Software Review: Learning.com

Learning.Com

STANDARDS

Web Browsing: Browsing Basics- Grades 6-8:

5. Digital Citizenship

-Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior. Students:
a. advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology.

6. Technology Operations and Concepts

-Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations. Students:
a. understand and use technology systems.
b. select and use applications effectively and productively.



Web Browsing: URLs- Grades 6-8:

1. Creativity and Innovation

-Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology. Students:
a. apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes.

2. Communication and Collaboration

-Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others. Students:
a. interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media.

6. Technology Operations and Concepts

-Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations. Students:
a. understand and use technology systems.
b. select and use applications effectively and productively.


Web Browsing: Web Searches- Grades 6-8:

3. Research and Information Fluency

-Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. Students:
a. plan strategies to guide inquiry.
b. locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media.


4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making

-Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources. Students:
c. collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions.

5. Digital Citizenship

-Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior. Students:
a. advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology.



Web Browsing: Validity and Sourcing- Grades 6-8:


1. Creativity and Innovation

-Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology. Students:
a. apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes.

2. Communication and Collaboration

-Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others. Students:
a. interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media.
b. communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats.

5. Digital Citizenship

-Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior. Students:
a. advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology.
b. exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity.


Mini Review:

These tutorials are very helpful for those who are not very computer savvy, or for those who would like to learn easier ways to browse the web. I found the shortcuts interesting, because although I work well on the internet I usually use my own techniques to browse. I think that knowing the validity of websites is very important especially when researching a topic in which you are unfamiliar with.

I think that this software could be very useful within the classroom, however, unless your school gives each classroom access to computers for all students it might be a bit difficult. I enjoyed having the opportunity to have access to this program because it allowed me to see that being knowledgeable about the opportunity that the internet gives us is very important, and knowing how to access the correct information is vital in a students success.


Citation:
(2007) Learning.com. Retrieved March 3, 2009, from http://www.learning.com
(2007) ISTE NETS For Students 2007. Retrieved March 3, 2009, from http://http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForStudents/2007Standards/
NETS_for_Students_2007.htm

Learning Connections: Inspiring Students With Special Needs - By Barbara F. Green

In this article, Green explains how graphic organizer software can help support the needs of all students learning curriculum. Green is a special education teacher who uses a program in the software called Inspiration. The program "… gives you a visual representation of concepts and their relationships by linking ideas, pictures, symbols, and text. It provides different colors, shapes, fonts, and patterns to group and classify words, ideas, and concepts". Student can use this as a brainstorming technique for projects or papers. This program can also help students who have a vision disability.
For visual learners, or any student with a learning disability I see this software being very useful. I think that it gives children who are struggling a boost of confidence that they might be lacking. It excites children that are not motivated to learn because they feel inadequate. In giving them the motivation they need, it will produce successful academic results within the future.

(Q1): What kind of learner are you, do you feel like this program would be useful?
(A1): I am a visual learner, so for me this program could’ve definitely been useful! I think if we had even half of the resources back when I was growing up that we do now, things would’ve been much more exciting!

(Q2): What can you relate this to?
(A2): When I was younger we used to use the pen and paper brain storming techniques to write our papers. We used to jot down our ideas in a bubble format, using critical thinking. But I think that if we had this application to work with, using pictures and technology, we could have expanded our thoughts a little further.

Starting With The Basics

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgqjzr7k_3c72wk4dn

Teacher Biography - Staci Nieves

I am Staci Nieves from Carlsbad, California. I currently attend the California State University of San Marcos. I have wanted to be an elementary school teacher since second grade. I have always had a passion for children and wanted to use that passion in my career some day. I have always enjoyed going to school as well, therefore, I decided that the perfect job for me would be a teacher, where I could make an impact on the lives of children. I am a very independent and motivated person. I am always dedicated to everything I do and make it a priority to do my best in everything that comes my way. My interests include my current job, working for the Youth Sports Department for the City of Carlsbad, where I get to work with children on a daily basis. I have been working at this job for the past 6 years and I absolutely love it. I also enjoy spending time with my family, when I am not at school or work. My uniqueness as a candidate comes from my personality and my experience in elementary classrooms. I strive to to try my hardest in everything that comes my way and I think that teaching students to have that same mentality will help them succeed in school. Since my senior year in high school, I have been a huge part of my former fourth grade teacher's classroom. I did an internship in high school where I was at Kelly Elementary School in Carlsbad every other day for 2 hours. I helped out with every subject and would always take small groups of students to actually teach them the material myself. The students and I grew to have an amazing relationship during that year. They treated me as if I was their second teacher and since I was still very young, I could relate to them in certain aspects of their lives. It was an amazing experience that I will never forget. I still try and go visit the classroom, even though there are different kids, as much as I can. It is difficult when I attend school full time and work the remainder of the time, but seeing the kids and knowing they are looking forward to the next time I come makes it a huge priority from me. Seeing the impact I can make on children's lives is the main reason I am pursuing a career in teaching. I want to be the teacher that students remember when they are older and the teacher they learned the most from but still enjoyed. I know that I can be a great teacher and cannot wait for the opportunity to do so.

