Delicious

I found that it was relatively easy to find good sites to bookmark on delicious.com. Since I am already teaching preschool full time, I am aware of and use many of these websites every day. I enjoyed getting to know this tool so that I can have access to many sites that I regularly use in one place. I did not personally find many sites that were claiming to be educational that were just trying to sell products, though I believe there are many out there. A majority of the sites I found were valuable as a resource in some manner. Many preschool teachers blog and post about resources they have created and work together as a community to help other preschool teachers. I think Web 2.0 sites are therefore really valuable to a preschool teacher, as many teachers can and often do share their ideas via these sites. I did not seem to choose many of the same sites as my other classmates, likely because we are in different licensure areas. I liked finding more ideas for my classroom and seeing what options are out there as resources for my future profession.

My Delicious site can be found at delicious.com/saralynn88.

Reflecting on What I Know Chapter 6

Now that I have access to the Web, how can I use it effectively?

There are many useful tools on the Web for teachers to use. There are search engines, communication tools, lesson plans, video conferencing or calls via the web. Search engines can be used to help students research for assignments or lessons. Communication tools can be used for students to have access to people with more knowledge on the topic they are researching or to communicate with their teachers. Teachers can use the Web to access their lesson plans and to get ideas for their lesson plans.


How do I manage students' use of the Web in my class?

There are several tools such as software and internet history lists that teachers can use to manage their students' use of the Internet. These can help teachers identify problematic use and figure out how to correct it.


Which features of the Web do I use?

Teachers can use many tools on the Internet to help students in the classroom. Teachers can use many of the ones listed above, such as search engines and asynchronous websites to further their teaching and how they help their students learn. Teachers can use tools such as GoogleDocuments to share information with their students and communicate with parents and help students share information with each other. Teachers can use the Web to communicate with other teachers and share ideas for lessons. These and many other features on the Web help teachers with their instruction and students with their learning.

Chapter 4

There are so many types of software; how do I know which kinds of software to include in my lessons?

There are currently 5 types of software that are available for use: productivity, research, communication, problem-solving, and educational. The best approach is to analyze your lesson plan, and determine which of these kinds of software would best fit your lesson. Then, look through various softwares within that category and see what would be easiest to assimilate in to your plan and what the students would be able to use the easiest.

I understand why students should use educational software and the Internet, but why should my 4th graders learn to use spreadsheet, database, or video editing software? 

For each grade level, there are different state standards that are set. Each goal is to help the students in the future be able to keep up with the technology they will be presented with. Students are having to learn to use and incorporate technology at a much earlier age than they used to because it is becoming a much more prevalent tool in the classroom and more is expected of the students.

How can student use of different types of software help improve scores on state tests?

Through students using various types of software, they are exposed to different skill sets and information. Through research software, for example, they can be exposed to many different objects related to their lessons and expand their learning and research skills that way. Through communication software, they can grow their knowledge base by communication with teachers, experts, other students, all to help learn more about a certain topic and continue their education. This also relates to state standards for each grade level and how they are assessed, and also how students are using technology in the classroom today to further their learning.