Multiple Applications

This week we had the opportunity to explore a database, choose a lesson, and discuss the lesson in Google.docs. I chose to look at the database, www.webquest.org which included a lesson on integrating the history of computers into a persuasive PowerPoint presentation at the end, students convincing others that computers are necessary. I hadn't seen that one before. The database hosts a lot of lessons at various grade levels, as well as subjects. There's even a way one can create a web quest using the website, as well. It's a powerful learning tool. I liked the easy access to the plans, searching by subjects which one is looking to integrate. The students had a definite task to do, and learned about the history of computers, their inventors, and would be able to perform the task as well. It looks to be a great lesson I could use to integrate the history of technology and build a purpose for learning, as well as creating a creative persuasive speech. It hits a few of the curricular areas, such as persuasive speeches, as well as the history element of computers.
I had a few problems saving in Google.docs this week, but once I was directed to change from Internet Explorer to FireFox, (thank you, Jim), the saving went well. I also learned to save my pictures to the desktop before inserting an image into Google.docs. I'm so used to copying and pasting, I'd forgotten I needed a different way for the web. Katie A. kindly helped me there. Inserting the columns was easy, until I previewed it and saw it didn't save the outline. That was frustrating. I'm thinking that's a downfall of Google.docs, where it doesn't automatically transfer the form.
I enjoyed the "recipe" analogy puzzle activity we did in class. What a great way to get us to think about how technology is an integral part of our curriculum. I liked the "heat" analogy, as well as the secret ingredient. I think we need to do more collaboration of this type as a staff, in our schools. We don't get enough of the discussion on a topic at some of our meetings, and this pointed out a great way to integrate ideas. I also enjoyed learning the firecracker!! It reminds me we need to incorporate humor into our lessons, as when we enjoy what we're doing and can laugh, we have an easier time learning. Students, too.

InTyme: Feel the Power(Point)

Feel the Power(Point) is a multimedia unit created by Gayle Flengte, a fourth grade teacher at Perryville Elementary School in Perryville, Missouri. I viewed this lesson as it fell under the presearch option of Information Processing skills, of which I teach. I was impressed with all the work she put into her activities with the students. Ms. Flengte had them research a state and incorporate their findings into PowerPoint. Her main focus was on the technology skills of learning the PowerPoint program, and incorporated standards from many curricular areas along with her unit. She started by giving them a rubric, which was an excellent idea, as it let the students know right away what requirements were to be met. The information presented in the videos went through every aspect of what an integrated lesson plan looks and feels like. There were standards met in Social Studies, English Language Arts, and National Technology Standards. Teacher Standards were also mentioned and told the viewer which ones were met. Ms. Flengte demonstrated her knowledge of technology, student characteristics, and curriculum as she led her students through the activity. Teacher behavior was also assessed through her classroom management style. I noticed the Missouri standards have different terminology, and research skills fell under the English/Language Arts curricular area, instead of the Technology and Information Standards we have in Wisconsin. If I were to use this lesson, I'd also incorporate discussions involving plagiarism, teach Boolean Internet searching skills, as well as why and how to cite sources. I noticed those items were missing throughout her lessons. I liked her idea of students creating PowerPoint presentations as a motivator in learning the material. This lesson could be adapted at the third grade level, as they study the various states and their symbols. It could be adapted at the fourth grade level, studying Wisconsin, and focusing on the immigrant research students are already doing. I found this lesson very motivating and useful! I was amazed at the wealth of information given in the materials presented, complete with previewing and post viewing questions at every standard level presented within the lesson.

Dabbling with Dabble

This week we experimented with Dabble, a free database. It was frustrating, as the directions were confusing. I had a difficult time getting into the program, as it kicked me out a couple of times. After investigating the features of Dabble, we were allowed to create our own database, and I found the program much easier to understand and use by creating one of my own. I started a database of family names, email addresses, addresses, and birth dates. I have a lot of family members, nieces and nephews, so I could sort by birth date, and get the current ones. I use a database in the library all the time, sorting books by their call numbers to pull from the shelves; creating lists of overdue books by students; using the call number option to see which subject areas are used the most, for ordering purposes, etc. One thing I do is create a database of categories of books for students to visually search. These categories are sometimes requested by the teacher, usually book genres students are required to check out. Others are there because students always look for various types of animal information. I put these categories in the visual search area, along with a picture, as it's easy for the younger students to search by images, rather than keying in words. Dabble was interesting to use.

