Hey everyone!
Okay, so I have AMAZING facts to share with everyone! In class, we've been working with this great program called Inspiration. The program allows a user to create concept maps or graphic organizers OF ALL SORTS. One of the NEATEST things about the program is that it allows the user to use "pictures" instead of just words in order to map things out, which is PERFECT for student-friendly use! In fact, they even have a "kidspiration" that is available! Speaking of availability, one of the greatest strengths of Inspiration is its ability to transfer and export files into different, more familiar programs, such as Word, Powerpoint, or even a Web Page browser. For example, if a teacher creates a concept map with Inspiration and she wants the concept map to be available to her students, yet the computers in the school do not have the program, she can transport the program to a Word or Powerpoint file and change the concept map into a study guide! It's beautiful!
Speaking of beautiful software that teachers can use in the classroom, I absolutely LOVED exploring through Microsoft Publisher! I neve realized (or embraced) the opportunities that are available through this program! There are so many different publications that are pre-templated for you, it's so simple! There are templates for calendars, greeting cards, newsletters, EVERYTHING! Oh, and there is this really neat "text link" feature that allows the user to link text from one text box to another one on a page; especially great for newspaper or magazine publications! In fact, I was so impressed, I believe that I am going to use Publisher to create my Meet the Teacher night speech that is due this next Monday!
And the greatest part about all these programs? Teachers usually can get them at discounted rates! How lovely is that!
That's all for now, folks!
Until next time,
Melissa :)
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Working through Word
Talk about "digital immigrant," it just took me five minutes to log onto this blog-spot! Apparently, I didn't remember my password OR user-name too well! Oh my!!
I really appreciate reading some of the comments that responded to my last blog about feeling like an immigrant. Honestly, there is so much technology advances in this day and age, I feel like I can never keep up and that I'm always learning something new. That's the great thing about being a teacher though-you constantly need to keep educating yourself, so really, you should never be behind!
Microsoft word. Simple. Everyone has used it, right?
Sure!
I've recently learned some new things though that I never before realized. For example, did you know that if you click the "alt" button and the triangles on the document to change the margins that you can actually see the numbers of the margin pages? INCREDIBLE! Or, if you want several pieces of text throughout your document to have the same format, you can highlight the text and double click the format painter to couple the format to multiple places? I always WONDERED how to do that!
Or, we can get really technical here and talk about the differences in types of fonts: serif and sans serif. I had NO IDEA that serif font (those with characters on the end, like Times New Roman) was easier to read on paper than sans serif font (i.e. Ariel, Comic Sans), which is easier to read on screens! Now I really know how to make a document look good, professional, AND technology-savvy. :)
It's incredible how much you can learn about a program. I've used Microsoft Word for years, but there are so many short-cuts, formatting tools, and additional applications within the program that can really "make life easier" for educators. I really appreciate this class; I feel like it will be one of the most practical education classes that I take my entire college career! Teachers really need to make sure that they take complete advantage of the workshops that are offered to them in order to renew their knowledge about these services!
Time for lunch, talk to you all soon!
Melissa :)
I really appreciate reading some of the comments that responded to my last blog about feeling like an immigrant. Honestly, there is so much technology advances in this day and age, I feel like I can never keep up and that I'm always learning something new. That's the great thing about being a teacher though-you constantly need to keep educating yourself, so really, you should never be behind!
Microsoft word. Simple. Everyone has used it, right?
Sure!
I've recently learned some new things though that I never before realized. For example, did you know that if you click the "alt" button and the triangles on the document to change the margins that you can actually see the numbers of the margin pages? INCREDIBLE! Or, if you want several pieces of text throughout your document to have the same format, you can highlight the text and double click the format painter to couple the format to multiple places? I always WONDERED how to do that!
Or, we can get really technical here and talk about the differences in types of fonts: serif and sans serif. I had NO IDEA that serif font (those with characters on the end, like Times New Roman) was easier to read on paper than sans serif font (i.e. Ariel, Comic Sans), which is easier to read on screens! Now I really know how to make a document look good, professional, AND technology-savvy. :)
It's incredible how much you can learn about a program. I've used Microsoft Word for years, but there are so many short-cuts, formatting tools, and additional applications within the program that can really "make life easier" for educators. I really appreciate this class; I feel like it will be one of the most practical education classes that I take my entire college career! Teachers really need to make sure that they take complete advantage of the workshops that are offered to them in order to renew their knowledge about these services!
Time for lunch, talk to you all soon!
Melissa :)
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Too Far Behind?
Reflections about "Tech" in the classroom...
Recently, with my new "Technology and Education" class, I've been forced to face the reality that I'm a "technological immigrant," that my students are growing up as "technological natives" and that I'm going to need to adapt into their culture in order to reach them with things that I want to teach them.
Suddenly, I'm feeling a bit pressured.
I never really considered the impact that technology has on education. Granted, yes, I always knew that my students would be using computers for word processing, research, "educational games," and that I myself could organize files, tests, and resources on my own computer. After observing in an elementary classroom in January, I considered the possibility (and the reality) of including music within my lessons-and using PowerPoint even for first graders. Even though I, myself don't own an IPOD or use ITunes, I figured "Okay, I can learn this. This shouldn't be too hard..."
Now, as I learn about the relevance of technology within even a seven-year old's world, I have a terrible fear of not being able to catch up! Have I already fallen too far behind? I don't even have an IPOD!! Will I ever be able to "catch myself up" with the Second Life? Has a Third Life even started? Of course I want to include technology in my classroom..especially if that is going to be the most direct way to connect to students; however, have I fallen so far behind already?
I think I'll manage. I just need to be accepting to the fact that teaching isn't all about notebooks and folders anymore.
Well, okay, yes, it does involve that...those notebooks and folders just happen to be digital now.
Ahh..until next time folks! :)
I hope you all enjoy your week!!
MJ
Recently, with my new "Technology and Education" class, I've been forced to face the reality that I'm a "technological immigrant," that my students are growing up as "technological natives" and that I'm going to need to adapt into their culture in order to reach them with things that I want to teach them.
Suddenly, I'm feeling a bit pressured.
I never really considered the impact that technology has on education. Granted, yes, I always knew that my students would be using computers for word processing, research, "educational games," and that I myself could organize files, tests, and resources on my own computer. After observing in an elementary classroom in January, I considered the possibility (and the reality) of including music within my lessons-and using PowerPoint even for first graders. Even though I, myself don't own an IPOD or use ITunes, I figured "Okay, I can learn this. This shouldn't be too hard..."
Now, as I learn about the relevance of technology within even a seven-year old's world, I have a terrible fear of not being able to catch up! Have I already fallen too far behind? I don't even have an IPOD!! Will I ever be able to "catch myself up" with the Second Life? Has a Third Life even started? Of course I want to include technology in my classroom..especially if that is going to be the most direct way to connect to students; however, have I fallen so far behind already?
I think I'll manage. I just need to be accepting to the fact that teaching isn't all about notebooks and folders anymore.
Well, okay, yes, it does involve that...those notebooks and folders just happen to be digital now.
Ahh..until next time folks! :)
I hope you all enjoy your week!!
MJ
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