Chapter 8 focused on how students can design different types of things using the technologies in their classroom. The chapter first introduced the CAD system where students can create layouts of different areas and also put together different types of shapes to create a figure. The chapter then talks about how students can create games and simulations using different software, such as Scratch. Then, the chapter goes into composing music on the computer, which I want to get in to later.
I am very unfamiliar with using programs such as CAD or Pro/DESKTOP to design or build architectural things. I would probably not use this type of technology in my classroom with my students, and it would probably be more suited for students in upper-middle school and high school. I could also see this technology being useful at a Vocational school to be taught as a skill.
To reflect a little bit about students building games in the classroom, using such software like Scratch, I think that it is something that I would most certainly use with my students. I want to teach 4th grade eventually and think that it is a great outlet for students to be creative, especially since there may not be art and music in the schools by the time I look for a job (which makes me sad!). In the class the other day when we were discussing the use of this program, I felt as though many of the other girls in the class did not want to use it because they were almost afraid of it and think that because they may not be able to do it, a 2nd grader won’t be able to either.
To bring up a commercial that has been on recently, PCs have been advertising the fact that a 4 and 7 year old can use these computers and the technologies that go along with them, and I see no reason why a younger elementary student couldn’t use SCRATCH.
To move on slightly, I was intrigued that the book included music software, where students could learn to “compose” their own music. I have always had a passion for music and was a Music Education major at my old college before switching my major to transfer to UF. Because of program cuts in the creative and performing arts areas in schools these days, I think that it is VERY important for teachers to compensate for these programs in any way that they can. Having software where students can play around with music and different types of instruments on the computer is a great way for them to even be introduced to it without having an actual music teacher. I plan on incorporating music a lot in my classroom and finding out that these soft wares are available is great news to me.
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