Thursday, December 11, 2008

Group Discussion / Free Educational Games

Antonio Quichocho
Winda Espulgar
Robert Caguin
Daniel Pangelinan
Darlene Vigil
Group #1 Discussion

It is amazing how technology has taken over the world. Everything from mail to travel is now available at the convenience of a screen and the World Wide Web. This wonderful advancement has made its mark everywhere, to include the classroom. Many educators have utilized technology at least once in their teaching career. There are thousands upon thousands resources available to not only teachers but students as well. Because of this modern progression, countless students have the vast knowledge of the internet, computers, and its functions. Educational games also have allowed the student-teacher rapport to increase. The mention of the word “game” will ignite interests upon the students in the classroom. It seems as if students are inclined to want to learn if the lesson integrates technology.
So when does an instructor know when, what, or how to add these technological tools to their everyday, mundane lesson plans? The answer varies among many educators. Some may say that the appropriate timing is based on students learning. Some also argue that it is the availability of the resources. In all fairness, it is based on both learning and availability.
Many times the teacher struggles to get by a simple lesson plan in mathematics. How does one teach 7-year old Jimmy how to properly add? How do you motivate little Betty to do her homework? All these questions embed the mind of the instructor. Sometimes the teacher has to take the risk in what is known as student-centered teaching. This process is a reciprocating procedure. Instead of the teacher giving lectures left and right, the students take over their learning. Allowing students access to online games calls for excellent student-centered teaching because of its simplicity and fun. Students will be more likely to engage in an activity where they can “control” the learning environment.
A prime example is the Math Scramble game available on www.problemsite.com. This game focuses on a puzzle format. There are three levels in this game; easy, moderate, and challenging. Students move tiles with numbers to the appropriate math equation. This is a key game to learners in the intermediate and advance level. However the game may be a problem for beginners because of its inaccessibility to hints, and answer buttons. Because of this, it is only appropriate that this game be for students in the intermediate to advance levels.

Monday, December 8, 2008

My personal reflection on Audio Visual Class

Four months of sweat, tears and conquering technology fears

I would like to start this summary with a confession: I really hated even the most basic of using a computer, which is typing on the keyboard.
I remember when I was in high school, I had three choices for an elective: typing, bookkeeping, or cosmetology. I chose cosmetology without hesitation.
In college, I completed a bachelor of science degree in elementary education, but for almost the last decade, I’ve taken a career path that had mostly to do with cosmetics and fragrances – as a supervisor for a high-end brand.
But after many years in the cosmetics industry, I have decided to shift back to classroom teaching.
This decision was inspired by my children, who range in grades from kindergarten to sophomore in high school. I felt if I went back to teaching, I could provide them with a better learning environment at home, and my work schedule would go well with their hours in school.
This decision to shift careers led me to sign up for this class.
With my background, this class was not an easy start. Almost everything in this class required the use of computer, computer software, and online research - just to name a few.
Because of my ignorance in computer use, I felt lost and felt out of touch during the first few days of the class. I looked at the young faces of my classmates, most of whom are computer-savvy.
I had a hard time because I had to learn two things at the same time. One, begin learning basic computer, which I never had formal training before, and two, also trying to absorb what the teacher is saying in class.
I remember the very first day of class I felt so frustrated about my limitations in computer use that I cried in front of my professor. I felt embarrassed that at work, I’m a supervisor, but in class I was a dummy.
There were countless nights I thought of dropping the class. But I decided that giving up is not the way to go. I really need to change my career so, no matter what it takes, I have to do my best in this class.
I turned my frustration into a challenge. I spent countless hours staying way past midnight, and at times until morning, getting myself familiar with the computer and navigating online sites to research for my homework.
After a while, I’ve gained confidence in my computer use. I spent many more hours exploring the Internet and learning from different Web sites.
These days, while I can’t say I am an expert in using computer technology as a future returning teacher, I can also humbly say that I have learned a lot.
I am no longer the computer illiterate when I started with this class. Before, I didn’t even know what URL meant. That’s not the case anymore. I can post comments easily, blog, upload links, bookmarking URLs, participating in an online class, use excel, and most importantly, I no longer panic when the computer shuts down.
When I finally become ready for classroom teaching, I think I will be able to teach and prepare lesson plans that will use technology to enhance students’ learning.
This class has made me want to learn more advanced computer lessons that will help me become more prepared to be a Guam school teacher.
I hope that if given the opportunity to pass this class, it will inspire me to learn more about the use of technology in the classroom.
And the next class I take there’s one I thing I won’t repeat for sure. I will still sweat with many more hours of work, but I will no longer be in tears for not knowing how to use a computer.
I have no regrets having taken this class. I also have gained some supportive classmates who I am thankful for as well as my teacher. They helped give me support to stick to the end.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Technology Tools Assessment #2










