Reflection #4 Excel

http://www.teach-nology.com/tutorials/excel/  

The other day, I had a job interview and I was asked if I had ever used excel. Unfortunately, I had to say no, but after the interview I decided to look up excel and learn more about it. I found this site and I thought it was interesting. Excel is a tool that helps you organize and create graphical representations of data for easier analysis This site made the argument that students need to be introduced to excel early and often. The main problem with excel is that students don't know how or are not used to using it but excel is becoming more popular so teachers need to be preparing their students for it. For example, my coach tried to send me my workout plan on excel, but because I didn't have it on my computer I was unable to receive it. I imagine that excel is also used a lot in many jobs. It is important for teachers to learn how to use excel so they can get their students ready for the work force. At the bottom of this site, there is a list of websites that will teach you how to use excel. I encourage you to check them out!

Comments

Heather-  http://heatherkristinsadventures.blogspot.com/2012/09/week-5-promethean-activboard.html#comment-form

Bethany- http://bethanylowesblog.blogspot.com/2012/10/reflection-2.html#comment-form

Alyssa- http://www.sitzleralyssa.blogspot.com/2012/09/digital-natives-digital-immigrants-by_11.html#comment-form

Angie- http://www.angiegarza12.blogspot.com/2012/10/week-6-102.html#comment-form

Whitney- http://wright2whitney.blogspot.com/2012/10/5-promethean-active-board.html#comment-form

Kendra- http://kendracotton.blogspot.com/2012/10/reflection-2.html#comment-form

Tootsie- http://tootsievasquez06.blogspot.com/2012/10/week-6.html#comment-form

Trey- http://treybotten.blogspot.com/2012/09/5-promethean-board.html?showComment=1349834194930#c261714717856796985

Sarah-  http://sarahstoker.blogspot.com/2012/09/reflection-2.html?showComment=1350251977507#c3451174892849944264

Reflection #3 The Importance of Technology in the Classroom

Even though I am considered to be in the computer generation, I have never been big on using technology. Video games were not allowed in our house and I did not using computers or even have an email until I was in middle school. I have been one to resist technology, but the further I get in school the more I realize that we live in a technological society and it is important to know how to use and feel comfortable with technology. I saw this first hand today. Last night, I stayed up until one working on a paper (which is pretty late for me since I have 6:00 A.M. practice). The next day when I went to print my paper it was gone. In this moment I really wished I was more knowledgeable about technology. Most students use technology constantly but what about students that don’t have access to computers? How do we prepare them? Especially the way technology is progressing, it is important to make sure children are getting technology in the classroom.

Video

Make your own slideshow with music at Animoto.

Reflection #2 Knowing about Technology

My dad works at Riverview elementary and a couple years ago they completely rebuilt the school. During the architectural process the building team met with the teachers weekly to plan the features of the new school. The teachers had a say in the layout of the classrooms and then later they were able to talk about resources they would need in their rooms. My dad was also given the chance to help design the stage because he is in charge of a first and second grade musical each year. Every classroom ended up having smart boards and document cameras and the stage has a nice sound system and lights. Hearing this made me realize that teachers really do need to know about technology and know what resources are helpful in a classroom even if they are not things you currently use because you never know when you will have an opportunity  like this, to improve your classroom.  

Week #6 Generation IM

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/generation-im

Generation IM discusses the need for computers in the classroom. It explained that kids are willing to spend time and energy working on computers. Because of this, if technology was in the classroom students would be more motivated and would learn better. I thought it was interesting that 67 percent of preschool students use computers. Before I read this, I always thought that technology in the classroom would be more helpful to older students. One of the examples of using technology in the classroom was using google maps to track the locations of Odysseus’s journey around southern Europe. In an earth science lesson, I would use google maps to show my students the different landforms. 

Assignment 2

                                                         Show me the money

http://exchange.smarttech.com/search.html?q=show+me+the+money+&subject=Mathematics&grade=Kindergarten&grade=Grade+1&region=en_US

Smart Board Features – Pictures

                                    -interactive games

                                    -I added sound

NETS

1. Creativity and Innovation-Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.

a. apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products or processes. For this assignment, I had to learn how to use a smart board lesson and then I used this knowledge to add to or take away slides.

c. This lesson also uses models and simulation to explore complex systems and issues. My lesson has examples of the coins I am teaching about and there are matching games where they must show where each coin belongs. I have to use an actual smart board and show what I have learned about the smart notebook.

2. Communication and collaboration- Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and to contribute to the learning of others.

b. Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats. For this activity, I have to present my lesson in front the class.

3. Research and Information Fluency - Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate,

and use information.

b. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media. For this assignment, I had to find a lesson and then change it to fit the project.

4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making- Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.

b. Plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project. In order to complete this project, I had to decide how to present my lesson and manage the games in my lesson.

5. Digital Citizenship-Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior.

a. Advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology. For this assignment, I practiced safe, legal and responsible use of technology by using SMART notebook to get my source.

b. Exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity. This assignment creates a positive attitude by having the students create their own lesson and teach what they have learned to the rest of the class.

6. Technology Operations and Concepts-Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations.

a. Understand and use technology systems. This assignments helps the students learn how to create and use a lesson using a smart board.

-An interactive board could help children learn by keeping them engaged. The board I am presenting has pictures to help students have a better understanding of the lesson I am teaching and then there are interactive games to check their understanding. I am asking my students to apply their knowledge about counting to my lesson on sorting money. for the lesson they have to come up to the smart board in front of the class and show what they know by sorting the coins in a couple of different scenarios.  Because the children are able to be involved with the lesson, they will be more likely to pay attention.