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.
I agree with you that Rosetta Stone is a wonderful software to use in the classroom! I think it could also be used for ELL students while they are currently learning the English language. I like how you would use it to give students the opportunity to expand their language skills and learn from other cultures.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that the virtual environment is quickly gaining attention in the classroom. Look at Florida, they offer an academy for k-12 completely online. I feel that very soon the virtual environment will soon be in almost every classroom in some capacity.
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