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This software is a game-based program that works on many areas in mathematics. the targeted grade levels are 1-5. I have used the software, and I found myself on it longer than expected. for the most part, I liked how the software is designed. I appreciate the gaming aspect of the software. It doesn't make you feel like you're just doing math work to do. I believe that the only thing that i wasn't to big on was that it doesn't really separate the different grade levels. They do breakdown the different math areas. Overall I would recommend this software.

Dear Professor and Class, Sibelius is a music editor software that gives music students, composers, and songwriters a platform to write, play and publish music notations. Sibelius is ideal tool for music students and teachers. Sibelius is used to construct professional and perfectly aligned notes. Sibelius allows users to write music, transcribe audio, share notations, scan and print music sheets. The software is adaptable and flexible. Students and teachers can import music from other programs such as iTunes and connect to several sites such as Facebook and Youtube. Sibelius also is capable of using Midi instruments. Sibelius insists on being the fastest, smartest and easiest software around (http://www.sibelius.com/products/sibelius/7/index.html). Students easily write music by creating your own musical score and there are several templates already in place. References Sibelius 7 - music notation software. Sibelius - the leading music composition and notation software. Retrieved October 10, 2013, from http://www.sibelius.com/products/sibelius/7/index.html

As stated by the MobyMax software program, it "combines curriculum resources like placement tests, adaptive lessons, progress monitoring, IEP reporting with teacher tools, and motivational features (badges, games, and contests)." Users are able to upload student rosters for this program that accommodates grade levels k-8. Drill-and-practice lessons/assessments are Common Core State Standard aligned for both mathematics and reading content. My students and I enjoyed this software as a supplement to classroom instruction. With kid-friendly visuals and quick feedback on assessment scores, this classroom supplement will make learning more engaging.

A new site, sponsored by Bill Gates and Common Sense Media, allows students and instructors to rate various software programs, mobile apps, and Websites

I like the ease of use of this software tool for a classroom setting. Since time is limited for a particular subject, this tool allows interaction, quizzing, gives helpful hints, provides short questions and answers that will hold students' attention, and at the same time provides geography statistics of the United States. Students can challenge themselves over and over for the quickness of the answers, and knowledge of the content. Technology can be overwhelming, so with limited time, I think software integration in a classroom should have ease of use.

Hi Sharon, This website provides multiple aspects in 1 site, which is very good for students to use. I could see myself using this tool when discussing more about where students live and finding more information about Maryland. The only con was that personally it was hard for me t navigate and find certain features. For students, they would definitely need more user-friendly tools. This is definitely a website that will save a lot of time and energy, and provide reinforcement of topics learned in social studies!

Hi Sharon, I took a look at the website and I agree that it is perfect for a classroom setting. Students can work together to complete the activities or the teacher can use the software to assist class lectures. The program is effective because it comes with a map and key visuals that would help students learn their geography. I took a quiz on the rivers/lakes/oceans and I didn't do very well, however I believe it was great practice, after a few attempts, I will be able to learn their names and locations. Great tool selection! Best, Denee Devenish

"AutoCAD for Education Design and shape the world around you with the powerful, connected design tools in AutoCAD software." This software is free for students and has a three year licence. This would be a great tool for theatre students to download and use to create set and prop designs.

Front Row is a website and an iOS application designed for K-8 students. The application was originally designed to help close instructional gaps in mathematics. This adaptive learning software allows students to work at their own pace as they earn coins and move up levels in all 5 of the Common Core math domains. Later on Front Row added an ELA component that provides leveed texts and quizzes for students. All of the activities that students do through From Row generate data for parents and teachers. One of the features that Front Row also has is free and paid IBL's (Inquiry Based Lessons) for grades 1-8. I actually created a screencast on how I use IBL's in my own classroom.Check it out here -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qot1wzQTd5o

Front Row is a great software that helps teachers fill learning gaps! It is an application that students have their own accounts where they can individualize their learning. They learn at their own pace and are not pressured to stay up to speed as their peers. There is motivation involved in collecting gold coins, and there are videos for students that need extra support on a certain content if they are answering the questions incorrectly.I have used Front Row in my classrooms through blended learning and it has worked great!

With Splashtop software I am able to access my laptop through my iPad. This software allows me to move freely around my classroom and instruct. In our health lessons I am able to display our power points or access online resources on my computer from my iPad. It also has a tool called whiteboard, which allows me to draw, highlight, circle, or point out different things that are displayed on my screen. This could really come in handy when we talk about different muscles in the body and allow me to really point out a specific muscle. This is a great resource for a teacher, but unfortunately is not free.

