Lindsey's Slide show

Tania's Test Data Slideshow

National Educational Resource

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data related to education. The site reports data snapshots in educational issues varying from the percent of American Indian eighth grade students indicate that they plan to go to college, to an overview of teacher compensation. An interesting study published followed the first-grade class of 1999-2000 who had progressed to eighth grade in the 2006-07 school year, it examined mathematics performance at the end of eighth grade by algebra enrollment and other characteristics.
This website provides access to national level education data. Although it just provides a summary of the data, it does provide descriptions of the study. Other information provided included data tools, figures, tables, and surveys.


hcl.harvard.edu

Mod 5

Mod 7 Websites Providing Test Data from National, State and Local Educational Resources

Data Center:Impact Research for Social Justice is a web page created to give users information and tools about test data. This page offers many things that may be useful to a teacher using test data in her classroom. There is extra links provided on this page that maybe helpful to teachers. Data center for learning also offers feedback for teachers, from teachers who have used test data in their classroom as well as comments and concerns about websites that others have used. Also presented is information pertaining to others states, which teachers from all over could use and compare when using their own information hey have collected.
Information about other things pertaining to the classroom are also posted on this cite.Such as General Information sources and Search able databases. This is a web page I would recommend to teachers who have questions about which web pages to browse and use when searching for test data for educational purposed. I think not only is it a good page to look over, but a page that may benefit those who are unaware of how to use test data and apply it to their everyday use.

http://www/datacenter.org/research/education.htm

Mod 5 As an Educator How can You Evaluate Software and Hardware tools Used for Instructional Purposes

The Common Wealth of Learning is a great webpage designed and created to assist teachers using media sources in the classroom.This webpage is specifically designed to define learning objectives and how to incorporate technology correctly.This page gives the user valuable information such as learning objectives that work and learning objectives that do not work in the classroom. It allows the user good reading information to apply when collecting sources for their own lessons.Teachers may find this webpage extremely helpful when planning out learning objectives.Not only does this webpage offer great support, but also answers questions that a teacher may have when working on learning objectives.This webpage is a great tool for teachers who may have trouble coming up with learning objectives in their lesson plan.
Common Wealth of Learning not only offers clear and concise information about learning objectives, but also gives great information about copyrighting and licensing. This webpage also offers feedback as well as case studies for teachers to view. This is absolutely a webpage I would recommend to any teacher, new or old. This is a page that teachers could learn from and apply to their everyday lesson plans.Common Wealth of Learning offere teachers simple guidelines that they can use when trying to reach all different types of learners. Definitely, a webpage that should be looked over and applied while in the classroom.

http://www.col.org/resources/publications/trainingresources/knowledge/Pages/designLO.aspx

Test Data Slideshow

Test Data from Georgia State Department of Education

The Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT)

Stacie Staple

Since I am from Georgia and I graduated from a Georgia public high school this testing data is somewhat important and personal for me. The purpose of the GHSGT is to provide information and statistics on the strengths and areas that need improvement for Georgia High School. The passing of the all sections of the test is required for graduation and the issuance of a diploma.

If you are unable to pass the test which include subject areas in english/ language arts, math, science, social studies and a writing assessment, but have met all other graduation requirements, rather than a diploma the student will be issued a “Certificate of Performance;” however the student may retake the test an infinite number of times after the issuance of a Certificate of Performance has been issued to earn a diploma.

From a students that was required to take and pass the test and now as an adult conducting research on the test; I find the test very valuable and beneficial. It is a great tool to measure the overall academic success of the students as well as provide accountability methods for administrators to access the educators. The GHSGT was found to meet nationally recognized professional and technical standards for assessment programs.

http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/ci_testing.aspx?PageReq=CI_TESTING_GHSGT

Sean's Test Data Slideshow

Sean's Post on Test Data for Educators

The website CCSSO: School Matters, provides valid statistical data on public schools all over the U.S. While viewing the site, one can input the name of a school, search for data on all local schools in the area, or even compare statistics between two schools at the same time in order to gain a greater knowledge of the achievements of various schools in America. This website is an excellent source for educators to view basic and overall test data for nearby schools that one may be interested in.

