place to let go and feel free to write how and what I feel. This could be a great thing for me since I am always telling stories or at least talking. Blogging is new to me and that is why I titled it "Starting Something New". Not only is this a new way to write about me or what is going on, but I am doing this for college and college is new to me. Hopefully I will enjoy to blog and keep doing this after my class is done. I hear it is a great way to get your story out and about to people. Well I hope I do well at this and can become a regular blogger! 

-Brooke :)