Level of Difficulty: The tool I have used is not one from Google, but it is the same idea. The Blog I use in my classroom is through our school's system that can be accessed by going to our home page, www.adirondackcsd.org, then you must click on the high school, then teacher webpages, then my name under English teacher- Heather Banek, once you get to my home page you simply click on my Blog. The way the school system for blogging that I use is this: anyone can submit a post on the blog, however it goes to my school email and will not post on the page until I approve it. This is a safeguard to make sure that no students post anything inappropriate. Clearly, this application is not difficult to use, nor was it difficult to create. I spent one period with our technology coordinator initially setting up the blog. After that, I just post whatever new question I want, which also does not take a lot of time.
Main features and Classroom Application: For my purposes as an English teacher, the Blog is a "modern" way for me to reach my students. It shows them that I value their culture, the internet, cell phones, chats, texting, etc. They can, in fact, use their cell phones to answer the Blog if they have internet access. I also relax my usual grammatical requirements and let them use some abbreviations etc. as long as they are not too excessive. The Blog questions deal with the literature we have read in class, literary elements discussed, and, most importantly, I feel, makes connections between the litertature and issues that students face in their daily lives. The use of the Blog was quite successful. Of course, it was graded, so that is why the students responded. However, I was impressed with the higher level thinking that went into a lot of the posts. I also think the open, more relaxed format, encouraged them to respond with more detail than they do on traditional, in class essays.
Worth it?: Yes! I found my Blog to be beneficial and I intend to continue using it every year with my students to help them develop writing skill, higher level thinking skills, social interaction skills, and social awareness. Next year, I plan to broaden the scope, in that I am also going to require that students extend their responses in that they will also be required to comment on other students' posts.
ETAP 638: Encyclopedia of Digital Tools
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Wikispaces.com
Wiki – www.wikispaces.com
2. Main features
Wikispaces is a free user based website. What this website allows you to do is create your own public (or private if you choose) wiki site. A wiki site is a viewer/user edited web page, the most common would be Wikipedia. With wikispaces you can create and manage a site. You can also invite specific people to join in and use/edit the site to your liking.
3. Level of difficulty and time required for learning for people with basic/intermediate computer proficiency
On the tech-user scale of difficulty, 5 being a computer programmer and 1 being a basic 1st time computer-user, The level of difficulty is probably a 2. The site requires users to have an email account and have basic computer proficiencies. Because the wiki is edited by the viewer/user, they must be able to copy/paste, and be able to add hyperlinks and attach videos or pictures as they please.
4. (Potential) classroom application.
Wikispaces structure can handle hundreds of students working on projects together, from 12 different countries around the world. The wikispaces project was actually initiated in 2006 JUST FOR EDUCATIONAL purposes, as a way for students and teachers to collaborate on creating a single project. For this reason, its classroom application is A+
5. Is the tool worth learning? What for?
This tool is growing in the educational gossip. It is a powerful tool for learning that allows pure online collaboration. I have used this tool for several Masters projects which have all turned out an absolute success. The most valuable asset of this tool is it’s AD-FREE infrastructure. That means, no ads, or inappropriate mediating while working within the site.
Screencast-O-Matic
Screencast-O-Matic (accessible at: http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/)
Screencast-O-Matic is a screen capture utility that you can use to create videos of your screen. It is a great choice for creating videos for your students or adding video components to your instruction. Screencast-O-Matic is a Java application that can run on Windows, Mac OS X or Linux without being installed.
This software has the largest feature set of the free screen capture utilities that are available.
- It is cross-platform
- Has a 15 minute capture limit
- You can upload videos to Youtube
- Export to a variety of formats (FLV, MP4, AVI)
Screencast-O-Matic also has the ability to record from your webcam. Other free screencasting tools will only capture the screen but you can use this one to create videos with your webcam to create a personalized touch.
Using this tool is easy as the prerequisites are basic computer skills and a Java enabled web browser.
This type of software can be used in all types of instruction at any level. It is great for online classes, mini-lectures, software tutorials and demonstrations. It can also be used by librarians or on the help desk to demonstrate how to do a specific task. Compared to a text writeup or a series of static screen shots it is a real time saver.
Goodreads
Good Reads is a website for reviewing and catagorizing books. It enables you to create and maintain digital bookshelves for the books you have read, are reading, or plan on reading. You can tag books for easy searching or create a new bookshelf for a separate category like for school books or books that relate to a specific interest. Once you have your shelves you can write reviews for books you've read or read reviews by others for books you plan on reading.
