FDN 5220: Computers in Educational Settings

Session 5 Manipulating Information

Welcome back: Last week we introduced the notion of using common computer software tools as mindtools. This session will explore the use of databases and spreadsheets as ways to store and manipulate information so that one can obtain answers to specific questions that you might pose. In each case the tools can help students organize and work with the information about which they are learning.

Discussion of Casenex Webs We Weave

What are the major issues in this case?

Who are the major players and what are their respective perspectives? (ie: what is each one thinking and feeling?) What actions each player might take and what would be the consequences of that action?

Categorize each action as:

o High Impact / High Urgency

o High Impact / Low Urgency

o Low Impact / High Urgency

o Low Impact / Low Urgency

In what ways does this assist you in analyzing this case? What additional information would you like to have had?

Read the letter and download the access database file County Hunters developed by NCDPI. This represents an example of using databases and spreadsheets as mindtools. Work in small groups on this project and as you work together, be sure that you understand the basics of MS Access and MS Excel. You may also use this with MS Works, if you choose but you will have to go the DPI to download the appropriate database. Plan to work several Sessions on this, if needed. To assist you, several excellent tutorials are listed in the tutorial section of the sidebar. Be sure to select "save" and download the file to your desktop computer and then open it in MS Access. Create reports with the report wizard.

Introduction to FrontPage and Web Development

Continue to explore the web for useful sites and models for your projects and students: try some of the following:

· www.cln.org/themes_index.html: This site has theme units on a variety of subjects. A great site out of Canada, has links to resources, useful websites, and instructional materials.

· AWSOME LIBRARY: Multidisciplinary lessons

· WEBRESOURCES: This is a site that was created by a graduate student at ASU that has a wide variety of information on all subject levels.

· Resources for You: A site that has much to offer in way of lesson plans and resources for k-12 teachers.

· www.internet-catalyst.org/projects/amproject/toc.html:This is a great project for older students that uses history, social studies, and writing to look at how the American Dream has changed over the decades. The site has teacher and students sections that are helpful to each.

· www.kids-space.org/gallery/gallery.html: This site is for younger children all over the world. You can read the stories of other children or your students can submit their own stories. You can also submit art and music to this site. There are many topics that you can choose from to read about or add information.

· www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/cyberguide.html: CyberGuides are supplementary, standards-based, web-delivered units of instruction centered on core works of literature. They are designed for the classroom with one online computer. Each CyberGuide contains a student and teacher edition, standards, a task and a process by which it may be completed, teacher-selected web sites and a rubric, based on California Language Arts Content Standards.

· www.fi.edu/fellows/fellow8/dec98/intera.html:This extensive Web resource consists of Web-based learning activities that integrate language arts with oceanography. Activities are based on one of seven books about the ocean and are written to be adaptable. Includes writing activities, games and puzzles, art ideas, web resources, and a section for teachers.

· Blue Web'n: This is a great search engine that has lessons, projects, tutorials and ideas on any subject you can think of and at any grade level.

Work on projects: We have been exploring ideas concerning the integration of computer technologies into the school curriculum. Continue to explore these concepts with your projects and discuss the extent to which these technologies are used as mindtools in your school.

Assignments:

Read Chapters 3, 4, and 5 and discuss your thoughts on the ideas presented on the discussion board under "Mindtools"

Read Unwarranted Intrusion by Elmore (You will need Adobe® Acrobat® Reader® reader on your computer): How would you compare the ideas here with those of Jonassen in the text? In our next class we will have a large group discussion of this contrarian article and its relevance to you and your students.

Continue to work on your projects....try sharing a word document and using the tools available to develop a working document within a group at a distance.

Home ANNOUNCEMENTS Topics Tasks Resources for Info Schedule Evaluation Tutorials Link Discussion Groups Student Websites CLASSMATE INFO Contact Instructor	FDN 5220: Computers in Educational Settings Session 5 Manipulating Information Welcome back: Last week we introduced the notion of using common computer software tools as *mindtools. This session will explore the use of databases and spreadsheets as ways to store and manipulate information so that one can obtain answers to specific questions that you might pose. In each case the tools can help students organize and work with the information about which they are learning. Discussion of Casenex Webs We Weave* What are the major issues in this case? Who are the major players and what are their respective perspectives? (ie: what is each one thinking and feeling?) What actions each player might take and what would be the consequences of that action? Categorize each action as: o High Impact / High Urgency o High Impact / Low Urgency o Low Impact / High Urgency o Low Impact / Low Urgency In what ways does this assist you in analyzing this case? What additional information would you like to have had? Read the letter and download the access database file County Hunters developed by NCDPI. This represents an example of using databases and spreadsheets as mindtools. Work in small groups on this project and as you work together, be sure that you understand the basics of MS Access and MS Excel. You may also use this with MS Works, if you choose but you will have to go the DPI to download the appropriate database. Plan to work several Sessions on this, if needed. To assist you, several excellent tutorials are listed in the tutorial section of the sidebar. Be sure to select "save" and download the file to your desktop computer and then open it in MS Access. Create reports with the report wizard. Introduction to FrontPage and Web Development Continue to explore the web for useful sites and models for your projects and students: try some of the following: · www.cln.org/themes_index.html: This site has theme units on a variety of subjects. A great site out of Canada, has links to resources, useful websites, and instructional materials. · AWSOME LIBRARY: Multidisciplinary lessons · WEBRESOURCES: This is a site that was created by a graduate student at ASU that has a wide variety of information on all subject levels. · Resources for You: A site that has much to offer in way of lesson plans and resources for k-12 teachers. · www.internet-catalyst.org/projects/amproject/toc.html:This is a great project for older students that uses history, social studies, and writing to look at how the American Dream has changed over the decades. The site has teacher and students sections that are helpful to each. · www.kids-space.org/gallery/gallery.html: This site is for younger children all over the world. You can read the stories of other children or your students can submit their own stories. You can also submit art and music to this site. There are many topics that you can choose from to read about or add information. · www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/cyberguide.html: CyberGuides are supplementary, standards-based, web-delivered units of instruction centered on core works of literature. They are designed for the classroom with one online computer. Each CyberGuide contains a student and teacher edition, standards, a task and a process by which it may be completed, teacher-selected web sites and a rubric, based on California Language Arts Content Standards. · www.fi.edu/fellows/fellow8/dec98/intera.html:This extensive Web resource consists of Web-based learning activities that integrate language arts with oceanography. Activities are based on one of seven books about the ocean and are written to be adaptable. Includes writing activities, games and puzzles, art ideas, web resources, and a section for teachers. · Blue Web'n: This is a great search engine that has lessons, projects, tutorials and ideas on any subject you can think of and at any grade level. *Work on projects:* We have been exploring ideas concerning the integration of computer technologies into the school curriculum. Continue to explore these concepts with your projects and discuss the extent to which these technologies are used as mindtools in your school. Assignments: Read Chapters 3, 4, and 5 and discuss your thoughts on the ideas presented on the discussion board under "Mindtools" Read Unwarranted Intrusion by Elmore (You will need Adobe® Acrobat® Reader® reader on your computer): How would you compare the ideas here with those of Jonassen in the text? In our next class we will have a large group discussion of this contrarian article and its relevance to you and your students. Continue to work on your projects....try sharing a word document and using the tools available to develop a working document within a group at a distance. Home \| Topics \| Tasks \| Resources \| Schedule \| Links \| Discussion Groups \| Contact © Copyright 2002. Stephen C. Bronack, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved.	NOTES:
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