Nieve005@cougars.csusm.edu
http://stacinieves422.blogspot.com/

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Subject Area - Staci Nieves

Although, I have not had enough experience in all of the elementary grade levels to choose a favorite, I know for a fact that I enjoy working with fourth graders. I feel that at this level they understand how to act in a classroom and are familiar with the routine of school and homework but are still eager to learn and enjoy coming to school. I feel that the older children get, the less interested they are in learning and the less fun they have while in school. The subjects I am interested in are Math and Writing. Math has always been my favorite subject in school, therefore I enjoy teaching it. I also feel that the math learned in fourth grade is the math you take with you for the rest of your life. It is crucial to know how to multiply, divide, and understand fractions because these simple calculations are used in higher math levels and in every day life. Writing is also a huge part of one’s life and it is extremely important to know how to put your thoughts on paper in a structured, creative, and appropriate way. Writing is also used in everyday life and in higher education. The writing skills that fourth graders learn such as creating a five paragraph essay and using correct sentence structure are skills they will need in high school, college, and future careers. I feel that the fourth grade is a critical point in a child’s life, in which their brains are functioning at a level where they can learn so much more and comprehend a wide variety of material that will stick with them as they grow.

Sample Fourth Grade Math Problems

California Content Standards for Fourth Grade Math

California Content Standards for Fourth Grade Language Arts

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Teacher Biography - Cari Baesen

I am Cari Baesen from Murrieta, California. Currently I am a student at California State University San Marcos, participating in the Integrated Credential Program. I am studying to get my multiple subject teaching credential and bachelors degree in Liberal Studies. I have spent many years in college taking the time to find myself, and discovering what path is the right one for me. Although my passion for teaching began long ago, my family did not have a background in education so I found myself often searching for answers. Holding high expectations for myself, I have always managed to get through even the hardest obstacles, like having a family of my own and continuing to strive for a higher education. Throughout my education, I have noticed that not all teachers are the same. Many have various differing qualities, however, many teachers lack some of the important factors that I believe each successful educator should have. A caring, compassionate, patient, flexible, consistent and positive teacher that holds high expectations for his/her students is very important. It is my one of my goals to display these qualities to my own students. I have worked as a nanny, tutored autistic children, observed many different level classrooms, helped raise my nephew, and also have a child of my own, and in my own experiences with children I have begun to noticed the differences within each child and am fascinated with the opportunity participate in the upbringing of our future. My hearts belongs in working with young children, and although there were many other routes I could have chosen, I believe that the future of our society lies within the hands of our young students. I am ready to make a difference. I am a person of many ideas and plenty of creativity. I believe that during these days knowledge of a multicultural society can lead to a successful pathway of equality for all students. Creating an atmosphere for which each and every student feels welcome is very important not only for equality, but for the well being of each individual. I am ready to take part in growth of our youth, and am excited to discover not only what changes will arrise in education, but also how I will be a part of them.

baese001@csusm.edu
http://cbaesen.blogspot.com/

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Subject Area - Cari Baesen

Sitting at the beginning of my journey, I am thinking that I want to start my teaching career in First Grade. Though I am definitely open to any experience, I feel that the amount of knowledge that students gain between the time they enter and the time they leave the first grade is so substantial and I want to be a part of that. I am interested in learning more about Health Education and Physical Education because they are two subjects in which education does not seemed to be focused on. Writing and reading, along with math, history and science are all very important, but everyone already knows that. Health and Physical Education are very important for children of all ages and should be practiced each and every day. A healthy student is a happy student who is eager to learn. I am interested in learning a lot more about them both, in order to pass down my knowledge into the hands of these little ones. Most children have plenty of energy and are open to learning many things. I want them to know that learning is fun and can result in a healthy, successful life. It is important for children to feel excited about coming to school and learning new things, physical education is a way for children to do so. It’s a chance to get out of the classroom and engage in outdoor games and learning exercises. This can also make children think outside the box and utilize new skills. Health education is important for many reasons, but overall I believe that when children are given the opportunity to make decisions for themselves they should have to right knowledge to make the healthy choice.

