Week Six Reflection Question

Reflect your working experiences on these projects in your blog and link the projects

This week we worked on three different projects. I completed them in the following order: flyer, progress chart, and PowerPoint quiz. While I have worked extensively with all of the software required for this assignment, I found challenges in completing each one.

The Flyer

I started designing my flyer before I looked at the examples. I did it this way because I did not want to be influenced by the examples unless I got a mental block. As I do with all my fliers and posters, I started by simply typing the information that would go on the flyer. This was done in no particular font or size. Whatever the default is, that is what I use. I do it that way so I can always make sure I have the necessary information. Sometimes we can get wrapped up in the creative process and forget important information. I have found that having the information in plain sight helps keep me on track. After I put my information down, I started playing with the various backgrounds and boards. I looked at some templates, but I just could not seem to find anything that I wanted to use. I ended up going with a pattern that was a little outlandish, but I thought it was interesting. I have never used it before. I think it was called Rice Paper. I can’t remember where I found it on the toolbar now, but I don’t remember it being with the regular backgrounds. Once I got the background nailed down, I decided to play with my information. Because of the way the background is shaded, I put a certain amount of text in each section. I wanted to use a different font, but the one I ended up with went better with the background than the one I wanted. While attempting to get my information straight, I wasn’t sure I had enough information on my flyer. I had the requirements, but I felt as if something was missing. That’s when I decided to take a look at the examples. I added a small description about what would be happening during the meeting. Well, actually I added an entire paragraph, but that made the flyer have too much information. I managed to narrow it down to what appears on the final product. For the most part, the flyer was fairly easy.

The Progress Chart

Entering data into the spreadsheet for the Progress Chart was easy. The hard part came when I was attempting to decide which chart I wanted to use and what I wanted to chart. I decided to chart a couple of different assignments and the average of the students’ grades.

The PowerPoint Quiz

This was, by far, the hardest of the three parts. While I have worked with PowerPoint extensively, I have never used it to create a quiz. Creating the slides was fairly uneventful. The problems started when I tried to link the wrong answers to the ‘Try Again’ slide. The animation worked when I clicked on it the first time. However, after I went back to the previous slide and chose another wrong answer, the slide would not work properly. I searched Microsoft Help in the PowerPoint software and at Microsoft.com. I also googled the problem. The best solution I found was to duplicate the slide and attach a separate slide to each answer. If anyone knows of a better way to do this, it would be greatly appreciated.

GoinsTPPTQuiz
GoinsTProgressChart
GoinsTFlyer

Week Five Reflection Question

2. Define database management software and describe how you might use it to help you in teaching responsibilities. How might you construct a learning assignment for your students that used this productivity tool?

According to the textbook, database management software (DBMS) is defined as a software system that can be used to easily and quickly record, organize, access, and extract information electronically from stored data. This type of software offers more options than tables and spreadsheets do in certain areas. It has the capability to isolate data from particular fields instead of having to use an entire set of data. Queries can be created to find information based on specified criteria. Database management software also has a feature that allows the user to create professional looking reports.

Until I read Chapter 5, I had not realized just how much and how often I depend on and use database management software. In the library media center, I use an automated system called Athena. This system has all the basic features of database management software. I have the capability to enter patrons and books, search for books in the collection, and create reports and notices. For years, those were the only features I used. In the last year, though, I have learned to use it to keep track of equipment as well.

Using an automated system in the media center makes the library experience a lot easier for patrons and for me as well. Unfortunately, students and teachers forget to return books on a regular basis. Athena has a feature that helps me gently remind them to return the materials. I can print lists of overdue books or fine notices with a few clicks. Each year, students are required to learn to search for books using Athena. They are able to conduct searches by pictures, keywords, subjects, titles, authors, or combinations of these. Students can also create and print bibliographies from the searches they conduct.

Our students have access to Microsoft Access. They could use the software to create a database for information found as a result of completing the Cinderella around the World project. In the project, students read different versions of Cinderella. They could use a form created in Access to input key points from each version. Students could search for their favorite version based on the name of the main character, the problem the main character faced, the item the main character lost, etc. The software could basically be used in a variety of ways with projects where children need to keep up with various data, but do not necessarily have to compare the data.