November 28, 2008

Technology Tools Assessment

Taking the Audio - Visual class this semester was really a big challenge for me; to be honest I was not computer literate. I took the class, I only knew how to check and send email, which I normally did at work. This semester introduced me to a number of different technological tools that I’ve never seen in my entire life. At first, I was so scared and confused. After I overcome my hesitation. I decided to take it as a challenge. I am going to assess eight of technological tools that I learned over the semester. I will also include my ratings using my own pictures. I will give two thumbs up for the highest ratings. And for the second to the highest I will give one thumb up. You will see two hands swaying for Ok, not so bad and two thumbs down for the least rating.










Free Spirit
http://www.freespirit.com/index.cfm
Free spirit exists to provide resources for children, teens, parents, educators, counselors and anyone interested in supporting young people with educational information that deal with real-life issues. Resources and tools such as books, CD’s, posters, and web links on the web site address social and emotional health and offers learning materials with excerpts forms for adults to utilize at home or in the classroom. One thing that I like is that there are few items such as pointers or reminders about specific that are downloadable and free of charge. I was a little disappointed because most items must purchase. And for those that are in a budget, I think that many items such as books and CD room with reproducible material are a little expensive. There is no disclaimer fees involved in getting authors to speak at events, workshops, etc. it seems that the author will make himself/herself available without a fee but sometimes along the lines fees and expense may apply. In conclusion, Free Spirit has a lot of advantages and disadvantages. The advantage to using this website is they offer a lot of educational information that deal with real life issue. And the disadvantages there are a lot of items that you have to purchase. Still, depending on the type of information you need. So I will give Free Spirit Two hands swaying.






You Tube
http://youtube.com/
You Tube website are a search engine in which one could search subject and receive visual images, demonstrations, or instructions. This website has positive benefits especially for those who learn better through visual demonstrations rather than verbal. On the other hand, this website is open to public. Anyone could upload information. The credibility of the website is lessened. There are many benefits to the use of you tube. One could virtually initiate a search on any subject and get results from that search uploaded from all over the world. Like for example, I needed a sample film clip of bread mold growth for my experiment I found various samples that I can use. There are also many educational resources that may retrieved by searching for educational subjects. However, not all searches have educational ties, many are fictional or comedic, and some are totally gimmicks with headlines that are misleading. Hence, there are also many disadvantages to the use of you tube as a reliable search engine. Since the website is open to all and anyone could upload digital recordings or images which make it difficult to accept the credibility of the search. There is also an abundance of links to sexual explicit websites such as You Porn. There are also many malicious uploads of violence, suicide, even genocide. These images and video clips have a negative effect toward education, which upholds positive educational benefits to children. You tube has many advantages and disadvantages as an educational search engine. One advantage is definitely the ability to use visual stimulation as a learning tool. And one of the disadvantages is the links to pornography and violence. But still, depending on the type of research being conducted, it can be a very informative educational tool open to all with internet access. I will give You Tube a one thumb up.






Fact Monster from Information Please
http://www.factmonster.com/index.html
Fact Monster from Information Please website provides children, parents and educators with vital reference materials, homework help, games, polls and features on subjects ranging from sports, math, world news and geography. According to the one of its press release, the site is updated daily. So, the information read by web visitors is constantly expanded and always current. The site is devoted to collecting facts and interesting bits of knowledge for kids. There are a number of interesting features on this site including: The Fact Monster Blog an on line forum broken down into boys and girls and further broken down by age groups 6-10 and 11-14. Another source is the reference desk; it has six great resource areas like, homework center, timeline, almanac, atlas dictionary and encyclopedia. Each of these areas is further supplemented by more resource tools. Analogy of the day provides an analogy quiz and the web browser can figure out the best answer. Today’s history sites historical facts of the month. Today’s birthday is a page that features famous person in the history. Daily word quiz, one chooses the correct context in which the word of the day is used in a sentence. This is another interesting and fun web site for facts and references, brain teasers and activities. What I found odd was in the section for World and News the only news link featured were headlines generated from the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation). I think it would be better rounded to have a news link from the U.S. and from Asia. This is just a minor disadvantage. I will still give Discovery Education one thumb up.












