Module 2 Reflection

Hypermedia

Interactive storybooks

According to Roblyer and Doering (2013), interactive storybooks are “stories that can be read from a computer screen” (p. 175).  That is exactly what this resource empowers teachers, parents, and students the ability to do.  We Give Books is a Pearson Foundation Initiative to provide free books to schools across the country.  As people read online stories from famous authors on http://www.wegivebooks.org/ , books are given to students nationwide.  This initiative splices a passion for reading and helping others. 
       One must set up an account with this website to be able to access all of the stories, but the editors’ picks are accessible to anyone all the time.  Also, an account is free, which is why I feel like this is an awesome resource for any elementary educator! In fact, I actually used this resource during my literacy block placement, and it was a hit with my kindergarteners.  Interactive storybooks are VERY useful in any classroom because they are so accessible and do not get worn.   How wonderful!

 

Multimedia Authoring

Virtual environments

                Roblyer and Doering (2013) discuss virtual field trips by saying that they, “give tours of locations around the world” (p. 195). Virtual field trips is just one element of the virtual environments reviewed by the authors.  I feel like authoring virtual environments might be difficult to implement in an elementary classroom but using field trips that have already been created, or authored, by someone else would be a great.   If you click on the picture below, it will take you to a virtual tour of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of National History.  This is a phenomenal example of a virtual environment where “the user can interact” (Roblyer and Doering, 2013, p. 193)  This is a virtual tour that the students could go on to explore the Smithsonian, the king of museums in the United States.  Some children may never have the opportunity to go here in real life, so this gives them the an opportunity that they would not have had otherwise.

M2 http://t.co/xhqVGBLpgj is a phenomenal and free interactive storybook website that donates books to children per book you read! #ED447UM
— Rachel D (@RachCB2) September 20, 2013

Module 1 Reflection

                There are so many amazing instructional software programs that we have at our disposal nowadays! I am a huge fan of making learning fun, and I feel that these kind of programs are definitely engaging to students. Speaking of great programs, here are three instructional software programs and two software support tools for you to investigate.  According to Roblyer and Doering (2013), instructional software programs aid in instruction delivery (p. 77), and software support tools enhance the use of software programs (p. 140).

Starfall - http://www.starfall.com/

Drill and practice software

Starfall is a fabulous resource because it has a lot of basic literacy activities as well as some content area activities. According to Roblyer and Doering (2013), a drill and practice software encompasses, “exercises in which students work example items, usually one at a time, and receive feedback on their correctness” (p. 81). Starfall includes many example items for the students to work and provides feedback.

National Stock Market Simulation- http://www.nationalsms.com/

Simulation software

                This program is actually very near-and-dear to my heart because we did a stock market simulation in my gifted education class in the fourth grade.  I remember it being slightly confusing, but also very fun.  This would be an amazing resource for a gifted class or for an upper elementary classroom.  This is a simulation software because Roblyer and Doering (2013) reference it in the textbook as such when they summarize its functions by saying that, “student teams learn how the stock market works by investing money and seeing resulting profits and losses” (p. 92).

Sheppard Software - http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/math.htm

Instructional game software

Sheppard software offers many math based games.  The games are engaging and provide immediate feedback.  This functions as an instructional game software.  According to Roblyer and Doering’s (2013) definition, instructional games, “add game-like rules and/or competition to learning activities” (p. 94), which is exactly what this software does.  I would use this during as a math center in my classroom, as well as an extension activity.

iTranslate- https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/itranslate-free-translator/id288113403?mt=8

Software support tool*

                If you are passionate about learning other languages, trying to communicate with people that do not speak English, or maybe even trying to do that assignment for this class where you have to translate into another language, this app is for you.  iTranslate is actually an app that I use regularly on my iPhone.  It is incredibly easy to use! It is the best translation app that I have found so far.  I would use this in my classroom as support for communicating with English Language Learners and their families.

Dictionary.com - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dictionary.com-dictionary/id308750436?mt=8

Software support tool*

This is also an app that I use frequently.  You can look up both English and Spanish words to find the definition.  This would be valuable in a classroom for defining words quickly.  You could use this in conjunction with a traditional dictionary lesson as well.

*Both of these software support tools are beneficial to use with “the basic three” (Roblyer and Doering, 2013, p. 114).

M1 http://t.co/iuuUJzzzdI. This is an awesome resource for literacy games! #ed447UM

— Rachel D (@RachCB2) September 9, 2013