Post #5

Chapter 5 talked about digital media software. Digital media software is any computer-based presentation or application software that uses multimedia elements. A lot of digital media is interactive digital media because it includes interaction with the program. This software responds to input from the person using it. The user can input using a keyboard, voice, movements, or a pointing device. The program provides feedback and performs an action in response.

This chapter also discussed the different kinds of digtal media and the different elements that make them up. Elements such as text, graphics, video, and audio add a lot to digital media programs. Each of these elements can be interactive in among itself. Textual information is great for explaining or clarifying information. Graphics illustrate concepts and are a big help to visual learners. Audio is great for supplementing the text in a program, and video helps to bring concepts to life.

Since my last post I have learned how to make a crossword puzzle online! It was actually very easy, and did not require much work, but it has opened my eyes to some really cool software. I think software like this will help when I am a teacher because it is a great way to make learning fun and make students want to complete assignments. The crossword puzzle was a good tool for learning vocabulary and would definitely come in handy in my future classroom.

Post #4

Chapter 4 talks about different kinds of input and output and how they work. It is interesting to get a closer look at how the technology I use every day actually works. So often I use my digital camera and then transfer the pictures to my computer and I never think about how it works. Chapter 4 helped me understand the processes behind the technology I love. Another interesting part of the chapter was seeing the different components of technology and its accessories. It showed the different parts of a floppy disk and the components that make a digital pen work on a tablet PC.

One of the most interesting things that I have seen on other students' blog is that we all agree how much technology is a part of our lives and how much we depend on it. We also agree on the fact that it's going to be an even bigger part of our lives by the time we are teachers.

Since my last post, I have learned how to use the scholar section of Google search. I think that this will be quite a big help when I am a teacher, as it makes it incredibly easy to find specific articles. I did not know of this option on the Google search until last class, and I have found it to be very useful since that time.

Post #3

Chapter 3 talks about software applications, and more specifically, productivity software, which makes performing daily activities more productive. Some common types of productivity software are word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation graphics. One of the most widely used software applications is word processing applications. These applications allow you to create, edit, and format documents. Millions of people use these applications every day. The most popular word processing application is Microsoft Word.

Spreadsheet software allows you to organize data. Most commonly, spreadsheets organize numerical data. One of the most popular types of spreadsheet software is Microsoft Excel. Database software allows you to create a database, then organize and add to the data, and sort and retrieve data from the database. Presentation graphic software, like Microsoft PowerPoint, allows you to create a presentation. These presentations are most commonly viewed on slides.

Since my last post, I have learned how to use Inspiration to create graphic organizers and outlines. I think that this will be very useful in the class and could be a great tool to create concept maps and other graphic organizers to help my students learn. I really enjoy using this software.