In the past I have primarily used Microsoft Powerpoint for presentations and class assignments. While studying Google Presentation, I found several similarities and differences between the two programs. The first difference is that Powerpoint is a program you have to buy through Microsoft. I bout Microsoft 7007 that included Powerpoint in 2008 and it was roughly $150 dollars. Presentation, however, is free on the internet. Technology is always changing and Microsoft updates their software every couple of years. So, to stay up-to-date with the current software, it would have to be purchased regularly. Presentation can be accessed as long as their is an internet connection. A plus side to Powerpoint is that it can be accessed even without an internet connection. Powerpoint has a very broad variety of user options in comparison to Google Presentation. Though a Google account is free to set up, it is necessary to have before Presentation can be accessed. Powerpoint can be saved on a reovable device or on the computer hard drive. Presentation, howerver, is immediately saved on the internet and can be accessed on any device. It is also easily shared with others through email and other social media networks.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/19ACXsWPnh_ZQL2EukSAWNqGqPBDXabOalj6tRKzrI_E/edit?usp=sharing
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Tablet Uses/Options
In looking at the three different sizes of Tablets, there are definite pros and cons to each. The small devices consist of Mp3 players, Ipods, and cell phones. The screens are very small and could be hard to read and operate, but they are convenient in that they fit easily in pockets and take up little room. Though this could also cause a problem if the children tried to fit the small device in their pocket to take it home. They only weigh a few ounces so they are easy to carry around and manuever. The large devices have screens that are 8-10". These devices consist of Ipads. They are smaller than most laptops but larger than Ipods. They only weigh two pounds but can become cumbersome if held for long periods of time.The Medium devices have 6-7"screens. They consist mostly of ebooks and Ipad minis. Their main pull was that they were a compromise between the small and large devices. At just under a pound, they weren't as bulky as the Ipads, but they were more user friendly than the Ipods.
I find that the smaller devices aren't really a valid option. They are less expensive, but they are almost too small to use effectively and the small screens provide minimal veiwing options. Between the Medium and Large devices, I think the Medium devices make more sense. They are less expensive, yet provide all the same features as a larger device. They are also less cumbersome to operate.
The three operating systems for these devices are Apple, Android, and Microsoft. Apple provides excellent customer service with stores worldwide to offer face-to-face support. They also require less maintenance and are equipped with apps that have to be purchased with other However, the Apple products are more expensive in comparison to Android and Microsoft tablets. Android products are considerably less expensive. They also offer various looks and feels to their products. Microsoft has just recently broken into the Tablet business. They came out with their version called the Surface in 2012. It is unique in that it has two different keyboard options and is also less expensive in comparison to Apple. The downfall to a Microsoft Tablet is that their Apps store is still very much under construction and isn't as developed as Apple and Google.
Cellular capability cannot be added onto a device once purchased. To purchase a device with this capability already installed, it costs 50-200 dollars more. The service also has to be purchased through a cellular company which is an additional monthly charge. The initial cost is cheaper and the cost for service is cheaper to use a WIFI compatible tablet.
In Conclusion, Microsoft is a fairly new operating system with limitations and limited access to customer service. Android is pretty inexpensive but also has limited customer service. These operating systems are more likely to catch a virus or bug and need assistance. For the school, these options are more financially viable, but might cost more in the long run for maintenance and up-keep. Apple is considerably more expensive in initial costs, but might prove to be comparable to the other systems in the long run. Also, Apple stores can be located in most major cities and provide instant customer service for all of their products. They would also be more user friendly for children.
I find that the smaller devices aren't really a valid option. They are less expensive, but they are almost too small to use effectively and the small screens provide minimal veiwing options. Between the Medium and Large devices, I think the Medium devices make more sense. They are less expensive, yet provide all the same features as a larger device. They are also less cumbersome to operate.
The three operating systems for these devices are Apple, Android, and Microsoft. Apple provides excellent customer service with stores worldwide to offer face-to-face support. They also require less maintenance and are equipped with apps that have to be purchased with other However, the Apple products are more expensive in comparison to Android and Microsoft tablets. Android products are considerably less expensive. They also offer various looks and feels to their products. Microsoft has just recently broken into the Tablet business. They came out with their version called the Surface in 2012. It is unique in that it has two different keyboard options and is also less expensive in comparison to Apple. The downfall to a Microsoft Tablet is that their Apps store is still very much under construction and isn't as developed as Apple and Google.