Week Four Reflection Question

1. What is a computer virus and how is it transmitted? What can you do to protect your computer?

A computer virus is a program created and used to damage, disrupt, or destroy a computer system. A virus can cause temporary or long-term damage. Viruses can range from those that cause minor nuisances, such as pop-ups, to those that cause entire systems to crash. A system crash could cause a user to lose all data. That is why it is important to backup information on a regular basis.

Although the most recent copyright date on our textbook is 2008, it appears that some information has been omitted or is definitely outdated. The book mainly mentions viruses being transferred from computer to computer by floppy disks and only vaguely discusses the internet as a source. There is no mention of viruses being transferred in other ways. I guess this is something we must get used to when dealing with technology, the constant evolution of problems and solutions.

Removable storage devices (disks and jump drives) can still be the culprit of transferring viruses from computer to computer. However, a lot of viruses today are transferred from newer sources. Emails, attachments to emails, advertisements, and a wide range of fake programs can all carry viruses. They can also be transferred by downloads and instant messenger systems. Spyware can also be transferred in these ways. While spyware is not the same as a virus, it can cause similar problems.

There are ways to protect your computer from viruses. Following several simple rules will help keep your system safe. First of all, do not open emails or email attachments from people you do not know. Even if a name seems familiar, be careful. People have ways of mimicking parts of email addresses. In the past, I have received emails from an address where the customizable part was identical to mines. However, the address provider was unfamiliar. There are also emails sent with dates thirty years from now. Obviously, those kinds must be deleted. Viruses are not always as easily identified. In your email account, make sure unfamiliar emails go to your SPAM or JUNK folder. If you are unsure of the sender or feel uncomfortable about it, do not open it. If you do not know what the attachment is, it is best to leave it unopened until you can verify the content. Remember to periodically check for updates for programs. Updates contain information that may help prevent viruses from attaching to or harming certain programs. It is also important to have some sort of antivirus software. There are a number of brands available. As with most technology, the prices and features of antivirus software vary. Each user needs to determine what is best for their systems.

Week Three Reflection Question

2. What roles do educational technologies play in teaching and learning?

Educational technologies are what you make them. Depending on the usage, they can be a blessing or a curse. If a teacher properly plans and uses the technologies effectively, the benefits are many. They can make lessons or units more interesting and/or enjoyable for students and teachers. They can also help foster independence and autonomy. Various forms of technologies can be used to help teachers meet students where they are in the learning process. An example of this would be having struggling readers listen to audio books as they read along.

Educational technologies can also be a key ingredient in a recipe for disaster, if a teacher does not properly plan and haphazardly throws a lesson together with mismatched technologies. If the proposed method does not match the media or its intended purposes, the use of technology can actually be a hindrance, in which case it should be left out altogether. Teachers must select media that will enhance or improve the unit, lesson, or part of the lesson. An LCD and a computer used to play a DVD while a teacher completes paperwork is not effectively using technology. Adding media just because of availability is not an option.

Educational technologies are not replacements for teaching methods. They must also be appropriate for the students involved. If something is too advanced or too simple, there could be problems. In the case of being too advanced, students could easily become frustrated. If simplicity is the problem, student s might become bored with the lesson and tune out any efforts made by the teacher. That is why it is so important to keep the learners in mind. With greater emphasis being placed on differentiating instruction, educational technologies offer teachers more ways to cater to the varied learning styles of students. Auditory learners might be in a center recording themselves reading unit-related material to each other, while kinesthetic learners are in another center creating unit-related mini-projects using laptops. Teachers can use media to help students get a better understanding of complex concepts.

Technology opens up a world of opportunities for growth and understanding of other cultures. Group projects can be done without confining anyone to a particular room, school, state, or even country. Educational technologies can also be used to help keep parents, students, and teachers in touch. Teachers can post assignments to a classroom blog or use an email system to communicate with parents. Students can hold discussions by posting to discussion boards or commenting on the postings of other students.