Grading--A Necessary Activity

Hi People,

Grading and keeping records are a necessary part of education on all levels. Both students and teachers are accountable for how grades turn out. It is a great way to inform classroom techniques, and help the teacher decide what are the most effective ways to teach. Teachers need to have an extended record to help make instructional decisions as they progress through the curriculum. Engrade is an online tool that could help bring organization to a teacher's hectic day.

Engrades data is recorded online, so it can be accessed by many different participants, including students. The threat of a computer crash is less threatening when data is recorded online. The grades that are posted on Engrade can also be accessed by more people than just the teacher. Students, parents, and principals can all access these grades to keep them informed about how things are going in the classroom. From my limited experience in schools, it seems teachers are still using the black book to record their students outcomes. Others use off-line programs that have the possibility to collapse. Students are always interested in how their doing, even if they don't necessarily show it. Engrade is a great way to share information with the students and parents privately to show them progress. I think this program is especially good to keep parents informed about how their child is doing.

Online records and grading bring more accountability to students, especially if they know that their parents have access to their grades and constant ability to check up on their marks. The possibility of a child forging their report card, or preventing their parents from seeing it is minimized by Engrade. Students probably would not like that feature, but if it pushes them to do better, than I think that it is helpful for teachers. The program also has an attendance feature that can convey to parents any unlawful absence. As with most technology, information is shared with more people, and this program does just that.

There were not many things that I disliked about this program. It does so much more than the old methods. Again, I'm not teaching right now, so I don't have anything to compare it to. If I were to suggest something to change about the program, I guess I would want a place to store documents like tests, students papers, and other records. Using a scanner, and storing research papers, or other big projects would be a great way to show off somebody's work to parents, or principals.

"Read All About It!"

Hi Again, 

I just want to start by saying that their was another page to this letter that did not attach when I converted from PDF.  I worked hard on it, so I'm attaching PDF to our discussion forum.  Here's a link that will bring you to both pages I created--letterpop--check it out! 

Designing letters like these to communicate with parents and other people in the academic community is a good way to show you are a caring and superb teacher.  Making something like this shows that you a serious about getting students and parents involved.  I'm not teaching yet, but many of the teachers I've interviewed have suggested that keeping a dialogue with parents is very important factor that determines how a student will do in school, and their class specifically. When a parent has information about what their child is learning, they will have more of a chance to ask that students how their learning is coming along.  

I think that something like this is a good way to communicate with parents because it is not derogatory, and is not trying to convey something negative about the student. Many teachers only call home if something bad has happened, such as a discipline or academic problem. We as teachers have to find avenues that create a positive relationship with parents.  Other ways we could do this is by writing a letter that says something positive about the students.  If they do well on a project or some other assessment. Other ways to communicate by phone, e-mail, or ever teleconference.  Phone or in-person is probably better than e-mail.  E-mail is so impersonal.  New ways to communicate would be skype, teleconference, or even a WiKi.  As a teacher, you can give parents your personal website address and post information about your class on the web.  Of course this newsletter is also a great way to enhance communication with parents, principals, and guardians. 

I chose Letterpop mainly because I liked their background templets. Scrapblog seemed only geared towards family photos and vacation templets. They were not that professional to me.  I also had an account already established with Letterpop from a prior assignment.  Letterpop just seemed more compatible for designing a newsletter.  The next time I do this I want to figure out how to design templets better, especially adding more slots for images and other features.  If I were to do this more frequently, I would gather parents e-mail address, so that I could mail them a letter every time we begin/end a unit.  I would do this on the first day of school, and keep the parents informed more often. Overall, I think that newsletters are a good way to establish a good dialogue with parents and guardians.  

Crossing Words for Fun

Good Evening, 

I am posting these questions to my crossword puzzle because they did not come out so well when I converted from Excel at MSMC library.  I am learning quite bit about computers.  This was actually the first time I used Excel for a class.  I was not aware of things you could do with this program until this assignment.  

Learning how to use computer software by completing tasks is a great learning strategy.  Learning only about software would not be as engaging as completing a finished product. Having a clear objective to complete with the program makes sure that a learner has thoroughly investigated the applications of the program being learned. For example, learning how to create a crossword puzzle in Excel allowed me to became quite familiar with the application, and I probably could do it again without reading the directions now.  I definitely think that if I just read the directions, and was not given the chance to apply my new gained knowledge,I would not have retained the skill in making an Excel crossword puzzle.  

Teaching students themselves to make crossword puzzles is a great way to teach vocabulary and computer skills at the same time.  There are many other uses Excel can offer, and creating a crossword opens up a students capacity to use the application in other capacities.  Maybe they will have to create a spreadsheet one day, and their knowledge about making crosswords will help them better perform other tasks with the program. 

