Lesson Three Word Processing and Databases

This week we read over documents about proper uses of word processing software and databases in the classroom.  Word Processing software has come a long way from creating letters and essays.  Word processors can now create flyers utilizing graphs, images and different types of text to create an interesting document that make the reader drawn to complete the work.  Databases are very useful tools that help provide insight on students if used properly among teachers across grades.  You can use databases when collecting thoughts for higher order thinking problems and group ideas to help students understand the content better.  We need to be utilizing this technology to the fullest because as we studied over the digital Bloom's Taxonomy we can see how technology is becoming synonymous with higher understanding.  We don't want to just have students type of papers, but make real products that could be used in the real world.  

Through our tech explorations I learned so much more about text to speech software which I had never really even used before, but could be very useful tools for students who have trouble with their vision and with students that don't like to read or type as well.  The DSpeech software could basically make any text that I placed in the box into words in english and other languages as well.  This would certainly help educators with students who don't understand english very well.  I learned more about the reading text software on my own computer and orally presented a paragraph that came up with little mistakes in a text box.  I learned that webquests are much more than online tasks for students to complete.  True webquests that will benefit students will have higher order thinking questions that will ask them to analyze data and make inferences based upon their analysis and present it in a fashion you may see in the real world.  

When asked to think about documents that I would present to students and parents I immediately thought of the negative parts of my documents.  Many times the documents would appear bland, only in black and white with little body to it other than bullets and boxes for lessons presented within the month.  I didn't really even send out much information to parents.  I would post information up on my teacher webpage, but did little else in the way for making flyers or newsletters for parents.  However I also understand that you don't want to make letters that are cluttered with useless tech.  The main thing to do is make your letter look professional and thoughtful so parents and students want to read the contents without getting distracted by pictures or strange fonts.  The Image to the right is an example of how I would use word processors to create professional looking flyers as an introduction to students and parents and to express my expectations for the class.  I see more clearly now how word processors can be useful tools to keep students and parents informed.  When they are informed they have opportunities to make better decisions that will help them succeed in the classroom.