This week in 515

This week in class we discussed a myriad of topics.  We discussed technology based communication and creative thinking, characteristics of the Internet, different types of search engines, and online word processing programs.

When doing the bookwork (by the way my book final arrived), I found it interesting to find the vehement difference between collaboration and cooperation.  It was also interesting to examine how to be a facilitator in a technological communication setting.  This material was informational and eye-opening.

Our next task was to research characteristics of the Internet, striving to find an area that you may not have been aware of.  I chose plug-ins because I honestly was a little hazy to their actual purpose.  However, the user-friendly nature of the reading made it easy for me to learn the general basis of this software.

Another one of our tasks was to compare different search engines, along with learning to better refine a search.  I thought it was very interesting to see the different features that the various search engines possessed.  More importantly however, was the tutorial explaining how to properly refine a search.  I learned quite a bit, and should now hopefully be able perform a more efficient hunt for information.

Lastly, we were to use an online word processing document (Google Docs), along with comparing it to other similar programs.  Online word processing, although new to me, will more than likely find a place in my classroom.  Ever since learning about Google Docs a couple of months ago, I've considered using it as a question/answer forum for my struggling students.

All in all, this week's activities were very informative and intriguing. 

Starting Again

I can't speak for everyone else, but I know that I enjoyed my time away from being a graduate student.  It was a nice period of time to catch up with family, grade some papers, and watch some football.  However, all things considered, I was ready to get back to work again.

With 515 starting last Tuesday, it was clear that this class was going to be a touch different.  As 510 was more of a technical analysis of how computers work, this class appears to be more of an examination of how to incorporate different technological tools.  For starters, using the TypeWithMe document was pretty interesting.  I thought it was cool how it color coded typing, and also allowed for multiple people to type at the same time.  It was also different to have to read chapters on technological idealogies.  It was very informative to read the different takes on how to apply technology to an effective learner model, along with how a school should set up a technology program.  Another change of pace was using a graphics program to create an image.  I'm not saying I'm now an expert image creator, but it was still very fun/informative.  Finally, before 510, I really had no idea there were online presentation tools.  I was always under the impression that PowerPoint had a monopoly on technological presentation tools.  However, with the beginning of this class, I've been able to broaden my horizons by viewing many other programs.

I feel the content from this class will be quite helpful to my classroom instruction.  For example, I could certainly see myself using some sort of graphics program to specifically illustrate 3-D shapes.  Also, the TypeWithMe feature could specifically host a study session for my advanced mathematics class.

In summation, I think 515 will be a different experience than 510, but informative none-the-less.  I know I'll certainly gain some knowledge that will aid my classroom instruction.