Artifact 6

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 disc, 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

In Foundations 3100, Classroom Use For Microcomputers, we looked at two different software, "Paintbrush" and "Where in the USA is Carmen San Diego" and evaluated them and put the information into a paper database with categories such as title, description, strengths, etc... Then we broke up into groups and evaluated four more software. THen using Microsoft WOrks I put my information from my paper database and sorted the database to alphabetize by title. I then did a filter, which limits the sort to a specific type, for all software published by Microsoft.

Impact

I will be using software in my classroom; I want to be able to use software that is appropriate and educational.

Alignment

Database of Software Evaluation aligns with Competency 10.6 - I looked at CD's that were appropriate for preschool through adulthood. As a future NC public school teacher I now have a list of some software appropriate for the grades that I will be licensed to teach.

Competency 12.1 - I used an electronic encyclopedia as a resource, Encarta Africana. As a future NC public school teacher, I will use this database as a future resource.

Competency 13.1 - CD's are an effective way of teaching in a varying teaching style. Software addresses Children's ;earning styles because it is very interactive.

This artifact meets INTASC principle 3. By reviewing several different pieces of software, I am prepared to create diverse lessons to accommodate to all of my students. The classroom is full of many different learning types and the classroom teacher should adjust their teaching strategies to accommodate for these students.