Databases

Databases:
I never heard about databases until class. I thought a database was learning the inner workings of a computer. After learning what a database was and how it was used I now ask my friends if they know how to use databases of if they even know what one is. This tool would definitely be useful in the classroom. You can use a database to get to know your students or even to find out how effective your teaching is. I would love to use databases in my classroom. I thought it was very helpful that you can create a survey to protect the privacy of the students because that to very important. I also really liked that your could not only have the data, but also make that data into a visual representation which is usually easier for students to understand and can better help decipher your findings. Databases are a good way to stay organized as a teacher and get the students involved with technology. As a teacher you could teach the students how to use databases such as inspirdata so create graphs of scientific finds or simply make a survey and analyzing the information for patterns. Databases are a good tool for teachers and I can't wait to use it in the classroom.

Wiki and Bridging the Digital Divide

The Wiki seems like it would be very useful in the classroom or as a school. A Wiki is a secure place for children to work on a project and for communication between teachers, parents and students. I am very interested in learning more about Wiki's. During the explaination of Wiki's I was taking the midterm which I thought was not so hard, but I realized shortly afterward that I had forgotten to do something. Another difficulty that I ran into during the midterm was my computer screen froze not allowing me to finish and then when I fixed it part of it was gone and I had to redo it. I love technology, but this was pretty frustrating.

"Bridging the Digital Divide," when I first read that I thought to myself what in the heck does that mean, but when I read the article it became more clear. The article was very interesting and really gave the teachers and schools suggestions for making technology more available in the classroom and to the student in labs. There are so many students that do not have access to technology because of various reasons such as race, income, etc. Technology enhances education so much that it is well worth it for schools to find a way to make them available to students as well as teachers. One of the most touching quotes to me said, "In addition, labs reinforce the idea that computers are simply 'extra' or 'special' instead of an integral part of the learning process." This is so true I remember growing up and at school going to the computer labs every once in a while and my teacher would base it on behavior. This was really hurtful to me because I was always good, but my classmate had some problems. It is very important to make technology a part of the learning process because it make learning more interactive and students need the use of a computer under there belts to go out into the today's world.