There is also a social aspect to the site. You can "friend" people you know or who interest you in order to have access to their shelves. There is an app to link it to your facebook page, giving you access to the shelves of those of your facebook friends who also use good reads. If you are interested in discussing a specific book, there are discussion boards or you can create an online book club to read and discuss a book as a group.
There are many practical benefits for goodreads in both the classroom or school library setting. A school or branch librarian could use it for a school or city-wide summer reading program since it allows students to review and discuss on their own time and remotely, if needed. The social aspects promote engagement, especially since it links to facebook, where a lot of kids spend hours daily. The facebook connection also is positive since it blurs the lines between the students home and school life, and homework and leisure time. The review writing process allows the student to generate content on the web for school work, something that he has almost certainly done before for personal projects.
There is also a social aspect to the site. You can "friend" people you know or who interest you in order to have access to their shelves. There is an app to link it to your facebook page, giving you access to the shelves of those of your facebook friends who also use good reads. If you are interested in discussing a specific book, there are discussion boards or you can create an online book club to read and discuss a book as a group.
There are many practical benefits for goodreads in both the classroom or school library setting. A school or branch librarian could use it for a school or city-wide summer reading program since it allows students to review and discuss on their own time and remotely, if needed. The social aspects promote engagement, especially since it links to facebook, where a lot of kids spend hours daily. The facebook connection also is positive since it blurs the lines between the students home and school life, and homework and leisure time. The review writing process allows the student to generate content on the web for school work, something that he has almost certainly done before for personal projects.
Geometer's Sketchpad
http://www.dynamicgeometry.com/
The basics of Sketchpad are very easy to learn and can usually be relayed to students within 15 – 20 minutes, depending on what you will be using it for. Students can create points by selecting the “point” tool and then connect those using the “line” tool. There are other basic commands such as selecting a line and creating a parallel line x units away, or perpendicular line through a point on a selected line.
Geometer’s Sketchpad is a dynamic software program used primarily in a commercial setting. Similar to a CAD (computer aided design) program, it is a digital version of what can be accomplished with a compass, straight edge and a pencil. Sketchpad is very popular among Geometry teachers and students as it allows a visual representation of what students are trying to “see” in their minds. Objects created can be moved, colored, adjusted and sent into motion.
The basics of Sketchpad are very easy to learn and can usually be relayed to students within 15 – 20 minutes, depending on what you will be using it for. Students can create points by selecting the “point” tool and then connect those using the “line” tool. There are other basic commands such as selecting a line and creating a parallel line x units away, or perpendicular line through a point on a selected line.
A couple of good uses of this software can be seen in Geometry. Understanding coordinate geometry proofs can be hard for students at first but using Sketchpad can drastically ease their minds. Students can measure sides, angles and diagonal segments to learn what exactly makes a square a square or a rectangle different from a parallelogram. Once conjectures are made, students can manipulate the shape to see if their theories always hold true. Since the tool is basically a computer version of a compass and straight edge, it a great leaning supplement for basic constructions seen in Geometry.
In my opinion this is a great tool to introduce in the classroom. Although, it could be used on its own to teach certain topics, it serves best as a supplement to classroom instruction. In the case of proofs, it someone of a “seeing is believing” concept for the students. The ease of start up only adds to this software’s appeal in the classroom.
Wordle
Wordle (accessible at www.wordle.net) is a unique online tool used to generate word cloud posters from text that the creator provides. The word clouds are creative collages of words in varying sizes, fonts, colors, and arrangements.
There are a few different ways to create a Wordle. One option is to copy and paste text from a particular website, blog, document, or ebook. Another is to provide a URL address for a website or blog with text that you want highlighted. A third option, which is the one I personally use most with students, is to have the students type in their own text that they want featured in their collage. The way Wordle works is that it makes the words that are repeated most the largest and most prominent (minus everyday words such as "the" and "a"), making these words stand out in importance in the collage. Once the collage is created by the Wordle generator, users have the option of changing the font, language, colors, layout, and arrangement to give it their own personal touch. There is also a "randomizer" feature, which can be used to try multiple random arrangments of fonts, layouts and colors. After the Wordle is created, there is an option to print it as a separate piece, or to post it to the public gallery.
