my ed205 class

This is my first time taking a class on line. Also this is the first time I have been in school in about ten years. Having this class on-line has been a big stress reliever. Right now it is Saturday night at 10pm and I am working on my homework. And as soon as I am done I can “turn” it in. Ed. 205 has provided a change in how I take classes in many ways. I must admit I have read more and done more of my homework in this class than in other face-to-face classes. In traditional classes I can typically pick up a lot of what is needed from the lecture and would only read if I had to. In this class everything is reading. I think I have learned more both in reading and by the hands on activities. Normally I think I would say that I miss the live discussions, however I have 4 kids, a husband, a part time job, 2 girl scout troops, and a 1st grade Sunday school class to teach. This opportunity to take a class from the comforts of my house has been a blessing. I do miss having the professor readily available for questions. However, not having him there has made me look for the answer first, thus I learned more. Three weeks ago I was offered a full time substitute position. The room has many problems and I could just go to the principal with a long list of questions or I could figure as many of them out as I can on my own or by asking the appropriate people. Thus I learn valuable skills and the principal learns that I am a capable person. Learning to think on your own is invaluable!
Would I take another class on line? Yes and I wish I had one next semester. I have two psychology classes next semester and both could be on-line. Really most of that stuff is reading and lecture. Very little class discussions go on in those classes. As I said earlier I think I could even get more out of it if it was on line. And hay, I took my mid-term exam sitting on my bed in your pj’s.  Can’t beat that…

The assignment: Please make a list of five specific applications you think every student should learn, from more important to less important (you can name the application or just give the title — e.g., Word or word processors). Explain your ranking in your blog entry. At what level in school do you think each application should be taught? Why?

1. Word Processing (MS-Word)
I think this is the number one application to be used in schools. I would hope this would be introduced by at least 6th grade but could be used as early as 4th or 5th grades. I would have students use Word as a way of finalizing papers and as a tool for editing. Of corse the students would have to be taught how to type and how to find and use the Word program. Any college bound student (and to be fair we should assume all student are capable of higher learning) will need the skills related to word processing. Certainly by late middle and high school all final and even some drafts should be turned in typed. Hay, lets face it, type writer are just not all they are cracked up to be…

2.Research & Reference Tools
I ranked this application second in importance. There are great programs that will give you a dictionary, thesaurus, encyclopedia, almanac, and other such resources all in one CD. A student could navigate through all of those resources easily and much more organized with that program rather than taking all the time and effort at a library. (Not that knowing how to access the right reference books at the library is not a valuable skill) A school library could minimize cost considerably by using these types of CD’s rather than buying a complete encyclopedia set. Students can be taught to use these types of application as early as 1st grade. (With help of corse)
3. Specific Content Area Tools
a. Educational Games
i. There is a lot to be said about a game that makes math fun or teaches a pre-schooler how to read and makes it fun at the same time. Games can be used in all ages and in all levels of education. In my school they even use a game that the severally disabled students can run. It allows the student to touch the key board in any way and then a funny sound will be made. The student then learns if she/he touches the key board than a something funny will happen.
B. Tutorial
i. Although this type of program can be boring it can also be very beneficial. My daughter learned how to type with Mavis. To me that program seemed much more friendly than the old way of class timed typing test we used to do with the type writer. Much less pressure and it adjust to different learning paces. I am not very familiar with different types of tutorial programs so I am not sure what allis out there. But if it was relative to what is being taught I don’t see why a student couldn’t use this as soon as he/she can read. (End of 1st to 2nd grade to be safe)
C. Web Based Education
i. Likewise there are lots of great sights that offer good opportunities for students to learn. I would be leery with out some good parental blocks letting students work on the web un assisted. In the younger ages they might accidently get into something should not and as they get older it will be on purpose. Both should be avoided. I think the web should be available for all levels. The world wide web is a part of our lives and should be used and taught like other text books.

4. Planning & Organizing Tools
As students get older organization skill are a must. Although these types of programs would not be use specifically as a subject but rather as a life skill. I would say students in middle school could be introduced to these type of programs and should be expected to know it by high school. Planning & Organizing Tools can be better taught verbally and by example in the younger grades.

5. Spreadsheets
I will admit I am just learning how and why to use spreadsheets. (Thanks to edu 205) However, I have been told and read enough to know it is something to be learned and used. Because of the complex functions (al least it seems to me) I would most likely wait to introduce this type of application until middle school. Many data entry job use spreadsheets. It could be a life skill that is very valuable.