Last class, we spent alot of time reviewing for the spreadsheet project. After completing this assignment I have found that excel is a very useful tool to use in the class room. It cuts done on the use of paper and allows you to quickly do math with the click of a button. I also like how you can create charts, if I deleated the names under each bar, I would be able to share the average to the class. This would just provide a visual to show the students where everyone is in the class and why we must review or continue on. The spreadsheet also provides me with a structured, orginzed view of all the students grades. It makes comparison easier on the teacher and helps them decide what areas need to be reteached or approaced in various other ways. I believe i will use excel in my classroom and hopefully be able to teach my students the different things that can be accomplished with this program.

In my previous blog I mentioned the different web 2.o programs that I have explored and how useful they can be to myself and others. I still find that my protopage is very useful in condensing the many website i use daily into one area. I also helps me organize my life (work, test, birthday etc.) and do research. One new thing i discoved is that you are able to import different widgets from other sites. Widgets are applications or tools that can be placed on websites and blogs that is marked by a specific code. Examples include clocks, calenders, weather and pictures. They are very similar to adding an application on an ipod/iphone.

At the end of the last class, we explored in groups the different National Educational Technology Standrads for teachers and students. These standards incorporate positive was to include technology in the classroom and encourage digital learning. Each standard has varioud componets that better describe what is include in the main standard. For example, the teacher standard #3 is Model Digital-Age Work and Learning. Underneath this standard are the detaits- "Teachers exibit knowledge, skills and work processes representitive of an innovative professional in a global and digital society." It then list bullet points of what teachers a spefically to do. I think these standards hold the student and teacher accountable for understanding and using technology to increase learning. It gives them some structure and instruction on where to start and what is expected of them.