Reflection Nine

"Using Satellites to Track Wandering Students"

This kind of sounds like an article you would read in one of those crazy magazines that tell you about life found on other planets. But to tell you the truth, it is completely true. According to this article, teachers are now using GPS tracking devices to locate students while on field trips. With the invention of any product you know that it will have its pros and cons. Some teachers love using theses, especially for trips when they know the students will be off on their own. Some think that $200 for one is a good reason not to use them. Since this is a technology class, I would reflect on this article and say, WOW, how cool are these. As a teacher, loosing a child would be the worst feeling in the world...but it happens. I think that these wrist bands or lanyards are a great idea when out on field trips. I think that this is technology at its finest. I also know that this would make a teacher and maybe parents feel  more comfortable with sending their child/students on trips. What are your opinions????


Here is the article: 
http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/admin/admin345.shtml

Reflection Eight

Internet News

As I reflect on the horrible Boston Bombings, I am sadden for every single person who has been effected by it. I also reflect on the technology of news through the internet that has helped us to stay updated. The internet has done so many great things for us. For example: when my sisters husband is deployed to the Middle East, his three children can have contact with him. When horrible events like the Boston Bombing take place, we are able to know within a short amount of time. And finally, for us students, making our lives so much easier. As I go on about how wonderful the internet is, I am thinking of ways that this event could be made into a lesson in our classrooms using the internet. I know that for a current events class in high school, this would be a great topic to discuss and the internet could be the main source of information. How amazing that we can read about something that took place a couple days ago, even though horrible, and don't have to wait for it to be published in a history book. The internet can be used as a source in our classrooms for streaming live news, reading articles, and watching the events that take place. I know that this will be incorporate into my classrooms at some point. The internet is a wonderful thing, that when used correctly, can be effective.

Reflection Seven

Today in my Special Needs in Education class, a young man named Josh came into speak with his parents and elementary school teacher. Josh was born deaf and now, at the age of 14, has a cochlear implant. The advancement of this technology amazes me. I am sure that one day I will come across a student with a hearing disability and will need to be prepared to accommodate them. One thing the parents talked about the teacher using was a microphone and a speaker. This way when the teacher had their back turned to josh, she still had the microphone clipped to their shirt with the speaker next to Josh. I think that with the advancement of technology and inclusion of it in the classroom, students with hearing disabilities have a better chance to become successful. I wonder what other ways technology in the classroom is used for the hearing impaired?

Week Thirteen

Features of Word, Excel, and Power Point: 

Word: Mostly everything. Because writing papers is something that every college student does mostly everyday, I have mastered Microsoft Word:) I normally use footnotes, page numbers, header, footer, highlighter, font, font size. A fun project for students in a classroom learning how to use Word could be a scavenger hunt. The students would have a list of tasks they needed to complete and print them out when finished. For example: The word "cat" in 56 pt. font, blue, in Times New Roman. 

Excel: Excel is one of those programs I never really got around to using. Although our budget of death is made from excel, I left that up to my husband. Thanks to Annette, I now know how to make a pic chart and insert data for graphs. I think that doing a math lesson is a great way for students to understand how to use excel. 

Power Point: This is one of those programs that I have utilized a lot in school. I remember making Power Point Presentations in high school and throughout college. I have also become a master at using Power Point. I like to make slides, create fun headings, use borders, change color, insert pictures and sound, use fun transitions and insert clips. A fun project to get students familiar with Power Point could be anywhere from a Power Point story of their lives, or a fun trip they went on, to a Power Point of their favorite things. This would be a great lesson for students to make a presentation of themselves and become interested in how to use the program. 

Technology Project Plan

For my technology project I have decided to incorporate my favorite magazine into the assignment. I will have the students choose an article from National Geographic Kids and write a review of it. They will record themselves reviewing the article and answer questions I have assigned. They will then put their recording into a movie using Windows Movie Maker. They will add photos, music, their recording and anything else they want. This will be along the lines of a persuasive review. The students will then watch every ones movie and then will be able to discuss with fellow students what they liked and didn't. I hope the students enjoy this assignment, as much as I will.

Podcast

Audio recording software >>

Week Twelve

Three questions I will ask the NU Educators Panel: 

1. What can Northwest expect to see in the future regarding technology in classrooms and around campus?

2. In the next ten years there will be 2 million empty computer science jobs. How will Northwest prepare students for this rich job market?

3. Will Northwest offer a wider range of classes in the future?