Next time I use this program I want to find out its capabilities.  What else can one do with Excel? I should have investigated it more.  I also want to try some other image converters, because sometimes I get choppy images.  Finding out what is out there is half the battle when using computers, or any medium.  

   

Crosswords 'r Us.

Here's my newly found skill of creating a crossward puzzle. It was definately a trying experience. After, accidently deleting my initial attempts, I finally pulled it together and produced something note worthy. Next, I had trouble converting to jmpg. I went to the curriculum library and they helped me. The only problem was that they had to save my crossword in 4 different slides, and then the cues to my answers were sliced up and became illegible.

I tried my best. I want to post a "whole version" on my discussion forum. I will also continue this assignment tonight. Thankyou. Good Luck!

Web School 2.0--Where is it?

Hi Again,

I probably should have posted this a few days ago, but I wanted to discuss our school -2.0.  When I first heard about our assignment in designing this school I was kind of lost.  I was bewildered when I read the first stipulation of our assignment--a school not grouped by age? I immediately struggled to picture such a situation.  Then I heard the next requisite-a teacher not in charge?  What? I began to think that maybe they won't even need teachers in the future.  Then I heard--children not required to attend?  I felt as if I chose the wrong profession.  No teachers, no schools, no world.  Will we all just sit at home in the future and live and work out of our homes? 

The graph is not that visually endowed, but either will our new school be.  In fact there won't be no school--just kids and their computers. There won't be anyone there because kids don't have to attend.  Who knows what our world will look like 20 years from now.  Hopefully, we'll still be here.  I'm just kidding.  It is interesting to think about the future.  Still, nothing compares to having a real human being answer your question, and instructing.  Please computers, don't take my career away from me.  

Eureka I Did it!

Hi Again,

I'm writing this blog to say I've been triumphant in installing my image to this blog. I finally mastered the intricacies of my Apple.  I'm beginning to unlock secrets.  I learned how to convert my files. I have to say that this course has truly pushed me to learn about the functionality of my computer.  Inspiration is such a nice program too.  I might have to shop for some software one day and this program is nice for adding an eye-grabber to lessons.   Now I just have to figure out how to enlarge this photograph. 

Mind Mapping for Brain Tapping

Hi Everyone,

The topic of my mind-map was about the formation of the two-party system in the United States. The content on the map shows the angle each party took in regards to the important issues facing the newly established United States. I chose to use the content of this lesson to make a mind-map because the graphic organizers from "Inspiration" laid out the debate so well in one crystal-clear page. The imagery that this program provides is also a wonderful feature to highlight. I even pasted images of Hamilton and Jefferson on the g.o., who were the leaders of the two-parties (Federalist/Antifederalist). In addition, this mind-map is a good assessment tool. Each side of the mind-map represents the view of one of the two parties. If I covered one side or left one side blank, then the students can be assessed by filling in the other side. The mind-maps are also great study tools that deliver quick and visually endowed information.

The most important thing I learned about this lesson was the types of programs out there. Inspiration and Kidspiration are both wonderful programs that I want to use when I start teaching. As a teacher we can tailor each of our lesson to match with wonderful graphic organizers that include visuals, concept maps, and double as assessment tools. I would like to view some other programs in this area, but downloading everything for a free trial is tedious. The program I used--inspiration-- has everything I need anyway. I also learned that even the simplest of things can go wrong when working with computers. For example, I spend more time trying to post the image to this blog than making it. I downloaded 3 converters, but my computer wouldn't open them. I learned that when working with computer, be prepared for difficulties and problem-solving.

One thing I did not like about the program was after transferring the file to pdf, many applications such as this blog would not accept the pdf image. It seems that this blog only accepts home photos. I tried to download a program to convert the pdf image but my computer was reluctant to open the programs. The image I posted to the discussion forum (which came out the best) was the only thing I could do for know along with posting the image to my Apple website.

Next time I use this mind-map, I will try to find a converter that changes images to jmpg. That way the graphic organizer/ mind-map will be accepted by different programs including this blog. I think the best solution is figuring out how to post the image to the Internet. That way, as long as one has the Internet address, they can access the file.

 Overall, I'm looking forward to using this program in practice to give students an extra medium to learn with. Expecially for test review. The mind-map is a fantastic way to connect concepts together in order to see how thing fit. Goodbye, Ian.

Lesson--Ratification and Debate

This graphic organizer is the content of a lesson that teaches about the ratification of the U.S. Constitution and the debate between the Federalists and Antifederalists.  The goal of the lesson is to get students to understand the significance of opposing viewpoints.  I had a good amount of trouble trying to post this graphic organizer to this blog. They don't accept pdf. and I'm having trouble downloading converters.  I published the image to my web site at http://web.mac.com/imor4060/Site_2/Podcast/Archive.html.  If you are already tapped into our moodle website shoot this link, and you will get a better veiw: Federalists/Antifeds.