Evin's Fabulous Podcast!

Post #3

I would like to teach the fifth grade, and I find American history to be particularly interesting, so I would enjoy creating a lesson plan about how the pilgrims came to America. I would use presentation software such as Powerpoint to aid me in my lesson. I would want my students to grasp the concept of what the pilgrims went through as they sailed across the ocean and eventually built their own settlement; I would put pictures of how the Mayflower would have looked in my powerpoint, and I would also include pictures of items like the clothes pilgrims wore and the tools they had to work with. This visual demonstration would help my students better connect with the subject. I would also include things like interesting fonts and color to help keep my students' attention.

Supervising students in a technology environment will certainly pose challenges. First of all, if the students are doing an assignment on a computer, it would be easy for them to become distracted with games, webpages, etc. that the internet offers rather than what they are supposed to be working on. Also, censorship is definitely an issue; I would have to make sure that my fifth grade studnets are not accessing information that is inappropriate for children their age, not to mention inappropriate for a school environment. I would also have to be certain that students who have limited access to computers outside of class are not falling behind the others who are more fortunate.

There are many web-based resources that teachers can use to enhance their lessons. For example, Spanish is a subject that many students begin learning when they are in elementary school. If I were introducing the Spanish language to a class of fourth or fifth graders, I would tell my students to explore http://wordreference.com/. At this web site, students can type in any English word and find its equivalent in many different languages, including Spanish. This would be a great tool to help students develop their curiosity for new languages and enjoy becoming more proficient in them.

Post #2

I have frequently used Microsoft Word as a student. For most of the classes I've taken, both in high school and college, I've been required to turn in some form of written assignment. For a vast majority of these assignments, I have used Microsoft Word. I have also had assignments in certain classes that required me to create hand-outs for the rest of my classmates; these hand-outs often had pictures and unique fonts or text colors, and I created all of them on Word. In addition, I've often stored notes for my classes in files that I've created through Word. My teachers have used Word as well; for example, they've made tests or other assignments on Word and then given them to the class. I've also taken a computer class in which the teacher used Word extensively to help the studets familiarize themselves with the basics of computers.

I really liked the example from Mr. Harrison's class in which the students created newspapers on Microsoft Word that told about daily life in medieval Europe. This was a fantastic assignment for numerous reasons. First of all, rather than dull worksheets or essay assignments, the newspaper allowed students to be creative. They were able to pick the topics, fonts, and headings that they wanted; they were also able to write a paper of a genre other than a standard five-paragraph essay. This change in routine certainly made the students eager to start the project. In addition, because newspapers reflect people's daily lives, the students were able to connect with the topic and feel as if they were a part of what they were writing about.

I enjoyed learning about Paint. I have used this program throughout my life simply as a fun activity, but I never saw it as a teaching tool. With the new skills that I have gained in this class, I am certain that I would be able to use Paint when I have my own class. For example, I could use it to make a short movie regarding something I will be teaching. This will be a unique approach that will be sure to grab my students' attention.

Flowers :)

Post #1

In the "information age," computers have become a necessary part of everyday life; they help people find information, communicate with others, run a business, and so much more. Because of this extensive use, computers have a significatn presence in the classroom as well. Not only can the ability to use computers help students learn new concepts while they are in school, but it can also prepare them for success in the "real world." Instructional software such as tutorials, drill-and-practice programs, and simultations can help students grasp a new concept and even begin to develop their own thoughts about it. Due to their thorough and repetitive nature, computers also allow students to work at a pace that is appropriate for their cognitive abilities. Once students graduate, a proficiency in the use of items such as email, spreadsheets, and the internet will aid them in the workplace. There are, however, critical concerns regarding computers that teachers must address. For example, because of the digital divide, students do not all come into the classroom with the same technological abilities. Some students may be completely competent in the use of computers while others may never have had the chance to use one. Teachers must be able to give all students I an equal chance to succeed using computers despite the wide range of abilities that will be present in the classroom.

I look forward to being able to use computers to teach my students. Thanks to powerpoint, which allows for different colors, fonts, and graphics, I will be able to present lessons in a style that is more interesting than an old-fashioned chalkboard. In addition, because of the aforementioned instructional software programs, I will be able to provide my students with tools that can help them further grasp topics that I will have introduced. In EME2040, I hope to learn all of the information necessary to use these tools effectively in my future classroom.

I am very excited about my future career! I have wanted to be a teacher all of my life, and it is wonderful to see the progress that I am making towards becoming one. I know that the education program at FSU is an excellent, and I cannot wait to take more courses here. I am particularly excited to learn about all of the technology that will be taught in this course.