Atomic Learning was an interesting website that offers tutorials on a variety of tech items and provides a place for those who are not technologically savvy to be able learn about technology issues, such as software and the internet, in relatively simple terms. I was impressed by the "workshops" on the maintenance and security of computers and intend to look at other tutorials in the future. I found three items particularly interesting: "Intrusion Detection Software," "File Backup Options", and Tips for Safer Web Browsing."
I knew about the need for anti-virus and anti-spyware programs, but I did not know about intrusion detection software (IDS) and its value. First, anti-virus and anti-spyware only works on signatures that are in their databases and are not updated very frequently. Intrusion detection software is able to prevent malware by looking at the real-time behavior of the malware and preventing it from doing damage. Three programs suggested were WinPatrol, Spybot’s TeaTimer, and Prevx Home.
I liked the “File Backup Options” because it talked about the many options available for backing up my files. I knew about Windows Backup, but until recently, I did not have anything with enough storage space until I bought an external hard drive a few months ago. I may not have bought it if I had known about the free backup utility sites such as Karen’s Replicator and Media Max.
There were some interesting tips offered in the “Safer Web Browsing.” I knew that cookies existed, but I did not know that there were three types of cookies: persistent (used by large websites like Amazon and are helpful in remembering customer preferences), session (are erased as soon as you leave the website that left the cookie), and tracking (which is the most dangerous because the sites that leave them are able to follow users and then give personal information to advertisers or criminals). Also, Active X is something to be careful with because “crackers” can exploit security holes and leave malware thus causing damage to your computer or giving them access to your files.
Even though it's a bit dated (videos made in 2006), Atomic Learning is a quality website. I imagine CNET.com has additional suggestions for the different programs that Atomic Learning offered as solutions, but Atomic Learning provided educational videos that will give you insight into keeping your computer secure.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Social Networking. Quality or Dangerous?
I can't deny that I've done some social networking and see how they can be useful and fun. I have accounts with Facebook, Twitter, Skype, Linked In, and Windows Live, and while I do not regularly go to those sites, I visit one or more of them four or five days a week. I like the ability to easily download pictures and to catch up with old friends and family. Skype is neat because you can have a video conversation with another. All that said, I never thought that they would have uses in education. After all, I thought there were too many privacy issues and issues with my job security, but my eyes are opening to the educational possibilities offered by social networks.
I am intrigued by Moodle for a variety of reasons. Most importantly, teachers and students don't have to share personal information so privacy issues are smaller, yet we can exchange ideas quickly because it has a messenger piece so the students and/or I can ask and answer questions about lessons or individual problems. Also, I can upload assignments, notes, video, audio, and other web links to aid in student learning. Some complain that all of this will take extra time, but I spend a great deal of time each day helping kids with homework problems and finding missing work and notes so I might be able to gain some time at the other end.
Additionally, there are some professional reasons to get comfortable with social networking. Sites like Linked In and MACUL Space, and blogs offer ideas that can enhance my classroom teaching or help me to find employment.
Ultimately, kids are becoming very technology savvy, and many seem to be more comfortable communicating in social networks. The networks will not go away so I need to alter my views on the matter. I think it sets a good example to the children that we all have to adapt in a changing world and being a good example is the most important piece of being a good teacher.
I am intrigued by Moodle for a variety of reasons. Most importantly, teachers and students don't have to share personal information so privacy issues are smaller, yet we can exchange ideas quickly because it has a messenger piece so the students and/or I can ask and answer questions about lessons or individual problems. Also, I can upload assignments, notes, video, audio, and other web links to aid in student learning. Some complain that all of this will take extra time, but I spend a great deal of time each day helping kids with homework problems and finding missing work and notes so I might be able to gain some time at the other end.
Additionally, there are some professional reasons to get comfortable with social networking. Sites like Linked In and MACUL Space, and blogs offer ideas that can enhance my classroom teaching or help me to find employment.
Ultimately, kids are becoming very technology savvy, and many seem to be more comfortable communicating in social networks. The networks will not go away so I need to alter my views on the matter. I think it sets a good example to the children that we all have to adapt in a changing world and being a good example is the most important piece of being a good teacher.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
ISTE Activity
During this lesson, students will examine the amount of water their family uses on a typical Saturday, record the information in a Microsoft Office Excel 2007 template, analyze and compare their water usage to that of others in the class, and suggest three ways to conserve water. The following lesson may fit well in an environmental education unit on conservation.
Lesson plan
Teacher guide
Goals
Objectives
Lesson procedure
Introduction
We take water, a basic necessity of human life, for granted. We use it without thinking about it. What do you and your family do that uses water?
