Melissa Marvels at Magnificent Blogs

The last class

2005-05-04T07:18:00.000-07:00

Wow, I can not believe how fast the semester has gone. Looking back to the first day of class when I called the handheld a palm pilot and did not see the use of art, I can not believe where the times has gone. It was fun to talk to the fifth graders about the palm and how they use them in the classroom. We had learned about different kinds of software, but it was interesting to see which ones were actually being used and for what purpose. I think that more could be done with the palm, as in any other kind of technology. But, it was fun to see he excitement of the kids. When I was substituting in this fifth grade class earlier it was interesting to see that these kids really think that a lot of these programs are just games, but according to their teacher, they are much more. . the kids are learning from the games and not even realizing that what they are doing is academic. I think that this is a great approach, it is making learning fun for kids, and thereefore, kids are learinign much more. I think this is great to see.

Wow

2005-04-25T14:38:00.000-07:00

I am so completely impressed by the presentations and the various uses that my classmates have come up with with using the handhelds in the classroom. Lessons were formed from using as many as one to something like seven or eight different programs. It is absolutely amazing the creativity that my classmates have come up with with teaching music, language arts, the food chain, and of course my favorite, art. At the start of this class I was in complete denial that you really could teach art with the use of the handheld. Therefore, I thought it was humorous that the majority of the lessons were created to incorporate either the visual or performing arts. Art was incorporated by using Op art, to teach color theory, realistic self-portraits, and the use of angles inspired by artist such as Kandinsky and Picasso. I really was impressed with the TealPaint program. I think that is what it was called. I thought that the layers that you could create and its similarity to photoshop was amazing. I was really impressed by all of the tools that it had and all that you could do with it. However, I did think it looked difficult and was more geared toward the high school student. I was also impressed with the lesson using the angles program and art. I really liked how these projects turned out and I think that it was an impressive way to incorporate art with math. . especially for fifth graders. Overall, I was super excited with all of the new lesson plans that I have and the ideas that are endless. I am really excited to meet with Beth this week and learn how she incorporates handhelds into the fifth grade class!

discussion by the web

2005-04-10T17:48:00.000-07:00

Today we learned about web discussions. Just when you get excited about blogs, there is even more out there. When does it stop? I think that technology is absolutely amazing, and those people that start and invent such things are incredible. I think that the possibilities for web discussions are endless. I, actually, have used something similiar to web discussions during my undergraduate program. We had a discussion board that in specific classes we used to post comments and responses to other students in the class. This was different than these discussion boards and blogging in the fact that not anyone could respond to them and view them. Only those people in the class could view and respond using blackboard. I found this very helpful in class and learning. I feel that it guided my learning, and there were interesting comments that were brought up on the blackboard that would not necessarily be brought up in class. I feel like these comments wouldn't necessarily be brought up in class, because sometimes people do not like to talk in class and have important views. Since they do not bring up these points in class, no one can benefit from their insight. However, due to this discussion board, we were able to gain insight. I was way stoked about the web discussions. I think that they bring up a whole new dimension in technology. Here people can post either their concern or fun fact, and others from across the world via the web can benefit from them. This is truly amazing. I was also amazed that there are so many web discussions and such a wide variety of discussions.

and the blogging continues

2005-04-03T10:28:00.000-07:00

Today we dove deeper and deeper into the world of the handhelds as we learned different programs. The first programs that we learned dealt with concept mapping. This is, indeed, something that I think is definitely used in the classroom on a regular day to day basis. I think that it is really interesting since I always used the outline format, rather than the whole mapping process. I can vaguely remember using this in school. But, moreso, I remember using the form of the outline in which you have roman numerals, capital letters, numbers, and lower case letters. I am not sure if they still use this in the schools. However, I am aware that this webbing technique of concept mapping is very common. I think this can be explained by the four different software programs that we looked at. I think that there are advantages to all four and I was really impressed by the different ways that students could organize the information that they received. I think that this would work especially well in a language arts/reading class in which students could outline the story that they are reading. I, also, can see it in different subjects in which students are reading and need to organize information so that the information is easy to comprehend. The second part of the class dealt with making the e-books. I found this particularly interesting in which I thought that it was a harder process to make an e-book than it actually is. I do think that oneday schools are going to go to the level of teachers creating their own e-books rather than buying textbooks for the class. I think that this is amazing, however, I am not so sure if I would like this as a student. Maybe if that is the only thing that I knew. However, I think for me that they are too small and the illustrations and graphics just are not there. I do see the pros however. . . soemthing to think about!

