Thursday, February 27, 2014

Journal Post #7

What are digital games for learning and how can students and teachers use them successfully?

Digital games for learning is a computer based software used for kids. Teachers use these for the simple fact that students can learn a lot easier on the computer in this day and age. It gives a visual feedback instantly on how the student did in the game. It is also a more fun way to learn than looking through a book or pencil to paper. These games motivate the students to want to play while learning at the same time. It helps the teachers to motivate the students, and a feedback instantly.

Math Blaster
Math Blaster is a video game used for ages 4-12 to learn pre-algebra and algebra. It is a point scoring system just like any other video game. The setting is outer space with aliens and obstacles, the only way around them is to solve the math problem given. Depending on the age, there are single, double and even triple digit number operations. The more you solve the harder the problems.



Photo Credit

This chapter talks about how technology is used for problem solving and inquiry learning. It mentions the different computer apps, software and video games that the teachers can rely on to practice problem solving skills that are learned in the classroom. It also talks about the different software's that aid in building, inventing and creating and even problem solving. Programs such as word, excel, power point are all software's more commonly seen in today's classrooms.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Journal Post 6

How do teachers organize electronic resources to address curriculum frameworks and learning standards?

Teachers can use multiple tools to organize curriculum frameworks and learning standards. Curriculum frameworks is a standard on what needs to be taught in each class and grade. They can go online and access those standards from an online database. For example: Sunshine state standards and common core. You could also use social bookmarking tools like Delicious or Diigo.  Delicious is an online bookmarking tool that a teacher could use for bookmarking or sharing their favorite websites. Other teachers can find helpful links through the tags on the website. For example tagging 3rd grade, teaching, and math.

Tech tool: Delicious- Delicious is a social booking tool used for teachers as well as everyone else to save their favorite websites. You can save your websites on any computer because it is an internet resource. It's free to create an account and easily accessible for anyone.

This chapter has been very helpful and thoughtful to being a future teacher. Learning about the standards and book marking tools have created a new perspective of teaching. I will definitely use this in the future.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Journal Post #5

What do students need to know about Internet Searching? Students have a lot to learn about Internet searching. One big thing about internet searching is that not all websites are legit. Anyone can make a website as long as they pay for it. Make sure you know where the information is coming from. Check the author and see if he/she is reliable. Also try to find a date to see if that specific page is updated accordingly. Not everything on the web is exactly true. So choose wisely when trying to find information. Also when searching, the top 10 results on a topic aren’t always reliable sources. All that means is it has been searched the most.

Flickr is a photo sharing website. You can post pictures, you can take pictures from other people that are copyright friendly. You can post pictures through flickr and share them through facebook or twitter. Also, you can make calendars, cards, photo books and postage stamps. I like flickr because of the easy access, you can easily access your photos through flickr's app.

Chapter 5 talks about web searching, search engines and website accuracy. I can see it's important your using accurate information on the internet. As a teacher i can see thee importance of educating my students about the internet because there is so many inaccuracies, you have to teach students how to properly search the web.