Once a school is chosen for data analysis, the website provides the following ratings: overall quality, teacher quality, extracurriculars, school safety, after school programs, as well as special needs programs. State scores for the subjects of reading and math are also provided and the proficiency of these test scores over the past five years is given in the form of a line graph. In addition to test scores, classroom profile data is also given in regards to the student per teacher ratio, enrollment total, and the various ethnicity percentages throughout the entire school.

schoolmatters@ccsso.org

Kasey Vice: Test Data Slideshow

Kasey Vice: Websites Providing Test Data from National, State, and Local Educational Resources

The National Center for Educational Statistics conducts the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the Nation’s Report Card, which provides feedback of student assessment throughout the United States. The NAEP assesses students in various subject areas such as mathematics, reading, science, writing, the arts, civics, economics, geography, and U.S. history. The test used for the given subject area is uniform throughout the country and changed only ever so slightly to ensure that the results show academic progress successfully.

The NAEP link also informs that state assessments began in the 1990’s and only test in four major subject areas: mathematics, reading, writing, and science for fourth and eighth graders in public schools only (both public and private schools are assessed nationally). The results of state assessments can be viewed using the “State Profiles tool” located at this website.

http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/

Kayla's Class Average Graph

Kayla's Two Websites

The first website I looked into was Bay Con Group tutorials. This website was great, not only great for beginners but it also has tutorials for people who know all the basics about the programs already and just need more advanced help. I thought by far this was the best website because it really went into depth on how to do what you needed to do, and it also had directions on how to go back in later and fix something that was already completed. The information provided in the tutorials is also very easy to understand so it would be great for students to use with out an adult around to explain everything.

http://www.baycongroup.com/tutorials.htm

The second website I looked at was Internet 4 Classrooms and this website would be very good to have your students use when they need help with something specific within each program. It has shortcuts through the three different programs so that you can go to the specific part of the program you need to and just learn how to do one thing instead of using the whole program.

www.internet4classrooms.com/on-line2.htm

Kasey Vice's Two Websites

Internet4Classrooms:

This website was very educational in guiding a computer user to success in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It lays out the different features you can use depending on if the user has a Windows PC or a Macintosh. In addition, it gives you options for tutorials based on your prior knowledge; for example if you are a beginner or advanced.

http://www.internet4classrooms.com/on-line.htm

Microsoft Office Tutorials and Resources

This website provides users with an array of options to expand their Microsoft Office knowledge for students as well as teachers. For Excel it provides links for tutorial videos and provides explanations for certain ideas such as, “What is a spreadsheet?”. The PowerPoint option teaches users little tricks to make your project easier, and the Word link provides users with the knowledge of how to accomplish projects like making a newspaper in the program.

http://rmtc.fsdb.k12.fl.us/tutorials/office.html#word

Kasey Vice Excel Worksheet

Precious Sweeting Excel Worksheet

Precious Sweeting Tutorials for Using Word, PowerPoint and Excel in K-12 Classrooms

http://www.internet4classrooms.com/on-line_excel.htm

This website gives shortcuts, and instructions for using Excel on Macintosh and Windows. It is extremely detailed and offers a great tutorial for new users or those who may not know how to do a certain task. This website provides a generous amount of information especially designed for students and would be great to use in the classroom.

http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech013.shtml

This website provides an overview of what assignments PowerPoint would be useful with. The author also created a tutorial that new users could view to get lessons to use the system successfully. The website also provides links to other sites that would be helpful when using PowerPoint.

Tutorial Sites

Two Online Sites that deal with using Word, PowerPoint and Excel in the Classroom

Using PowerPoint in the Classroom

This tutorial presents some interesting ways PowerPoint can be used in the classroom. Topics include: using recycled presentations, presentations for parents, presentations for instruction, and creative presentation ideas. The tutorial stresses the reusing of the presentations and enhancing them year to year by adding new and current graphics, animation or sound. This leads to more flexible and organized lessons.

www.online.tusc.k12.al.us/tutorials/pptclass/pptclass.htm

Technology Tutorials found on the Web
This site was a compilation of sites one could go to for a tutorial dealing with not just PowerPoint, Word and Excel, but programs such as kidspiration and iMovie. It seemed to be the most comprehensive source of information that I clicked on, that dealt with tutorials for programs used in the classroom.

