Before this week, the idea of using spreadsheets and databases within my classroom was not even on my "teaching radar"! To be honest, when we hear the words "database" or "spreadsheets", many of us may instantly think math. However, spreadsheets and databases can be used to create worksheets, gather information, create word searches, and group data that any teacher can benefit from.
Databases and speadsheets are also valuable because they can be used to teach students how to conduct a research or science project, graph progress and changes, and then the information can be charted and graphed. Students need to learn early on in their education the importance of providing accurate data and evidence for many classes. Starting kids at a primary level with fun and simple database and spreadsheet activities will provide them with confidence and familiarity in the future.
I'm sure everyone agrees that the sources we were to explore and interact with this week were awesome. I kept asking myself, "how did I not KNOW about these!?". After lesson two, I believe that I know more about Wiki's than I thought possible! I"m excited to use my PBworks account this summer and get it ready to launch for the 2012-2013 school year. I learned that Wiki's provide teachers and students with a "central learning and communication hub". We can teach our students to collaborate and share information with students from other classrooms, schools, cities, and countries! Students can log in to the system with a user name, edit work, download assignments, share presentations, post discussions, and so much more.
For a teacher who is new to the world of Wiki and why it can be such a beneficial tool in the classroom, I thought that the article written by Lamb that was posted provided a great argument. It was also intersting to listen to the podcast of Steve Hargadon interviewing Vicki Davis and Adam Frey. They were both honest when interviewed, and provided examples of the pros and cons in using Wiki's in a school. Vicki Davis' classroom almost doesn't even seem like a school classroom! Her high school students were so completely engaged. When watching her in action in the video clip, PBS Digital Nation, I admired the way she allowed them to teach and lead in her classroom, and think that she was correct in saying that her students teach her! Wasn't that video eye opening?
I think that I miss out on some of the latest technology opportunities because I teach in an elementary school. I'm not saying we don't use technology, but it is very interesting to see that students in middle and high schools are so knowledgeable in Wiki's, Google Docs, and podcasts! I plan to use many of the resources were discovered this week in my classroom, hopefully to increase our already creative environment.
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