CED0515 Week 5

I felt that reviewing software evaluation tools was very beneficial for me. I've never done a review before and it's nice to know that I wouldn't have to create a tool from scratch. I was also glad that our textbook provides so many great resources so I was able to find a program that I wanted to review.

If I ever return to classroom teaching I know I won't feel overwhelmed when reviewing software.

Creating a Technology Learning Plan will help me to focus on my strengths and discern where I need more development. I tend to be very goal orientated so I think my plan will be very useful for me.

CED0515 Week 4

I choose the Science unit focusing on the rain forest for an upper elementary audience. In the lesson the teacher used the Magic Treehouse series in conjunction with the Imagination Express: rainforest program. In the program students can practice at communication through writing, narrating and animate their own stories.

As I'm not currently in a classroom I'm just now becoming acquainted with the Magic Treehouse series. Osborne has written books that cover a wide variety of topics, particularly history and social studies topics.

This lesson could be adapted to fit many different units as a way to encourage students who need more practice in reading skills.


http://www.intime.uni.edu/video/013iaue/0/

CED 0515 Week 3 Spreadsheets

I use spreadsheets everyday. The job I have in the district involves a lot of data analysis. We have changed some of our districts policies and procedures based on analysis done using spreadsheets.

While I'm not currently in a classroom, I could see where spreadsheets could also help make data based decisions. Spreadsheets could help the teacher determine things like 'how many students that averaged an 80% or better on homework scored an 80% or better on the test?' Grade analysis could help the teacher determine what adaptations or changes need to be made in instruction.

I find that tracking data and analyzing it through spreadsheets helps me make better decisions on policy and procedure for the district.

CED0515 Week 3 - Custom Search

OK - this custom search thing is great. If you're curious, type in 'stars' into the search box.

Science Search Engine

CED 0515 Week 2

Wha hoo! I'm like a kid in a candy store! Suddenly I have even more toys to play with! I'm working on setting up a custom search engine. I think that ability would come in very useful in a classroom setting.

I also set up an evernote account and downloaded the phone app to my cell phone. I've played around a little with it. I think I should play around more with it on my laptop and then learn the phone app. It's easier to learn it on the larger format. Maybe I could use the voice note option to record my grocery list. I always seem to leave my list at home. Pathetic I know, but we all have our excentricities.

I find myself becoming more confident in learning how to find web based tools. For instance I need to edit a PDF file, but don't have Adobe Editor. I did a search for on-line PDF editors and found several. I've decided to try PDF Hammer to see how it works.

CEDO 515 Week 1

All I can say is WOW! I loved our first class! I've taked an on-line class before, but a virtual classroom wasn't involved and I feel that it really inhances the experiences. The back and forth chat is a different experience with me. I don't chat much.

I was relieved to see that the text focuses on learning first and technology second. This was also the first time that I had read the technology standards.