Blog #2 Answers

Question: We discuss many types of educational software in class this week from broad categories to specific titles (see PowerPoint files before doing this blog). We talked about drill and practice, tutorial, problem solving, educationl games, etc. We looked at specific kinds of application software from word processors to spreadsheets to presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint). Many educators feel that students should be taught the software applications they will have to know to succeed in their lives beyond school (e.g., work or college). Please make a list of five specific applications you think every student should learn, from more important to less important (you can name the application or just give the title -- e.g., Word or word processors).
Explain your ranking in your blog entry. At what level in school do you think each application should be taught? Why?

Answer:
Word Processor
Educational Software
Powerpoint
Excel
Publisher

As a future teacher I see the reality of having the basic's covered before applying any computer program. Computers are tools that aide in the telling of a story, helping the students visualize the topic, and allow for ease of organization. These things are very important as time progresses considering how computerized the world is now a days.
Word Processor is first on my list because it can help in production of reports as well as bring in other opportunities as using the internet for easy access to research capabilities. This can help in drafting papers as well as interactive help from the teacher as well as word help programs.
Educational software is second on my list because this aides in retention of knowledge as well as showing a point the teacher was making. This helps the more visual learners. With programs that are instrumental in showing kids by drilling, problem solving, and tutorial ways of getting a certain subject enforced. As in my past using programs such as Mavis Beacon, or math programs that would help me grasp certain aspects of the subject.
Powerpoint would probably be the next important program on the list because it can be used as a presentation program. This can be used after mastering the aspects of word processing and getting used to typing and creating their own presentation. Students will use this program to show how their organizational, creative, presentational skills are proven through the development of a powerpoint presentation. The teacher should show how to develop fun, engaging presentations by introducing them into their curriculum.
Excel the fourth important software for using in presentations as well as getting information organized in graphs, rows, and columns. Students can use this program to demonstrate math problems, show graphs, calculate problems, and organize data. This can be adapted back into Powerpoint and word processor.
Publisher is the last program that is important because it can combine all 3 main software programs as well as using the skills learned from the educational software. This creates a fun place of creativity for the students to develop programs, cards, fliers, and other student activities.

First Blog answers

Answers to first blog:

My dad owns his own business in electrical contracting, so with that came high speed internet. Will, my brother, is also in the business of electrical, but he specializes in computers. We started off with one dell laptop computer in the study, then moved to one upstairs and one downstairs. Now we have three computers and they're all upstairs in my room(because I'm a college student), and because Will needs one for some of his business work. I have a Vaio laptop with Windows 2000 on it. In highschool we had the large desk computers with the first windows that came out. My school was very small so we had a small budget on what and how much technology was allowed. I was brought up on Mavis Beacon in the good old days of 5th through 8th grade. Then moved up to an independent study my senior year. Throughout the class I learned about Word, Excel, Publisher, and a small amount of Powerpoint. Once I got into college I started getting more affluent with the internet in word searches, email, and researching for classes. Last year I got into the xanga world where I learned about blogging and creating your own website.
In my school we barely used technology. The most some teachers would do was using the VCR, or getting the overhead to post notes. Being from a small school we had a tight budget on how much technology could be used. They finally got a website the year I graduated in 2003. Once I moved on to Grand Rapids Community College I realized that technology was a very important part of creating a learning atmosphere. I learned how powerpoint can give a fresh boost to a lecture as well as engage the students into the discussion by using pictures. Another way professor's brought topic's alive especially in history classes were DVD's, and tapes of another point of view or even showing footage of places to get a visual on how things were. Technology really can help with the diverse learning styles of today's students young and old.
I hope in this class I will better understand the role of technology in aiding the instructor with outlets of exploration.
Educational technology are the tools that aide the instructor with diverse ways of engaging different learning styles. For the visual, auditory, and hands on learners technology can help engage students for optimum learning potential. If done right teachers can open up doors where students can learn things that they never thought possible.

First posting

So we need this for class, and I think this will be fun... hopefully. Lots of homework but it's all good! :-) Just smile because being grumpy isn't any fun.