Section 2

FDN 5220: Computers in Educational Settings

Please explore this site, read the selections, join on the discussion board, and do what you can....We'll fill in the gaps when we get back together.

Session 5 Manipulating Information

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Welcome back: Last week we introduced the notion of using common computer software tools as mindtools. This session will explore the use of the development of web resources for mindtools. Be sure that you know how to develop 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. If you are not comfortable with these tools, check out the tutorial section on the left side of this screen. While we work with Microsoft products, you may be using others at school. Most all do the same kinds of things, so learning what these tools can do is as important as the specific button pushing.

Review image capture and video capture.

Review PowerPointedness and issues associated with PowerPoint as a tool in the classroom. As you understand the concepts thus far, how do these ideas support Computers as Mindtools?

Introduction to FrontPage and Web Development

Set up a folder, save to zip disk, name first page "default". Insert images, text, sounds and link to other sites.

Continue to explore the web for useful sites and models for your projects and students: try some of the following: (If you find other exceptional ones in your various searches, please share them with us.)

· 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. Scroll down to the Library section. You will find some interesting teacher resources here.

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

· http://www.internet-catalyst.org/: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.