Overall, this tool is very easy to use, and takes less than a class period (probably less than 10 minutes) to learn. All a user needs is guidance on how to navigate the website and demonstration of the tools, and then the rest is generally just learning personal preferences for the different options. The website is free to use, and there is no software required as the tool is completely contained within the website. It does not even require a log-on, though you can create one if you choose to.
This tool is useful for classrooms in a variety of different ways. I have used it in my English classes to demonstrate the function and effect of repetition in poetry and prose writing (both with professional work and student work), because the words that are repeated most are the largest and most prominent. My students also enjoy using it to make collages using the themes, symbols, and motifs that they found most important or interesting in the literature we have read. It could be also be used to creatively display important quotations for literature. I can see it being useful for other subjects besides English in creating vocabulary word walls, and categorizing different words surrounding a theme or unit in the subject. Lastly, it is a great tool for the students to use for self-expression.
Overall, the tool is worth learning for teachers because it has a variety of possibilities for use in the classroom. My students enjoyed using Wordle, and after using it in class, several of them started using it for other projects in other classes and for clubs. Another benefit is that when they are all printed out, it is a great opportunity to display student work, which is not always so easy to do in high school classrooms.
There are a few different ways to create a Wordle. One option is to copy and paste text from a particular website, blog, document, or ebook. Another is to provide a URL address for a website or blog with text that you want highlighted. A third option, which is the one I personally use most with students, is to have the students type in their own text that they want featured in their collage. The way Wordle works is that it makes the words that are repeated most the largest and most prominent (minus everyday words such as "the" and "a"), making these words stand out in importance in the collage. Once the collage is created by the Wordle generator, users have the option of changing the font, language, colors, layout, and arrangement to give it their own personal touch. There is also a "randomizer" feature, which can be used to try multiple random arrangments of fonts, layouts and colors. After the Wordle is created, there is an option to print it as a separate piece, or to post it to the public gallery.
Overall, this tool is very easy to use, and takes less than a class period (probably less than 10 minutes) to learn. All a user needs is guidance on how to navigate the website and demonstration of the tools, and then the rest is generally just learning personal preferences for the different options. The website is free to use, and there is no software required as the tool is completely contained within the website. It does not even require a log-on, though you can create one if you choose to.
This tool is useful for classrooms in a variety of different ways. I have used it in my English classes to demonstrate the function and effect of repetition in poetry and prose writing (both with professional work and student work), because the words that are repeated most are the largest and most prominent. My students also enjoy using it to make collages using the themes, symbols, and motifs that they found most important or interesting in the literature we have read. It could be also be used to creatively display important quotations for literature. I can see it being useful for other subjects besides English in creating vocabulary word walls, and categorizing different words surrounding a theme or unit in the subject. Lastly, it is a great tool for the students to use for self-expression.
Overall, the tool is worth learning for teachers because it has a variety of possibilities for use in the classroom. My students enjoyed using Wordle, and after using it in class, several of them started using it for other projects in other classes and for clubs. Another benefit is that when they are all printed out, it is a great opportunity to display student work, which is not always so easy to do in high school classrooms.
GradeQuick
GradeQuick: http://www.edline.com/docs/GQWebHelp_98546723_Home.htm
GradeQuick is an online grade book that I have been using throughout the school year with my school district. GradeQuick allows choosing the way you calculate your grades, point system or percentage. From GradeQuick, you can print out your grades; you can choose which semesters and which assignments. Also, you are able to set guidelines for the quarter and you could print out which students met the criteria. For example, my team used this for the pizza party we offer students at the end of the quarter for having either a 90 percent average or having all assignments completed. Also, you can create seating charts with pictures that the school district has imported (Great feature for substitutes!).
Being new to the district this year, it did not take me long to learn how to use GradeQuick. If you have basic computer skills with a little guidance you can use the program. At our school, GradeQuick is linked to Edline. With the connection, we can upload our grades to the schools web page and they can be viewed by the student and parents. Students and parents are able to see what assignments are owed, handed in late and keep track of their average for the quarter. the connection with Edline allows online quizzes to be taken and the grades are automatically imported to your grade book. This tool is worth using. Students have the responsibility of looking at their grades and they are able to keep track of missing assignments that need to be handed in. GradeQuick allows for easy comparison of assignments, student achievement and your classes.
