Overview

The ability to integrate computer technology into a classroom is essential. When I registered for this class, I was anticipating learning learn how to introduce and use the computer in an elementary classroom. I thought I was knowledgeable on the computer before the class began and wanted to be able to help the students in my classroom understand the basic use of a computer and to be able to create writing projects with various programs. Through this class I have learned that the technology is not only for the use of the student but also as an enhancement of teaching techniques. It can be used for much more than writing papers. I have thoroughly enjoyed learning shortcuts for programs that I am familiar with. I have also learned a new teaching technique through the Webquest / web design project. See below for more information on this.

Assignment 1

Title: Word Processing / The Water Cycle Lesson Plan

Description: This assignment was to create a lesson plan in Microsoft word and to insert a text box and a graphic. I created a lesson plan on teaching about the water cycle to grades 3-5. It is the goal for the children to understand the water cycle through evaporation, condensation, precipitation and water collection. The lesson plan included advance preparation directions, lesson directions, worksheet page and links for further information on the water cycle.

Reflection: I thought this was a good first assignment for the class. I am familiar with Microsoft Word and creating the document was not difficult. As a returning adult to school and to teaching, it has been many years since I wrote a formal lesson plan. I found more challenge in writing the lesson plan then putting it into the document. I had fun working with the details of the graphics and text boxes to make them look the best that I could.

Click here to see the lesson plan on the Water Cycle.

Assignment 2

Title: Excel Spreadsheet / Favorite Colors

Description: This assignment was to create a spreadsheet that included at least one formula and one graph. For this assignment I surveyed all the children in the school I work at and asked them their favorite color. Data was recorded by class and grade. There are charts on the front sheet that give the data by individual class and by grade level. There is a bar graph and circle graph that compare the school as a whole by color likes and one bar graph that compares all classes side by side. There are multiple sheets that compare classes in the same grade levels.

Reflection: This was a fun project to do. It started with the children’s excitement to learn that I was going to school and their eagerness to help me. They looked forward to see the results of the survey. Through this class and assignment I learned how to manipulate the graphs.

Click here to see the spreadsheet of Favorite Colors.

Assignment 3

Title: Power Point Presentation / Team Building Campout

Description: This was a group project. There were three of us in this group. We each took a section of the presentation and did the research for it and created our part of the presentation. One of us put all the slides together. We then presented the program to the class. Our presentation was on how to have a successful team building campout weekend with children.

Reflection: I have created Power Point presentations in the past and this project was a good review for me. I worked more on the slide transitions and presentation techniques.

Click here to see the power point presentation on Team Building Campout

Assignment 4

Title Webquest – website / Safe Boating for Kids.

Description: This was a project that started with creating a Webquest and a concept page. We then took the information to create an interactive website. My project was to teach safe boating. It is designed for children to learn on their own or with a friend how to be safe on a boat and basic knowledge to have when taking a boat trip.

Reflection: I loved this project. My topic does not fit into any standard school curriculum. Safe Boating education is a passion of mine and I wanted to create something to help others be safe on the water. All parts of this assignment were new to me. I enjoyed learning about Webquest and how to develop one. I enjoyed learning about the concept page and creating it in Inspiration. Since I have learned about this, I have been in schools that are using Kidspiration, a similar program designed for children to create a concept map. Creating the website was challenging and exciting. I hope to be able to use it in my classroom or to be able to offer it to boating organization to use.

Click here to view the Safe Boating for Kids website.