Discussion 10.4

I decided to choose the Make-A-Story software. I actually went on the website and was really entertained. I felt like a little kid clicking and making the story different. You can choose several silly options that each character goes through. If i enjoyed it, I know my students will as well. The software actually reads the story so students can listen to how words are pronounced and spelled. This would come in handy on my English class. They can also select different languages and do the same thing.

My students would use this software in class as a way of breaking out of the routine and incorporating something that the students would enjoy doing but that they learn from it as well. They could use this software when we are discussing spelling and grammar. I could also use it if i decide to also teach a Spanish class so that students can benefit from this exercise and learn some new words. I think it is a great tool that can be used in many different ways. Since it pronounces every word, students can also benefit on diction and pronunciation. I could incorporate this in my classroom when I am either giving a class on verbs, pronouns, adjectives depending on which of the two languages I decide to teach.

Disc 9.4

Timeliner

I chose software number 4 which is Timeliner. This software allows you to create timelines using texts and pictures. I think this is a great tool to use in the classroom if teachers want to emphasize on a certain time period. Students can create their own timelines so they can understand exactly how a timeline works. Plus it would probably be more exciting for them to look for pictures on how they use to be and see themselves growing to the level they are in right now.

Students would be the primary users of this software but teachers could also use it. They can use it to explain the life of a famous writer and when were their most famous works published. We could also use it to explain the time of ocurrences on a novel. They could also use it if they have a favorite character just so we can make the assignment more exciting for them. Timelines can be used so that visual learners have another way to learn a material instead of always hearing the teacher talk or write it on the board. Having that software makes class more interesting for everybody.

Discussion 9.1

I chose the category number 3 which is the Virtual Field Trip. I think this is a great resource because since as how the economy is right now, students and teachers can benefit from a virtual field trip without having to spend so much money on a field trip. While doing an actual field trip is a whole different experience, at least doing a virtual can help you get the point across. You can dress up or ask your students to dress up too. You can decorate the classroom as if it were a jungle, have a radio playing jungle sounds and give a tour of the Amazon. That way, kids can still learn and be entertained and also not have to leave the classroom.

Other options you can use is just have the virtual tour on the classroom. Some websites actually allow you to create the tour yourself. I think that i can take my students on a virtual tour to an art museum, an interesting or exotic country. There are more places that I can take them as well. I think that if you have enough creativity, students can enjoy the virtual tour just as much as an actual one. Some advantages of a virtual one is of course the fact that you're not spending as much money as you would with an actual trip. There are safety precautions because they are always on your sight. Some disadvantages are that the experience might be better if it is in person, so that students can have a different experience instead of being in the classroom all the time.