GradeQuick is an online grade book that I have been using throughout the school year with my school district. GradeQuick allows choosing the way you calculate your grades, point system or percentage. From GradeQuick, you can print out your grades; you can choose which semesters and which assignments. Also, you are able to set guidelines for the quarter and you could print out which students met the criteria. For example, my team used this for the pizza party we offer students at the end of the quarter for having either a 90 percent average or having all assignments completed. Also, you can create seating charts with pictures that the school district has imported (Great feature for substitutes!).
Being new to the district this year, it did not take me long to learn how to use GradeQuick. If you have basic computer skills with a little guidance you can use the program. At our school, GradeQuick is linked to Edline. With the connection, we can upload our grades to the schools web page and they can be viewed by the student and parents. Students and parents are able to see what assignments are owed, handed in late and keep track of their average for the quarter. the connection with Edline allows online quizzes to be taken and the grades are automatically imported to your grade book. This tool is worth using. Students have the responsibility of looking at their grades and they are able to keep track of missing assignments that need to be handed in. GradeQuick allows for easy comparison of assignments, student achievement and your classes.
Google Documents
documents.google.com
Google Documents is Google's answer to Microsoft Office and includes many similar features with a some huge benefits. First of all, it is completely free to use, it is available on any internet-connected computer and one can use Google Documents to collaborate with others in real time. Users can choose from word processing, spreadsheets, slideshow presentations and forms.
Google Documents is very easy to use, if one has any familiarity with Microsoft Word or any similar product, they know how to use Google Documents. The learning curve for students completely new to Google Documents would be no longer than a half hour at the most.
Because Google Documents allows for real-time collaborations, students can be split into groups or the teacher can lead a whole-class discussion and activity with word processing, spreadsheets or slide show presentations as long as each student/group has access to a computer. Since it is internet-based, groups can continue the assignment/discussion outside of the classroom.
I believe this is a worthwhile tool for learning. It includes students and gives them an active role in the discussion and assignments. It is free and easy to use and can be used anywhere in the world, even if a student is home sick from school they can take part in the discussion.
Google Documents is Google's answer to Microsoft Office and includes many similar features with a some huge benefits. First of all, it is completely free to use, it is available on any internet-connected computer and one can use Google Documents to collaborate with others in real time. Users can choose from word processing, spreadsheets, slideshow presentations and forms.
Google Documents is very easy to use, if one has any familiarity with Microsoft Word or any similar product, they know how to use Google Documents. The learning curve for students completely new to Google Documents would be no longer than a half hour at the most.
Because Google Documents allows for real-time collaborations, students can be split into groups or the teacher can lead a whole-class discussion and activity with word processing, spreadsheets or slide show presentations as long as each student/group has access to a computer. Since it is internet-based, groups can continue the assignment/discussion outside of the classroom.
I believe this is a worthwhile tool for learning. It includes students and gives them an active role in the discussion and assignments. It is free and easy to use and can be used anywhere in the world, even if a student is home sick from school they can take part in the discussion.
Ed-Line
Ed-Line (http://www.edline.net/) is an online interface for teachers, parents and students. This online program is comparative to blackboard, but is a little more user friendly, being that it is intended for middle school and high school students. On this website teachers, parents and students are given individual user names and passwords. The site is linked to each person's person e-mail account as well. Working much like blackboard, ed-line provides the student with a site for each course in which they are enrolled. Each teacher then maintains their own ed-line page where they can post a variety of things.
In my own teaching experience, I use ed-line most frequently to inform students and parents about the night's homework. I can not only post the assignment to the calendar (along with reminders about quizzes and tests), but I can also upload the worksheet onto the page so that it is available for download. This provides a great way to inform absent students, and maybe our less responsible students, of upcoming homework assignments, quizzes, tests and a way for them to digitally download any notes or worksheets they may be missing.
Ed-Line is also the way that we digitally send our student's grades to not only them, but their parents as well. Every 3,6, and 9 weeks, teachers update their grade books for parents and students to see. This has its positives and negatives of course; keeping parents informed is excellent however sometimes too much information can create overzealous parents and therefore students. Parents, students, and teachers can exchange e-mail via ed-line to help facilitate communication between the teachers and the home.