Cellular capability cannot be added onto a device once purchased. To purchase a device with this capability already installed, it costs 50-200 dollars more. The service also has to be purchased through a cellular company which is an additional monthly charge. The initial cost is cheaper and the cost for service is cheaper to use a WIFI compatible tablet.
In Conclusion, Microsoft is a fairly new operating system with limitations and limited access to customer service. Android is pretty inexpensive but also has limited customer service. These operating systems are more likely to catch a virus or bug and need assistance. For the school, these options are more financially viable, but might cost more in the long run for maintenance and up-keep. Apple is considerably more expensive in initial costs, but might prove to be comparable to the other systems in the long run. Also, Apple stores can be located in most major cities and provide instant customer service for all of their products. They would also be more user friendly for children.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Google Drive
In the past, I have used Microsoft Word 2007 on my personal laptop to write most of my documents. I did, however, use Google Docs, now Google Drive, in undergrad for a few of my classes.
Okay, I love using Google Drive! The idea of creating a Word document with other people is so appealing to me. Classmates can share doccuments to critique or edit each others' work without having to save and email it. They can also create documents together, sharing class notes, asking questions through chat, and completing each other's sentences or thoughts. It allows students to collaborate and work together to create a document, rather than doing it alone.
There are some set backs to Google Drive that I have noticed. There aren't as many settings as Microsoft Word. The settings are pretty basic, similar to an email. I also tried to use Google Drive on my Iphone and couldn't access the settings at all. I finally gave up and moved to my PC to create my document.
The Common Core Standards were created to keep all Students in every State on the same page. Google Drive is a tool to reach that same goal. Students are able to work together to stay on the same page. If all students are connected on the same document, they can share and learn together so that no child is left behind in the class.
Amanda and I created a Google Drive document together. She shared her thoughts on Google Drive and I responded with mine. It had been a while since I used the program, but I caught on pretty quickly since it is so user friendly. I checked out the fonts and options for sending and sharing the document with others. When I was finished, I searched and searched for the SAVE button. I just could not figure out where the SAVE button was! I finally realized that I didn't have to save it, Amanda could just get on Google Drive and view what I had written her. Simple as that!
Okay, I love using Google Drive! The idea of creating a Word document with other people is so appealing to me. Classmates can share doccuments to critique or edit each others' work without having to save and email it. They can also create documents together, sharing class notes, asking questions through chat, and completing each other's sentences or thoughts. It allows students to collaborate and work together to create a document, rather than doing it alone.
There are some set backs to Google Drive that I have noticed. There aren't as many settings as Microsoft Word. The settings are pretty basic, similar to an email. I also tried to use Google Drive on my Iphone and couldn't access the settings at all. I finally gave up and moved to my PC to create my document.
The Common Core Standards were created to keep all Students in every State on the same page. Google Drive is a tool to reach that same goal. Students are able to work together to stay on the same page. If all students are connected on the same document, they can share and learn together so that no child is left behind in the class.
Amanda and I created a Google Drive document together. She shared her thoughts on Google Drive and I responded with mine. It had been a while since I used the program, but I caught on pretty quickly since it is so user friendly. I checked out the fonts and options for sending and sharing the document with others. When I was finished, I searched and searched for the SAVE button. I just could not figure out where the SAVE button was! I finally realized that I didn't have to save it, Amanda could just get on Google Drive and view what I had written her. Simple as that!
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Google mail/Google Calendar and Lists
While looking at the Atomic Learning Site for Google Mail I learned several new tasks that I had never discovered before as a Gmail user. The first task I learned how to use is the vacation responder.
On your gmail home page you can go to settings and click on vacation responder. From there you can select the date, subject, and message. For the dates selected, your account will send this message to anyone who contacts you. Another he helpful tool is selecting a picture for your profile for your contacts to see when they receive emails from you. You can also import contacts from other email servers. Once you Import them, you can merge those contacts with your gmail contacts so as not to duplicate any contacts on your list.