PBS producer David Bolt explores ways to bridge the technology access gap.

PBS producer David Bolt explores ways to bridge the technology access gap.

"ProportionLand," is an online resource that aims to teach middle school students Newton's 2nd Law of motion.  It brings all of the pieces of a good lesson plan together in one medium and strives to keep students actively engaged and interested.  The site is based off of the 5 E's of scientific inquiry, Engage, Explore, Explain, Extend, and Evaluate.  It also provides lesson plans and a suggested pacing guide.

This is a great mathematics drill-and-practice educational software for students of all ages. It is completely web-based, and so students can access it from any computer with an internet connection. Each student has a personalized account and completes drills that focus on his or her specific "math fact needs". Thus, students are receiving individualized practice for math facts. My students love it! It's free, easy to use, and extremely student-friendly. I highly recommend it!

Hundreds of games and activities for a variety of subjects (including math, science, language arts) and all grade levels. Many activities include quizzes to check for comprehension.

This is a great article about the late famed educator, Marva Collins, who advocated for less technology and more focus on non-tech problem solving. While not an opponent of using technology, she largely based her outstanding success with children on the following precept: "Though children are exposed to technology (a biology software program is used with four- and five-year-olds, for instance), it is secondary to other lessons. 'I think what most of us fail to understand is there are steps in life,' Collins explains. 'We try to teach children that you cannot skip from step 1 to step 10.'"

I selected this article because I was curious to learn how the authors investigated the student achievement issue with their student centered (experiment) group and a teacher centered (control) group comparison study; all while being supported by the curriculum, teachers, and professional development. The student centered group engaged in the use of drill and practice of computation based on the school's mathematics curriculum, in addition to an introduction to the use of presentation software. Meanwhile the control group focused only on the teacher instruction. Moreover surprisingly based on the results of the study, the students involved in the Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI) experiment group did not have a statistically significant positive influence on student achievement. Jennifer Smith

Week 8: In our Data Action meeting we discussed intructional strategies involving simulation and games. This article explain some advantages and fears for educators implementing games into their lesson plans. Matthew Farber Social Studies Teacher, Ed Tech Leadership EdD Candidate, Author In the fall of 2014, the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop (a nonprofit founded by Sesame Street creator Joan Ganz Cooney) assessed the impact of the gaming in school settings.

Initially, I was very hesitant to buy into learning through online games. I know that children today spend so much time in front of screens, and I didn't want to contribute to this obsession (for some children it does border on that). I did see that BrainPop, a site which I use frequently, introduced GameUp and Spotify. I figured if BrainPop was okay with gaming for learning, then I had to give it a try. Well, my students will now beg for BrainPop and will do evey activity, quiz and graphic organizer associated with a lesson in order to get to sortify. What a great tool. I am now a firm believer.

I too see the benefits of using these online games within instruction. The games provide students with a means of engagement that we often struggle to provide students. With the growth of technology, students are becoming more in-tune with new technology and are using it more often at home. By connecting technology to instruction, we are able to meet them in the middle. There are so many tools available online that it's a shame not to use them!

(Week 8: Tolulope Oladipo and Michelle Bear) This is a journal article available in UMUC library. The link to the article is also provided below: REACH: A Framework for Differentiating: Classroom Instruction. Retrieved from https://www.dentonisd.org/cms/lib/tx21000245/centricity/Domain/900/diffedframeworkreach.pdf This article explores how educators can improve their teaching methods to achieve individualized instructions, educational standards, outcomes and academic achievement. The article discusses strategies for not just meeting the diverse needs of all students but for ensuring standard educational outcomes. The author examines the plight of two teachers: one general and one special education-the authors offer a rationale for differentiating instruction. They went further to conduct literature review of differentiated instruction, highlighting the myths, models, and evidence to support it. They employ the acronyms / mnemonic called REACH to develop a framework that includes a comprehensive inventory and several practical strategies for using it. This article is useful to my team to enable us determine how we can teach application software such as excel, PowerPoint, access, word using differentiated instructions. Through this article, we will come across those strategies that can be used to address our SMART Targeted Learning Goals, Instructional gaps and Learning gaps. The article swill equips us with skills needed to provide individualized instructions to students regardless of their needs, learning styles, learning pattern. The principles presented provide us with skills of becoming effective teacher, accommodating both special and general education students. References Racia, M.L., Gregg, M., Ellis, E., & Gable, R.A. (2008). REACH: A Framework for Differentiating: Classroom Instruction. Preventing School Failure. Winter2008, Vol. 52 Issue 2.