Software Evaluation Mod 4 SIM 323

The software that I evaluated was Accelerated Reader.  This program is task-level learning information system.  It gives teachers timely information on student academic performance in reading.  It provides literacy tests and reading practice quizzes to assess reading comprehension.  One of the benefits of the program is that many students can use the program simultaneously across the network and it is designed for users with different levels of expertise.  The program provides reading practice that matches the student's needs and level.  Another advantage of the program is that it provides a tutorial function as it provides feedback to the students when they answer incorrectly.  Many students can use the program and work at their own pace to reach their highest potential.

                    

Wikipedia

I would allow students to use wikipedia if I taught the upper elementary grades.  I would like them to be informed about the resource but would teach them the importance of researching further to ensure the information on wikipedia was accurate.  Since it is quick and comprehensive, the students would find it easy to use.  This would give them a quick resource to check against another one.
I think the future of the written word is that many things will be published and available in many languages, not just Spanish.  I feel the written word will never be totally replaced.  There are certain times when you need to put something in writing.

Blog activity AEA resources

I read about the BookFlix program.  It is an on-line collection of pairs of fiction and non-fiction books that are available for Pre-3rd grade students.  The stories are animated with audio and video to engage the students.and include games. There are lesson plans and activities to go along with the books and specific reading skills and content area skills are included.  They also noted how the books tie to the benchmarks and standards.  This looks like a great resource for the units we teach in kindergarten.  The students particularly enjoy the non-fiction  books that we read.  Many of the book titles are ones I already use.

Blog Activity 2I believe that cell phones are a part of the new literacy and as teachers we must find ways to use them in schools. As the author states, “cell phones are computers that fit in your pocket.” They are readily available to be used, since so many students own one. Teachers must see them as tools to learning and not as distractions. The author explains that “we must figure out how to deliver our product in a way that fits into our students’ digital lives.” The article shares many ways a cell phone can be used as a tool for learning. So many teachers complain that they do not have enough computers in their classroom for student use. Cell phones can solve this problem. https://files.pbworks.com/download/ktBORXYkeX/thinkingmachine/22187792/Prensky-What_Can_You_Learn_From_a_Cell_Phone-FINAL.pdf

I believe that cell phones are a part of the new literacy and as teachers we must find ways to use them in schools.  As the author states, “cell phones are computers that fit in your pocket.”  They are readily available to be used, since so many students own one.  Teachers must see them as tools to learning and not as distractions.  The author explains that “we must figure out how to deliver our product in a way that fits into our students’ digital lives.”  The article shares many ways a cell phone can be used as a tool for learning.  So many teachers complain that they do not have enough computers in their classroom for student use.  Cell phones can solve this problem.   



https://files.pbworks.com/download/ktBORXYkeX/thinkingmachine/22187792/Prensky-What_Can_You_Learn_From_a_Cell_Phone-FINAL.pdf

Another great article that I found!

http://www.ergoweb.com/news/detail.cfm?id=1180

Games

Our students use the game "First In Math" for grades k-5.  It is a site that students can practice their math skills by playing various games at home.  Students score points as they play the games. Teachers can reward students with certificates for the points they win.  Students can also collect stickers when they reach a certain amount of points.