For google calendar and tasks, I chose three different tasks that I thought would be most useful in the education world. The first is sending invites to contacts to events scheduled on your calendar. You can also set up reminders to yourself via email or text for events scheduled in your calendar so you don't forget what you have planned. Creating to-do lists is an age-old system for getting things done. Instead of using up paper, you can now create a to-do list on google calendar. Once you have completed an item on the list you can cross it out or delete it. You can even print out your list if you prefer a hard copy. These easy-to-use tasks are very beneficial in managing assignments and parent/teacher conferences and even making lists for class experiments or field trips.
On your gmail home page you can go to settings and click on vacation responder. From there you can select the date, subject, and message. For the dates selected, your account will send this message to anyone who contacts you. Another he helpful tool is selecting a picture for your profile for your contacts to see when they receive emails from you. You can also import contacts from other email servers. Once you Import them, you can merge those contacts with your gmail contacts so as not to duplicate any contacts on your list.
For google calendar and tasks, I chose three different tasks that I thought would be most useful in the education world. The first is sending invites to contacts to events scheduled on your calendar. You can also set up reminders to yourself via email or text for events scheduled in your calendar so you don't forget what you have planned. Creating to-do lists is an age-old system for getting things done. Instead of using up paper, you can now create a to-do list on google calendar. Once you have completed an item on the list you can cross it out or delete it. You can even print out your list if you prefer a hard copy. These easy-to-use tasks are very beneficial in managing assignments and parent/teacher conferences and even making lists for class experiments or field trips.
Monday, May 13, 2013
GAIN: Blogging Site
One professional blogging site I looked at was www.evenfromhere.org. The particular blogger's name was Clarence Fisher. I really liked reading some of the blogs that he posted. In one he wrote about using twitter as a means to borrow books from someone at another school to use in his classroom. He posted the twitter conversation and wrote that, not only did social media create another avenue for professionals to correspond with one another but he came to the generalization that people are good and generous. My favorite post I read on his blog was about how he used the famous Dove Evolution video to teach his students about the false perception in ads to sell a product. He wanted to teach the children to be more critical of what they were viewing. He said that it worked and it led to conversations between the children about the reality behind the images they were consuming.
The other professional blog site I looked at was www.thethinkingstick.com written by Jeff Utecht who is an educator, consultant, and author. His blog was more personal thoughts about hot topics or just ideas that he had been pondering. He also reflects on life and one post is simply a story about a baseball game his family used to play when he was younger.
I enjoyed reading both of these blogs, but I was able to relate more to Clarence Fisher's. He also seemed to only write about education and things he was doing in his classroom.
The other professional blog site I looked at was www.thethinkingstick.com written by Jeff Utecht who is an educator, consultant, and author. His blog was more personal thoughts about hot topics or just ideas that he had been pondering. He also reflects on life and one post is simply a story about a baseball game his family used to play when he was younger.
I enjoyed reading both of these blogs, but I was able to relate more to Clarence Fisher's. He also seemed to only write about education and things he was doing in his classroom.
TECH
I remember using a computer for the first time when I attended public school in the first grade. The computers in Elementary school were Windows and in high school they were Macs. When I bought my first laptop at 18, I bought a Dell so that is where most of my expertise lies. I do, however, have an IPhone for whatever that counts.
Through the atomic learning website I learned three things. First, I learned how to add a VoiceOver and also how to change the voice. I will probably never use this for my own personal use, but in working with young children it might be helpful if they could have texts read to them as they held the mouse over the words. I also learned how to zoom in on the screen by just hitting the control key and scrolling up or down with my mouse. The final thing I learned was how to change the appearance on a Mac by clicking on the apple and going to system preference. That is where you change the background and screen saver and even the general design of the desktop.
Through the atomic learning website I learned three things. First, I learned how to add a VoiceOver and also how to change the voice. I will probably never use this for my own personal use, but in working with young children it might be helpful if they could have texts read to them as they held the mouse over the words. I also learned how to zoom in on the screen by just hitting the control key and scrolling up or down with my mouse. The final thing I learned was how to change the appearance on a Mac by clicking on the apple and going to system preference. That is where you change the background and screen saver and even the general design of the desktop.
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