Sunday, April 13, 2008
Journal 7: Google Earth
I chose the tool Google Earth because while I have seen it and played with it a bit in the past, I wanted to learn more about it. To my surprise there is A LOT more to this software than what I have previously seen. Some things I did not know include: You can download this software and use it offline, you can measure the distance between places and create paths from one place to another. www.realworldmath.com allows you to take a look at how some teachers are incorporating google earth into their MATH lessons. Math? My first impression would be that this is a software that teaches geography only. But I am wrong. The teacher who created this software to present math topics, such as rates or scientific notation in unique ways. She also uses the software to have students work together in project based learning activities. There is a ruler tool in Google Earth that allows students to accoplish problem solving activities. Something I found to be really cool is that even though many schools do not have the luxury of having computers on campus, this is okay. Lesson plans can be created to teach students how to use the software and they can do the assignments at home. This software could be used in so many different ways and I can't wait to learn even more about it!
Journal 6: Software Review and iMovie
Journal 6
INSPIRATION SOFTWARE
1. For the Inspiration Assignment I used the Kidspiration software since I plan on working with the younger grades. I spent some time playing with the software, and then watched a couple tutorial videos I found on YouTube. I prefer to play around with the software to learn rather than watch the tutorials. I found the program to be very creative and easy to use. It was very interactive. I really thought the templates would be useful for children when using the software. There were outlines for geography where you can add pictures and words to a template to help you learn aspects of geography. It looked like it would be very useful. After playing with the software I began creating. I think students would like this program a lot because it gives them the opportunity to be creative while they learn. They can add colors, shapes, designs, etc to make their creation, their own.
2. This program could be incorporated into the classroom in so many different ways. I think the simple outlining that I used would be very useful to teach children because it would allow them to gather ideas, especially when writing. The idea of outlining on the computer might encourage students not to skip that step. Since there are so many different componants to this software it could be used in all different subject areas, math, social studies, language arts, etc. Also some of the activities available would be very useful in organizing important terms that deal with each subject. It would allow students to visually see what they are learning, and I think this is very important in school.
3. I really liked the Atomic learning tutorials. I did not use it much during this assignment because I felt it was more useful for me to play with the software on my own; however, the idea of using video as a means of instructional guidance is a great idea. There are so many different computer programs out there that are confusing and having videos to instruct you on how to use them is so helpful. For me learning how to use Microsoft Access for another class was near impossible. If I would have known about Atomic Learning, it may have been easier to learn.
iMOVIE
1. I had a lot of fun making the iMovie. I took a computer class last semester where I had to make a movie using microsoft movie maker. iMovie would have been a lot easier for me to use, if I were more comfortable with the apple computer. Once I got the hang of it by playing around I was finally able to finish the movie. I think students would enjoy working with this program because it allows them to create a movie that they can call their own. That in itself makes it very exciting. I do think they would need a lot of guidance in getting started.
2. This would make a great project for students once they reach about 4th grade. I would incorporate it into subject areas such as History, or Science. I remember doing the Mission project in school, this would be a different way of approaching this assignment. Instead of creating a mission, students can take pictures/videos of their favorite Mission and teach about it in their movie. It would be a fun and interactive way of learning. Once again, this software would have to be explained thouroughly, but once the students get the hang of it, they would have a lot of fun.
3. The video tutorial, Accidental Student would be very helpful for students to learn how to begin the iMovie assignment. It is very important for students to get all the guidance they can while beginning to use this software.
INSPIRATION SOFTWARE
1. For the Inspiration Assignment I used the Kidspiration software since I plan on working with the younger grades. I spent some time playing with the software, and then watched a couple tutorial videos I found on YouTube. I prefer to play around with the software to learn rather than watch the tutorials. I found the program to be very creative and easy to use. It was very interactive. I really thought the templates would be useful for children when using the software. There were outlines for geography where you can add pictures and words to a template to help you learn aspects of geography. It looked like it would be very useful. After playing with the software I began creating. I think students would like this program a lot because it gives them the opportunity to be creative while they learn. They can add colors, shapes, designs, etc to make their creation, their own.
2. This program could be incorporated into the classroom in so many different ways. I think the simple outlining that I used would be very useful to teach children because it would allow them to gather ideas, especially when writing. The idea of outlining on the computer might encourage students not to skip that step. Since there are so many different componants to this software it could be used in all different subject areas, math, social studies, language arts, etc. Also some of the activities available would be very useful in organizing important terms that deal with each subject. It would allow students to visually see what they are learning, and I think this is very important in school.
3. I really liked the Atomic learning tutorials. I did not use it much during this assignment because I felt it was more useful for me to play with the software on my own; however, the idea of using video as a means of instructional guidance is a great idea. There are so many different computer programs out there that are confusing and having videos to instruct you on how to use them is so helpful. For me learning how to use Microsoft Access for another class was near impossible. If I would have known about Atomic Learning, it may have been easier to learn.
iMOVIE
1. I had a lot of fun making the iMovie. I took a computer class last semester where I had to make a movie using microsoft movie maker. iMovie would have been a lot easier for me to use, if I were more comfortable with the apple computer. Once I got the hang of it by playing around I was finally able to finish the movie. I think students would enjoy working with this program because it allows them to create a movie that they can call their own. That in itself makes it very exciting. I do think they would need a lot of guidance in getting started.
2. This would make a great project for students once they reach about 4th grade. I would incorporate it into subject areas such as History, or Science. I remember doing the Mission project in school, this would be a different way of approaching this assignment. Instead of creating a mission, students can take pictures/videos of their favorite Mission and teach about it in their movie. It would be a fun and interactive way of learning. Once again, this software would have to be explained thouroughly, but once the students get the hang of it, they would have a lot of fun.
3. The video tutorial, Accidental Student would be very helpful for students to learn how to begin the iMovie assignment. It is very important for students to get all the guidance they can while beginning to use this software.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Me...
Hi! I am Angela Zeller and I am a California native. I've lived here all of my 24 years of life and have hardly been out of the state. I live in Santee, CA to be specific. I went to the same elementary school from first through 8th grade, with the exception of 7th. When I was in 7th grade my Dad got a job up in the bay area so we lived up there in a little city called Antioch for the year. Not the funnest year of my life, but I made a couple friends so I guess thats okay. I graduated from Santana High School in 2002 and went to Grossmont College right after that. After being in junior college for wayy too long I was finally able to transfer to CSUSM! I am now about a year away from getting my bachelors degree. After I am finished with my degree I am going to get my teaching credentials hoping to teach 1st grade after that.
When I'm not at school, I work part-time for the Santee School District in a program called Project Safe. Project Safe is a state run program for kinders through 8th graders to go to before and after school. It's a really great job for students since the program doesn't even open until around 2 in the afternoon(after the kids get out of school).
Now...when I'm not at school and not at work(which isn't very often), I spend most of my time with my fiancee, Brandon. ((Getting married in July of 09!)) As for hobbies, I like to shop, listen to music..preferably live, and in the summertime-go to the beach. So...that's me! =)
When I'm not at school, I work part-time for the Santee School District in a program called Project Safe. Project Safe is a state run program for kinders through 8th graders to go to before and after school. It's a really great job for students since the program doesn't even open until around 2 in the afternoon(after the kids get out of school).
Now...when I'm not at school and not at work(which isn't very often), I spend most of my time with my fiancee, Brandon. ((Getting married in July of 09!)) As for hobbies, I like to shop, listen to music..preferably live, and in the summertime-go to the beach. So...that's me! =)
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