Assignment 7

My virtual tour is entitled The Tech Museum of Innovation Virtual Tour. The museum is located in San Jose, CA. This tour was created to target 9-12 grade students intrested in Technology. Many students have never travled out of their own state but they can vist the Tech Museum of Innovation by clicking on links I posted in my virtual field trip lesson plan. http://teachingandtechnology200.wikispaces.com/The+Tech+Museum+of+Innovation+

Computer Lab Seating Chart

One benefit for using Microsoft word you have a lot of customizable options in word. For example you can use clip art and other graphics. You can also use different fonts and colors

One limitation is that you may have to edit the chart in paint because you cannot paste a word document file in blogger. You will have to change the file to a jpeg image in the paint application

Assignment 5

Apple iMac 27-inch (3.1GHz, spring 2011)

•Problems with current System
As far as our current computers they are just too slow. The amount of RAM is nowhere near the requirements of the software that we want to use. There are no multiple USB Ports. There are no DVD drives on our current systems. The monitor resolution on the current systems is horrible and there is no way to adjust the brightness of the screen. Our printers print speed is not fast enough to print in a timely manner. The paper tray is not large enough so we have to continuously load paper. The digital projector only displays video not digital data. We can get by on the current computers and accessories but I think to further progress our student’s knowledge we need better equipment. The new printer will cut down the time it takes to print documents. The new projector will be able to display video and digital data. The resolution will be higher also so the picture will be of better quality then our current model.

•Recommendation
With a fast new second-generation Core i5 CPU, a high-end 3D card, and support for promising Thunderbolt high-bandwidth peripheral connection ports, the new, highest-end iMac has plenty to offer students and teachers in terms of performance and peripheral device flexibility. I think the iMac claims the industry bests in terms of its display and its design. I think this computer will benefit our students and the teachers using it. Load time will be cut down drastically and with the new software we will be able to do a variety of different of projects in school. I recommend the new iMac because of the OS X-based computer software and the alternative to choose the Microsoft Windows based software. I think the $1,999 Apple iMac remains one of the fastest, most attractive systems available. I think around 25 computers would be a sufficient amount of computers, that way all of our teachers will have these iMac computers in their classrooms. With the iMac computer systems I also propose some accessories to go with them. The list of accessories will be at the end of the proposal. The accessories are more of a need then a proposal which I stated above in the Problems with the current system.

•Pros
The new 27-inch iMac has the best performance among current all-in-ones systems, along with the largest display, the best design, and exciting potential from its Thunderbolt ports. It also takes up less room then a lot of other computers with it being an all-in-one system. Apple computers are much more secure than Windows PCs. Viruses, adware and malware designed for a Windows-based processor simply will not run on a Mac. The main reason for this is simply that there are much fewer Macs in use. People who make malicious software want to have it spread to as many people as possible and designing a virus for a Mac simply will not accomplish.

•Cons
Just like every computer there are cons but for the iMac they certainly can be overlooked. There are no built-in HDMI inputs for easy media component integration, and, as usual, custom hardware options for the iMac remain more expensive than those for its Windows-based competition. There are upgrade options when you buy a Mac, but unlike a Windows PC, you cannot mix and match components. The easiest way to upgrade a Mac is to buy a new one.

•Software
We would like to have the original software that comes with the Apple iMac (Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, safari, iLife, iWorks, etc.) We would also like a feature where when the desktop loads it gives students the option to use apple original software or to use Microsoft Windows the recommended software. Microsoft Windows is the recommended software because most of our written assignments will be turned in the Microsoft Word format. Microsoft Windows software will include Windows 7, internet Explorer, Windows Mail, Microsoft office, Microsoft works, Windows Live Movie Maker. In addition to these two original systems’ software we would like to include Mozilla Firefox, Dream Weaver, Flash Player, Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro, and Google Chrome. I think the introduction of some of these software applications will be very beneficial not only to our students but the teachers also.



Apple iMac 27-inch (3.1GHz, spring 2011) Accessories
• Wireless Apple Keyboard (included)
• Wireless Apple Mouse (included)
• HP Deskjet 3054 All-in-One Printers (J610a) ($99.95 each)
• NEC NP-M300X XGA (1024 x 768) LCD projector ($799)
• Extra Speakers (optional)

Assignment 3

Xavier Wilson

The first part of my cognitive test results was about Sensing and Intuition. They indicate how a person prefers to receive data. The cognitive test I took said that I was a sensorial person. A sensorial person prefers to receive data primarily from the five senses. They are practical and use common sense solutions automatically; the memory recall is rich in detail of facts and past events, and they like clear and concrete information. They dislike guessing when facts are not well defined or confusing. The second part of my cognitive test results was about Thinking and Feeling. They indicate how the person processes information. The cognitive test said I was a thinking or rational person. Thinking (rational) uses logical 'true or false, if-then' connections. The thinking side of our brain analyzes information in a detached, objective fashion. It’s really our nature to think rationally. The learning style test said that I was a visual learner. It told me to be sure that I look at all study materials. Use charts, maps, filmstrips, notes or flashcards while studying. Write out everything for frequent and quick visual review. I totally agree with both tests. The cognitive test said I was sensorial and rational which is very true. I use common sense to solve problems and like clear and concrete information. The learning style test fits me very well also. I am a visual learner. I believe you get more information out of a subject being taught by using some type of visual model. The learning style test also gave me some good information on how I should study. Using flashcards and writing out things for a quick visual view can be helpful. The Learning Style inventory website I used for this assignment its www.perosnal.psu.edu/bxb11/LSI/LSI.htm and the Cognitive style inventory website is http:tests.infoartperu.com/en/test_cognitivestyles.htm.

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Assignment 1

In recent years the integration of technology into the classrooms has become a significant part of education. As such resources for educating and assisting teachers in this new area have become very crucial. The definition of educational technology often varies depending on whether the term is used by educators or by technologists. Since this is a educational class I think we should look at it from an educators point of view. Educators are the professionals charged with ensuring that students are prepared for their place in a technology-intensive world. For those who are educators, technology includes any media that can be used in helping instruct students. Just like you couldn't imagine a teacher not being able to read and write, in today’s age you shouldn't be able to imagine a teacher unable to use technology. Teachers must also be able to apply these technologies in ways that will enrich their teaching and enhance their students understanding of the material being taught. In most states teachers must be licensed or certified by the state to be employed as educators. These state certifications requirements typically includede specific technology requirements, most often met through a college course in educational technology. Technology, like our society in general, is always moving forward with rapid change. I remember back when I was in the 8th grade and I saw a projector for the first time. The teacher would write something on the projector and it would show up on the board behind him. I thought it was one of the coolest things in the world. That was a long time ago and technology has advance far beyond just projectors. Now they have virtual classrooms where a teacher could be in another state or even another country teaching a class. Computers, tablets, even phones play a major part in technological education also. I believe technology is great when it comes to education. I even think it speeds up the learning process. Its one thing to sit in a classroom all day listening to teachers lecture but to actually get a visual of the topic on a computer screen is a totally different learning experience. For me personally I think people are able to grasp the topic better if they have something to look at like a graph or some other type of visual representation of the topic being discussed in class. I think without technology the ability for people to learn would be somewhat limited. I mean of course their are different means of information but you wouldn't be able to get to it as quickly as you would by using a computer. As far as technology goes I think the sky is the limit. Who knows what type of technology will be available for teachers and students in years to come.