Week Seven

In week seven, I have learned some new information in the world of technology that I did not realize existed.  Like with educational software there are many forms such as:

• Drill-and-practice software, which gives the students immediate feedback, but does not however teach then new ideas.
• Problem Solving software, which challenges students, based on the concepts they already know.
• Creative software, which challenges students to explore and make connections on their own.
• Tutorial software, which walks the students through what they are learning
• Simulation software, which allows students to experience situations

I feel we need all these forms of software and they all work together to form some of the best site for students to use to improve their skills.

The brain discussion was quite interesting and provokes me to want to learn more.  On a video I was watching online I learned that through video gaming the gray matter in our brains are showing growth and it is sparking all kinds of creativity and motivation for students.  It is amazing to think that the video games that many say are horrible for children and the kids spend too much time on are increasing the Fluid intelligence of our children.  The brain is so amazing and I do not know that we will ever have a full understanding of all the possibilities of it.

With the technology explorations I found piclits and historypin to be my favorites.  When I think about it, they are quite similar and share a common bond.  They bond are pictures and we create our own interpretation of them.  On piclits we can write on the pictures whether it be one sentence, one word, or a poem and use the picture as the background to help with understanding.  With historypin on the other hand, we can compare how the world is changing in so many different ways and see the world through the lens of someone else.