Question: What is a simulation?
Answer: "A simulation is the process of imitating a real situation or object with a set of mathematical formulas" (p. 311). Simulations are so cool! I remember going to the Air and Space Museum as a child and always wanting to do the Flight Simulator. It was so awesome to feel like I was the pilot and the mission was in my hands. Now they have simulators everywhere. There are 3-D simulators at theme parks and even 4-D simulators that incoporate the other senses. But simulators are not just rides anymore, they are video games as well. The Sims is a great example. So are other games out there that put you in a cause-effect situation, where the decisions you make can alter the future of you and your family/town/city/castle/military/life!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Getting to Know the World Wide Web - Chapter 3
Question: How can a teacher take advantage of blogging for global assignments?
Answer: I think that taking advantage of blogging for global assignments is a great idea. Blogging gives everyone a voice to express their feelings, wishes, opinions, etc... That is an empowering feeling to have your voice heard by just one person, let alone the millions, if not billions, of people theat read blogs or are on the internet. A social studies teacher could give an assignment to their students on the impact of the global economy on third world nations or even take the events currently happening in Egypt, and the students could be asked to just blogs their opinions, views, and feelings (always school appropriate) on the matter. What a great way to get students to research what is happening all around them and to have them thinking critically at the same time. Blogs can create awareness to situations students never would have thought about. If used correctly, I believe that blogging in the classroom could create some incredible minds.
Answer: I think that taking advantage of blogging for global assignments is a great idea. Blogging gives everyone a voice to express their feelings, wishes, opinions, etc... That is an empowering feeling to have your voice heard by just one person, let alone the millions, if not billions, of people theat read blogs or are on the internet. A social studies teacher could give an assignment to their students on the impact of the global economy on third world nations or even take the events currently happening in Egypt, and the students could be asked to just blogs their opinions, views, and feelings (always school appropriate) on the matter. What a great way to get students to research what is happening all around them and to have them thinking critically at the same time. Blogs can create awareness to situations students never would have thought about. If used correctly, I believe that blogging in the classroom could create some incredible minds.
Productivity Tools and Application Software - Chapter 2
Question: How can concept-mapping tools be used to address different learning styles?
Answer: Concept-mapping tools have been proven to work wonders for different learning styles in reading, writing, math, social studies, science, etc... But to use concept-mapping tools in combination with technology is a whole different level. Websites like "Inspiration and Kidspiration (www.inspiration.com/home.cfm) and The Graphic Organizer (http://www.graphis.org/) are visual ways to think, write, and comprehend. Inspiration provides integrated diagramming and outlining environments that work together to help students comprehend concepts and information" (p. 49). These sites are outstanding and allow the students to create their own concept maps/diagrams so they can better understand the material presented for comprehension. I can only imagine the possibilities and successes that we could have achieved if these programs and sites were around when we were in school.
Answer: Concept-mapping tools have been proven to work wonders for different learning styles in reading, writing, math, social studies, science, etc... But to use concept-mapping tools in combination with technology is a whole different level. Websites like "Inspiration and Kidspiration (www.inspiration.com/home.cfm) and The Graphic Organizer (http://www.graphis.org/) are visual ways to think, write, and comprehend. Inspiration provides integrated diagramming and outlining environments that work together to help students comprehend concepts and information" (p. 49). These sites are outstanding and allow the students to create their own concept maps/diagrams so they can better understand the material presented for comprehension. I can only imagine the possibilities and successes that we could have achieved if these programs and sites were around when we were in school.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Getting Started With Technology
How have societal trends during the Information Age been influenced by technological advances?
Societal trends have impacted technology in a huge way. It was said the most of today's children have never lived in a noncomputerized society. How crazy is that? I remember when computers were just coming out and no one I knew had them. We got our first family computer when I was about 8 years old and it was brand new. Compared to the computers of today, it would be like Atari and X-Box 360. The world is moving faster today and newer technology is needed to function. The book said that it is estimated that the amount of information in the world doubles every 900 days. Doubled in every 900 days? That is insane. Our society today is impatient and needs things now, so our technology needs to support that speed.
Societal trends have impacted technology in a huge way. It was said the most of today's children have never lived in a noncomputerized society. How crazy is that? I remember when computers were just coming out and no one I knew had them. We got our first family computer when I was about 8 years old and it was brand new. Compared to the computers of today, it would be like Atari and X-Box 360. The world is moving faster today and newer technology is needed to function. The book said that it is estimated that the amount of information in the world doubles every 900 days. Doubled in every 900 days? That is insane. Our society today is impatient and needs things now, so our technology needs to support that speed.
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