Let's get Technical

Hyper Media Software:
This is a fast rapid growing form of teaching in modern classrooms. Technology is making permanence in today's society and bettering the way we look at education. Hypermedia products are enhancing learning for our students by giving them more practice and more resourceful  information. A type of Hypermedia product that  I think is extremely useful for teachers/students would be Instructional Software. This type of hyper media product helps give tutorials, drills, simulations, instructional games as well as can help with problem solving.  One of the web links that really stuck out for me was the Rosetta Stone language software( http://rosettastone.com). I chose this link because with our nation's increase in diversity among the classrooms, having a language software that could help the students better communicate among each other seems like a great idea. Bilingualism only helps students cognitively, and with better communication between the students this could lead to less bullying.

Authoring Tools: 
While I can see the benefits form using any of the wonderful and enlightening multimedia authoring type tools, the one I could find myself getting the most use out of in my classroom would be the one dealing with Virtual Environments. The book discusses how this is not as common of a tool, but as we know with technology, it does not take long for it to expand. One of the main reasons I was drawn to Virtual Environments, was the idea behind the virtual field trips; I think is is a great idea because if for example you are having your students do a report on the beach but some of your students have never been then you could take your students on a virtual field trip to the beach so that they can gain some background knowledge on what a beach is.  I also like the collaboration aspects that goes along with virtual environments because as much as we detest collaboration sometimes it is a vital part of the real world and something students must adapt to.

Technology in the Classroom: Digital Media

3 Tools for the Schools

Word Processing Software:  Word Processing is a useful and diverse program to use in the classroom. This program can be used to help students improve their typing skills by having them write out essays or short answer responses. Word Processing  can also be used as a way to help make different templates and documents such as certificates, newletters, and lesson plans. A negative impact Word Processing might have in the classroom would be the way it could impact a students handwrtting skills as well as grammar and spelling. Teachers should keep this in mind; especially putting emphasis on the impact of grammar and spelling becuase students become heavily dependent on spell check.

Spread Sheet Software: Being a teacher requires extensive organzing and planning in order to efficiently run a classroom; with this in mind, a teacher might find Spread Sheet Software helpful in many ways for organizing. A teacher could use Spreadsheet Software to merge mail letters such as what we did in class the other day; this tool is helpful for sending out mass letters in a short amount of time. This Software would also be helpful with making gradebook sheets or charts with the students names to see how they are improving or evaluate them in areas they need help in. A teacher might even find use for this Software to help keep their perosnal documents such as bills in check too.

Presentation Software: Perosnally speaking,  I think Presentation Software is highly effective in a classrooom and helps promote learning in all asepcts. Many students are visual learners and need something to look at as they learn. Presentations help grab students' attention and can help relay information to students in a different manner. Prezi and Powerpoint are too highly effective presentation softwares that I throughly enjoy using. Teachers can even have their students make Prezis and Powerpoints to present to the class; this would help get the students more involved as well as teach them public speaking skills that are vital in everday life.

Classroom Usage: I deffiantley see myself  relying on Word Processing and Presentation software in my classroom, but I probablly will not make much use of Spread Sheet Software. Mostly I find myself making several Prezi presentations becuase I find them to be attention grabbers and they are an organized and efficient way to educate. I also like the idea of having my students get involved in the process of making and presenting becuase I think Public Speaking is a skill in itself that is dieing due to the heavy reliance on technology.

About Kim

Hello :),

My name is Kim Hagood, I am a junior at the University of Montevallo where I am majoring in Deaf Education. I love signing and just everything about Deaf Culture; it is a fascinating culture and I learn new things everyday. I have a twin sister named Ashley so pay attention to who you are talking to on campus, becuase it could be my sister ha ha. I have a pet bunny rabbit named Captain Knuffles and a weinie dog named Chico they are best friends and I adore them.  I enjoy camping, hiking and bonfires during my spare time; I am always game to be outside on a pretty day.