I went on a virtual tour of the Taj Mahal. I liked this site because I could tell where I was at all times. Along with the view of what was surrounding me, I had a map of the whole grounds with a dot that rotated at the same time as I did. This showed me what direction I was looking in at all times. I also could click on any of the dots on the grounds map at any time during the tour. This made it easy to go from one end of the land to the other. The down fall about the site was that the panoramic pictures I was looking at were not in 3-D so i was not getting the full effect of being there.
During the tour I could click on different pictures on the bottom of the screen to listen to a guide tell me facts about the Taj Mahal and the buildings I was viewing. On the home site there were links to new additions and other sites that told about the Taj Mahal that could help while teaching. There was also an online discussion forum where anyone can post about their experience or questions they have. I liked this tour a lot since I may not be able to visit here it helped me feel like I was able to experience it a little. I would like to learn more on the Taj Mahal after visiting their site.
http://www.taj-mahal.net/blackLarge.htm
Monday, November 8, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Software Title: POWERVISTA RollCall | |||||
Vendor: PowerVista Software Cost: PowerVista RollCall Standard Edition: $2,200 per install | |||||
Description: Complete software application that keeps the relationships of students, instructors, administrators, and classroom sheduling managed and orderly. | |||||
Notes on Use: Great tool to help administrators stay organized and knowledgeable. | |||||
SOFTWARE FEATURE | 1 POOR | 2 BELOW AVERAGE | 3 AVERAGE | 4 ABOVE AVERAGE | 5 EXCELLENT |
Documentation (5) | Documentation is excessively technical and/or difficult to follow | Documentation is generally understandable but not very user-friendly | Documentation is user-friendly and reasonably easy to follow | Clear documentation that is logical and easy to follow | Very clear, user-friendly documentation that leaves no questions |
Technical Support (4) | No local or toll-free telephone support available | No local support; phone support available for an hourly fee | Local tech support and phone support available for modest fees | Local tech help available for modest fee; no-charge phone support | Local help and toll-free support readily available at no charge |
Multiple Users (5) | Cannot be used by more than one user | Usable by multiple users if per-user licensing is purchased | Payment of a relatively small fee allows multiple users | No additional fee but allows addition of up to 10 users | Comes with permission for multiple users |
Help Features (4) | Few or no help features available | Help limited to a Help or Read-Me file on Installation CD or website | Clicking a help button provides on-screen assistance with common problems | Help button is context sensitive and provides clear help | Highlighting and clicking area of difficulty brings up a related Help feature |
Tutorials (4) | No tutorials provided | Tutorials may be ordered with a fee | Limited tutorial provided on a CD or may be requested without charge | Tutorials offered as an online option or on a CD | Extensive online and CD based tutorials provided |
Administrative Features (5) | Lacks some of the commonly included basic features | Only basic features are included | Basic features and additional features are included | Includes most of the features desired | Comprehensive features included |
Multiple Platforms (1) | Works on only one operating system | Although purchased for one platform, versions for other platforms may be purchased | Program will run on multiple operating systems; features may vary with platform | May be used on multiple platforms; features similar although not identical | May be used on multiple platforms with consistent features across platforms |
Conversion/Import/Export Features (4) | No provision for conversion between software | Cannot be imported or exported into other programs but can be converted into a few of the more popular formats | Can be converted, imported, or exported into programs by major vendors | Easily converted into common formats; maintains most of format features | Fully compatible via conversion, import, and export with all vendors |
All Needed Applications (If a suite or Integrated Software) (5) | Missing many applications that are needed | Some needed applications missing from package | Most of the expected applications are included and compatible with each other | All basic applications included and fully integrated | Includes applications beyond those needed; full integrating within suite and compatible with other vendor software |
Hardware Compatibility (3) | Requires upgrades for some hardware to work on all machines | Requires limited upgrades to some machines | Will work on most machines without upgrades | Works acceptably on all machines without upgrades | Maximum performance with no hardware upgrades required on any machines |
Cost (3) | Expensive when compared to other vendors | Cost is relatively high when compared to other vendors | Average cost | Reasonably priced, includes some discounts | Special pricing for educational users. |
New Doc Feature
A new tool added is Finding Docs in a Doc List. Now there are more ways to search for a specific spreadsheet, document, or presentation. Now you can pick how narrow your search is by using specific quotes, exact words, several of the words, or Docs with similar words. With this new tool you will also be able to see the documents you most recently created at the top of your list, so that you may revisit them. The other neat aspect of this tool is that you can sort your results by relevance. This way you will get the documents that relate most with your topic first.
Administrative software assists educators in accomplishing tasks associated with the profession. This new Finding Docs in a Doc List tool can definitely benefit educators. If a teacher is looking for a document that they created a month ago and they search the word “pencils”, the tool will bring up multiple documents that correspond to this word. Chances are the document the teacher is looking for is in the new list. This tool can also be beneficial in that if a teacher created a power point the day before they presented it, all they would have to do to pull it up would be to open the tool and this power point will be among the most recent. I think teachers could use this tool every day.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Assignment #4
Our grade level has been allotted money to purchase one computer per teacher. I would like to propose we buy our new computers from the Apple Store. They have generated all-in-one computers that would be perfect for teachers such as us to reduce clutter in the classroom. The computer I suggest that we look into is the 27-inch iMac. It is the largest they make and in a classroom this is perfect for viewing assignments, videos, and presentations. It has all in one: display, hard drive, graphics card, optical drive, memory, and more. To justify this machine better I need to analyze each component it has.
