Chapter 3

Software is categorized into two types, system software and application software. Computer software is always changing and advancing with time. A lot of people don’t have the funds it takes to upgrade their computer software. Software communicates with a user interface which will control “how you enter data or instructions and how information is presented on the screen.”

The digital world offers a variety of different programs which can be helpful to teachers and students. Note taker software can be helpful for today’s digital generation.
This software allows for neat and legible notes that students can easily access and teachers can easily read. Application programs are also valued by educators because they cover the needs of “school and student management, grade book, education/reference, special needs, and note taking.” The ability to create an appealing document is very valuable and available through software packages, such as Microsoft word. The different editing tools provided on this software allow teachers to create unique documents, like the newsletter assignment. Another great tool is the power point presentation software. This is used by many educators to help organize information into a visual order, making it easier for students to understand.

Since last week in class I learned a lot about formatting in word. The newsletter assignment taught me how to use many different tools in order to make word documents visually appealing. Varying the amount of columns used in the text can help differentiate between thoughts. Shading is a useful tool as well for drawing visual attention to important information. Adding pictures to letters can draw a person in, making people excited to read more.

Chapter 2

It is said that the World Wide Web is the "Gutenberg printing press of modern times" allowing people from all over the world to share information like never before. The "web" is a "collection of electronic documents that have built-in hyperlinks to other related documents" allowing documents to be viewed quickly no matter the origin of the computer. The web can be used to post documents and share work. The "web" contains a search engine which is a search tool that is used to find web sites. You can search using key words and the Internet will divide the information into categories and search the data base for similar documents. Other than just documents the web also provides multimedia, "which is the combination of graphics, animation, audio, video, and visual reality." Multimedia is what makes the "web" such an entertaining place to explore and learn.

The Internet is a wonderful new tool for educating the new generation. One of the great advantages to computer use is that most children already know how to use the Internet, and moreover they prefer it to standard texts. Finding information via the "web" is more affordable then purchasing "in-print" texts, for students who may be financially burdened. The communication benefits are amazing, not only between teacher and student, but student and student communication. The Internet makes it easier to learn about other cultures because you can communicate with other students around the world. The most beneficial tool of the "web" in my opinion are the multimedia sources which are available. Students all learn differently and using videos and visual aids can help certain students to learn better. Also the interactive programs offered greatly increase students academic performance. The "web" continues to grow and is ever expanding, and has become the worlds primary source of communication across the globe.

Since the last class I have learned how to use blackboard to take quizzes, which is a requirement in my theatre class. I also learned a bit more about how to use word. Specifically I learned the formatting tools that would make outlining a test for one of my classes easy and visually simple to comprehend. One new program I recently added to my computer is a photo shop program, and I have been glued to my computer working on creating pictures, and editing some photographs. I am learning new things through this program about photography.

Ever since the creation of computers the ways people remember, store, and communicate have changed. Schools are not the only organization that relies on computers in order to communicate; businesses, churches, and everyday people are some of the many groups of computer users. Computers can be used in order to make a task easier and faster, or they can be integrated into a lesson or presentation providing a new window of information and knowledge that would otherwise not be seen. Most people view the computer as "an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its memory, that can accept dated, process the data according to specified rules, produce results, and store the results for futrure use." While this can help in a number of ways the same thing can be done using the mind and some paper and pencil. The wonderful thing about a computer is the ablilty to visually interact with a group of people and to share massive amounts of information.

In today's world which is media-centered schools have to learn to reach students whose minds may "have actually become rewired to accommodate the thousands of hours they spend in front of computer screens watching and creating video, listening to music, and playing computer games." The upcoming generation is going to be the "digital generation", and schools are going to have to meet these kids on their level in order to relate the information in a way they can understand. The goal of educational technology should be to present information in an interesting way that will motivate students to learn information. The ARCS motivational model developed by John M. Keller stresses that no student will learn unless they are motivated to learn. Attention, relevance, challenge/confidence, and satisfaction/success are all motivational factors of learning. Technology can help students relate to the information and see how they can use this knowledge providing a deeper motivational need to learn other than regurgitate knowledge for a test.

Since the last class period I have learned how to set up and use a blog. I had never used a blog before, and it could be a good tool for journaling and organizing my thoughts. I also explored black board more when I was trying to find assignments and links to the blog site and found a lot of other useful tools. I learned how to attach files to the blackboard discusiosion board. One thing I would probably look into after having this class and learning about blogs would be how to form my own artistic background or blog set up instead of using the ones that are already available.

In the past I have had little experience with technology, even throughout high school. I took one techonology class my sophmore year of high school which outlined the basics of microsoft word and excel programs. Most of the class was devoted to learning a professional way of writing and formatting letters and documents. I have never possesed the same interest some people have for techology, but when I see what can be done with the computer I am impressed and ready to learn. The only other computer class I have taken was my senior year of high school when I took keyboarding. Computers are usually hard for me to understand because something always goes, but I hope that I will become more efficient.

Since I don't know a lot about computers to begin with I would like to learn the basics. I need to learn how to post items on the web and transfer material to web sites. Power point is another program that would be valuable to me since I want to be an educator and present material in new and creative ways. I want to be able to incorporate visuals to go along with what I am teaching and to accomodate the different types of learning styles that will be present in my classroom. This class can also help me with personal computer use that will benefit me throughout my college career. I hope to learn how to quickly find what I need and create a way to express my ideas and format projects for presentations in class.

After the activity, I learned based on the answers that I submited that I have an equal balance of both the reflective and active learning styles. There are some subjects or concepts that I enjoy exploring hands on by trial and error, making mistakes and eventually reaching the conclusion. However I love looking at books and ideas and testing what I think after already finding the answer and evaluating if I agree or disagree. I study better when I have already looked over the material and feel confident that I at least have an opinion about what I have analyzed. I don't like to depend on others for knowledge I welcome new ideas and thoughts but also love to contribute. I like to learn from field trips and pictures but probably gain more knowledge through reading and thinking criticaly which has always come very natural to me.