When I got home today, I immediately began work on installing Internet protection on the laptop. I am simply not sure how long it is going to take to solve the problem on the beast (our 2 year old desktop). I felt that prepping the laptop would serve our family faster and be better in the long run.
So, here I am, typing a blog post on the laptop! The keyboard is less friendly, but the results are all that truly matter.
I told another teacher about my computer problems at home and she commented that the only computer she has is her school computer. She takes it home when she needs to, which is rarely. She said they don't have much need for it at home. I told her that is because her kids are still small. When they get to Junior High and High School, that changes. We have two home computers and that still feels like it is not enough!
Education has changed drastically from what is was. I think the changes are for the better.
Will uses an online link to record and score his baritone scales at home and submit it to his teacher for posting on his grade. The program shows him what he played overlapped over the correct notes so he can see where his mistakes are. Green notes are correct, red notes are not. It also has a built in tuner to help him get accurate pitch.
Helena, as I mentioned in the last post, used the computer for online prep tests to be scored and submitted to the teacher before end of year testing in Biology.
Both kids use a program called GoMy Access (I know, dumb name) to type, revise, analyze, score, and submit writing assignments for their English classes. It is the most powerful writing tool I have ever seen! I wish I had it when I was their age! It can help them set goals in organization, conventions, voice, and other areas of writing. The teacher can set it up so that they can submit for analysis as many times as they need before a final submit for grades.
Will submitted a blog presentation for his final novel portfolio in English this year.
Both kids have made numerous PowerPoint presentations for many different classes.
And, of course, in Junior High and High School, the teachers are up to the day on reporting grades on Powergrade, an online grade book that parents and students can access. Elementary teachers use Powergrade, too, but they are notorious for letting grades go unsubmitted for long periods of time.
So, when my friend and fellow teacher finds her kids in secondary education, I know she will be looking around for computers for them. It will only intensify from here on out!
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