This computer would certainly benefit the students in more ways than one. The first apparent reason is the 27-inch LCD screen. The resolution is 2560by1440 which is beyond HD. This will help the students in the whole classroom see the screen better. It will also help us as teachers when showing our power points, videos, and photos. The speakers the iMac comes equipped with are louder and better than ever. They have less distortion and good bass response, so when we’re viewing films students will not have any problems identifying the facts we have ask them to. The speakers require no extra plugs because they are already attached, even though the output jack is easily accessible on the back of the monitor. The audio input jack is also located in the back of the monitor, but the microphone is already built in. Since this is an all-in-one computer it only made since for the camera to be included as well. It is hidden at the top of the monitor and takes high quality pictures that can be edited right there on the computer. There is also a SDXC card slot for memory cards in the case that we want to upload pictures from a digital camera. The iSight camera on the computer can also be used for live chats. So as you can see the iMac has many desirable features.
We’ve talked mainly about the outside of the computer; now let’s talk about what is powering the computer that we are investing in. The iMac has the fastest RAM possible for this machine. This computer is running on 16GB of RAM which exceeds the necessary amount needed for the classroom. The iMac has a 2.93GHz Quad-Core Intel Processor, which is also the highest possible for this model. If we have this running underneath our screen the children will have no delays and will be able to comprehend more material in a day. Having the two of these working together will help our students succeed. On the back of the monitor there are four USB ports, one firewire mini display port, and one internet port. On the side of the computer there is the CD/DVD port. All of the ports are accessible and sufficient for classroom use. I do not for see us needing more of any of them. I have added the feature of Microsoft Office Mac 2008- Home and Student Edition; to the computer given that we are going to be using it in a classroom setting. Students will be using Microsoft Office almost every day on these computers. As far as hardware goes this computer is fully loaded for the classroom.
The extras this computer contains are all necessary. The printer we are ordering with it is the Epson WorkForce 615 All-in-One Printer. This printer prints 38 ppm and is an inkjet printer. It is very cost efficient because it is cordless. Being an all-in-one it can print, scan, and fax. The resolution on its scan is 5760x1440. This will be wonderful in the classroom for students’ projects and homework. Another extra feature is the Magic Mouse. The seamless design makes it easier to scroll and easier to use for everyone. The keyboard picked for this computer is wireless. It requires its own batteries but because it will work from anywhere in the room I can run class while sitting in the back of the room. This could make students pay more attention knowing the teacher is watching them. The last feature added is the Apple Remote this also makes it easy to control the iMac from anywhere in the room. This will be incredible convenient for power points and films. All of these extras will help the iMac an amazing computer to add to the classroom.
The iMac is the best choice for our grade level. The whole package will come out to a total of $4,615.90. For a computer with these features is an amazing price. With these computers we can enhance the students learning through better quality and more interaction. I hope you seriously consider my proposal.
Apple.com
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Assignment #2
For the Myer Briggs Test you are given letter that respond best to you personality. The letters I received were ESFP. This stands for Extraversion, Sensing, Feeling, and Perceiving. Extraversion stands for the fact that I act first and think/reflect later. It also means that I feel open and motivated by the outside world of people and things. With Extraversion I enjoy a variety and changes in relationships with friends. Sensing means I live in the now. I use common sense to create practical solutions. Sensing also means that I do not like guessing, I like when information is concrete. Feeling means that I think about the outcome and affect a situation will have on others before I do it. It also means that I am unsettled by conflict. Perceiving means that I am comfortable moving with the flow. It also means that I like to multitask, while avoiding things that will affect my flexibility. I believe that all four of these traits reflect me accurately. I love diving into work and thinking as I go. I also enjoy mixing up my friends and continuing to make new ones. I am a social butterfly. I think with Feeling, it is definitely stated correctly when it says that I am unsettled with conflict because I cannot stand it when someone is mad at me. It is the worst feeling in the world and I try to solve it automatically. The Myer Briggs Test is a great tool to use for anyone curious about their personality style.
Myer Briggs Personality Test: http://www.personalitypathways.com/type_inventory.html
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Assignment #1
I would define educational technology as any technology used in and for the aid of learning in the classroom. At my high school we were constantly faced with and encouraged to use technology with the majority of our assignments. Our teachers would use it to teach us the material and we would use it to comprehend it further. Though technology can be helpful there are still factors that also discourage its use in the classroom. Throughout this paper I will explore educational technology and how it expands the learning environment.