lesson plan

2005-03-26T09:23:00.000-08:00

Wow, all I have to say is that I am completely impressed by the high usage of palms everywhere. I guess I didn't realize how many people use palms in the grand scheme of things. When I first started class, I came in thinking that there were a few people that used palms in the business world and that some crazy people were trying to get schools nationwide to use them as well. I started to become interested in the different uses that the handhelds provided for teachers and their students in classrooms. I thought to myself that these things could provide great uses for students to learn different things, but the amount that they could learn was limited. I then learned of the different uses and how art has been combined with the palm to help students learn about different lessons. Then it was at the recent class where we were subjected first to the Easter eggs, and I was wondering who had that much time on their hands. . and then to the different software out there. I am completely amazed at how much software there is out there and for a wide variety of things.. . hmmm. . there is a lot of interest in handheld computers. It is simply amazing. I became interested in a program that would help students learn about proportions in drawing. I hope to introduce the artist Chuck Close and his use of the grid system within my lesson.

more class

2005-03-19T08:06:00.000-08:00

This class was a little overwhelming as now is the time in every class that we are getting our final projects. Since it is my last class of the week, it was the third major project that I need to complete. Therefore, I was already overwhelmed, but now am completely overboard. I have been thinking about my unit a bit, and know that I want to do something that relates to art. I am not quite sure if I just want to limit it to an artist, or maybe an element or priniciple of design. I hope to get something that is crosscultural. I think that the best bet for me is to look at the programs next class and then create something. I don't think that I could handle coming up with a good idea and then not finding a program to match it. I think that would make me completely frustrated if I could not find anything after being set on my idea. I am excited to see the programs out there that you can relate to art. About the sketchys, I was so amazed to see the different ideas that people came up with. And by different, I mean completely different. I think that it is amazing that there is such a wonderful program and educational tool out there that people can take in their own ways and relate it to different concepts within education and also the different ways in which students learn. I was excited to see how far people could take them, with their artistic skills. I think that it is a program that you think at first you need to be artistic with, but then realize that everyone can succeed. I think that this is another reason why it is successful with students, as they all will be pleased with the sketchy's that they make, and therefore will want to learn more and more as they continually make sketchy's within their education.

Sketchy

2005-03-09T06:12:00.000-08:00

Oh, how I love sketchy! I can not begin to tell you how much I was fascinated with sketchy. I agree with you Tony, if I was to choose one program to have on my handheld, it would definitely be Sketchy. That is, if I had a colored handheld. . . but that is besides the point. One day I will get a modern handheld and be able to use sketchy with the color. I am not saying that it is impossible to use sketchy without color, because it is not. It is perfectly fine without color, as it still has different patterns that you could fill your shapes with to distinguish what is what. However, as an art teacher, who is doing her sketchy on the elements of art, one of them being color, I feel that it is vital to use color in my sketchy. Besides the fact, that I feel that color is in upmost of importance in getting students attention. Therefore, I was lucky to borrow a handheld that has color on it to complete my assignment. I found that the use of Sketchy is very user friendly, and therefore is a major bonus to use with kids in even the lower grades in the classroom. I can not help but go back to my experience when I was subbing in the third grade classroom at Willowdale as I talk about Sketchy. I was absolutely amazed as I found that these kids were using the program with hardly any questions, as well as by using the program they were forced to use their knowledge and really draw out how the moon rotates around the earth. I really was fascinated by the process. By using Sketchy, myself, however I did notice a couple of glitches. I am assuming that these are not in place in this animation program to simplify it. However, after using PowerPoint with the slides, I noticed that there was really no way to insert a slide. There was also no way that I know of to move slides around. I am assuming that there are ways to go around this like duplicating a slide and then erasing what is on it. However, you think that there would be an easier way. What do you think?

