Module 2 Blog

Commercial Hypermedia Product

http://www.mightybook.com/story_books.html

MightyBook is an interactive storybook product. This could be a really helpful resource in my future classroom. The website is really kid-friendly, and there are many stories available for free. There are subscriptions available to unlock around 600 more books for about $30.00 per year. These interactive stories are great for building fluency, because there is an option to have the book read out loud to students and highlight words as they are read aloud. The stories are divided into different reading levels and age groups, so children will be able to read something that is at their independent or instructional level. This tool would also be beneficial with ELL students, so that they can bridge the language gap easier. Another greate feature of this product is the actual experience during the book. Instead of showing different stationary pictures throughout the book, the story has been animated into a short cartoon. This tool will be useful for fun or instructional purposes in the future.

Chosen Multimedia Authoring Tool

My favorite multimedia-authoring tool would definitely be the virtual environment-authoring tool. The main reason I really want to use this in my future classroom is so that students can take virtual field trips to the places they learn about. I think that learning works so much better when students have as much information about a topic as possible, including some type of visual representation. Many large organizations such as History.com and Education World have free virtual field trips available on their websites. This link contains information about virtual environments in the classroom. 

http://ac.els-cdn.com/S2212017314000231/1-s2.0-S2212017314000231-main.pdf?_tid=b2db5212-6331-11e5-8532-00000aab0f02&acdnat=1443150261_5a9419bae7fe4bb3373793bffe5fc07d

This video is a how-to video on how to make any children’s book into an interactive storybook using the TINE app. In order to use the interactive storybook, the students will need to have access to a device with this app on it. The app uses tags on each page of the book to match the voice recording to the correct page. Students simply scan the tag and it will begin to read to them. This ensures that students are reading the correct words with the correct audio clip.

Module One Blog Post

Word Processing Software

Word processing software is used by teachers and students to create documents consisting of words and pictures.  Teachers use word processors because they save time, enhance document appearance, allow for sharing of documents, and they allow collaboration on documents. Research shows that these software programs improve writing and attitudes toward writing, they allow for more revision and fewer mechanical errors, and they increase sharing and feed back between teachers and students. One issue that arises when dealing with word processing software is the decision on when to introduce these programs to students. These programs require that students have a basic set of computer skills to operate them. Another issue is the effect word processors have on handwriting. When students type more, they are naturally handwriting less. Teachers should be sure to use a good balance of typing and writing.

Spreadsheet Software

Spreadsheet software programs are designed to organize and manipulate numerical data. These programs include formulas or command calculations and they can display information in a variety of ways. Teachers use spreadsheets to organize displays of information, save time, support “what if” questions and increase student motivation to work with math. Research shows that spreadsheets are useful for teaching concepts in many areas such as: problem solving, statistical analysis, and others. One issue regarding the use of spreadsheets in classrooms is many students fear using these programs because of math fears they may already have.

Presentation Software

Presentation software is used to display information in a slide show using various formats including text, images, and videos. Teachers use presentation software to enhance the impact of spoken information, collaborate on presentations, and organize thinking about a topic. One issue with presentation software is some teachers do not use them effectively, and they end up taking away from the learning experience. If a teacher reads the slides word for word while students copy down notes, they are not actively engaged and are not likely to be learning.

Classroom Use

In my future classroom I would like to use presentation software to create interactive SmartBoard lessons. These lessons, about any topic, can become an active learning tool by providing simple games or activities that students can come up to the board to complete themselves.