Lesson Eight: Online tools

Although I am not yet teacher, I can see how online communication tools can be extremely valuable resources in a classroom. Throughout this class, we have studied a wide variety of different types of technological tools. I learned about technological standards, databases, WebQuests, software that has been created for those with limitations, desktop publishing, PowerPoints, and other types of educational software.

I think that utilizing these things in combination with online tools is a wonderful opportunity for educators and students alike. Through the WebQuests, I learned about helping students utilizing the internet as a multimedia resource for learning. In addition to having the students use online communication tools, using all the things we have learned about in this course will be great for educators.

By seeing examples of documents created using desktop publishing, different ways databases are utilized, or types of software that can be used to assist students is a great way to learn new ways to use technology in the classroom.

When using online tools, one has to be careful about malicious software. It is a best practice to have anti-virus software and to only download things from a trusted source. This can limit your exposure to viruses that can ruin your personal computers, classroom computers, and potentially be spread to others you know if your email address book is “hacked” by the virus.

Through this class I have realized that technology is a wonderful addition to traditional teaching and can help reinforce and expand upon the knowledge a student gains in class. With this great tool, however, as an educator you have to be sure that you use the tools in an appropriate and effective way.

Lesson Seven: Educational Software

This week, the lesson was about education software. Although I am not yet a teacher, I have been fortunate enough to see a variety of educational software being used where I observed.

One of the programs used was Lexia, a tutorial program. With Lexia, each of the students is completing the program at their own pace. The software teaches them material, then they play mini-games to quiz themselves on it. As they progress, the students earn certificates as they move up in levels. The students I observed really enjoyed this part since all of the certificates were posted outside of the classrooms.

Screen shot from Lexia. Image Source.

What I liked most about the Lexia program was the fact that on each “level” there were indicators to show the students what their score were in comparison to what they needed to advance.  It was in a format similar to a thermometer that would “fill up” as they got the scores they needed on each assignment. As they got a high enough score, the indicator would fill up, and once it was full, they could work on filling up another.

This helped them to feel more responsible versus just doing the same part over and over until it was complete. They could redo the activities in any order. If they needed a break from one activity, they could focus on another aspect of that level. Every class goes to the library computer lab four days per week to work in Lexia.

The software covers whatever material is on each individual student’s level. The teacher I observed who was using Lexia said that she could identify improvement in her students overall. When I asked about how well the students were able to catch on and use the software, she said that it was extremely fast. According to her, most of the students had figured out how to use the software before she and the librarian had time to show them.
           

All of the students really seemed to enjoy the software, and getting certificates for each level that they completed. All of the certificates were displayed outside of the classrooms, and the students were extremely proud of their work.