Spreadsheets

This past week we took a look at Google.doc spreadsheets in the class. I use Excel to create my library schedule of when classes come in for library class as well as check out times. I have it scheduled in 15 minute intervals. It's easy for me to update, and that happens a lot during the first quarter! I liked the review we were given. I'd taken a class years ago, and it's amazing what you forget when you don't use it often. I could see the applications for creating a library spreadsheet for each area of the Common School Fund monies. For those of you wondering what that is, a set amount is given to each school based upon the third Friday in September enrollments, and this money is given for the purchase of school library books, newspapers, magazines, computer software, audio-visual materials, and reference materials. Each one has its own budget code. A spreadsheet set up for each code, using the "subtraction" feature, would let me know how much money was spent, and a total of what is left to spend.
Another use would be to keep track of circulation statistics; how many classrooms came in per week as opposed to what's been signed up to come. Almost always there's more classes coming in than what's assigned.
I was a little frustrated in setting up the sum feature in Google.spreadsheets, through my own fault. I consistently wanted to click on the row containing the data, rather than the empty row, to enter the formula. Once I got it right, it went smoothly.
I liked the magic square idea, but again, was getting frustrated finding the "magic" number! With a little help, it went faster. I can see where people can get addicted to playing with it. We're all competitive and like to think we're smart enough to figure it out!

Search Engine Clusty, and notes on Word Processing

This past week we've been able to write in Google.docs, using the word processing feature to write about the search engine Clusty.com I used for the first time, and I really like using it. I like it so much I shared it first with a kindergarten teacher, then talked about it with other staff members who then requested I share the site with them. So I emailed it to them. I'm going to ask them about their use of it in the future. (Part of my role of being a librarian is the sharing of information, and I use email to share - a lot!)

For those of you who haven't looked at it, I'd recommend you do so. After you've searched your topic, it arranges it in categories, letting you choose the category that fits your needs. It also allows you to set your own preferences. By that I mean you can determine how many searches you want per page, language, and adult preferences. Since it's a meta-crawler search engine, it also searches Google, Ask, Yahoo, Gigablast, and many, many others. I could retrieve what I wanted in no time at all. This is an educational search, and doesn't allow advertising through them. One has to go through Ask to see if they can add any advertising. They don't allow any commercialization, which is great, and neither do they track its users. They just want you to search. You can access the web, images, gov, shopping, etc., and set your own preferences for display. You can choose what language you want to search in, with the exception of Chinese. I noticed they're adding more, but they still haven't added Chinese, which was interesting to note. They also don't censor their information. You can turn on/off adult preferences, though. They also don't edit or screen the sites, articles, images, etc., which are linked to their site. If you haven't tried this one, by all means do!



When I used the web based word program with Google.docs, I liked the fact anyone can use it on the web. Any student has no excuse for not having a word program at home. Their problem might be not having a computer, or Internet access. That problem can be solved by going to the local public library, where there is free access. The program allowed me to do all of the same things I do in the Word program, as well as post comments, link it back to students, and connect links to other web sites. It also has a formatting font and paragraph feature, spell check, insert a video, image, and lets me preview before publishing. I can also email it to anyone I want. This feature of adding comments to papers, letting students have feedback before they print, can make a difference in the life of a tree!

I have students use their keyboarding skills in the library when searching for information. They can keep their notes in notepad or in word, and they write their citations in word, with my help. I also help them find Internet sources, books, periodicals, etc, with the help of the computer, so students need to know how to input the information, via a keyboard. Students also use the word processing program to write, file, store, retrieve, edit and revise their information for their reports. They use spell check as well, being informed that spell check is not the "final" answer, depending on the context of the sentence. Students also use the image insert menu, whether it's for scanned pictures, clip art, or images found on the web. I also copy some websites on Word, and post them in the common drive or on the library home page, for students to access for research.