Computers and Security

Online Communication Tools

Look carefully at your classroom’s computers, or think of a classroom computer lab that you have interacted with in the past.  Discuss the types of security you have in place to prevent malicious software and/or hackers and cite any areas of concern.

Online communication tools are highly important in this day and age.  We rely on the online communication world to communicate with one another on almost every level.  I think about my personal use of online communication tools and how important they are to staying in contact with family members I may not physically see for years.  I love that I am able to send an email, chat through Facebook, post pictures on Facebook or Skype with someone that I have not seen in many years or may not see for many years.  It allows us to stay connected with one another.

When I think about the use of online communication tools within the classroom, I know I would not be as an effective communicator without them.  I send weekly newsletters, emails, field trip permission slips, pictures, etc. through online communication tools.  Again, in this day and age, parents rely on these tools just as much as educators.  Many of my colleagues share grades with students through online communication tools….this allows teachers and parents to work together to identify strengths and weaknesses in a students’ academic progress.

At my school, I know we have a fairly secure firewall or safety net for malicious software and hackers.  We have invested lots of money in safety for our technology.  We are usually denied access when trying to get to a site which contains any derogatory language….we are also not allowed to go to public social sharing sites like Facebook or Twitter….we are not allowed to check Hotmail, Yahoo mail, AOL mail, or Gmail through our school computers.  If there is a specific site that is not accessible, we can go to our IT guy and he will lift the access if he feels it is a safe site.  Again, at times it is frustrating, but it can always be fixed…we have a very knowledgeable staff when it comes to technology and they want us to remain safe from the malicious software and the hackers out in cyberspace.  I feel our computer lab and classroom computers are safe from most malicious software and most hackers based on the security measures we have in place. 

Software Use in the Classroom

Identify a software program that you use in the classroom and the instructional objectives and goals you will meet with the software.

I use the Everyday Mathematics online software on a regular basis to help enhance my instructional objectives and goals.  One particular objective that has been addressed in the first couple of months of school is the concept of number comparisons…which is an objective in our curriculum as well as a CCS for kindergarten.  Students play a game called “Monster Squeeze.”  In this game, the computer chooses a number and the students must guess what number was chosen.  As students choose a number the monsters close in around the correct numbers by stating that the number chosen was greater than the mystery number or smaller than the mystery number.  Not only do students have to identify numbers, but they must compare numbers based on if they guessed to high or too low.  It is an extremely engaging game with great graphics and the students are constantly asking to play the game.  Once students master their numbers 1-10, the game can be differentiated to include numbers 11-20.  This provides a challenge to some of my kindergarten students. 

This program is extremely efficient and works well with the curriculum already in place.  It serves as a way to reinforce the objectives taught in the Everyday Mathematics program.  The only problem I see with using this program as a whole group activity is that your high end students find it non-engaging after a few times of playing…they would prefer a more challenging game.  I would like to have several iPods in my classroom that I could use with my high end students when we play games as whole group….I could download games that would provide more of a challenge for them which would keep them more engaged.  All in all, I enjoy the program and find it to be a great way to revisit skills and concepts taught in the classroom. 

WEBQUESTS

Webquest Activity

     I had never created or used a webquest before during this assignment.  I truly enjoyed exploring the internet and looking at a wide variety of webquests.  In this exploration, I found several webquests that I will utilize in the classroom.  I think it is a very engaging way to get students involved in an activity.  It allows them to review a lot of websites and online resources and do activities that they would not have done on their own.  Most of the webquests viewed had students be detectives trying to solve a problem (find information) which led to a product.  I think a webquest would be an intriguing activity for any age group because it is engaging and informational. 

     I have always considered myself to be quite computer savvy, but found creating a webquest to be somewhat of a challenge.  I had to research and explore many before creating one on my own.  I had to understand the purpose and importance of using a webquest and figure out how students would actually use a webquest within the classroom.  I found for myself, I would probably not have students actually go to the webquest on their own, but actually go through it with the class. 

     I found that a webquest could be a great activity for having students research and find information.  I loved the inquiry behind most of the webquests that I visited.  The inquiry behind webquests would truly allow students to gain a log of information.  That information would then be used to further student knowledge.  The most creative aspect of a webquest is the journey that students take to further their knowledge base about a particular topic.  Most of the webquest journeys asked students to create a project…so it essentially becomes a project based activity.  The engaging component of a webquest makes it enticing for the students…they become excited about their learning…especially when it is set up in a “detective” type of setting.  I also liked that the assessment was included in the webquest, which gives students some idea of what the teacher expects.

     As a teacher, if you are planning to create a webquest activity for your students it must be well thought out and planned in order to be effective.  It should also be organized in a way that provides some educational benefit for the students.  Having never created a webquest, I am not sure mine is one that I would consider extremely well done….I am encouraged to research and visit more webquests as I continue this journey through education.

     The webquest that I created had students creating a brochure on a specific place or landmark in Kentucky.....you have just moved to Kentucky and want to know more about the state....you will research various places in Kentucky and create a brochure to share with someone not from Kentucky.

Webquest link:  www.zunal.com/webquest.php?w=115957 View / Update This WebQuest Delete WebQuest