How much water does each of these activities typically use? For example, how much water does a five-minute shower use? How much water does it take to hand-wash dishes? To run an automatic dishwasher load? According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, an average five-minute shower takes 15–25 gallons of water. Hand-washing dishes uses 12–20 gallons of water. An automatic dishwasher load uses 9–12 gallons. [Show your students a gallon of water to help them visualize the volume in one gallon.] What activity would this one gallon of water be sufficient for?
The average residence uses more than 100,000 gallons of water (inside and outside) per year (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). The average person uses 100 gallons of water a day. Estimate and write down how much water you think your family uses on a cold, rainy Saturday when everyone is at home.
In this activity, you will follow a series of steps to determine how much water your family uses, record your findings in an Office Excel 2007 spreadsheet, and then write a report analyzing your findings.
Main activity
The Student handout (Microsoft Office Word 2007 document, 15 KB) details the main activities for this lesson plan, including Step 1, "Determine your family's water usage" and Step 2, "Present your recommendations."
Conclusion
Materials needed
Lesson extension activities
This lesson covers multiple ISTE NETS categories. Research and Information Fluency is important because students will use the Internet to find data showing water use by various families then comparing the data to the water use of their own family which was estimated with the help of a calculator provided by another website. Because of this, the students will cover the standard of planning strategies to guide inquiry and locating as they will have to come up with a plan for finding information on the Internet about the water use of families. Also, to find the data they will use the standard of having to locate, organize, and analyze information from whatever sources they utilize. Finally, they will be exposed to the standard of processing data and reporting results because students will be assessed on the quality of the work done on Word, Excel, and Power Point
My wife is in business, and she often complains about the lack of critical thinking ability in many young colleagues. The category, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and Decision Making is prominent, and more than one standard will be covered. Students will have to plan and manage activities to develop a solution and complete a project in that they will have to decide when and how to record family water use, where to enter the information, and what is the best data regarding the water use of other families. Critical thinking skills will be very important when the standard of collecting and analyzing data to identify solutions and/or making informed decisions because the students will collect and analyze data entered onto an Excel about their own family's water use, then compare and contrast the data of their family's water use with data about other family's water use. Also, the standard of using multiple processes and diverse perspectives to explore alternative solutions is covered as the students will have to take their data and determine ways to decrease family water use.
Students will need to show Creativity and Innovation because they are required to make a Power Point presentation that shows three ways they can use less water at home, and some students may be assigned the task of making a water conservation brochure using Office Publisher. Certainly this meets the standard of creating original works as a means of personal expression.
I like this lesson that I found on http://www.microsoft.com/education/lessonplans.mspx#Mathematics, which has lesson plans for many subjects. It gives students many opportunities to use technologies that will be useful in a variety of careers and covers a variety of ISTE standards. Equally important is that students have to critically think which is not always the case with many technologies such as calculators and some educational software.
Lesson plan
| School level |
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| Subjects |
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| Class time |
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| Software required |
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| Materials needed |
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Goals
| • | Students recognize the components, structure, and organization of systems, and the interconnections in and among them. |
| • | Students understand and apply concepts and procedures from probability and statistics. |
| • | Students use technology resources to solve problems and make informed decisions. |
| • | Students use technology tools to process data and report results. |
| • | Students will use an Office Excel 2007 spreadsheet to determine the amount of water their family uses. |
| • | Students will use Internet resources to compare the amount of water used in their families to that used in other families. |
| • | Students will identify ways to decrease family water usage. |
Introduction
We take water, a basic necessity of human life, for granted. We use it without thinking about it. What do you and your family do that uses water?
How much water does each of these activities typically use? For example, how much water does a five-minute shower use? How much water does it take to hand-wash dishes? To run an automatic dishwasher load? According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, an average five-minute shower takes 15–25 gallons of water. Hand-washing dishes uses 12–20 gallons of water. An automatic dishwasher load uses 9–12 gallons. [Show your students a gallon of water to help them visualize the volume in one gallon.] What activity would this one gallon of water be sufficient for?
The average residence uses more than 100,000 gallons of water (inside and outside) per year (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). The average person uses 100 gallons of water a day. Estimate and write down how much water you think your family uses on a cold, rainy Saturday when everyone is at home.
In this activity, you will follow a series of steps to determine how much water your family uses, record your findings in an Office Excel 2007 spreadsheet, and then write a report analyzing your findings.
Main activity
The Student handout (Microsoft Office Word 2007 document, 15 KB) details the main activities for this lesson plan, including Step 1, "Determine your family's water usage" and Step 2, "Present your recommendations."