www.internet4classrooms.com/on-line2.htm

Tania's Excel Work

Stacie Staple Excel Worksheet

Word, PowerPoint, and Excel Tutorials

The first website entitled: "Technology Tutorials at Internet 4 Classrooms," provides useful and instructional tips on how to access and properly maneuver either Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, or Word. If one chooses to gain knowledge with a tutorial on excel, powerpoint, or word, they can simply click on that specific application and then observe written instructions in regards to basic, moderate, or advanced options depending upon how far in-depth they want to learn about the application.
http://www.internet4classrooms.com/on-line_powerpoint.htm

The second website entitled: "Microsoft Office Tutorials and Resources," dives right into an instructional means in order to teach one about Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, or Word. This website provides instructional video as a means to visually display tutorials on how to properly navigate through excel, powerpoint, or word, causing this website to be a more effective tool in tutoring those wanting to learn such applications.
http://rmtc.fsdb.k12.fl.us/tutorials/office.html#excel

Sean Stathas Excel Worksheet

Mod 6 Two Websites Providing Tutorials for Using Word, PowerPoint and Excel in K-12 Classrooms

• GuidesandTutorials.com is an extremly helpful webpage designed and created to assist teachers in the classroom. Not only does this webpage supply accessible links to other helpful cites, it also supplys general knowledge and feedback from teachers who have used this webpage before.This webpage also provides the user with examples and step by step directions as how to use Microsoft products correctly.This is absolutely a webpage that I would suggest to a user who may be technologically challenged.

http://www.guidesandtutorials.com/podcasting-in-education.html

• Learning Light e-Learning Centre is a great webpage for those who have trouble understanding and using Microsoft products. This page allowers the user access to tutorials, reviews, materials, and further information on Microsoft products. This webpage also allows for users to reply and leave feedback with their own experiences.This webpage also offers extra perks such as a bookshop and a newsletter. This is a cite that teachers can use in the classroom, as well as to outline an online course. I would highly recommend this cite to teachers as well as a student who would want to broaden their knowledge in this product.

http://archive.e-learningcentre.co.uk/eclipse/resources.usingms.htm

Stacie

How to Evaluate Software and Hardware Tools for Instructional Purposes

Choosing software and hardware for instructional purposes is very important for the overall success of a lesson in my opinion. If what is chosen is not the best possible choice, students can become confused, inattentive, and discouraged. Because there are many programs to choose from it is best to have a clear idea on how to evaluate them closely so that the instructor can make the best choice possible.

When deciding on software, hardware and/or programs for instructions it would not be a bad idea to read the reviews. These are usually written by people that have actually used the product and of course first hand knowledge and word of mouth can be the best source of evaluation when deciding on anything. But when reading reviews make sure to consider the source; who is the reviewer, is it detailed specifically the likes and dislikes, and is the reviewer sponsored by the product. Also, when evaluating it is best to consider the content, technical/format considerations such as who does the content address and is the content compatible and easy to install. Furthermore, it is a good idea to have listed areas of evaluations that are important to you, the instructor such as:

Overview: Age Level, Program Objectives, Prerequisite Skills and Cost
Information Presentation: Functional Areas, Consistency and Visual Appeal
Instructional Aspects: Feedback, Use of Student Input and Levels of Difficulty
Motivational Aspects: Student Appeal, Interaction, Learner Control, and Ease of Use
Productivity Aspects: Sound Tools, Video Tools, Spelling/Grammar and Color Options

Source: http://eduscapes.com/earth/management/softevaluation.html

Stacie Staple

Evaluating Software and Hardware

Websites for Evaluating Software for Classroom Purposes

Websites for Evaluating Software for Classroom Purposes

By, Kayla Sherwood

• http://www1.american.edu/IRVINE/eval.html

I thought this site was probably the best one of all the ones that I had looked at because it was the most in depth on how to tell whether or not you should purchase a software, and what you should be looking into before you even consider a specific software.

• http://www.glencoe.com/sec/teachingtoday/educationupclose.phtml/30

I found that this website had great information on how to tell whether or not software’s would be good for your classroom based on the types of computers and the ability of the hard drives your computers have. I also really liked the chart that this site had to show what kinds of “System” is good for that type of software and which is not.

• http://people.uncw.edu/martinf/edn303online/modules/Module7_Evaluating%20Educational%20Technology.ppt.

