Blog 12: Databases

The use of database in education can aide a teacher in time and efficiency. It can also help students familiarize themselves with the many uses of technology. In using 'InspireData', I conducted a survey on things that students prefer. Inspire data allowed me to answer a questionnaire that students would answer individually. With all of their answers accumulated, I then was able to create a diagram including specific equations that would group students according to similar preferences or answers. Using this survey with students allows the teacher to involve students in making decisions and informing students of the basis for such decisions. I found InspireData to be especially easy to navigate as there is a handy guide that can be downloaded with adobe reader which can then be referred to while creating your own database. Being able to bounce back and forth between the plot diagram and the chart was also helpful in creating the database effectively. There are many other uses that databases will come in handy for. The teacher-student example brushes on the significance of using a database within the classroom.
In reading the article "The World Wide Web: Interfaces, Databases, and Applications to Education", a specific database called FileMaker Pro 4.0 is discussed and referred to as "one good choice that is available to teachers". In this particular reading the author explained other uses for databases. As the college students being discussed did not all reside at the college the teacher used the database as a means for turning in assignments and keeping track of what was submitted per student. One use for a database that I am familiar with within my own college is the evaluation forms for students to fill out about their teacher and the teachers performance throughout the semester. In the reading the old way of completing these evaluations was done in class with the teacher outside, this is also the way my college does this task. Using the database as a means for completing these evaluations was an easy and more efficient for the student but also more effective for the teacher as they can see what exactly was answered how and they can see the results sooner. Of course the students would be anonymous. I appreciated the readings examples of uses for databases. The fact that databases can be used and seen by many people from various locations allows for collaboration and efficiency.
In the second reading "The Database America's Presidents", discusses new literacy's that need to be mastered by today's students. These literacies are referred to as the ""Six C's": compute, communicate, conclude, confirm, categorize, and classify". The reading specifically discusses the challenge students face in being able to manage information and data as they search through vast choices of information sources and how a database can be an effective tool in doing so. "For this reason, they will benefit enormously from any early elementary activities and technologies that help them collect, organize, categorize and sort information." This is where the database tool comes in. Using the database for younger students in organizing data collected, for example information on presidents is the example used in this reading. This example gives me the idea that it is better to start students off with such elementary activities as organizing information at younger ages and familiarize them with the data base tool before they enter their later education years. In doing this, students should have a better chance in mastery of the "Six C's".
In Reading "Bells and Whistles: Organizing Data for Whole-Class Use", I learned how a database can be especially useful when using one computer. This may seem like a concern for futures teachers when considering using computer involved projects within the classroom. Where some schools may be funded enough to only afford one computer per classroom, such an assignment as a database involved lesson can be quite effective for each student to employ their own "critical thinking skills as, classifying, defining, categorizing, inferring, comparing and contrasting." In creating a database to store the information gathered a students must then decide how their data correlates together then how to organize the information most effectively. After, the database can be creating with students working together to agree on what questions will be used for the database. The information can be entered then accessed by all students to find what results they specifically search for. This reading discussed how one computer can be just as effective if not more in creating a group centered database.
In reading the three articles and using the database inspire, I have a clear understanding of the many uses of databases and how databases are conducted. I think this is a great tool to be used in the classroom that requires critical thinking from each individual and brushes up students' technology skills.

Blog 13/14: imovie

i movie is a fun tool that can be integrated into the classroom and used for educational purposes. In reading the article "Splicing Video into the Writing Process" By Tammy Pandina Scot and Diane Harding September 2004, learning how to use i movie and, creating a video with my classmates, I have a better understanding of what this tool is, how it works and why videos are a good learning strategy for teachers to employ in their classrooms.
i movie is a tool on MAC computers that allows you to create and edit movies. In learning this tool, I began with a clip off of American idol and downloaded it on to i movie. From here I sectioned off different clips within the clip and rearranged them for a more comical piece. In playing around with this tool I discovered there are fun animation and audio effects that can be edited into the clips. Subtitles, credits and titles can also be added into the piece. There are many options within i movie to edit and create a movie that can be fun for students to utilize while learning. Using this tool has given me a new perspective on incorporating video into lessons. Not only did I learn about our topic, or actually brush up on the topic which was the "three phases of water", I learned how to use a new technology. In introducing this technology to a lesson, I believe students will enjoy learning the lesson and technology. Creating a product that displays what students have learned will allow students to have an immediate sense of satisfaction and accomplishment which will further their interest in learning.
When I was reading the article it occurred to me that the students referred to were in grade five. As a college student and future teacher, this is my first exposure ever to i movie. It is obvious that I will be teaching students who may have better skills with this technology than I, at this point. However, this is why it is important that I get a firm grasp on this technology as to become a more effective teacher. Besides how much catching up I need to do, I learned how not only does video creation engage the students in creating a product which displays a subject or topic but, how the actual process in creating the script and organizing the movie actually forces the students to understand the topic matter and technology. Preparation and brainstorming allows students to practice their creativity establish individual ideas and decide what facts are more important than others. It allows students to really think about what they have learned instead of brushing it off which is what happens in many cases.
Taking a deeper look into the creation of the video, group cooperation is as key a factor as learning the material individually is. Working as a group productively is important and it can be up to the teacher how well this happens. The reading on page 28 states "We group students very carefully to ensure they stay on task and work well together". This reminds me that how productive the students are in learning is as much up to me as it is up to them.
I think using i movie and other similar tools as a means of education is a great way to teach students individual responsibility, technology, subject matter, cooperation, commitment and so many other characteristics that will reflect into their futures.

Blog 10: Midterm Reflection

In reflecting on the Midterm, I felt it was straightforward and effective. We were given questions on pretty much all of the important areas learned from class. One of the questions I missed was based on a lesson I missed, iste.org. Since I have missed one day of class this semester, I can honestly say that it pays on the midterm (and assignments) to attend every class of this course. I missed the screenshot part of the second part of the midterm. I knew it would probably be on it too but, laziness got the best of me and I did not review that before the exam. My computer at home is a PC, so had I had my old MAC I probably would have got that part of the question right. However, it is important for a future teacher to know how to use both a MAC and a PC. Now I know that on a MAC, press control-apple-shift-4 to do a screenshot. I did know the control-apple-shift part but forgot the 4. Now, I dont think I will forget that. Overall, I think this midterm was a great review of the material learned so far. It is nice to take a course where I can see the productivity of what I have learned.