Week 7 Comprehensive Assignment

This week we read two chapters one about using the web for teaching and learning and another about audiovisual technologies.  The web options that were discussed in the first chapter are some of the more advanced options for use.  Specifically, I have been interested in wikis, which I found out more about this week.  It is great to see how other educators use this sophisticated, and yet easily accessible, forum for learning and communication.  The wiki allows all participants to provide information, make corrections, and basically communicate with a group of interested people.  This means that faculty, staff and students can work on a joint wiki focused on a topic of choice; they can also incorporate community members, even other classrooms or communities across the country or the world to have them contribute to the overall process.  Wikis are very versatile because they allow everyone to have a means of impacting the final result.  The wiki allows for input, correction, and tracking of both to show how one’s students might, or might not, be participating.  The beauty of the wiki is its fluidity.  When used properly, the wiki is almost a life of it’s own that evolves with interaction from all of its participants.

Keeping this information in mind, there are some basic software programs that I will most likely use in the classroom when I start teaching.   First, and probably most commonly, I imagine I will use Microsoft Word.  Secondly, I foresee using Microsoft PowerPoint fairly regularly.  Both pieces of software are easily accessible within a majority of homes that have computers, and are readily available within the computer labs, and classrooms.  The primary reason for use of these applications is the need for the student to become familiar with both programs’ use before going on to college, where both are used heavily.

Used as a presentation tool, PowerPoint can be great or dismal.  Obviously, when used correctly, PowerPoint can be a great way to add visuals into a class discussion, a means of creating an interactive lesson, or even be used as a component of an exam when certain physical media is not available.  When used incorrectly, as happens too often, it can be a great way to put your audience to sleep.  Luckily, I happen to have had a lot of experience with this program and will hopefully be able to avoid the common pitfalls of excessive text, inappropriate visuals, reading from the screen, and poor color or background choices.