Lesson Two

Our second lesson covered chapters three and seven in our textbook.  These chapters focused on designing and planning technology enhanced lessons and using administrative software.  Chapter three discussed technology and ways to incorporate this technology in the classroom.  The steps in the Dynamic Instructional Design Model provided the framework to create lessons that will integrate technology as a valuable tool.  Chapter three also went into how to implement the DID model in your teaching through providing examples.  Chapter seven focused on administrative software.  It went into different software and their application in the classroom.  For the remainder of this blog I will focus more on my online research into how to enhance learning with spreadsheets and databases.

One website I visited when doing my research was www.alicechristie.org/edtech.  Dr. Alice Christie speaks on her website about how technology can enhance teaching and learning.  This website offered several examples for different ways spreadsheets could be utilized in the classroom.  Once use for spreadsheets I found interesting was creating pictographs.  In this example students would collect data and insert it into a spreadsheet.  They would also download pictures on the internet or upload pictures they had taken in the classroom to use for the pictures in the graph.  I thought this idea was great, because I am in elementary education and I think the added element of pictures would get the students more interested.

As an educator I would use spreadsheets in the classroom through tabulating grades and also creating charts that could be used to better organize information, such as seating charts.  I plan to create an activity for my students using spreadsheets.  The activity I created is entering data in a spreadsheet based on the data groups collect.  I will have students roll a dice twenty five times and record the results.  After the results have been entered, the students will create graphs to visually display their results.  After the students have their own results, they will work together to compile the results for the entire class.  This activity would fulfill the 21^st Century skill of learning and innovation by having students communicate and collaborate on the entire group’s results.  They would also improve their literacy in technology by using spreadsheets, fulfilling the information, media, and technology skill.  This assignment will cover NETS-T 2-A by incorporating digital tools to promote student learning and creativity.  While developing this assignment I will have the students use spreadsheets, the internet, and artistic skills to make their graphs visually appealing.   This assignment will also fulfill NETS-S 6-A by allowing the students to work with spreadsheets they will improve their understanding of technology concepts and operations.

This lesson has increased my awareness of spreadsheets and databases in the classroom.  Using this technology will help my students not only in my classroom but in future classrooms as well.