chapter 8. yo.

This chapter dealt mostly with security issues in computers and with emerging technologies in education. cool.

There are a lot of different threats to computers such as viruses. Viruses are potentially damaging computer programs that are designed to affect your computer in negative ways without you ever knowing it. I learned that while viruses can occur in both PCs and Macs, they are much more likely in PCs; just goes to show that cameron owns all of you!!! I also learned that there are three types of viruses: boot sector, file virus, and macro virus. Luckily there are all sorts of softwares and programs available that can protect our computers from these viruses.

We are in what people are starting to call the digital media revolution. More and more technologies are advancing and are being adapted to use in the classrooms everyday. I read about a school, Vail High School, that in 2005 became the first school to become all wireless, all laptop, all digital public school. I think that within the next few years we will see more and more schools follow in the footsteps of Vail High School. I do not think that the digital media revolution is a trend. I think that it is here to stay. From what i read in this weeks chapter, I think that schools will become more and more based on technologies and less and less based on actual text books.

Since the last class, I have become very familiar with power point. I feel like this will really come in handy when i am a teacher because it is such an easy way to display notes. Not only can i help my digital students by having my notes on powerpoint, but i can also print them out so that students can write their notes on the sides of them. I think that powerpoint is really easy to use, and really easy to understand. I'm glad we spent so much time on it because it will only make me that much stronger as a teacher.

chapter 6

This chapter is purple.

In the purple chapter, I learned about curriculum (the knowledge, skills, and performance standards students are expected to acquire in particular grade levels). Specifically, I read a lot about curriculum frameworks and guides. These are documents that schools are provided from the state departments of education that describe curriculum standards and benchmarks for learning. They include recommendations and examples of how students can create lesson plans based on the curriculum. The chapter focused a lot on ways to keep students on track. Two examples of ways to make sure that students learn what is required of them are grade level expectations (GLEs) and mastery objective checklists. The chapter went on to discuss integrating technology into education. Shocker, I know.

One thing that I found really interesting in this chapter was the ASSURE model. The ASSURE model was created as a guide to planning and delivering instruction that will incorporate technology into the classroom. The model is composed of 6 steps:

• Analyze the learner
• State the objectives
• Select Methods, Media, and Materials
• Utilize Methods, Media, and Materials
• Require Learner Participation
• Evaluate and Revise.

The model is said to be a very effective way for teachers to use technology in the teaching process. It is important for teachers to be able to understand these new technologies because it will increase the teachers ability to effectively communicate with their students as well as educate them.

Since the last class, I have continued to learn new ways to incorporate graphics into Microsoft Word. I learned how to make tables, check marks, drop boxes, etc. I feel that this will help me in the teaching profession because I will be able to make newsletters to communicate with the parents of my students. I will also be able to make legit looking tests. That will be pretty cool, too. I have also learned from the last class to never let Cody play with the pianos-- because he will never stop.

chapter 5

In chapter 5, I learned the difference between digital media and multimedia. Digital media is defined as those technologies that allow users to create new forms of interaction, expression, communication, and entertainment in a digital format. Multimedia means 'more than one media'. The book says that multimedia incorporates a variety of elements including text, graphics, audio, video, and animation. I also learned about a lot of cool software applications that can be used in the classrooms such as Computer-Assisted Instruction, drill and practice software, educational games, tutorials, educational simulations, and a lot of integrated learning systems.

My favorite part of the chapter was the part about virtual reality--mostly because i went to Disney Quest (5-floors of virtual reality) this weekend and OWNED the comic villain game.. thats right. 1st place. It didn't have anything to do with education but i thoroughly enjoyed it. I also really enjoyed reading about the interactive white boards. My geometry teacher from high school recently got one of these and I have heard that they are really cool.

Since the last class, I have learned that I hate the SAM program. and I hate practice tests that are 120 questions. No but really, all jokes asside, I have learned that the Introdcution to Education Technology class is more a class based on multimedia education than on digital media. I also learned how to make my searches more specific when using search engines such as google. Since google owns the world, I feel like this is a really valuable skill to have.



Also, I love Cameron.

Happy February =)

In Chapter four, I learned a lot about the different components to the computer. For example, I read about the motherboard, the central processing unit (CPU), the control unit, the logic unit, the system clock, the different kinds of memory (read-only memory, random access memory and flash memory). I also learned that there are many devices that are can be plugged into the computer for extra memory storage such as flash memory cards and USB flash drives. I also ready about things I have been familiar with for a long time, such as the keyboard and mouse. I enjoyed this chapter because I was able to read about the different ways (other than the mouse and keyboard) to input information such as the trackball, touchscreens, joysticks, and pointing sticks.

When talking about what I have found entertaining and interesting about my classmates blogs, I believe the question really becomes what have I found entertaining about the comments we are required to leave. Just kidding. No, but really. I have enjoyed seeing how the other students in the classroom have interpreted the text. It has also been fun to see how each student's opinion varies and how each student has a different idea of the role that technology should play in the classroom.

Since the last class, I have learned how to use the program Inspiration. It will be very helpful when I have my own classroom and need to make outlines or concept maps for anything. I enjoyed the the program was so self-explanatory and that there were graphics suitable for almost any subject. Except sign language... I'm still a little bitter about that, actually.