Some very cool applications of ed-line include graded online assignments, links to teacher suggested websites, and in class interactive learning (using smart response technology!). All of which can be directly transferred to the teachers digital grade book. The training for the use of this interactive interfaces comes in phases. The basic training is offered in a two day, 6 hour training course. Through which, each step is broken down to the basics and is quite easily done. There are more advanced and specific trainings available, which are usually conducted in a single 3 hours course. I feel that this technology is absolutely worth learning and can easily be applied to the classroom environment.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
VoiceThread
VoiceThread is a collaborative tool that allows users to create and house online conversations based around an image, set of images, document, video, or even PowerPoint presentation. The creator and users can view the content and listen to or read comments on the slides within the VoiceThread and then add their own. This way, a conversation around a specific artifact or subject can grow asynchronously and stay housed for users to add to or refer back to as they wish over time.
In my opinion, VoiceThread is extremely easy to use. Anyone who can attach a document to an email will be able to upload media to the VoiceThread to create a thread. There is no software to purchase or download; everything is contained on the VoiceThread website. As a commenter, VoiceThread is even easier to use. If your computer has a microphone, you can easily record comments just by speaking or if you are not comfortable recording your voice you can type a comment. There is also a drawing feature of the commenting function that allows the specific comment to draw attention to part of an image or a slide, which is very handy when discussing a specific detail of an artifact.
VoiceThread is helpful for organizing thoughts around a specific idea or artifact and replicating a classroom conversation without actually having to be in the classroom all at one time – which is useful for distance education students. As a teacher, VoiceThread can provide an opportunity to continue thinking about or discussing a topic after it’s been covered in class, or to introduce a topic, idea, or assignment using multimedia and providing students an opportunity to ask questions, brainstorm and collaborate.
I think that this is a tool that is worth learning. It’s ease of use and versatility along with its design toward aiding collaboration make it very flexible, engaging and applicable in the classroom.
Here is a link to a VoiceThread I created for ETAP 520 on Persuasive Communication: https://voicethread.com/?#u1748158
In my opinion, VoiceThread is extremely easy to use. Anyone who can attach a document to an email will be able to upload media to the VoiceThread to create a thread. There is no software to purchase or download; everything is contained on the VoiceThread website. As a commenter, VoiceThread is even easier to use. If your computer has a microphone, you can easily record comments just by speaking or if you are not comfortable recording your voice you can type a comment. There is also a drawing feature of the commenting function that allows the specific comment to draw attention to part of an image or a slide, which is very handy when discussing a specific detail of an artifact.
VoiceThread is helpful for organizing thoughts around a specific idea or artifact and replicating a classroom conversation without actually having to be in the classroom all at one time – which is useful for distance education students. As a teacher, VoiceThread can provide an opportunity to continue thinking about or discussing a topic after it’s been covered in class, or to introduce a topic, idea, or assignment using multimedia and providing students an opportunity to ask questions, brainstorm and collaborate.
I think that this is a tool that is worth learning. It’s ease of use and versatility along with its design toward aiding collaboration make it very flexible, engaging and applicable in the classroom.
Here is a link to a VoiceThread I created for ETAP 520 on Persuasive Communication: https://voicethread.com/?#u1748158
Blogger
Google Blogger
There are two blogs I created to use with students; one was created to be used with a project-based weekend enrichment program, where ELL and Special education students practice reading and writing skills while using the school garden as the focus of learning. My role with these students was as the gardening ‘expert’ who they could ask questions and gather information from: http://schoolyardgardener.blogspot.com/
This second blog I created was for use with my adult audience, “Master Gardener Volunteers” who attend a 10-week training course in horticulture and gardening education: http://2011mastergardener.blogspot.com/. The blog was created to add another layer of learning and student-student interaction, to an otherwise traditional course offering, where student sit in 5 hours of lectures each week, with much interaction with one another.
Blogs allow bloggers to post, respond, and have access to text, pictures, hyperlinks and other web 2.0 technologies.
Blogs are easy to use, although I found that security features in public schools have issues with allowing students to use privatized blogs that I created.
In the classroom, students can produce a blog that is a learning-centered platform where students can post researched information, engage in thoughtful discussion, and formulate solutions to problem-based lessons. Students can create and maintain a blog using Blogger to publish this information for their peers and school community.
Conclusion: Blogger is worth learning, because it allows students to create, express and interact with one another, while utilizing a tool that links to additional web resources.
There are two blogs I created to use with students; one was created to be used with a project-based weekend enrichment program, where ELL and Special education students practice reading and writing skills while using the school garden as the focus of learning. My role with these students was as the gardening ‘expert’ who they could ask questions and gather information from: http://schoolyardgardener.blogspot.com/
This second blog I created was for use with my adult audience, “Master Gardener Volunteers” who attend a 10-week training course in horticulture and gardening education: http://2011mastergardener.blogspot.com/. The blog was created to add another layer of learning and student-student interaction, to an otherwise traditional course offering, where student sit in 5 hours of lectures each week, with much interaction with one another.
