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.