Below is an interesting article for parents that are interested in what their 1st grade student is learning within the classroom. I found it interesting to read the article from a future teacher's perspecitive.

What are 1st Grade Students Learning?

Health Education and Physical Education, often taken to lightly, have standards just as math, language arts, history, science and all of the other subjects do. Below are links to help familiarize you with these standards:

Health Education: Content Standards for California Public School

Physical Education: Content Standards for California Public Schools

Pictures have been gathered on 02/11/09 from the following websites:
http://www.amphi.com/schools/harelson/images/604ECA5B1F2B41C09ECD2DB20997454F.jpg
http://www.drvincentgreenwood.com/Math%20Symbols.gif
http://cmsweb2.loudoun.k12.va.us/reid/lib/reid/blue_heart_handprint.jpg
http://www.brentwood.k12.ca.us/Brentwood/Links/main/graphics/teachers_corner.jpg

Virtual Success: Transforming Education Though Online Learning - Julie Young

"success in education
is all about understanding who the
customer is and finding the sweet
spot between customers’ wants and
needs"...

In this article Young speaks of a Virtual Education school, Florida Virtual School, in which students are educated through the use of new age technology. The use of '21st-century skills', helps create a successful future for our children. Online education can give students a flexible way to learn and can teach them how to prioritize, organize, and be responsible by choosing their own education schedule. I found it very important that the teachers of these virtual schools were focusing on the fact that in order to create 'a dynamic learning environment' we must find out and tune into what the students are interested in and use that to engage them in the learning process.
As time goes on we have two choices: we can sit back and watch all of the wonderful advances in technology and new learning techniques go by or we can go along for the ride and advance our skills to be ready for what the future has in store for us.

(Q1):Is Virtual Education something that interests you?
(A1): I love working with computers and am fascinated by how much technology has grown over time. Online courses are one things but to have the access to computers in each classroom and to use them in order to engage students in education is WONDERFUL!

(Q2):Do you spend majority of your time doing school work on paper or using the computer? Which do you prefer?
(A2): Many of my classes still have a textbooks, however, each semester it seems as though more and more classrooms are using computers to facilitate the classroom. I find myself on the computer more than anything, and personally would rather bring a laptop to class and type my notes rather than write them. It's like having the world at your fingertips. If we could prosses everything in our classrooms electronically, not only would we be environmentally conserving, but I'd definitely be excited! Who wouldn't?

Still More Potential Than Performance, By: M.D. Roblyer and Mike Cass

Virtual Reality Research in Special Education: May 1991 Volume 28 Number 8

In this article Roblyer and Cass discuss the various trials that were completed using virtual reality (VR) in comparison with people ranging in ages from 19-38 which each had different special needs. A case that I thought was interesting was the case in which they used VR as a learning tool for children with autism. There were 5 issues in which autistic children were found to struggle with, and these same 5 factors in which VR was capable in assisting with: sensory problems, lack of generalization, visual thought patterns, individualized treatment, and responsiveness to computer technology. Although the VR was definitely a benefit, it was said to still be in the early developmental stage and attention was also needed in a few other areas. VR seems as though it could have great potential, and I look forward to hearing more success stories in the future!

(Q1): How accurate do you think the VR simulators are?

(A1): I think that over time, after more studies are done, the information might be more accurate. From reading the article it seemed as though they noticed that people became more comfortable with the VR over time, therefore their accuracy or progress improved after much repetitiveness.


(Q2): How is the VR simulator beneficial? How can they be improved?

(A2): I see VR as a definite advantage, but with advancing technology I believe there is always room for improvement. With more studies, and realistic measurements the VR could become more productive. Knowing what each person needs to simulate that part that the brain is lacking is also a very important factor in determining how to use the VR simulators.