Competency 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 sources.
Competency 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.
Competency 13.1: Use media and technology to address differences in children’s learning and performance.
Context
I looked at 6 different pieces of software in a group and made notes about the software as we rotated around the room. At each station we took time to review the software, play with it and try to assess it. As a group we discussed the helpfulness/usefulness of the software in the classroom. We all took turns using the computers to navigate through the games. I used Microsoft Works to make a database about the information I gathered about the software. I included the software’s publisher, a description of the software and appropriate age level. I also included the objective of the game, it’s strengths and weaknesses and gave it a rating from 1-5. The rating depended on my decision to recommend it to others and it’s usefulness in the classroom. After completing the database I sorted the software by title, and did a filter to find all software with a rating greater than 3. I printed out the sort and the filter.
Impact
As a teacher I will be responsible for choosing appropriate software for my students to use in my classroom. I now know how to choose good software and I can use a database to sort information.
Alignment
This database aligns with competency 10.6 because I developed a computer software database that included age/grade levels. I reviewed CD’s that were content specific, like Math and English, to use in a classroom setting and therefore, have met competency 12.1. I met competency 13.1 because I used various software that will work with a variety of different learning styles. INTASC principle 3 was met by realizing that students differe in their approaches to learning and creating instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.