Week 3

After reading "Oh the Changes" I can vividly remember what it was like going into the computer labs in elementary school. I remember first being introduced to the mouse as my computer at home had to be navigated by DOS. I can relate to this article when it discusses having interactive games to have students start problem solving and interactive thinking. On page 16 "The Oregon Trail" and other games like it is discussed in this context. I remember being introduced to the game and thinking of life on the prairie and the best moves to make to keep my wagon train alive and on its way. Going to the computer lab was definitely one of the more exciting things that we got to do at school. As an interactive source, I enjoyed playing math games and writing games. Moreover, page 15 discusses how Print Shop and other media tools were used to start creating and integrating design into the classroom. I can relate to using this tool and finding it fun to be able to create different templates with backgrounds and borders so much so that I went home and made my parents buy this program for me.
The use of computer technology has come a long way since I was in the elementary classroom and it will be very exciting to see where it progresses too. I think it is important to keep curriculum up to the standards of the current technology as well as keeping the teachers up on it as well.
In terms of class this week, I learned to not reinvent the wheel by seeing how to find a rubric that might already have been created for me by using the rubistar website. Also, it was brought to my attention how beneficial it can be to have a newsletter to better communicate with parents and the students. In terms of creating newsletters, I have realized that only having Microsoft word is sufficient enough to create a great looking newsletter. I was taught how to use drop case and insert wordart into a header and footer. Though I am not particularly looking forward to creating three newsletters, I now have the tools to create templates that are easy and enjoyable to read.