In chapter 7 I read about the good things that technology offers us, for example it generates problem solving and inquiry learning among students. I know that it helps me, because whenever I need to know something that I am not sure of I just google it. I read about what a problem solving framework is made up of. The first step is understanding the problem; the second step is to use solving strategies; and the third step is to check answers or results. Software which refers to the codes that tell computers what functions to perform. In this chapter it showed us how to identify standard and open source software applications that are available on most school computers. In the classroom and at home we use software applications. We have to show our students how to properly use these applications, so when we have an assignment like a webquest they will be able to do the project without a problem. We read about open source software which are programs that are open for anyone to use, copy, and modify. Also we read about educational software, which is what we will be using most of the time in the classroom. The next thing we read about was how to evaluate educational software and applications. We learned that high-quality educational software and applications are open-ended and flexible so that students are challenged to keep exploring the material, but not so complex that they will become discouraged. I think this is very important because if we keep the students engaged they will want to learn more and keep going in the lesson; as apposed to making the lesson too difficult and they become discouraged and do not necessarily give it their best. We learned how important it is to compare and contrast different types of problem solving and inquiry learning software. It is important for us to do this as teachers because we have to pick the software that is right for our class. Skill based learning software teaches basic skills such as number operations in math or vocabulary words in language arts. Visual-thinking and concept-mapping software enables teachers and students to organize and outline their ideas electronically. We learned how to do this when doing our movie trailer and webquest. Also we read about how to analyze educational games and simulations as learning resources. I like the idea of educational games, because it lets the students get away from the traditional way of learning to playing a game and learning without even knowing, which is amazing. The last thing in this chapter that I read about was that "digital games for learning a new category of educationally themed games that emphasize active learning, sustained concentration and focus, and innovative approaches to problem solving."We learned how to pick games to use in the classroom, to not necessarily pick games that are solely based on winning and losing points.
In chapter 8 we read that teachers can use communication and social networking technologies as teaching and learning tools. Social networking provides ways teachers can connect with students. In this class our teacher connects with us through email and blackboard. So we are using this strategy inside and outside the classroom successfully. We learned about Synchronous communications, which happens in real time as apposed to asynchronous communications which include a delay between responses, which is what we use in our classroom. We read that teachers use digital communications for teaching, information sharing, community building, publishing student work, and energizing student writing. We read about how to examine email and text messaging as information exchanges for teachers and students. We will use this in our classroom. It is a lot easier to email and text message something rather than writing a note and giving it to the student to give to their parents. Another thing we read about was how the teachers use blogs and websites to enhance learning, this is also another thing that we do in this class, as you can see I am writing this blog for this class. We read about the three educational types of blogs which are organizational blogs, subject blogs, and teaching and learning blogs. The last thing that we read about was how to examine wikis as a collaborative learning strategy for students and teachers. We know that wiki are webpages that are created and manipulated by multiple computer users. A wikitext is a book or website that teachers and students create together as a part of a class study of a topic.
I think wikitext is a great way to allow teachers and students to work together while creating projects and assignments. I can even see it being useful for teachers to conference with their students during their writing units. That way teachers and students both have access to it wherever they are.
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