Conclusion
| • | Have students present their findings and recommendations to the class. During the class discussion, have students:
|
| • | Assess students on:
|
| • | Student handout (Office Word 2007 document, 15 KB) |
| • | Excel water usage worksheet template (Office Excel 2007 worksheet, 36 KB). |
| • | U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Web site |
| • | One gallon of water |
| • | Have students use Office Excel 2007 to create a bar chart that reflects their data. |
| • | If you have a highly technical group of students, have them start with a blank Office Excel 2007 worksheet where they can create their own formulas and charts. |
| • | Have students make a water conservation brochure using Office Publisher 2007. |
My wife is in business, and she often complains about the lack of critical thinking ability in many young colleagues. The category, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and Decision Making is prominent, and more than one standard will be covered. Students will have to plan and manage activities to develop a solution and complete a project in that they will have to decide when and how to record family water use, where to enter the information, and what is the best data regarding the water use of other families. Critical thinking skills will be very important when the standard of collecting and analyzing data to identify solutions and/or making informed decisions because the students will collect and analyze data entered onto an Excel about their own family's water use, then compare and contrast the data of their family's water use with data about other family's water use. Also, the standard of using multiple processes and diverse perspectives to explore alternative solutions is covered as the students will have to take their data and determine ways to decrease family water use.
Students will need to show Creativity and Innovation because they are required to make a Power Point presentation that shows three ways they can use less water at home, and some students may be assigned the task of making a water conservation brochure using Office Publisher. Certainly this meets the standard of creating original works as a means of personal expression.
I like this lesson that I found on http://www.microsoft.com/education/lessonplans.mspx#Mathematics, which has lesson plans for many subjects. It gives students many opportunities to use technologies that will be useful in a variety of careers and covers a variety of ISTE standards. Equally important is that students have to critically think which is not always the case with many technologies such as calculators and some educational software.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Creative Commons, Flickr, and Picasa
Photo Attribution:
Title: Old Main, University of Arizona 2
by: Ken Lund
Good memories from the U of A!
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/aS4ATkGITfGvnFcv1wTJk-l27u3hS6iX0m2m424aYhs?feat=directlink
A real U of A fan!
This could be a great asset! I would embed videos that can teach or reteach lessons. If you had the equipment, you could upload audio and/or video assignments. Also, you could utilize pics and images for a variety of purposes.
Title: Old Main, University of Arizona 2
by: Ken Lund
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenlund/3443684366/
Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic license
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en
Good memories from the U of A!
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/aS4ATkGITfGvnFcv1wTJk-l27u3hS6iX0m2m424aYhs?feat=directlink
 |
| From Blogger Pictures |
A real U of A fan!
This could be a great asset! I would embed videos that can teach or reteach lessons. If you had the equipment, you could upload audio and/or video assignments. Also, you could utilize pics and images for a variety of purposes.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Getting Organized
After reading the articles written by Kelly Forrister, I realized that I rely on my memory for too frequently to keep myself organized. It was easier to do when I was young and life was less complicated, but as a husband, father, coach and teacher, I am finding that too many things slip through the cracks. The trick is to decide what method of organization will work best for me, and I am trying two different methods: accordian files for school papers and writing to-do lists.
The files have been helpful if for no other reason that my desk no longer looks like a nuclear disaster area. Also, I have misplaced fewer assignments and can find lessons consistantly. The tough part has been making this work while battling ADD-I don't know where to start and get frustrated-but early returns are positive.
Next, I've been writing lists on Word. Initially, I thought one list would do the trick, but using multiple lists have been more effective as I don't have to spend time scanning a single list , for instance, for items involving my kids mixed in with work activities. Instead, I look at a "kids" list, a "school" list, an "MSU" list, and so on and no more time is taken than using a single list.
I have visions of buying a smartphone. I'm not sure if I want the added expense, but I think it could add to my new successes. Let me know if they are worth it!
Organization has never been my strong suit as I have long been known as a slob. However, I feel positive about my moves and hope to maintain momentum.
The files have been helpful if for no other reason that my desk no longer looks like a nuclear disaster area. Also, I have misplaced fewer assignments and can find lessons consistantly. The tough part has been making this work while battling ADD-I don't know where to start and get frustrated-but early returns are positive.
Next, I've been writing lists on Word. Initially, I thought one list would do the trick, but using multiple lists have been more effective as I don't have to spend time scanning a single list , for instance, for items involving my kids mixed in with work activities. Instead, I look at a "kids" list, a "school" list, an "MSU" list, and so on and no more time is taken than using a single list.
I have visions of buying a smartphone. I'm not sure if I want the added expense, but I think it could add to my new successes. Let me know if they are worth it!
Organization has never been my strong suit as I have long been known as a slob. However, I feel positive about my moves and hope to maintain momentum.
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