I thought this PowerPoint was very helpful and I really liked the way it broke down all the different types of software’s that can be used on the computer and all the different things that can be done with in these software’s. I also liked how it gave specific directions on how you should go about purchasing a software.

Evaluating Software for your Classroom

With an increasing ability for teachers and educators to access all different types of educational software’s, it’s a more difficult process for one to choose between all the software’s. “According to Teaching Today- Education Up Close” There are some issues that the educator should take into consideration before deciding which software they are going to be using. These issues are, the requirements the computers will need to meet in order to run the software, age level of the students using the software, how much time will be needed for students to complete the program, and most importantly how much the software will cost. Then once you have determined whether or not the program fits your needs you either move on to the next one and go through the issues again with the new one or you keep the original software and go more in depth with it.

You now must see if it fits your needs, and the needs of your students. You must check the contents of the software make sure it is clear and to the point and your students will understand what it’s asking of them. Then you have to make sure the criteria is age appropriate, the text is understandable, are the functions provided easy to use, and are the graphics clear and on target with the topics being learned. You should also make note on what parts of the software are actually acceptable to be discussed in a classroom. Last but not make sure the software will work properly with the technology provided in your class room, will it freeze your computers, will it run slow or maybe not even work, or are the technical problems easy to deal with. Once you are a hundred percent sure this is the software for you and your students it is safe to purchase it. If you are not one hundred percent sure this is the right software for you, keep looking till you find the perfect one.

http://www.glencoe.com/sec/teachingtoday/educationupclose.phtml/30

Precious Sweeting: Evaluating software and hardware tools used for Instructional purposes.

When deciding to use software and hardware tools in a classroom it is important to make sure that the tools you are using are effective. Even though there are many programs and pieces of technology that may help students, there are limitations on these forms of technology. Because of these limitations there are several ways to evaluate whether or not a form of software or hardware will be useful in your classroom. Some ways of evaluating software and hardware before using them in a classroom are speaking to other teachers about the software, reading the documentation that comes with the technology, and any reviews that have come with it.

Even those these are good ways of evaluating hardware and software, these aren't going to determine whether they will be effective for your students. When using hardware or software it is important to have discussions that go along with those lessons, this way to enhance the actual understanding and application of the lesson that is being taught. This also provides an evaluation as to whether or not the students are actually learning from the forms of technology provided to them.

http://www1.american.edu/IRVINE/eval.html

Kasey Vice Word Doc

Kasey Vice: Evaluating and Choosing Software

With the rise in the availability of education software, educators may find it stressful to narrow down the choices to what program will be most influential in their classroom. The Literacy Assistance Center, as mentioned in the article, serves to help educators determine which software meets their educational goals. This assistance center serves educators by asking them some important questions. These questions consist of how large the student population is, what their instructional goals are, is there time to sit down and learn how to navigate the program before instruction takes place, is their tech support available, and what are the educator’s long term instructional goals when using this software.

The Literacy Assistance Center also advises educators to review recommendations made by other educators who have used the software in question before. They said it would be beneficial for the educator to put aside time to meet with other teachers and students and together try out the software in the same setting it will be used in. By doing this, educators can assess the benefits of the program before purchasing it for their school. If and when the software has been purchased, then educators need to become comfortable navigating the program before introducing it to their students.

http://www.lacnyc.org/resources/IT/evalsoftware.htm

Suggestions for Evaluating Software and Hardware Tools Used for Instructional Purposes

Many rubrics and manuals are available for evaluation of software and hardware programs and tools. However, many are geared to detail very technical facets of a piece of software. For the program to be deemed appropriate for ones classroom, "The selection process must be grounded on the principles of functional utility of the chosen software and not on the creation of ‘window dressing’" according to Smith and Vokurka. Doing your homework by consulting with other educators, and researching evaluations and reviews of the product would be the first step in selection. Searching in the school systems list of recommended software can lead to choosing an optimal program. It is most important for teachers to test the application by first using it themselves.


Posing a series of questions can determine if the program you are interested in follows the principles of learning. For instance, does the level of instruction match with the student’s age and level? Are there ranges of difficulty levels within the program? Is the program able to engage students, or will they become bored? Does the program provide students with an opportunity to apply the skills they have just learned to another setting? Basically, How does this program help us accomplish our goal?