ebooks and more

2005-03-01T13:32:00.000-08:00

I cannot fathom all that I have learned on handhelds thus far. I will begin my blog with what I learned in a third grade classroom. Of course, I just so happened to be at Willowdale Elementary subbing, my favorite thing to do. I looked at the plans and saw that I was to be teaching sketchy with the kids on the subject of science and the earth and moon rotation. I have to admit that I freaked out at first. How was I supposed to do something that I have never done before. All it said was to get the handhelds from Tony and then hand them out in number order. Crazy, I definitely had my head in over my heals. However, after kindly talking to Tony all was good. I was to help Tony as he was there to help the class. This was a lot better. When it got time for the kids to do it, I was amazed at how much third graders knew about handhelds, as well as what a Sketchy could do. I guess that I was first under the impression that sketchy was just a way to make "sketches", but rather it was kind of like an animation and powerpoint on the computer. Therefore, if you want to make the moon rotate around the earth, you can just draw the different stages and play it in motion. It was a neat process. I went on this day to class to learn about the world of e-books. I am amazed about all of the e-books out there, but was surprised that textbooks haven't been published yet as e-books. I was wondering if they had too many pages to publish, or if there was a maximum amount that a handheld could hold? I think that e-books would be very benificial in a classroom or outside of a classroom, but what about the illustrations?

E-Reader

2005-02-28T14:09:00.000-08:00

What will they come up with next? E-Reader definitely fascinates me. Here is a list of ten things that I have learned from the E-Reader. Some apply to E-Reader itself, while others apply to the use of the palm.

1. First of all, I learned that the biggest technical issue that is yet to be resolved is the Screen Resolution. According to the E-Book, reading e-books puts more strains on one's eyes than reading printed words on paper. I agree with this concept. I have found that reading the E-book definitely strained my eyes. Reading on a computer screen seems to have this effect on me, so therefore it is inevitable that a smaller screen would create the same issue.

2. I found that when you accidently get out of the e-reader, as I tended to do by pressing a button when I was trying to get to the next page, you can get back in and go directly to the page that you left off of. E-Reader saves this page and it instantly comes up when you go back into E-Reader.

3. Some e-books are free, while others are sold for below average print book prices. I find this interesting that the prices for these are below the printed books. For some reason, I would think that this would be vice-versa.

4. Textbooks have not yet been made as e-books.

5. As far as handhelds, women have noted that their clothing does not always have pockets or belts that would allow them to carry a handheld with them at all times. To solve this problem, they carry an alternative such as a small shoulder bag and special lanyards.

6. At the bottom of each section in an e-book, you can instantly go to the Table of contents. You just need to press, 'return to Table of Contents'.

7. Handhelds can be used for math as students can view, copy, and paste recent calculations into the memo pad. They can describe their solution step by step.

8. It is important to plan for additional expenses when looking into buying a set of handhelds for a class or school. Handhelds are best used if they have all of the equipment that they need to make them efficient and easier to use.

9. It is important to have a 'go-to' person that is very knowledgable on the use of handhelds.

10. There are many sites via the web that teach about handhelds for beginners and how to best use handhelds in the classroom.

These are ten things that I learned about e-reader. I am excited to use e-reader further as I get more e-books.

blog,blog,blog,blog

2005-01-31T08:57:00.000-08:00

And the blogging continues. . .I am happy to report that I am using my 'triple A palm', otherwise known as the visor, in full swing. Ever since I learned grafitti, I have been able to quickly record my things to do, and will have to not use as many sticky notes, as I have been using. This might surprise a lot who know me well, as I am a sticky note kind of girl. However, having my palm with me at all times, I am quickly able to record those things that I need to do. This has helped me out immensely. Once I complete an item, I am also able to check it off, and have it dissappear from my list. This helps me to stay focused and realize what I need to still accomplish. I can also say that I do enjoy watching my list get shorter. . and shorter. I guess when I first started I didn't think that I would ever go away with my sticky notes. ..and look at me now. Yes, I still do write it down on a sticky note, but I also record it in my visor. I, also, will like having an address book to organize the different groups of people that I need to associate with. I have used it in my other classes as I am brainstorming ideas for my paper. Every time an idea comes to me, I record it in the memo notes of my palm. This is great to record information, as it saves it and will always let me go back and add. This way I am able to write down my ideas so I don't forget them. I am know in the brainstorming phase of figuring out different ways that handhelds can be used in the art classroom. I realize that in a general classroom, these can be wonderful tools for the students to use. However, for the art classroom, I am having a tough time thinking up of different ways to use it. So, I will continue brainstorming and relay the information in yet another blog.

And the blogging continues. . .

