Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

A geographic information system (GIS) integrates hardware, software, and data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information.  

GIS allows us to view, understand, question, interpret, and visualize data in many ways that reveal relationships, patterns, and trends in the form of maps, globes, reports, and charts.

A GIS helps you answer questions and solve problems by looking at your data in a way that is quickly understood and easily shared.

 

Resource:  http://www.gis.com/whatisgis/index.html

WebQuest

A WebQuest is a learning activity used by educators. During this activity learners read, analyze, and synthesize information using the internet.   A teacher can search for WebQuests on a particular topic or they can develop their own using a web editor like Microsoft FrontPage or Dreamweaver. This tool allows learners to complete various tasks using other Cognitive tools (e.g. Inspiration, MS Word, PowerPoint, Access, Excel, and Publisher). WebQuests may be created by anyone, typically they are developed by educators. The first part of a WebQuest is the introduction. This describes the WebQuest and gives the purpose of the activity. Next describes what students will do. Then is a list of what to do and how to do it. There are usually a list of links to follow to complete the activity.

Resource :  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WebQuest

Z Pen

The Z Pen is a tool that transforms your handwritten text into computer type text in a few simple steps!

First, use any paper (up to A4 size) and simply write, in your own handwriting, with the Z pen supplied. The pen has ink (which can be replaced with a standard refill) and the writing is stored in a clever USB dongle device. Once you have finished writing in all your glorious curvy nature, just plug the USB dongle into your pc and download the type to the ink to digital software supplied. Here you will be able to convert it to editable text and have as much fun possible, knowing that you needn’t be a touch typist to “type” at the speed of light!

The lightweight pen and receiver are easy enough to carry around with your laptop even and you can rest assured that the 1GB memory will store 1000s of text pages. Luckily this little device can also pick up images from 300DPI all the way to 900DPI so you needn’t buy a wacom unless you’re a designer and specifically need it!

This multi translation gadget supports 16 different languages namely Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Danish, Dutch, English UK, English US, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Swedish and on top of all this you can use the Z Pen in Windows, Mac or Linux.

The following link will provide further informaton on the Z pen as well as information on how to purchase:

http://www.gadgetvenue.com/z-pen-digital-pen-09261453/

Smart Globe

The Smart Globe Deluxe comes standard with a cleverly named SmartPen (lol) which helps the Globe function to its fullest potential. All one needs to do is to touch any area on the globe to learn a wealth of knowledge about the place concerned.

The designer globe has a base with drawer and contained within one will find a map of the US with detailed info of each of the 50 states. The base also contains a set of speakers which can be used if you need more volume, however, due to the SmartPen having built-in speakers, they can also be used for wireless use.

And yes, as with all funky new gadgets in the educational department, there’s more! When you purchase this globe it comes with a 25 page book which comes with more “random” information on countries, animals, dinosaurs, flags, foods, landmarks.

The following link provides more information on the product as well as information on how to purchase:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001HS4Z5U?smid=A3LJ5WMKNRFKQS&tag=nextag-toys-mp-delta-20&linkCode=asn

Sony ebook Reader

This eBook Reader uses e-ink technology in order for you to read any book imaginable electronically. It also boasts an impressive battery life that will last up to 6800 page turns! Incredible really (although I’m sure that’s for an average reader; I highly doubt it will last 4 years for a slow reader!)

 

The following link can be used to purchase a Sony ebook reader:
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=8198552921644523780

RSS

RSS would have several educational benefits in todays classroom. The many benefit would be as a tool to keep students up to date on current events on the subject matter that is being covered in your classroom discussion. Another use of RSS would be as a tool for students to research topics for assigned projects/assignments. A third use would be as a tracking/search device for students weblogs.

The five blogs that I subscribed to are:
jennysettlemire.wordpress.com
kellyshadley.wordpress.com
sethcarey.wordpress.com
shiffletk.wordpress.com
annmarieweasel.wordpress.com

The RSS reader that I will being using is google reader.

Podcast – Science on the Wild Side episode #47 01/21/2008 02:41 pm

The following podcast http://scienceonthewildsideshow/libsyn.com/rss discussed and educated individuals about the world of monkeys. The podcast was created and delivered by Rick Quarles also known as the singing science teacher.

It discussed different facts in regards to monkeys and their habitats. There are 240 different types of monkey species and they are categorized as old world or new world. Monkeys are considered extremely intelligent mammals with an exceptional ability to learn and understand different stimulus. They mainly eat fruit but I found it interesting that they don’t eat the skin of any fruits only the inside. Other foods they eat range from leaves, seeds, nuts and flowers. They can range in size from 6 in to 48 in and weigh anywhere from less then a pound to 77 pounds. They can have from 1-3 babies at birth and some stay with their mothers for up to 3 years. There habitats consist of both trees and the savannah. The monkeys which found their homes in trees are losing their habitat do to deforestation, which the singing science teacher sings a song about.

who’s important in educational technology

I believe the following three individuals are important in educational technology.  I would also like to provide the following link http://alvintrusty.wordpress.com/2008/09/09/who-is-important-here/ for further information on the subject.

1. Timothy J. Magner, Director, Office of Educational Technology -  I believe that Mr. Magner is important because of his role to implement educational technology with the No Child Left Behind Act.

2.Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education – I believe that Mr. Duncan is important for educational technology as we move forward with the new adminstration and implementing technology into our classrooms so that students are familiar with all the resources that are available to them.

3.B.F. Skinner – I believe that Mr. Skinner has important to educational technology because he is credited with speaking and expressing his ideas of implement technology into the classroom for students to learn in other forms other then textbooks.

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This is my first blog entry.  I have included links to www.delicious.com and www.flickr.com.  I have set up accounts on both of these sites as indicated in our assignment.   This blog is for requirements of an educational class which I am currently taken at the University of Findlay to obtain my Masters of Education degree.

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