Discovery Education’s Discovery School
http://school.discovery.com/
The Discovery Education’s Discovery School is committed to making teaching and learning an exciting rewarding adventure for students, teachers and parents. The site provides innovative teaching materials for educators, useful and enjoyable resources for students and smart advice for parents about how to help children enjoy learning and do well in school. There are several features in this site including: Brain booster includes brain teasers, lateral thinking, logic number and math play, word and letter play and more. Curriculum center is a one stop shop that you can find classroom activities in a fun way. Kathy Schrock’s Guide for education is a site in an internet found to be useful for enhancing curriculum and teacher professional growth. Teacher store, all products including books, CD roms, video, etc. are available and supported by the National Education Standard. Puzzle maker is another fun tool that creates and print customized word search and crossword and math puzzle. Science Fair Central is another one stop shop guide for students and educators to create science fair project. There is great information on this web site and it is fun to go through, but not everything is free. There are some things you have to purchase or sign up to be a member of but overall, this is a very informative – and fun – site. That’s why I will give Discovery Education’s one thumb up.












Moodle’s Thinking Distance Classroom
http://www.gaughin.thinkinggistance.org/
Moodle’s Thinking Distance is an on line class. To be honest, I never had a class that based on line. This is the very first one that requires a lot of on line search. In fact my other professor never liked us to do an on line research some said that it is not reliable. When the class started I was so surprised. Especially when Dr. Cyrus showed us the site at first it is very complicated. But when I was introduce to the audio visual class Moodle’s site I am about to drop the class. To be honest I never have any computer class but I have my own pc just sitting at my house. However after a few weeks I find that Moodle was not difficult at all. It is very easy to navigate, which is a plus factor for me because I am not good in exploring especially if I am under stress. Moodle is really the best. First I can communicate with my professor and classmate better. I can keep tract my assignment and check the upcoming events. I can even view my grades which I can work better if I don’t make good on my other one. I can even view my professor comments on my home works. And if we have a group work and presentation we can communicate fast and professor can even view it. I like everything that I needed to know about my audio visual class just one click and you are already there. All the information and resources are provided; it really helps forgetful students like me. So far, audio visual class is almost done I never have any problem with Moodle. My only concern is whenever I submit my work my name does not appear on the assignment submission area, but that is very minor. In conclusion Moodle site was really an effective way of class communication I love everything on it. That is why I will give Moodle two thumbs up.






Delicious
http://del.icio.us/
Delicious is a bookmarking site that help user to bookmark sites, give description and organized them into a right categories. To be honest I never know that I can save and keep the site that I like. I can even bundle all the tags. Not only that I can keep and save my favorite sites on line. Another one that I like is the networking, people can put their friends name and be a guest and view their favorite site. Delicious was a site of discovery and learning it can link me to other peoples interest. I found myself getting use of it more often. Although I am fond of using Delicious site I found a minor problem. I am having hard time in creating a bundle. After putting my tags into bundle I can still see some tags that are still unbundle. But this is just a minor problem. Still I will give Delicious one thumb up.












Mozilla Firefox
http://mozillafirefox.com/
Mozilla Firefox was first introduced in November 2005. Mozilla is actually a non - profit organization and Firefox is a current project of Mozilla which is a web browser. Mozilla Firefox is raising competitor of Internet Explorer since it is release. Firefox is not hard to learn and did and it did not take long to work around with its features. The thing I like about the features is when you type your e mail or blog it has auto spell check. Another fun feature about Firefox is having additional downloads for online games and best of all the Firefox has a faster speed. The main thing that I don’t like about Firefox is compatibility. Some websites do not show well in Firefox, and needs you to view them with Internet Explorer. Second is that it takes a lot of memory to function. Firefox freezes and close when many tabs are open. Third of all anyone that don’t use DSL services all downloads cannot be interrupted. Firefox is actually design for people using high speed internet, which means people with poor dial up services will have troubles along the way. Mozilla Firefox is a fun web browser, but honestly I am not comfortable of using it. I will give Mozilla two thumbs down.




Google
http://www.google.com/
Google website is a search engine in which one could search for any subjects and topics that anyone need. To be honest I am a yahoo kind of person. Maybe because I was introduced to yahoo for a long time and I am a type that doesn’t explore. To be honest I am not aware that I can try other website than yahoo. However this semester, I had to set aside yahoo to sign up for a Google e mail address for my Audio visual class. I discover a lot on this site. There are a lot of applications that Google has to offer. I Google, blogger and the Google earth are very interesting sites. When Dr. Cyrus introduced us to Google I was so amazed, imagine all applications are in one page, like taught of the day, the daily literature quote, jokes of the day, even games, you name it and they have it. All of the applications are in one page not unlike other sites that you have to link into different page. Blogger is one of my favorite sites, I never knew that I can create, upload and publish my work. I find myself using blog all the time. Chatting is also available in this site and it is very easy to use you don’t need to download another feature or open another program. Another application that my son introduced is the Google Earth. This site you can locate even the smallest place all over the world. Google has a lot to offer it has multiple applications and functions that are very easy and fun to use. I will give Google two thumbs up.