I think that I would utilize this virtual reality in my classroom. I like that it is a different way for students to learn. I also think that it fits into what they are doing at home with playing video games. I believe that the more we relate what they are learning to what they like to do, the more interested they will be in learning. Now, I don't think that this virtual reality should be used at all times and for every subject, but it is a good teaching tool. It does play a role in K-12 classrooms. I think that it may be more valuable in the higher elementary classrooms through high school and not so much K-3rd grade, but it gives them a greater idea of what things are like. Especially with the 3D historic buildings and being able to actually go inside a priceless piece of art. I think that students will learn more and be more interested if they learn this way than if they are just looking and learning from books and regular websites. I think that if a teacher can incorporate learning how to use the virtual website into the regular curriculum, then it should be used in the classroom, but if they are unable to do that, then the virtual reality might be too much for that classroom. Virtual reality is probably just a fad, it is a great idea but sometime in the near future someone will come up with a different and more interesting way to learn using the computer that won't take up so much time. It is the way things go and we should expect new and better things to come in the future. This is a good idea for now and helpful but I do believe that someone will come up with something else.

http://preilly.wordpress.com/2008/03/26/is-the-public-ready-for-educational-change/#comment-10126
Brianna205

Educational Software Review

I found a review on the program called JumpStart Advance 1st grade. This program deals with all the different things that 1st grade students are learning. By building bridges, making pizzas, and scoring goals, the students not only enhance their reading skills but they are also learning to follow directions. Most the skills involved focus on math and language arts. There are also a few science skills involved as well. I would definitely use this software in my classroom. I actually used JumpStart when I was in elementary school. I thin it is really helpful and it gives students a new way to practice what have already learned in the classroom.
http://www.superkids.com/aweb/pages/reviews/multisub/1stgrade/02/jsadv1/merge.shtml

Blog Response

http://www.asuwebdevil.com/issues/2008/02/13/style/703591

This website talked about whether or not having laptops allowed in the college classrooms is really beneficial to students. Personally I think that having laptops in classrooms is distracting. Not only to other students and the professors but to the student with the laptop. Students are able to get onto the internet therefore, they are probably not paying attention to the lecture. Which, yes is there own fault, but if they hadn't brought their computer to the classroom it wouldn't cause a distraction. Typing is really distracting to those of us in the classroom who are trying to pay attention to the classroom. They keys can be really loud especially for those of us who type very quickly. I think laptops are just disturbing for everyone and I think it is ok for teachers not to allow them in their classrooms.

Blog #2 Software

There are many important things that students should learn about computers and many tools that they should learn how to use on computers. The most important one I think is

1 Word Processor (MS Word): I think this needs to be taught in early elementary school. This application is going to be the one that they use the most in the future so they should be very familiar with it.

2 Spreadsheets (MS Excel): Spreadsheets should be taught in the upper elementary school after students have a good grasp of MS Word.

3 Graphical Organizers: Students should learn this in elementary school also. Students would be able to benefit from this application it could do a lot for their learning.

4 Presentation Software (MS Power Point): I think students should be learning this in middle school. This is the time when student will be doing more projects so they would benefit from knowing how to use the power point application.

5 Imaging Software (iPhoto): Students should learn about this probably in later middle school or early high school. This was the time, at least for me, that I was actually taking more pictures and going on more trips so being able to use imaging software would be a great assest.

Online Learning

I really like online learning. This is my first class that I have had and I really like being able to work at my own speed. I also like that we are able to see other people's idea's and opinions with the discussion groups. I would take another online class, if it was set up like this one, although I don't know what other kind of class that this would work for.

Ed 205 assignment

To me it seems odd that new teachers are coming out of college at basically the same place technologically speaking that older teachers were when they finished college. I have always figured that being in college would teach me how to use all the different ways that I could use technology in the classroom. But since I have started a Ed Technology class this semester, I have come to realize how much you can actually use technology in the classroom. I think that there should be a class or that professors should let us know about how to use technology in the classroom. This knowledge would be really beneficial to us as well as our future students because we are always looking for new and interesting and fun ways to teach students new information.
Brianna205

http://preilly.wordpress.com/2008/01/30/new-teachers-coming-to-transform-our-schools/#comment-9958