2005-01-20T19:55:00.000-08:00

Todays class, or for me, the beginning of class was geared toward blogging. Basically, what I got from it was that blogging is everywhere. Not only is blogging everywhere, but it is continually growing. What started out as just blogging, now comes bloglines, and I am sure many other different variations of blogging and advanced uses of blogging that I am not yet aware of. I am sure that by using blogging an addiction will form that will help me to become more aware of the different uses of blogging. I am convinced that by the time that this class is over, like you said Tony, I will be addicted to blogging, as I am addicted to e-mail. . .since I do check it at least ten times a day! Therefore, once we learned about blogging and bloglines, it was our time to set up our blogline. Now, we will be aware of new messages that are posted within our blogline and are able to read them in this setting. Once this wonderful task of setting up our blogline was accomplished, we started learning about the basics of a handheld device with a powerpoint to assist us. I learned about the different buttons on a handheld, the screen, and the similarities between a handheld computer and the computer that I am familiar with. I found this interesting. Since I left to help the National Armory Gaurd with art therapy, I missed out on the rest of learning the basics. Therefore, I look forward to reading the roving reporters report and getting my double A batteries! Until next time. . .

Article Review

2005-01-20T13:37:00.000-08:00

Melissa Haller
TED 8600
Mr. Tony Vincent
29 January 2005

Article Review: Handhelds in the Classroom

Handhelds have been around for a good period of time. However, these handheld computers, or palm devices, have been around in the world of business. Most people have heard of such a device that was good for those in the business world to keep their schedule, appointments, and contacts. However, what few people do know are the use of these same devices in the classroom environment as well. Education World investigates four different schools that have used these handheld devices in their classroom to learn. In this article, readers will learn the different uses of such devices and some questions that still do exist.
One of the advantages that these handheld computers provide for students is the constant use of technology with their handheld. Due to the low cost of these devices, each student is able to have a handheld with them at all times. Schools that do not have this option for handhelds do not get this constant interaction with technology. Students at such schools have to share with those computers provided for them either in their own classroom, computer room, or media center. Therefore, these students have limited access with technology. These students with the handheld computers are able to use them all day long everyday of the school year.
There is a variety of software out there made specifically for handheld devices that allow the students to learn either by tracking their nutritional intake, graphing in math, measuring in science, and using a dictionary in their foreign language classes. Such software help the students further their knowledge in a subject. Students are also able to attach their handhelds with a computer to share their data. With the handheld devices, the students are able to always have information that the need within their specific classes, as they can carry them around in their handheld.
Questions, however, have risen on the use of handhelds in the classroom. Most questions have dealt with the same issue, the lack of software for classroom use. Most of the software, as these handhelds were first created for, have dealt with the business world. However, as more and more classrooms are using these devices for their students, developers have created software that allows students to learn and in a unique way.
After reading this article, I do believe that these handheld devices can be a wonderful way for students to learn. Looking back on my schooling, I know that I would have been fascinated by such devices and would have probably been more apt to want to learn if I was given such a device. However, a couple of questions do exist as I am still learning about them both in class and through this article. I know that these handhelds are affordable and compared to a computer they are a lot cheaper for schools to buy. However, I would think that providing each student with one of these in the lower income schools would still be costly. I also think that having a computer is necessary, as the article said that you could synchronize your handheld and computer. So, these would still be a cost for the school as well. I am looking forward to the creation of more software programs in the future years.

The first day

2005-01-16T10:31:00.000-08:00

Today, being the first day, there was a lot of information that was thrown out at us. However, I feel like the main objective of the day was to introduce the world of handhelds to an audience of educators that were interested in the subject, some that were more familiar with it than others. I guess I was kind of blown away by the statistics of the use of handhelds in the classroom. I have heard of handhelds being used in the classroom before. Actually, the first time that I heard of the use of handhelds in the classroom was when I went to an educators career fair held in Lincoln last fall. A school district from Kansas City, Olathe, was selling their new 21st century schools. They told us that each student at the high school level were given a hand held. I really kind of thought that that was kind of a wierd concept at first. I thought that if the school was so advanced in technology, why not give each student a computer instead? This is what the Westside district here was doing. Why were hand helds so much more convenient? Couldn't all you do was plan your day? I guess I wasn't aware of all of the programs and software that handhelds have and the possiblities that they were capable of. This first day of class taught me that the number one use for hand helds was word processing. It also taught me so many statistics of the positives that have come out of using hand helds in the classroom. After studies have been done, it has found that the majority of students would rather learn with the handheld, the parents were positive, as well as the teachers. If the students are in the right mindset to want to learn, than I believe more learning will be done. Learning is accomplished by the right environment and the desire and optimism to want to learn. I am excited to learn more about hand helds in the classroom. I think that it is funny that once you talk about something, you notice it everywhere. I was actually in an interview last week in Olathe, Kansas, and the principal was using her hand held. Now, I think that I will see them everywhere!