Post 9

Integrating non-computer audio-visual technologies and peripherals is extremely important in the classroom. Peripherals enhance capabilities of different hosts by inserting a different device. In order to incorporate peripherals in my classroom, I would use projectors because it is easy to use and also provides an easy way to work out things in front of an entire class. It is very important to take advantage of these technologies because it allows students to receive a variety of education techniques so they do not get bored. For audio-visual technologies, I plan on using podcasts with my class so I can have lectures from previous classes up for my students to review. Combining these technologies with computer-based technologies would enhance student learning and allow for a plethora of new opportunities for them to learn.

I chose a web-based resource for high school English because that is what I plan to teach. The resource I found was from the Virginia Department of Education and can be found here: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/english/high/index.shtml. This site is very helpful because it is very straightforward and provides a huge variety of information. One example of this is that it not only does regular high school English, but also has a link for English and special education as well. It provides a lot of information on reading, writing, and testing information.

Another thing I liked about this website was the fact that it was from a very trusted source. It is clear that because this website comes from a state department of education, the sources and information that are found on this website can be assumed to be legitimate. I also like the fact that the website also provides a variety of other subjects to look into in case my students are also trying to find a helpful site for their other classes.

With teaching High School English, I plan to use excel and other similar technologies in order to help create organized charts and creations for grammar and spelling exercises. I would find these kinds of technologies especially helpful in creating a very neat and efficient test format for things like vocabulary and reading tests.

The biggest skill I acquired from this weeks PowerPoint assignment was being able to utilize speaking notes. Before this assignment, I didn’t even know that this existed in PowerPoint, but now that I have been shown this I plan to use it a lot in the future. One thing I did not like about the assignment was having to do the verbal lecture because it felt weird doing it by myself and not to an actual audience. One thing I would change for next time is I would add more graphics and different slide formats to make it more visually pleasing to those who watch the PowerPoint that I create.

Post 8

Using presentation software in the K-12 classroom has the advantage of organizing a lesson. By using programs like PowerPoint, teachers are able to provide their students with a clean and neat lesson. One disadvantage of this software is that if it is used incorrectly it runs the possibly of boring the students.

The digital divide is in reference to the divide between people that have access and those who do not have access to certain technologies. It is also in reference to the level of skills people have with technology compared to others. I have a wide access to technology and I am growing increasingly more skillful at it. However, as I begin to teach, new technologies will continually accumulate and to adjust to this I will constantly be updating the technologies I use in the classroom. I will also make sure that each individual student understands the technologies I use, and if they do not I will provide them with individual help.

An educational issue today that concerns me is that which I stated in my first paragraph regarding presentation software boring students. One great way to avoid this is by using presentation software known as prezi. This program allows all the same features as PowerPoint, but it also allows the presenter to add more unique ways to create the presentation. If one would like to experiment with this, prezi is free and can be used through prezi.com.