Well everyone, I finally went on Tapped In and took and online course. I expected it to be very boring and sterile, but it was very personable and informative. I took the Tapped In Tricks and Tips session and it really helped me get a handle on how to use the site. I am now able to look at other buildings and join other groups. The world is suddenly clearer. Also, I found it really neat how this site encompasses that "Global Community," my instructor was typing all the way in New South Wales, Australia at 6:00 am on a Monday. That just blows me away! Plus, the amount of resources for my career that are just sitting there waiting to be used, and people to help me to use them. Just incredible!!! I also really enjoyed how cautious they are with the particular groups that users can join. For example, any of the groups that work with real students are more protected.
I think this will be a great tool for my career. I can't wait to learn how to get my students on here and learn from people around the globe.
Jackie
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Tech Task #9: The Review!!!
I have been asked to review a piece of software for my latest tech task. I chose SpongeBob Squarepants, TYPING: The SpongeBob Way. Now, when I think of SpongeBob ever, I get the chills, so when I think of him trying to teach me something, well you just don't want to know. This software was created by the Learning Company and is for ages 7 and up. Now I teach that age group and I know that they would not be able to use this software. The cons outweigh the pros 10 to 1 at least; here are a few.
Cons:
1. 2 parts of the 3 part of the software were not compatible with my MacBook
2 There was a lengthy, nonsense cartoon at the beginning of the game
3. The software often froze or kicked me off, having to sign in again
4. The games required a great deal of reading and listening to instruction (there were no written instructions that are at the level of a seven year old and this game does not cater to hearing impaired children)
5. The practice area was difficult for me to complete and challenged the typing that I was doing in high school
6. I found it odd that the tournament area housed the practice components and lessons and the practice area housed the more challenging components
7. The games were not self directed and used language that is not age appropriate for seven year olds (such as "congress")
8. The words and letters were small and difficult to read
9. The game focused on negative reinforcement by SpongeBob laughing at mistakes, even though the game includes stickers for positive reinforcement on lessons
10. The game uses language and abbreviations that only adults would understand. Such as at the end of the lesson when your score is calculated at "88% with a WPM of 22 and and AWPM of 17 meaning that your accuracy needs to be improved." (See, I didn't even get all of that!)
Pros
1. There are options
2. Kids like SpongeBob
3. There is a "Quit" button
Well I guess I lied, the score for this game was 10 to 3. Good for it. All in all I feel that this game is not appropriate for teaching young students to type. It does not allow them to master basic skills before moving on and moves on too quickly. The reading required and language used are not age appropriate. The game is not easy to maneuver through and does not give adequate instructions. When instructions are given they are too quick and difficult to understand. Students do not learn to spell or read with this program, they are just typing random letter combinations that do not make sense. Overall, SpongeBob is not educational and should not be used to promote educational tools.
I rate this game at a 1 out of 10. I give it a one for it's awesome ability to be turned off! Please, don't give it to your children.
Cons:
1. 2 parts of the 3 part of the software were not compatible with my MacBook
2 There was a lengthy, nonsense cartoon at the beginning of the game
3. The software often froze or kicked me off, having to sign in again
4. The games required a great deal of reading and listening to instruction (there were no written instructions that are at the level of a seven year old and this game does not cater to hearing impaired children)
5. The practice area was difficult for me to complete and challenged the typing that I was doing in high school
6. I found it odd that the tournament area housed the practice components and lessons and the practice area housed the more challenging components
7. The games were not self directed and used language that is not age appropriate for seven year olds (such as "congress")
8. The words and letters were small and difficult to read
9. The game focused on negative reinforcement by SpongeBob laughing at mistakes, even though the game includes stickers for positive reinforcement on lessons
10. The game uses language and abbreviations that only adults would understand. Such as at the end of the lesson when your score is calculated at "88% with a WPM of 22 and and AWPM of 17 meaning that your accuracy needs to be improved." (See, I didn't even get all of that!)
Pros
1. There are options
2. Kids like SpongeBob
3. There is a "Quit" button
Well I guess I lied, the score for this game was 10 to 3. Good for it. All in all I feel that this game is not appropriate for teaching young students to type. It does not allow them to master basic skills before moving on and moves on too quickly. The reading required and language used are not age appropriate. The game is not easy to maneuver through and does not give adequate instructions. When instructions are given they are too quick and difficult to understand. Students do not learn to spell or read with this program, they are just typing random letter combinations that do not make sense. Overall, SpongeBob is not educational and should not be used to promote educational tools.
I rate this game at a 1 out of 10. I give it a one for it's awesome ability to be turned off! Please, don't give it to your children.
Monday, April 2, 2007
Kudos Digital Internship!
I am sure some of you fine folks out there are already aware that I was part of the Digital Internship Project. This project allowed me to be mentored while integrating technology into my education internship, something that I truly recommend to any education student out there! Unfortunately, I just am not seeing that same enthusiasm with next years interns. I went to visit a group today and tell them of the wonderous adventures that technology could bring to them. They just didn't seem to interested. Listen up new teachers, technology, be it chalk or a smart board, is here to stay and you better know how to use it. It may just make the difference for one of your students or one of your classes someday. Technology is not the only way to go, but it is a big part of our society and we need to be able to teach it. To any of you out there that are attending the University of Regina's Education program and are going to go into intrenship think of these pros:
1. Free laptop for four months
2. Access to computer technology and mentors at the U of R beyond what regular interns would receive
3. A way to differentiate yourself from 300 others (The only interviews that I had were based on my use of technology with early childhood students)
4. Workshops and lots of them
5. Free food (This is not the most important, but interns are poor and a free meal here or there doesn't hurt!)
I really recommend that if you ever have an opportunity such as this to jump on it. I learned so much as an educator. I can do so many more interesting things with what I have learned than most teachers I know. Just do it!!!
1. Free laptop for four months
2. Access to computer technology and mentors at the U of R beyond what regular interns would receive
3. A way to differentiate yourself from 300 others (The only interviews that I had were based on my use of technology with early childhood students)
4. Workshops and lots of them
5. Free food (This is not the most important, but interns are poor and a free meal here or there doesn't hurt!)
I really recommend that if you ever have an opportunity such as this to jump on it. I learned so much as an educator. I can do so many more interesting things with what I have learned than most teachers I know. Just do it!!!
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