Today's Blogging Assignment

Believe it or not, this year we've barely scratched the surface of technological options for the classroom. We've learned and used things like Blogger; Google Mail, Sites and Documents; various games and sites like Spelling City and Primary Games; as well as many other different sites on different days. I've given and taught you how to do many of these options. Now it's your turn. Working with your partner(s), you take your chosen topic and will need to answer all of the following questions:

• What is it? Many of you will be given a topic as well as an example or two of what kind of website would fall under this category. Describe what the topic is and how it works. For instance, if you were talking about Spelling City, you would describe how it can be used to practice and test spelling words, as well as talk about how it works and what its overall purpose is.
• How can it be used in your daily lives? Why should someone your age use this tool? Give examples of ways you can use these sites, and, if you find some, link to some examples in your post using the "Link" option at the top of your editor, rather than putting the entire web address in your post. For example, if I wanted to link to our class homepage, I would give you a link like this instead of typing out the entire address like this: http://sites.google.com/site/stjohns8thgrade/home.
• How can this topic or website be used in the classroom? Some of the topics are things that we have already used, but many of them are not. You need to consider and/or find examples of ways these tools have been used for schools and classrooms. Sometimes a simple search of "_____ for education" or "_____ for teachers" will give you some ideas. Again, post links using the "Link" option at the top of your editor. 

For all of these points,  you and your partner(s) should come up with at least one solid (5 or more sentence) paragraph, if not more. Make sure that you have answered all the questions, followed all the directions and shown that you have spent time researching and looking at various options. Make the title of your post the topic you were given (ex: "Social Networking"). Also, make sure that you sign the post with the names of all the people in your group since you can only post as one person at a time.

Online Simulations

Technology will always keep growing. Technology gets more advanced every day. Although these games give you a taste of these careers; I feel no where near ready to do any of those things. I think they want people to be exposed to these careers, so they can become interested in them. I would like to try other simulations, but I don't know the exact kind I would like to try. I think simulations are very helpful learning opportunities.

Today's Blogging Assignment

Many of you have become fascinated by playing 'how-to' games - ones in which you are learning how to make or fix various things. I've found two new games for you. One is called Driver's Education and the other is The StreetWise 2.0. These two games (if you couldn't already guess) are two examples of learning how to drive. The first will most likely work better on our school computers, but feel free to try both. When you finish, type up a blog post on the following thoughts:

We live in a digital world, from the cell phones we carry to the computers we use on a daily basis. Technology is being used constantly to help us learn and do things we never thought possible. The future feels limitless, but is it? Do you feel that doing online simulations makes you qualified to drive a car, perform surgery or design a cell phone? Are these digital tools being created to be high tech games or are the designers hoping that you use these as a way to learn and prepare for real world opportunities or a new avenue for exploring your possible career options? What other kinds of simulations would you like to try? What do you think? Type a response, give it a proper title, and make sure it is long enough to answer all of the questions listed (at least 4-5 sentences)

Check Up Time!

For today's technology assignment I'm going to have you guys fill out a little survey I've written up for you to assess how the year is going so far. Please answer every question completely and honestly.
Link Here
If you need to look at our class website to answer some of the questions you can find it here.
When you finish with the survey please head over to Spelling City.

Today's Blog Assignment

Today we're going to write about technology. This will be a 2 paragraph, 4-5 sentence per paragraph blog post.
In the first paragraph you will write about the importance of technology in the classroom and school. What can you do and learn by using new technologies now?
In the second paragraph you will write about things you have learned this year about technology. What have you learned that you feel is important? What have you learned that you will be able to take with you and use when you go to high school next year?
This assignment will be worth 10 points.
5 points: your following of the directions
5 points: what you say in your post