Post #08

Chapter 8 deals with all sorts of security issues schools face in trying to protect technology. These are big issues with constantly evolving solutions. The internet is especially difficult to monitor and poses so many risks for students.

I am very proficient with Excel and have been teaching it for two years at the high school level. I didn't learn anything new last class but enjoyed the project. I have my students do something very similar.

The Guitar Hero 80's expansion release party was last night. Everyone got dressed up 80's style and rocked out. Lots of fun indeed! One of the best games of all time. I can't wait for Rock Band to come out. Everyone's gonna fight for the drums. I can see it now...

Post #07

I enjoyed the section in chapter 7 dealing with Skinner and Pavlov's research. I have a psychology degree and focused much of my coursework on learning theories. I regularly apply operant conditioning principals in my classroom with excellent results. Too bad they won't allow skinner boxes at my school!

I teach Excel and assign a project identical to the survey project we did in class. My assignment's a little more elaborate though. I have them do ten questions, five formulas and three charts. Good times...

I really enjoy excel and am using Word less and less as I find Excel far more user friendly for making lists, forms etc. Formulas and charts are really fun and easy once you get the hang of them. I recently made a trip budget in Excel. Once the form was complete I was able to put the expenses in and have Excel automatically calculate totals and subtract them from the budget. Very nice...

Post #06

Chapter 6 deals exclusively with technology/classroom integration. It covers such things as using the WWW for class projects, utilizing mobile computer labs as well as some of the barriers students have using technology.

I really enjoyed making the Jeopardy board. I knew Power Point was versatile but have never seen it used like that nor had I played with the link function. Very cool… I’ll definitely put it to use next year. It should be easy to make new boards by simply modifying the one I created in class.

Off to the beach tomorrow! We’re planning on getting a hotel in Port St. Joe for a few nights. This summer’s been so busy I haven’t had a chance to enjoy the time off. A little fishing and lounging is exactly what I need. I think scalloping is on the agenda as well. Yummy… If you like sushi, raw scallop is better than any cut of tuna or salmon. Check it.

Post #05

Chapter 5 gives a rundown on different types of digital media and their uses in the classroom and education in general. It addresses many different applications that can be used in the classroom from math games to instructional aids.

I use loads of digital media in my classroom including typing games, ebooks and other references, we watch videos online etc. Additionally, I have taken courses online and done online trainings as well. It's really amazing how much computers are becoming integrated into all aspects of our work and personal lives.

I need a vacation! Last Saturday was my birthday bash and I had several smaller events leading up to it. I'm planning a trip to the beach this weekend. A little fishing and margaritas should do the trick.

Who's got widgets??? Post your faves here!

Post #04

Chapter 4 was a discussion on hardware and external media devices. It's interesting how many computer devices are on the market these days. The integration of cell phones or PDA's with computers is moving at an incredible rate. It will be fun to see what happens in the next 10 years.

I didn't learn much of anything from the chapter. Again, I teach about computer hardware and external devices. It's interesting how computer proficient many of my students are yet how few of them know what a hard drive looks like.

I’m still recovering from the weekend's activities. I bought a house at the beginning of the summer so have been having a lot of events at my house. I just finished putting on a beer olymcis event Saturday. The release party for the Guitar Heroes 80's expansion CD is next Tuesday. Appropriate 80's attire will be required!

Post #03

Chapter 3 topics were pretty strait forward. It identified different types of software and how they can be used in the classroom.

Again, not much new information for me. I have taken many computer courses and taught several sections of business computing. My class opens with a discussion on the difference between hardware and software.

My birthday was Thursday and the celebration occurred over four days starting last Tuesday and ending with Saturday night beer olympics. I'm beet and my house is trashed. I'm honestly looking forward to school starting back up so I can get some rest!

Post #02

Due to the vastness of the web it really helps to use search tools to limit the number of results you get. I regularly use quotation marks and have found using site:edu (or gov, etc.) is often handy as well. Another little trick I like is using ctrl+f once at a site. This will allow you to locate a specific word on a page without having to search around.

I have been teaching effective Windows use, web navigation and Microsoft Office for two years so haven't picked up many new tools yet but I don't know a lick of Access. I'm not sure we're covering Access but am hoping for at least an introduction.

Here's a rundown of some things we've covered in class that I do a little differently and a few of my favorite shortcuts:

1. Bullets and numbering:
- Use the tab key to go in 1 bullet and shift+tab to move back one.
2. Google searches:
- Site:edu, gov, mil etc. (returns only that type of site)
- not before a word (no pages with that word on it)
- quotation marks around two or more words (must appear in that order)
3. Shortcuts
- windows key+m = minimize all
- windows key+e = open windows explorer
- ctrl+f = find (works well on web pages and in word documents)
4. Download Yahoo Widgets! They are free and really fun to use. You won't know how you lived without them!!! Whose got a favorite Widget??? Post here!!!