Chapter 10 Reflection

Chapter 10 is about distance education and using technology to redefine what a classroom is. I found the timeline on distance education very interesting to read. I know I always think of distance education as an online class for college students and had never considered that in times of little technology distance education still existed. Completing an online class is hard enough for me with a computer using online systems such as blackboard to lay everything out. I can't imagine using mail as a means of learning in a distance education class. After thinking about it I have considered that perhaps it was easier to use distance education by way of mail. Think about it, if you got a package in the mail of all your papers, assignments and notes all laid out in order for you to complete you wouldn't have to worry about different links and finding assignments in the mess that blackboard can be in some classes. I wouldn't want to give up my computer and electronic resources but professors who aren't as good with using technology may be better at using a mail system of distance education. I don't really like distance education classes myself because I enjoy the face-to-face part of learning. Plus I think that it is harder to make sure you have all your work done and don't miss things because you didn't find the right link in the blackboard or because you just overlooked it.

Chapter 9 Reflection

The material in Chapter 9 covered audiovisual technologies. Audiovisual technologies include many familiar devices such as overhead projectors, bulletin boards, VCRs, DVD players and books. I especially enjoyed the timeline of audiovisual technology in education, it was really cool to see how it progressed. I also enjoyed how the book still discussed tapes and VCRs. It was neat to see that things of the past are still talked about and used. It seems like nobody mentions tape players and VCRs anymore. I am guilty of forgetting that things like tapes and VCRs exist as well especially when newer technologies are so much cooler. I think that for use in a classroom the newest technologies provide the most efficient and up to date instruction but thats not to say that older technologies don't have a usefulness as well.

Chapter 8 Reflection

Chapter 8 was about using the web for teaching and learning. It explained how the internet is full of resources and links for students and educators alike. I enjoyed the section on academic tools available on the internet such as worksheet generators. Being able to construct personalized worksheets would be a tremendous asset to the classroom, especially if students are having trouble with a specific concept. The section on internet issues and concerns also had important information and will be helpful when allowing future students to use the internet in the classroom.

Chapter 7 Reflection

Chapter 7 was on the internet and the world wide web. Many different aspects were described throughout the chapter such as chatting, blogging, email and searching. It also described how the internet works and what you need to set internet up for yourself. There was a lot of information covered in a small amount of pages but it was all good information. Labs 7 and 8 dealt with photoshop and I enjoyed it greatly. I use photoshop all the time for work and 4H activities and sometimes for school work. While it seems difficult to learn, once mastered photoshop is probably one of the coolest programs to use. Photoshop is a program that is excellent to use in a classroom setting, especially if the students take pictures themselves.

Chapter 6 Reflection

Chapter 6 was on academic software and how it can be used in the classroom to aid student learning. This chapter related back to the information in chapter 2. In chapter 2 the material was on designing software and instruction correctly for the situation. This chapter discussed the software talked about in chapter 2 and the features of each. I enjoyed the section on reference software. As a future social studies teacher good reference software will be an excellent tool for use in the classroom. Students need to learn how to use resources other that google search engines and wikipedia to research topics and projects they are working on. I am definitely planning on using academic software in my classroom. There are so many different types of software suitable for student use. Plus students enjoy being able to play educational games and use online resources. It seems like if it has a screen it is already liked and ahead of things that are not electronic and have no screen.

Chapter 5 Reflection

Chapter 5 is about administrative software. Being able to choose the best software and use that software effectively is a skill for every educator. Administrative software can be purchased from stores or custom made. It can also be acquired as freeware or shareware. There is a big difference between freeware and shareware and that difference is an important once. An important concept I had never really thought of in the cost of software is the cost of time and effort it takes to install and learn the software. For example you might be able to get your hands on a cheep software that looks like it would be neat to use in the classroom but you spend what seems like forever trying to install and learn it, it would have been better to just buy the more expensive version that is easier to use. The lab for chapter 5 was kidspiration/Inspiration and I really enjoyed using these programs. They will be very useful in a classroom in the future no matter what grade or subject area.

Chapter 4 Reflection

Chapter 4 was about using digital technology in the classroom. Using digital cameras, scanners, power point, webcams, PDA's and tablet PCs are common in different classroom settings and knowing how to use the effectively is a big deal. This chapter dealt with a lot of different technologies but they were all very interesting to read about. Sometimes you don't realize that everyday things can be used in the classroom and that they can be very helpful to enhancing student learning.

The chapter 4 lab was on excel and while most of the information was a review there were some interesting points. Excel can be a very confusing program but once figured out excel can be a huge asset. Excel is an excellent program to use in a classroom setting. Students can do so many things with it to make assignments easier. That being said I still believe that students should be able to complete concepts the old-fashioned way before being allowed to use chug and plug technologies.