Topic 8- Spreadsheets

Today we learned about spreadsheets and how we can use them in the classroom. I had used spreadsheets a bit in other classrooms and it was good to refresh those skills. We learned how to use different calculation features to total numbers in a gradebook and to find averages among students. This will be so helpful in managing the grades of my future classroom. It was good to learn how we can actually use this program in the future. I liked how we were able to connect the uses of spreadsheets specifically to our needs and majors as educators.

We also learned how to create online quizzes through google documents. This is a fun and quick way to create and send out tests. Many students like to use computers and that number is increasing so I like learning new ways to incorporate the internet into lessons and tests. We were able to choose between a lot of different question types on google documents which was so great. We can create a test with a lot of variety and choices for students. Google documents also automatically combines all the submitions so I can just look at it and see the answers to my survey. This can save a lot of time managing tests and makes it easy to see how people are doing. I think learning about spreadsheets and surveys will be very helpful in my future classroom.

My survey can be located at:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=p4njzG98iDe1CO_Qnq7LBcg

Topic 7- Word Processing

Today we discussed different ways we can use word processing in the classroom. It was helpful to learn how we can use this technology with or without an internet connection. Sometimes it's difficult to always have enough computers with the internet in the classroom but it was great to see that the internet isn't always necessary. The students can still edit their own work and each others work by using word processing without the internet. It was good to practice this skill by doing it ourselves. I enjoyed writing and editing stories with my classmates. That would be a great activity for my future classroom. It is a great way to allow students opportunity for creativity while still practicing writing skills. I thought it was also great to use the highlighting feature while editing. I had never used this tool before and thought it was very cool. It will be so helpful for students to be able to see and remember where they made changes and why they did this.

We also spent time on google documents. This is another way of co-editing documents but this way involves the internet. It's a great way to edit when you aren't right next to your partner. I enjoyed being able to practice using it and getting more comfortable with it. I think it's so important for teachers to be comfortable with what they are teaching and we do this through practice. I hope to use both of these word processing features in my future classroom.

Topic 6- Webquest

Today we spent time exploring and learning about webquest. I enjoyed learning more about project based learning and how we can find ideas and lessons to do projects on webquest.org. In some of my other ELED classes we've been learning about the project approach and how this is so beneficial to students learning. It was great to be able make connections between my classes and find actual sources and examples of project learning that I can implement in my future classroom. I think it's so important for teachers to experience what they will be teaching their students.

I'm glad we had the opportunity to explore this website and become more familiar with what it offers. Children can gain a deeper understanding through project learning because it is more hands-on and they get more experience with what they are learning. I hope to use this approach in my future classroom, and learning about webquest will be a great resource when I do.