Graphic Organizers

I think graphic organizers are great to use in student projects because it helps the students identify important information that they would like to share. I think breaking things down into smaller chunks also helps students keep to the topic of their project. Depending on your students ages they can also help shape their thinking for the future when they are not offered a graphic organizer to compile their thoughts.  Paragraphs and reports are fine, however to get to that stage one needs to brainstorm and see their thoughts and ideas organized neatly.

Social Bookmarking

Social bookmarking to me is a way of remembering sites I found interesting that I knew I would forget if I didn't save it somewhere. As a student it will help me with future assignments that I may have to do. It is a guide to help me get work completed. Also you can share your favorite sites with other students and even find out things that exist that you never even knew about. As a teacher this is great because you can add sites and links throughout your teaching career and enhance student learning experiences. Sharing sites with co-workers or colleagues will help  you become a better teacher and also teach you something you didn't know.

Keep Microsoft Office Suite!

If I was approached by the district I would advise them to stick with Microsoft Office. The reason I would ask them to stay is because , Microsoft products are easy to use. Most people are already familiar with Microsoft software and can all navigate to some extent without much help. Microsoft office has come a long way since its first word processor/ spreadsheet program. I believe Google and its software are still in the infancy stages as far as development. Google Docs is a great way to share and edit documents online, however I think it makes more sense to stay with Microsoft until Google catches up!

Excel in the curriculum

The 5 ideas that I would present to my colleagues are:

1. Using excel to track students participation in the school dress code policy. This spreadsheet could keep track of how many times students were out of uniform.

2. A teacher could use excel to chart students behaviors, this would enable the teacher to specify behaviors and how frequently the occur in the classroom.

3. Excel can definitely be used as a grade book, by incorporating formulas into the spreadsheet all the teacher would have to do is type in the grade and get students percentages.

4. Excel could be used in the classroom to teach social studies/ geography. Ask students which states they have been to , take a tally and make a chat or graph to see where the most visited state is and have students make a report on that state and ask them  why they think it is so popular.

5. The last way that Excel could be used in the curriculum is to introduce spelling words. You could create a spreadsheet that lists the spelling words for the week and  and leave columns next to the words empty so that the students could practice writing them each night for homework. At the end of the week you could  collect and test the students on what they have been practicing all week.

Using Google Docs

I thought using Googles Docs was a lot easier than using Microsoft word. By using Google Docs I was able to send  my lesson plans to the professor with out attaching a file or generating an email. Submission of my document  was quick and easy. I found it easy to navigate and edit my font and cut and paste links. I plan on using Google Docs more frequently during this journey of continuing my education.