Like I stated before my high school was very technologically advanced. I believe one of the most beneficial types of technology we used was the smart boards. I got the chance to use them in all of my MATH classes and the boards definitely made learning in those classes easier. When the teacher was able to get up on the board and interact with the PowerPoint, we were able to visualize the problems easier. The smart boards made it twice as beneficial when we, as students, were able to interact with the board as well. It helped me learn what I was doing wrong and chances are if one of us was doing it wrong then someone else in the class got results out of it as well. The integration of smart boards into the classroom was a major advantage for both students and teachers. I believe technology should be integrated into the classroom in ways like this. Smart boards are helpful in the classroom, but not overpowering at the same time. Students like to have technology as their aid, but if you overwhelm them with it they can feel helpless. As a student I always feel like there is another program or gadget my teachers are making me learn, and in k-12 schools this will get very hard. Educational technology needs to be taken in in small doses.
Technology plays a different role with teachers than it does students. Both use technology in the classroom in different ways. For teachers technology is a way to communicate with their students. When teachers use technology in the classroom whether it’s a poster or a PowerPoint, they are inspiring their students to learn and be creative. Also when teachers are using technology in the classroom they are promoting and modeling digital citizenship and responsibility that teaches their students about copyrights, online safety, and so much more. A couple of the other things teachers do as described by the NEST standards are Design and develop digital-age learning experiences and assessments, model digital-age work and learning, and engage in professional growth and leadership. For students technology in the classroom is used a little differently. Each day students use it to have creativity and innovation. This can be through generating new ideas or identifying trends and forecasting possibilities. Students also use technology to research and gather information. They can do this with planning strategies and analyzing information. Students use critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making to make informed decisions using digital tools. Described in their NEST standards students use communication and collaboration, digital citizenship, and technology operations and concepts. So as you can see students and teacher both use technology in the classroom in different ways.
There are many factors that encourage and discourage the use of educational technology in the classroom. Factors that encourage technology in the classroom are that children these days are so much more technologically advanced that we as teachers have to catch up. By using technology we can optimize how much these kids are learning. Teachers have to adapt their teaching styles to create the best learning environment for these students. The disadvantage of having technology in the classroom is that, like I said before, it can get distracting and overwhelming. Yes most kids these days are more technology savvy than teachers are, but the more teachers are getting prepared the more they surpass the student. If the students have to learn how to use all this new technology as well as the material for the class, school can get quite impossible. So in the end educational technology has its advantages and disadvantages.
In classrooms today the use of educational technology is inevitable. This technology helps aid students in their learning in more ways than one. At the same time the use of technology needs to be limited so as to not overwhelm teachers and students alike. Today the implementation of educational technology has changed learning for the better.
Like I stated before my high school was very technologically advanced. I believe one of the most beneficial types of technology we used was the smart boards. I got the chance to use them in all of my MATH classes and the boards definitely made learning in those classes easier. When the teacher was able to get up on the board and interact with the PowerPoint, we were able to visualize the problems easier. The smart boards made it twice as beneficial when we, as students, were able to interact with the board as well. It helped me learn what I was doing wrong and chances are if one of us was doing it wrong then someone else in the class got results out of it as well. The integration of smart boards into the classroom was a major advantage for both students and teachers. I believe technology should be integrated into the classroom in ways like this. Smart boards are helpful in the classroom, but not overpowering at the same time. Students like to have technology as their aid, but if you overwhelm them with it they can feel helpless. As a student I always feel like there is another program or gadget my teachers are making me learn, and in k-12 schools this will get very hard. Educational technology needs to be taken in in small doses.
Technology plays a different role with teachers than it does students. Both use technology in the classroom in different ways. For teachers technology is a way to communicate with their students. When teachers use technology in the classroom whether it’s a poster or a PowerPoint, they are inspiring their students to learn and be creative. Also when teachers are using technology in the classroom they are promoting and modeling digital citizenship and responsibility that teaches their students about copyrights, online safety, and so much more. A couple of the other things teachers do as described by the NEST standards are Design and develop digital-age learning experiences and assessments, model digital-age work and learning, and engage in professional growth and leadership. For students technology in the classroom is used a little differently. Each day students use it to have creativity and innovation. This can be through generating new ideas or identifying trends and forecasting possibilities. Students also use technology to research and gather information. They can do this with planning strategies and analyzing information. Students use critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making to make informed decisions using digital tools. Described in their NEST standards students use communication and collaboration, digital citizenship, and technology operations and concepts. So as you can see students and teacher both use technology in the classroom in different ways.
There are many factors that encourage and discourage the use of educational technology in the classroom. Factors that encourage technology in the classroom are that children these days are so much more technologically advanced that we as teachers have to catch up. By using technology we can optimize how much these kids are learning. Teachers have to adapt their teaching styles to create the best learning environment for these students. The disadvantage of having technology in the classroom is that, like I said before, it can get distracting and overwhelming. Yes most kids these days are more technology savvy than teachers are, but the more teachers are getting prepared the more they surpass the student. If the students have to learn how to use all this new technology as well as the material for the class, school can get quite impossible. So in the end educational technology has its advantages and disadvantages.
In classrooms today the use of educational technology is inevitable. This technology helps aid students in their learning in more ways than one. At the same time the use of technology needs to be limited so as to not overwhelm teachers and students alike. Today the implementation of educational technology has changed learning for the better.
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