(Reminds me of a really nerdy computer science joke: There are ten kinds of people in this world, those who understand binary and those who don't.)
But, believe it or not, near the top of my list s good old Microsoft Word. If I can include the MathType add-on, that would seal the deal. You see, I use MS Word to create math test items. Regular, standard-aligned, standardized assessment is a top priority, and so far I haven't found anything to match the power and flexibility of the word processor. I have searched in vain for an adequate database tool, but none has the ability to insert the graphics and equations the way that I'd like. I've used ExamView for more language-based items, but in math, I need to insert graphics and equations as stems and distractors.
So I've designed an elegant little template for my math items to match that of the California Standards Test items.
I keep looking. In the meantime, Word works adequately.
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17 comments:
I agree that word is an effective simple way to display information. It can handle basic graphics and text which is all a math teacher may use. One of my favorites in high school was the graphing calculator projected onto a screen. It was a TI-83,TI-89, and the newest TI prototype, the inspiron. I found these calculators incredibly convenient for understanding the graphs of trigonometric functions and complex polynomials. The visualization makes the difference. Id like to find an online graphing calculator that works the same because I feel that visualization for understanding complex calculus as necessary.
I have been taking a visual communications class where we use in design. This is a really involved program where you can design text and combine things with photoshop to create really awesome layouts. It makes it really easy to combine pictures with text!
I'm old school and my favorite tool is the dictionary. I am constantly using the dictionary to look up words in the books I read, whether for school or pleasure. This is becoming even more technological because I never use the real dictionary. I often use Dictionary.com or the dictionary app on my iPhone. My favorite feature on my Kindle is the "look up" tool. It gives definitions of all the words in the line you select and it is so convenient because it's right in the Kindle.
The answer to the bonus is C.
One of my favorite tools is word processing because it is a lot easier to write out essays by typing it out. It is more legible and easier to correct. With word you can put in pictures and change the colors of the words. You can do so much in word that can help towards almost anything. It can help write almost anything. I use word all the time for my essays to write letters anything. It can show you what words that you type incorrectly and help correct spelling errors. I think that word processing is all around a great tool because it can do almost anything.
A new favorite tool of mine is google docs. I really like how you can collaborate with lots of people and share information instantly with people anywhere. Its also a great way to save work so you can access it again later and review and change things easily so that everyone has an up to date version.
The calculator is by far my all-time favorite tool. I was never very good at math, so my calculator came in handy. I hope to teach fourth or third grade, which is when we learn all of the things that are catagorized in the "automaticy" group. I hope to teach my students fun tips or tricks to remember simple math instead of relying on a calculator like I have.
One technology tool that I really like is google docs. It allows me to view assignments as well as schedules. It is very useful because I can view different weeks and see what other people post to get a better understanding of what is being taught. It is very helpful and organized and allows me to basically view all that is going on in a class.
Ali McMahon
As most useful to me,I would have to say any word processing software. I use it almost everyday whether it be for typing up an essay, copy and pasting a picture or quote, resizing a document to see it better, or writing for a journal or diary. It can be used for personal and professional use. It is a very simple software system, but the most useful to me.
On my mac I use a lot of little things that make things quick and easy for me to find. There are some different tools on my dashboard that make things easy. For example I have a tool to tell me the weather, movies nearby and showtimes, a calculator, and a dictionary. I just open up my dashboard and all this is at my fingertips. I also enjoy bookmarking. I bookmark anything and everything, that's interesting to me atleast. I organize them as to what is important to me at the time so they are most accesible. It makes getting to any site I might need wuick and easy.
Copy and paste is my favorite tool. It is awsome for revising papers, moving test around, not having to re-type things and pasting pictures into documents. At school it is helpful because I dont write my papers in order and if I didn't have cut, copy or paste it would take me way longer to get my thoughts in order and I would spend a lot of time typing and re-typing. It has taken away rough drafts in a way. At work it is effective when I am making lists or copying letters to people. Being able to repeat text with ease is awsome.
Copy and paste is my favorite tool. It is awsome for revising papers, moving test around, not having to re-type things and pasting pictures into documents. At school it is helpful because I dont write my papers in order and if I didn't have cut, copy or paste it would take me way longer to get my thoughts in order and I would spend a lot of time typing and re-typing. It has taken away rough drafts in a way. At work it is effective when I am making lists or copying letters to people. Being able to repeat text with ease is awsome.
My favorite software is the helpful Thesaurus option in Microsoft Word. Especially when writing essays, the Thesaurus Language Option helps me improve my writing and clarify my arguments. Ultimately, Thesaurus conveniently teaches me new vocabulary, while also making me sound more intelligent in academic essays or occupational emails.
A tool that I really like is the iCal (calendar) application on mac computers/laptops. It is a really good tool to keep me on top of things that I need to do everyday. It lets me highlight and use different colors on the fonts, which I think is really awesome because I like colorful things. It also saves me money because I don't have to go to a store to buy an actual planner. Typing the things I need to do on my calendar rather than taking out my planner, flipping through the pages, and writing down what I need to do is much more efficient and saves a lot of time.
My favorite tool is Google Docs (although I guess it is more software?). I like having the ability to upload a document and have everyone see it and be able to change and modify it. Additionally, Google has some interesting templates to aid in Powerpoint that are really cool and new to me.
I also like that I can easily open my mail; if I were using GoogleDocs in my classroom I could have students us gmail chat with each other or brainstorm ideas.
ps i think the answer to your math problem is A.
I feel that scientific calculators are very effective in classrooms. They allow a student to review their work and make sure that everything is correct. For example, on a math test, a student may do all the work by hand and check the work by using a calculator to make sure the answer is correct. Evidently, students are able to not second guess themselves and be more confident in their answers. Also, I agree that Microsoft Word is very effective because it consists of Powerpoint, which is very effective in displaying visuals and information in a clear and exciting way, and Excel, which allows students to create bar graphs, pie charts, etc.
I know that Paint document is old fashion compared to powerpoint, but I still prefer it over new software. I guess because it reminds me of old memories of using it as a kid, but there are some things paint can do that powerpoint can't. I know powerpoint is way more advanced, but it doesn't have the cool spray and paint pointer that paint document allows.
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