Post 10

The most interesting topic I found from other students blogs was the website's they found for future use. They seem to be helpful and it is great to look at someone else's perspective on what could be helpful in the classroom.
The next skill I would like to learn that is technology related would be one that would benefit me in the classroom. Whether it be a computer game that helps students with reading or an interactive science website I want to know about the materials out there to help my students in every way possible.
The ways I can acheive my future technology-related goals are by continuing my education and keeping myself informed on new technology through the news and my other colleauges. I hope that technology continues to be a positive way for children to learn so they can one day incorporate it into their every day life.

Post 9

A useful website I would use as an educator is the scholastic teacher website. The link is http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/teach.jsp. This site looks very useful if you are looking for more lesson plans or tools to help you teach. There are tabs for different grades and then it is broken down by subject. There is also a featured book that you might like to read or buy for your class.
There is also a rubric maker, calendar, seating chart and many more useful tools for the classroom. You can also sign up to receive a monthly newsletter about teaching for you specific grade. This site would be extremely useful and I will definetly use it in the future.

Chapter 8

Computer ethics is different from our everyday moral ethics we often think of. They are based on unauthorized use of computers, hardware, software, and information theft, information privacy, copyright, and the existence of objectionable materials on the Internet. All of these are very common in today's society unfortunately and there are ways we can keep this from happening to us. Privacy laws hae been passed as well as copyright laws to help prevent this.
Learning about powerpoint has been a good experience for me. I have used the software before but not to this extent. I now can do things with powerpoint besides just putting information up on slides. I know how to make it more presentable.
Using the powerpoint has made me look forward to using this material more in my career. Students would greatly enjoy the jeopardy game instead of just going over questions in class. Whoever invented that software had a great idea!!

Chapter 6

Chapter 6 discusses integrating technology in the classroom. However, there are many barriers to accomplishing this goal. There is a great lack of teacher training, limited administration support and time for teacher planning, computers are not easily accesible, budget constraints and resistance to change by educators.
I have learned that in order for students to be successful in the technological world. We as teachers need to accept the coming changes so we can share those changes with our students. I have also realized how many options Microsoft Word offers that I was unaware of. I've always used it to write papers but now am aware of the ways I can use it to help me in the classroom.
Learnig the versatility of the internet and software available to us will help us as future teachers prepare to relay this information to our students. Technology will only continue to grow and hopefully we can learn to compromise our teaching methods for the sake of our students so they can be successful when they are adults.

Chapter 5

Educational software application has been beneifical to teachers for more than two decades. It supports teaching and the learning of subject related material. There are many types of software programs as well as internet based programs that help teachers display the content in a more visual, interactive way.
Since the last blog I have learned how much is out there on the web to aide teachers in the classroom. I thought the equation website was very useful as well as safari pages, etc. Interactive software and web materials would be very beneficial for me teaching elementary age students.
All these creative ways to teach that I didnt realize were options make me more anxious to be in the classroom. Hopefully, this will be beneficial to my students and help them be excited and successful.

Chapter 4

Input devices and Output devices are an important part of using a computer. If we did not have keyboards, a mouse, or pointing devices we could not tell the computer what we wanted it to do. Similarly, with printers, monitors, and fax machines we would have no way of getting our information presented. These devices will be very beneficial in the classroom as well to familiarize students with technology and give them handouts and information as well.
Why is it that teachers always seem to gang up to give you a test in the same week? That's one bonus to having an education major is that you are always around teachers picking up tips and skills that you may or may not use one day. If I am at a school where students rotate I will communicate with the other teachers so that they don't get swamped with tests on the same day.
Since last blog I have learned how to make a newsletter, quiz, and flow chart. I am sure all of these will be quite useful in the future. While I was making these different education related pages I was excited about getting to make real quizzes, newsletters, and flow charts one day.

Chapter 3

Productivity software is very useful to us in present day America. Word Processing Software, Spreadsheet Software, Database Software, Presentation Graphics Software, Personal Information Managers, PDA Software, and Software Suites and Integrated Software are all forms of productivity software. Most jobs and every day activites require use of this software. In the classroom, this software is essential in the digital era to get the subject across to students.
Note taking on computers is a new concept for me. There could be benefits as well as drawbacks. Students could read their notes more legibly, however, some may choose to play games instead of taking notes. How could this problem be solved to make sure students are on task? Smaller class sizes could be a solution.
The elementary school I went attended as a kid had small classes in the younger grades, however, in 4th, 5th, and 6th grades there were 30-35 students. Desks were everywhere and it was hard for the teacher to keep everyone on task. I believe teachers could be more creative and would have more resources as well if they had fewer students, however, America is short on teachers as it is.

Chapter 1

The ARCS motivational model seems like a great way to help students learn. Attention is a huge part of learning, therefore, that is the first step in a successful student. Relevance was always a big question when I went to school. Many students asked "how does this relate to me?" and often teachers would have to fumble for an answer. I believe that the relevance should be clear to the students from the beginning to hold their attention throughout the topic being discussed. Challenge and Confidence is the third aspect of the ARCS motivational model. Many students are not challenged and lack confidence in the schools I have attended and observed and I hope to be a successful, challenging teacher that wants the students to strive to do their best. Satisfaction and success is the outcome of these factors coming together and making the student feel accomplished. The teacher's job is to design lessons to keep the student's attention, have relevance, and challenge them so that they may succeed in the classroom and in the world.
Being part of the digital era I did not realize how many teachers do struggle to keep up the technological advances in today's society. If you don't grow up with a computer in your home it must be a big change to have to use one every day and teach your students how to use one as well. This first chapter has brought to light how very important it is to utilize new technology in the classroom and I am excited to begin learning new ways of doing so.
I have really appreciated the SAM software so far. I have never used Excel very much because all of my homework assignments were done through Word, Powerpoint, or the Internet. However, as an educator I can already see how Excel would be a useful tool and I'm glad I'm getting comfortable with it now instead of in the classroom.

Post #0

I have never taken a computer class before this one, however, I feel comfortable with my current technology experience. I am a fairly quick typist and know how to use Microsoft Word, Powerpoint and the Internet fairly well.
I hope to become more effecient in using technology through this class. Although I know the different software I oftentimes need assistance when doing school projects or specific layouts. Hopefully this class will make me more confident and more efficient at using computer software.
Since I was in elementary school I have wanted to be a teacher. I love helping others especially young children. I worked at the YMCA summer camp this summer and reallly got a feel for what I'm getting myself into. I think teaching is a very challenging job and I hope this class will make me better prepared for the technological side of my job.