Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Blog Prompt One

Blog Prompt One For my first blog post we will be covering instructional software and software support tools. The first example I researched for instructional software was Chemistry Formulas by Chemistry Drills – http://www.chemistry-drills.com , which utilizes the drill and practice function. I am a science teacher, so this website will be a great asset for my classroom by allowing the students to practice chemical formulas. According to the text, the drill and practice function will motivate them and also provide them with immediate feedback (Roblyer, 2013, p. 84). Another computer based instructional software that I would like to utilize is the Laws of Motion by Physics Classroom – http://physicsclassroom.com/class/newtlaws . This uses the Tutorial teaching function, which is used to provide students with alternative learning strategies and instruction when teachers are not available (Roblyer, 2013, p. 88). In 8th grade my students are being taught about the basics of Physics, and visuals are always a huge help for them. So the use of this tutorial option will help them inside and outside of the class. Simulation would also be a function of instructional software that I would like to take advantage of in my classroom. In 7th grade science I teach basic anatomy and we usually use the dissection of certain animals to help teach these topics. One website I found is called Digital Frog by Digital Frog International – http://www.digitalfrog.com , and it deals with the simulated dissection of frogs. Scientists in the text actually found that the simulation of a dissection is a viable alternative to an actual dissection (Roblyer, 2013, p. 91). Websites like this one are a huge advantage for students that might need to see things more than once for them to learn them. Technology and these websites are something we need to take advantage of. I tweeted about the following article and how technology is meant to help teachers not take the place of them http://www.educause.edu/ero/article/next-generation-educational-software-why-we-need-it-and-research-agenda-getting-it . I want to take advantage of these resources in my classroom, not be afraid of them. I also need to take advantage of software support tools. Using an Easy Schedule Maker -- http://www.patreno.com , is a planning to help me organize my calendar and my schedule. I also plan to use My Lesson Planner – www.mylessonplanner.com to help break down and organize lesson plans. Lesson planning software can provide you with prompts for specific lessons and can also just help you with keeping forms of documentation ( Roblyer, 2013, p. 161). I will also use Microsoft Excel for planning and organizing, because like it refers to in the text I can use it to help me with projecting grades ( Roblyer, 2013, p. 122). All of these Instructional tools can be a huge benefit to my students and also my classroom. As much as Technology continues to improve I want to take full advantage of it for myself and my students.
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2 comments:

  1. UnknownSeptember 9, 2013 at 1:51 PM

    Jared, your examples are awesome. My favorite would have to be the online dissection of frogs. It gives the kids the opportunity to move at their own pace while learning; not to mention it would hold their attention as a type of entertainment game. I plan to use Microsoft Excel for organization as well. The text mentions how "students can be taught to use spreadsheets to keep track of their own grades" (Robyler, 2013, p.126). Don't you think this would be a great way to teach students at a younger age to become more knowledgeable with the use of that particular software while also giving them a chance to know where they stand in class at all times? Great software examples! I hope they work for you in your classes!

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  2. UnknownSeptember 9, 2013 at 8:28 PM

    you have some great examples. The online frog dissection sounds neat. It would certainly be less smelly than really dissecting a frog.

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