For this assignment, I would
have liked to have taken a closer look into some of the software and hardware
my district provides. This proved to be a little difficult since
we are currently in the final stages of replacing all our school computers
with new IMacs. Most of the computers are up and running, but all
our software has not been installed or placed into the CD tower for our
network. This is due in part to our effort to establish our own server.
Our superintendent and technology coordinator have put a hold on the full
installation of all our software and networking until all changes throughout
the district are complete.
I chose to evaluate two software
programs that are installed on our network and are accessible to my fifth
grade students. I also chose three web sites that might be useful
supplementary resources for my fifth grade students.
1) Inspirations
This software program, produced by Inspiration Software Inc., will prove to be a valuable resource for the students and staff throughout my district. This program is a K-12 visual learning tool that allows students to build concept maps, diagrams, and outlines. This program arranges information into a variety of graphic organizers and allows for creativity with the types of designs, symbols, and graphics used. One feature the program offers is a ‘rapid fire’ that allows for quick entry of ideas. Another feature of this software that will be particularly useful to our fifth graders is the ease with which one can move from a concept map or web to an outline format and vice versa. When the information is in an outline format, the program allows the addition of notes from one sentence to multiple paragraphs in length. The program has an extensive tutorial for assistance and is easy to navigate to find the help on specific aspects of the program.
Along with this program, you may purchase an interactive training CD-ROM may be purchased for $24.95. This CD contains an introduction to visual learning, a step-by-step tutorial for creating concept maps, and classroom examples of implementation of this program. The web site http://www.inspiration.com also contains a range of information for assistance, sample lesson plans, and examples of use within classrooms.
Inspirations will benefit my students this year as we learn how to outline information and write formal research reports from outlines.
2) Hyperstudio
This software program, produced by Roger Wagner Publishing, Inc., is a software program that has been used within my district for a few years now. I have used it with the gifted programs I run and with some projects within the fifth grade curriculum I teach. I enjoy teaching and using this program with my students because of ease of instruction and navigation. It allows the use and combination of text, sound, graphics, video, and animation. In addition, data can be accessed on the Internet; movies may be created, and it has a built-in image capture. Web pages may easily be integrated into projects or may be used to display the work.
Another aspect of this program I enjoy is the flexibility in design. Students can create their own stacks or series of cards for their own project, or they can create one card to be placed in the stack with the cards of other students for one class project. This is one program I will continue to utilize with my classroom and suggest that you check it out for use within yours. One minor drawback is that animations availability is limited. For more information, you can check out the following site: http://www.hyperstudio.com .
3) American History Site
This web site, http://www.americanhistory.nu , is an excellent resource for my fifth grade class. It has been produced by an eighth grade class and includes extensive information and links that supplement my fifth grade social studies curriculum. The site includes information on the following topics: Three Worlds Meet, Colonization, Revolution and Nation Building, Westward Expansion, Civil War and Reconstruction, Emergence of Modern America, Depression and World War II, The Cold War, and America Today. This site also has an extensive listing of research sites, maps, timelines, links to related information, and links to many important historical documents. Each topic is broken down into many subtopics and is easy to navigate. This site will be used by my students throughout the year, especially when they are writing research reports and participating in a ‘living history’ program in the spring.
4) Salem Witch Trials
This web site, http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/salem.htm , is another useful resource to my fifth grade social studies curriculum. We take an extensive look at the colonization of the New World and spend a few days looking at the Salem Witch Trials. This is a topic that always peaks the curiosity of my students, and they have never-ending questions about this element of our nation’s history. This site will be useful in providing additional information on: the chronology of events, Cotton Mather’s Memorable Providence, Biographies of the individuals involved in the trials, Arrest Warrants, Examinations and Evidence, Petitions of Governor Phips, Petitions for Compensation, a variety of pictures and images, and information on The Crucible. Although I believe this site will be useful for my students, they will need to be familiarized with the Salem Witch Trials before I introduce them to this site.
5) Fourteenth Regiment, NYSM, Co. E
This web site, http://users.erols.com/am14nysm/history.html , provides information on the Fourteenth Regiment involved in our nation’s Civil War. Although this site was slow in loading, I enjoyed navigating its various pages. Each page offered information, pictures, and related music. The topics offered relate to the Fourteenth Regiment’s are: the origin of the regiment, marching off to war, the first battle at Bull Run, the second battle at Bull Run, South Mountain and Antietam, the battles at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, the wilderness and Spotsylvania, and Other Wars and Today. This site will be a useful supplement in providing information on a regiment that is often overlooked in the history books.