Blogs allow bloggers to post, respond, and have access to text, pictures, hyperlinks and other web 2.0 technologies.
Blogs are easy to use, although I found that security features in public schools have issues with allowing students to use privatized blogs that I created.
In the classroom, students can produce a blog that is a learning-centered platform where students can post researched information, engage in thoughtful discussion, and formulate solutions to problem-based lessons. Students can create and maintain a blog using Blogger to publish this information for their peers and school community.
Conclusion: Blogger is worth learning, because it allows students to create, express and interact with one another, while utilizing a tool that links to additional web resources.
Jing
1. I came across this digital tool last summer and have used it quite extensively for various purposes. It's a free software that can capture PC screen as images and as video clips, and share them instantly over the Internet. Here's a link to its official site:
http://www.techsmith.com/jing/
http://www.techsmith.com/jing/
2. It's main features include:
a.) Taking a screenshot is nothing special; PrintScreen on keyboard, or SnagIt can do it. Jing lets you take still images of screenshot, and perform basic editing in just a few clicks. For instance, I created the following picture.
b.) Video Tutorial made simple. As online instructors, providing tutorials is essential for making student's learning as effortlessly as possible. Some simple task, such as creating a macro in MS-Word can take several steps to describe in text format, but can be fairly straightforward in video. The Youtube makes it easy to host videos, but how do you create tutorial videos? Jing does this brilliantly. You can select part of your screen to capture video, and then store it in its server on screencast for sharing. that's it. Here's an example I just created.
b.) Video Tutorial made simple. As online instructors, providing tutorials is essential for making student's learning as effortlessly as possible. Some simple task, such as creating a macro in MS-Word can take several steps to describe in text format, but can be fairly straightforward in video. The Youtube makes it easy to host videos, but how do you create tutorial videos? Jing does this brilliantly. You can select part of your screen to capture video, and then store it in its server on screencast for sharing. that's it. Here's an example I just created.
http://screencast.com/t/Vf3vi6JHXeF
c.) It's free. For basic operation, it's free. There's a paid pro version for more space and easier format to upload to youtube.
3. It's very easy to use and capture. It might be a little bit complicated to access the files on their server.
4. Its potential for classroom use is huge. Like I said, online instructors can easily create tutorials when explaining the tasks and answering technological questions. It's easier to do, and much easier for learners to follow.
5. It's worth learning, if your teaching profession requires a lot of technology use and support.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
TI 84 Plus Silver Graphing Calculator
1) The digital tool the I have used most actively in the classroom and during tutoring is the Texas Instruments TI 84 Plus Silver Graphing Calculator. http://education.ti.com/educationportal/sites/US/productDetail/us_ti84pse.html
2) The main features are quite extensive. Aside from using basic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; there are countless things you can do with topics such as trigonometry, probability and statistics, conics, graphing, summation, economics and finance, logarithms, imaginary numbers, radicals etc. There are various interfaces and modes that can be used to best suit the requirements of the teacher or student using the calculator.
3) The level of difficulty ranges from easy to difficult. Depending on the necessary use, learning all the features of this technology could take an extensive amount of time. Even as a math enthusiast, I find myself learning new things about this calculator on regular basis.
4) There is ample classroom application for this tool. The image of the calculator screen can be projected using a USB cord connected to a projector or downloaded from the Texas Instruments website. As education moves more openly into technology, students have come to rely tremendously on their calculator and therefore should be educated to use it to its full potential. I use it personally to have students check that their graphs or operational math is correct. After learning about the theory behind logarithms, and probability and statistics, the calculator is an excellent tool to save time and frustration from have to do tedious and complicated problems.
5) In the mathematics classroom, the tool is definitely worth learning. The curriculum is quite rigorous and proficient use with the calculator saves valuable time. I would argue that this instrument benefits are becoming more numerous as the calculator industry adds features that deal with topics in the natural sciences including chemistry and physics.
2) The main features are quite extensive. Aside from using basic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; there are countless things you can do with topics such as trigonometry, probability and statistics, conics, graphing, summation, economics and finance, logarithms, imaginary numbers, radicals etc. There are various interfaces and modes that can be used to best suit the requirements of the teacher or student using the calculator.
