BLOG 2 (Due NLT Monday, July 12, 2010)

BLOG # 2:

SPREADSHEETS AND DATABASES

"New technology is common, new thinking is rare." Sir Peter Blake

"The world is changing, but children are the same as they have always been, and as they always will be. Children need to learn the very same things today that they have always needed to learn. The difference today is technology. Children learn differently, and teachers can use technology to determine that the students learn in whatever way they learn best. When I was growing up, I spent all of my time running around outside, exploring nature or else with my nose stuck in a book, expanding my knowledge and strengthening my imagination. These days, many kids do not spend any time outdoors, and they spend much less time reading. Kids are overwhelmed with options that compete for their limited, precious time, and it seems as if 99% of the options have to do with technology. Cell phones, computers, video game systems, television sets--These things monopolize the life of the child outside of the classroom, and when they arrive in the classroom, they almost need to be taught using these various modern mediums. Technology is a two-edged sword...But it is a weapon we must learn to yield or else concede victory to ignorance." Nathan Lawrence German.

Parameters for this week's assignment (Guidance from the professor):

You may use the publisher’s website to help you with the comprehensive assignment as well as some of the resources provided in this course.

For your comprehensive assignment, add a new posting to your blog in which you reflect on your learning this week. This posting should be between 400 and 500 words in length.

Start by doing an Internet search for spreadsheets and databases in the classroom. Review the different ways educators are using both of these tools. Posts on your blog should:

• Provide a URL of one Web site that discusses spreadsheet and/or database use in the classroom.

• Describe something you found that surprised you about how databases or spreadsheets can be utilized in the classroom.

• Discuss how you have used spreadsheets and databases in the past. Include ways you have used them with your students or ways you have used them as an educator.

Useful URL's for Web Sites (spreadsheets / databases in the classroom):

1. http://alicechristie.org/edtech/ss/

2. http://www.trumbull.k12.oh.us/teachers/resources/usingss.htm

3. http://www.amphi.com/~psteffen/excel.html

4. http://www.belmar.k12.nj.us/public/everyday_spreadsheets/

5. http://futureofmath.misterteacher.com/spreadsheets.html

6. http://www.saskschools.ca/curr_content/pd21byersj/prodtls/spreadsht.html

7. http://library.thinkquest.org/J0110054/Classroom_Activities.html

What surprised me about the use of databases and/or spreadsheets in the classroom:

Teachers are certainly using databases and spreadsheets in intelligent and creative ways. Databases and spreadsheets can be utilized to teach virtually every subject area imaginable, although it stands to reason that math is the one subject area wherein they would probably prove to be the most beneficial. I can't say that I was surprised by very much concerning the use of databases and/or spreadsheets in the classroom. Because I am a Special Education Teacher--specifically, an EBD Teacher--I wanted to find creative ways to utilize databases and/or spreadsheets in order to meet the needs of a diverse classroom where students need differentiated instruction.

I assumed that I would need to find a good spreadsheet program, but Excel was just about the only program that came instantly to mind. I was not even aware of the names of most of the other programs available on the market today, to include the following: Lotus, Quattro Pro, Excel, and Calc.

The idea that I came across that I found to be potentially useful was the use of Excel in order to create a time-line for biographies. I will definitely utilize this activity in the future when my students are required to complete some type of biographical project on a historical figure.

Experience with the use of databases and/or spreadsheets in the classroom:

I am a modern renaissance man. As such, I am ready and willing to utilize the most cutting-edge tools in the area of technology in order to benefit both myself and my students. I can remember a time wherein computers were limited to small computer labs where students could do very little, if anything school related, on them. We have most certainly come a very long ways since then. As Bob Dylan so eloquently sang, "Times, they are a-changing." I realize that I am nostalgic for the "good ol' days" of education, but I also realize that I have to evolve with the ever-changing times. We are rapidly transitioning to a new world in which computers are the centralized source of information from which we will draw our plans and develop lessons/lectures. I have used databases and spreadsheets in the classroom in the past. Primarily, I will admit that I have used spreadsheets primarily for the purpose of keeping grades. As a Special Education Teacher at Zoneton Middle School, I utilized the spreadsheet made available through the Infinite Campus database. From my own personal experience, I have learned that students love using spreadsheets as well, and they especially enjoy creating graphs (line, bar, pie, etc.) To be completely honest, I do not know how I will employ either spreadsheets or databases in the future. I'm sure it will depend largely upon where I am teaching, what subject matter, and what grade level. For the time being, I am willing to assume that I will probably use spreadsheets for the purpose of customized grade book record keeping, if nothing else.