Lab 01: Introducing AC230 and Describing Your Experiences with Technology

Description: Teachers have been using multimedia in the classroom for a long time. Showing films or videos, making posters, writing student newspapers, or editing yearbooks are staples of curriculum. But in today's world, there is more intense pressure for teachers to find ways to bring computers and technology into lesson plans. The Internet and the increasing availability of inexpensive multimedia technology has created an explosion of interest and opportunity in digital multimedia production for the classroom.

So, how can teachers keep up with the volatile field of multimedia technology? What are techniques for managing student-produced multimedia projects in the classroom? Are teachers wasting time teaching technology and not curriculum content? The goal of this class is to help you as a future teacher allay any fears of using unfamiliar technology by getting your hands on many of kinds of technology and learning to integrate these technologies into the classroom.

As an introduction to this course, let's look at your background with technology and test some basic skills.

Reading: Integrating Technology for Meaningful Learning, Chapter 1: pp. 3 – 37; Chapter 2: pp. 38 – 75
Applications/Equipment Used: Windows OS, Microsoft Word, Email
Skills: Word Processing, Emailing Attachments
Lessons: York Student Email Tutorial

Links

Technology and Teaching Sites
http://ali.apple.com/
http://www.ed.gov/technology/
http://www.nea.org/cet/
http://learnweb.harvard.edu/ent/home/
http://www2.edc.org/cct/
http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/mst/techmap/map.html

Media Resources Sites
http://www.classicalarchives.com/
http://www.clipartconnection.com/
http://nix.nasa.gov/
http://www.loc.gov/
http://webclipart.about.com/

Lab Procedure :

1. Answer the following questions in a Microsoft Word document. Be sure to include your name, email address, and the lab number at the top of the document.
2. Describe your first experience with using a computer. Was it confusing or exciting? Were you afraid of breaking the machine or making mistakes?
3. What do you find frustrating about using computers? And, what do you find difficult about using a new piece of software or a new piece of technology (i.e. - digital camera)?
4. What kinds of technology would you like to learn to use for lessons? And, what new skills do you think you'll need?
5. Pick one of the above linked Technology and Teaching websites. Describe one of the resources that the site provides teachers and how you might use it.
6. Pick one of the above linked Media Resources websites. Describe one of the resources provided and how you might use it.
7. Save your Word document, appropriately labeled with your last name and the lab number (Eg: jones_lab01.doc ). Send your word document as an email attachment to jenheuson@yahoo.com. The subject line of the email should give your name and the lab number (Eg: Jones Lab 01). You will not receive credit for labs missing your name AND lab number. Late labs will never receive more than 50% of the total points possible.