Return-Path: <nifl-4eff@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id e8IHi0908984; Mon, 18 Sep 2000 13:44:00 -0400 (EDT) Date: Mon, 18 Sep 2000 13:44:00 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <9F8E6EFEC21BD1118590080009DDDECA050A164B@scccnta01.sccd.ctc.edu> Errors-To: rgspacone@aol.com Reply-To: nifl-4eff@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-4eff@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-4eff@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Connelly, Meg" <MConnelly@sccd.ctc.edu> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-4eff@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-4EFF:1189] RE: Integrating Technology X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Type: text/plain; X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.5.2650.21) Status: O Content-Length: 8532 Lines: 196 "It is actually easier to demonstrate how to use Excel, but one of the interns worked with me last winter to detail a step-by-step lesson on using Excel. I have tried to make this an EFF friendly lesson and have written it up formally as such." Hi Jeffery: Thanks for sharing such useful info. I was talking about you to Nick D'Alonzo (Instructional Resources Coordinator) and he has since asked if I think you would be willing to write a piece for the ABLE Network newsletter "Developments." I think that many practitioners in WA state would be interested in reading about what you're doing with EFF in your classroom. Especially if it involves a large class and technology. I am also beginning the process of collecting material (EFF lessons etc...) so if you're willing to share any lessons you've created I'd love it! Let me know if you're interested in writing an article and we can talk about it! Meg Connelly ABLE Network 2120 S. Jackson St. Seattle, WA 98144 (206) 587-3882 FAX: (206) 587-4900 mconnelly@sccd.ctc.edu http://www.literacynet.org/able > ---------- > From: JSP1440@aol.com > Reply To: nifl-4eff@nifl.gov > Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2000 12:35 PM > To: Multiple recipients of list > Subject: [NIFL-4EFF:1184] Integrating Technology > > Hello Fellow EFFers! > > > In response to Ronna's request, I thought I would give my input on what I > am > implementing in the classroom this year, in regards to integrating > technology. > > Integrating technology to help the students learn Math (or any subject) > also > equips the students with lifelong learning skills and job skills. It > demonstrates the committment we have to students in keeping up with our > changing world, and exposing our students to its possibilities. In > integrating technology, the goal isn't to teach them to be computer > experts > but to use the technology available to help them learn the respective > subjects that we teach. Some of us in ABE have come up with some great > ideas > and have already integrated some of this into our curriculum. I thought > I'd > give a rundown of some of the ideas I've discussed with some of the other > faculty over the last 3 quarters at OC and tell you all about how I've > used > computers in the classroom. > > 1). One idea is to allow students a few minutes (5-15) each day to use > one > of the keyboarding tutorials. Some of these are in a game format, fast > paces, graphics and music, like Mario Teaches Typing that teaches > accuracy, > speed and makes learning the keyboard a game. Many people really respond > well to the Nintendo-like fomat, and the idea is that in a few minutes a > day > students would pick up keyboarding by the end of a quarter. They can do > this > in addition to their regular coursework. This does not neccessitate a > drastic > restructuring of anyones curriculum. Learning the keyboard is a critical > job > skill and will help them in lifelong learning. > > 2). Internet searching: One of my first assignments on the computer is > to > have students search and evaluate Internet Math sites using different > search > engines. Even students who have never used a computer or typewriter can > pick > this up easily. Students learn the how to do searchs, how to evaluate web > > sites for content and often find their favorite sites that help them learn > > math. Internet research is not only a personal/fun activity but a job > skill, > evaluating the source and content of websites is important in many ways, > including for parants who want to keep some control over what their > children > are doing on the web. > > 3). Budgeting: I have students keep track of their expenses for a month > and > use Excel to graph their expenses. In this way they really see where > their > money is going every month, learn about graphs (making and interpreting) > and > learn more about what a computer can do. It is actually easier to > demonistrate how to use Excel, but one of the interns worked with me last > winter to detail a step-by-step lesson on using Excel. I have tried to > make > this an EFF friendly lesson and have written it up formally as such. > > 4). Ratios and Proportions: This is the Classic M&M lesson and one of > the > students favorites. I give the students each a package of M&M's, explain > about ratios and porportions, and have them generate their own database of > > amounts and colors of M&M''s. They also graph their results in Excel and > even color code (for a pie or bar graph) to match the colors of the M&M's. > > In interpreting the graphs several questions are generated as to why the > ratios come out the way they do. (If any of you have done this, you know > what I mean.) There are some rather unique and repeatable ratios and the > students generate some questions about this, predict the ratios for an > unopened pack of M&Ms, formulate their own opionions and a few have even > contacted the candy company (usihg the Internet) to report their questions > > and get followup answers. > > 5) Plan a trip using internet resources. There are map generators, online > > reservations for flights, buses, car rentals. The students pick a place > within the United States for a vacation with their families. I then have > them determine, using the internet, the mode of travel, distance, expense > and > time required. They can perform a cost benefit analysis for their > vacation. > Most cities and destinations have a website, they can find and access to > find > additional information about the city, places to visit, book hotels etc. > > 6). During my Biology course, I utilized the powerful projector and > viewer, > attached to the internet, I could use the overhead projector, like you > would > a transparancy to read my notes directly from a disk. I also could go > directly into the internet to show them pictures of the trees, fungus or > whatever organism we were talking about. Our textbook also came with an > Interactive CD that had great explainations, graphics, and interactive > lessons. There is some powerful technology here waiting to be fully > utilized. I only wish this were available in every classroom. > > 7) Autograph collecting. There is a wealth of Celebrity Addresses > available > online. Student can utilize MSWord, the web, and write letters to famous > people politicians, actors, sports figures, and request an autographed > picture. Students really respond to this approach to get them to > correspond > with people. At the end they just might get an autographed picture or > even a > letter in the mail from a famous person. > > 6). Presently, I am teaching a Saturday class at Chapman University. I > have > put my course syllabus and some assignments on a Internet site. Since the > > class only meets once a week, the students can complete many of their > assignments and quizzes online. The beauty of this is that this is > virtually > a paperless class. I have posted readings,assignments, receive completed > assignments by email, and the website will grade any quiz or test that > consists of true/false of matching questions. Essays and shortanswers can > be > submitted by have to be graded by me. > In addition, I have put my entire lecture in Powerpoint complete with > pictures. In certain places I have been able to add sounds and even > videos. > This is the probably the most I have used computer technology in the > classroom. My computer is hooked up to a projector and cabled into the > internet. I can go from my Powerpoint presentation to the Internet, which > > has often been very useful. The feedback from the students has been very > positive. One of the perks for me is that I no longer have to go to class > with bags and boxes of books, folders and papers. It is easy to stay > organized and focused. I create my lessons and burn them onto a CD, which > is > all I need to take to class. > > I am interested in other uses of technology and the applications to > specific > curriculum development. Cathy Cantrell is organizing a Teleconference on > Integrating Technology, here in Washington State. I am encouraging other > faculty to become involved and would appreciate other ideas regarding > integrating technology. > > Jeffery Parham > Olympic College > ABE/GED/Families That Work/Workplace 2000/H.S. Completion Science > 1600 Chester Ave > Bremerton, WA 98337 > (360) 405-1625 >
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