Artifact 1

10.6: "Locate, evaluate, and select appropriate teaching/learning resources and curriculum materials for the content area and target audience, including computer based products, videotapes and discs, local experts, primary documents and artifacts, texts, reference books, literature, and other print source."

12.1: "Develop performance tasks that require students to (a) locate and analyze information as well as draw conclusions and (b) use a variety of media to communicate results clearly."

13.1: "Use media and technology to address differences in children's learning and performance."

Context:

     This artifact required 4 different steps. The first step was to view 6 different pieces of educational software and take notes about the products. I noted the strengths and weaknesses of the products, I gave a brief description of the product and I gave the product a ranking and a recommendation.
     The second part of this artifact required me to put the information I noted into a database. After I put the information in the database I ran a sort on the database. I printed out a copy of one of my sorts.
     The final step fro this artifact was for me to put a filter on the information in the database. I used several filters and then I printed out one of the filtered pages.
     I researched several different databases and I used sorts and filters on all of these databases. The point was to use sorts and filters in order to answer questions about the information in the database.

Impact:

I will have to use educational software in my classroom. I will need to know about the educational software available and I will have to rank it by appropriateness and usefulness. I will have to know how to make a database in order to classify information. Using sorts and filters will allow me to be able to clearly see the information I need for specific categories.
I will be able to challenge my students to answer questions about the information in the databases. I will do this by having them answer a series of questions about the information. The questions will go in a sequence from easy questions up to more difficult questions.

Alignment:

    This artifact aligns with competencies 10.6, 12.1 and 13.1. This artifact taught me how to locate and evaluate educational software. This skill aligns with competency 10.6.
     This artifact aligns with competency 12.1. This artifact requires the students to answer questions about the database by using sorts and filters.
      This artifact aligns with competency 13.1. This artifact aligns with this competency by allowing the students to use different programs to improve their education. Students need different programs to benefit their learning. This artifact mad me aware of the different software that students need in order to succeed.

      This artifact aligns with Intasc Principles 1,3,7 and 9. The teacher has to have a firm grasp on the subject area in order to successfully evaluate the software (Principle 1). Once, the teacher finds an adequate program he or she can provide the students with a proper learning experience with the software (Principle 1).
   This artifact provides the teacher with a different way to teach the material. Some students may need to use a computer program before he or she can develop an understanding for the material (Principle 3).
   The teacher will have to pick software that correlates with the subject matter the students are working on in class (Principle 7). The software needs to be appropriate for both the content and for the age group of the students (Principle 7).
   The teacher needs to continue to evaluate new software. The teacher will expand his or her knowledge of the available resources that he or she can use for the benefit of his or her students (Principle 9).