post #5

1.)   I think in a classroom the Internet can be a very important tool for learning. It can be very useful when teaching students how to use computers. Also, when using foreign sources of information the Internet is a great tool for accessing them. The more familiar that the students can become with using the Internet as a tool, then the more capable they are of using it as a reference tool.

2.)   In my classroom I would use the Internet in many different ways. You could create a web hunt that would help the familiarize the students with the Internet. It would also help to use assignments that involve online sources such as Wikipedia, Encarta, etc. Eventually the goal would be to teach the students enough so that they would be using the Internet as reference tool on every assignment.

3.)   I am worried about becoming a teacher specializing in technology environments because the job opportunities are diminishing. While the need for technology is increasing, it is becoming more and more incorporated by the regular homeroom teacher. Thus the opportunities for teacher specializing in only that field are diminishing, especially at the elementary school level, which is where I am hoping to get a job.

post #4

1.)   In chapter 7, I learned how to incorporate more technology into what would be my lesson plan in my classroom. In order to achieve this I would use the Inspiration software, which is very helpful when learning to organize thoughts and ideas. The Inspiration software is great for kids learning to develop their skills for writing and brainstorming. Incorporating computers and those type of electronic teaching devices that enforce repetition would greatly increase the chances of the students in my class being able to pick up and grasp the material.

2.)   I would strongly encourage my students to develop outline skills. Being able to neatly organize your ideas will greatly encourage the students chances of success when writing longer papers and essays. The further and further on in their academic careers that they get, my students need to be able to formulate their ideas into a clear and concise paper. Being able to map out your thoughts is a skill that can also be very beneficial outside just the realm of literature.

3.)   Being able to gain a greater grasp on the technology and programs used in the classroom before I get there is a great advantage to me. Learning the Inspiration software is a great tool that I can learn and use in my classroom. More and more technology is being integrated into the classroom and computer programs are replacing textbooks. The more knowledge I can gain now the better position I will be in when I have my own class in the future.

post #3

1.)   I would use the Inspiration software to help build writing skills among students. This would be an excellent idea for elementary school children grades 2-6. It would help develop the ability of children to plan out an essay. Kids could learn how to separate their paper into an introduction, conclusion, and main topics broken down into specific details. Embracing this software from an early age would greatly help to improve the literary skills of elementary school students.

 

2.)   At the website tomahawknation.com, there are many visually stimulating parts on the homepage. There are not too many pictures or unnecessary/unrelated graphics the draw the eye away from what is important. Also, all of the text and links on the page are properly colored relative to their backgrounds and all of the text is very readable. All aspects of the website are linked easily and readily available to the viewer. http://www.tomahawknation.com/

 

3.)   Very often throughout my educational career I have had to use online copyright databases to ensure that all of the work I was submitting was my own. There are many websites available, but the one I am most familiar with is turnitin.com, which I would use often in my classroom. It is a very handy tool and it would help to teach children to do their own work, because they will not be rewarded for any work that the website finds as being taken from somewhere else.

Post #2

1.) I have used Microsoft Word quite a lot throughout my school career. In high school I was in the International Baccalaureate program, which heavily leans on an essay curriculum. I have written countless essays and lab reports and like to think that I have become fairly proficient at using Microsoft Word. I have seen many teachers use Microsoft Word in order to help their curriculum. They have used it as a template to distribute assignments as well as a teaching tool to help with notes.

 

2.) I would definitely use the Imagination software in my curriculum as a teacher. Using that program the skills of organization and study planning can be instilled in students from a young age. The Imagination program can be used to improve writing skills as well as essay preparation and help on standardized tests.

 

3.) I am eager to learn how to fully grasp the use of the computer in the classroom so as to increase my teaching ability. Using all of the functions of Works and Word it would help cope with the very hectic and often overworked schedule of a teacher, and I could hopefully streamline some processes. Also, the organizational ability to help with grading and overall rubric management for the classroom.