3) The level of difficulty ranges from easy to difficult. Depending on the necessary use, learning all the features of this technology could take an extensive amount of time. Even as a math enthusiast, I find myself learning new things about this calculator on regular basis.
4) There is ample classroom application for this tool. The image of the calculator screen can be projected using a USB cord connected to a projector or downloaded from the Texas Instruments website. As education moves more openly into technology, students have come to rely tremendously on their calculator and therefore should be educated to use it to its full potential. I use it personally to have students check that their graphs or operational math is correct. After learning about the theory behind logarithms, and probability and statistics, the calculator is an excellent tool to save time and frustration from have to do tedious and complicated problems.
5) In the mathematics classroom, the tool is definitely worth learning. The curriculum is quite rigorous and proficient use with the calculator saves valuable time. I would argue that this instrument benefits are becoming more numerous as the calculator industry adds features that deal with topics in the natural sciences including chemistry and physics.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
SMART Response Interactive Response System
SMART Response Interactive Response System
More information available at http://smarttech.com/us/Solutions/Education+Solutions/Products+for+education/Complementary+hardware+products/SMART+Response
The main purpose of this equipment is to track student responses to assessments in the classroom. While this is made easier with a SMART Board, it is not necessary to have a SMART Board to use the response system. The system allows you to track and record responses, gives instant feedback on questions, and allows students to see their scores on the assessment. Assessment grades are kept on the computer program connected to the system, so the teacher can use the grades as a formal assessment if so desired.
System is relatively easy to learn as a teacher and is easy to demonstrate to students. Assessments can be written in the SMART Notebook software or using other software such as Microsoft Word. A Smartview is available on the SMART Notebook software so that a computer screen can display a response tracker for students to use as a reference.
Use in the classroom can vary from quick, informal surveys about class content to formal assessments at the end of a unit. Students are assigned identification numbers so that individual answers and scores can be saved in a grade book.
This tool is worth learning. It provides additional use for the increasingly common SMART Board technology seen in many classrooms.
Audio Hijack Pro by Rogue Amoeba
http://www.rogueamoeba.com/audiohijackpro/
Audio Hijack Pro
This is a great "value technology". I use "value technology" to mean a technology that provides an extreme amount of usefulness with minimal skills needed to operate it proficiently. It is extremely intuitive, simple and easily customizable.
Audio Hijack Pro is an audio recording digital tool that is made exclusively for Macintosh computers. Available in both free and premium ($32 one time fee) versions, Audio Hijack Pro's slogan says it all: If you can hear it, you can record it.
The player is a simple interface that allows a user to record audio from the Web, iChat/Skype, ITunes, DVD player, QuickTime player, a basic microphone and SiriusXM satellite radio (parent company Rogue Amoeba also created Pulsar, which is an original satellite radio player, which Mac users needed due to technical difficulties with SiriusXM's own streaming service).
Users can set a schedule and walk away while ensuring their content will be recorded. Timers and splits can be set so audio is nicely divided into hour or half hour blocks. Users can select the quality of the recording, downgrading it to save space. Once finished recording, Audio Hijack Pro will automatically transfer to recording to iTunes or a specified folder for conversion into mp3. The program also offers various file formats.
This tool can be used to record radio broadcasts, podcasts, theatrical audio, music, conversations, or any other audio content you can think of to share with students. Listen to news broadcasts, analyze film dialogue, archive conversations, edit and manipulate audio and share with others.
This is a worth tool because of the diversity it offers in a simple container.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Geometer's Sketchpad
1. Geometer's Sketchpad. (http://www.dynamicgeometry.com/) Most schools have the software on their computers.
2. Interactive geometry software program used for exploring geometry, algebra, calculus, as well as many other mathematical applications. Lets students draw points, lines, circles, triangles, etc and measure lengths, angles, area, and perimeter. Used for exploratory learning.
3. Medium difficulty when first starting to learn the software but after 2-3 full lessons and practice with the software it is very simple. Menus and features are very accessible and easy to use once you are familiar with the program.
4. Can use Geometer's Sketchpad all the time during geometry class. There are endless activities that students can engage in to discover some of the fundamental properties of geometry. This program can also be used in algebra and calculus for some parts.
5. Yes, the tool is definitely worth learning. It helps students to discover some mathematical properties on their own instead of just being told the rules.
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