computer-assisted instruction and writing

Readingrockets
http://www.readingrockets.org/article/22028?theme=print
The articel is about computer-assisted instruction. It talks about how computer programs are interesting to children because the leassons are animated, and the websites have demonstrations that the children can follow. Students can work with the program at their own pace. It is good for students because they immediatly get freedback on their work. The program provides differentiated lessons to challenge students who are at risk, average, or gifted. It helps students with their writing skills. It good because it helps them learn the writing progress. The article also mentions programs such as kidspiration which is a great site for children because they are having fun while learning. It shows children pictures and colors of things they can relate too.

Education: Today and Tommorrow Video

It was an interesting video. Video shows that education back then prepares people to work in a factory. Today there is so much more technology out there to be used in our classrooms. Years ago they had to make do with tools such as books, flashcards, tape recorders, projectors and record players. I think classrooms need to be updated to have computers with internet access and educational software. Technology in our schools is a fundamental part of our growing educational needs that our students must have to achieve success in our society today.

My Access!

My access is a web-based instructional writing program that provides students the opportunity to develop their writing skills. It allows students to input their assignments into the computer. This guides them through the process of the assignments. It's good because sstudents recieve immediate feedback from the system about their writing. It gives the child motivation to improve writing. It scores the students writing skills. They also have access to a variety of tools such as a writer's checklist, that helps guide students through their writing process. There are scoring rubrics that students can use to self-assess their own writing. The system checks for grammatical errors, gives suggestions and also gives explantions of rules that help students improve tense sense and spelling. As a future teacher I would love to be able to have a program such as this because the students can benefit from it, especially multilingual and ELL students. I wish they had programs like this years ago to help enhance the learning of students. Today it is great to have all of these programs and technogies intergrated class. The students can use these programs to learn and grow and by applying what they learn in their future jobs and lives.