To get to the on-screen keyboard you will go to the start menu then control panel. When you are looking at your control panel click on ease of access then ease of access center. In the ease of access center you will find many tools one of which is the on-screen keyboard. The on-screen keyboard is a very interesting concept that I had never really thought about before. It is a great tool for people with many different kinds of disabilities. Maybe if using the keyboard is just too overwelhming or a person just dosn't have the mobility to type they are able to simplify the keyboard on your screen for easier use.

Magnifier

To get to magnifier you go to your start menu and then to the control panel. Once you are on the control panel you then click ease of access and then ease of access center. After this you will see a screen with a link that says magnifier. This magnifier tool allows you to put your mouse over any part of your screen and get a magnified picture of it. This is great for people or students with visual disabilities or people who have difficulties staring at a computer screen. This is a great way to adjust to visual issues making them disabilities no longer.

Speech Recognition

Using this speech recongnition software on Windows Vista is pretty awesome. This tool allows people who have possible motor disabilities are able to still use the computer. Instead of the computer responding to the clicks or buttons you press the computer is adapted to responding to your voice comand. You can find the speech recognition tool in your control pannel on Windows Vista. When you get stated is has you say a few words so the computer knows what your voice sounds like. Make sure you dont speak differently than you normally do or the computer will not be able to read your voice.

Measuring Ourselves- Height and Foot Size in InspireData

Part I: About the Station

Chelsie Timm, Jessica Hacker, Erin Stalker, Hannah Wilson

We had to create a database in InspireData. We then had to fill in the table with height, wingspan, and foot length with each member of our group. We had to switch from table view to plot view making two graphs: height vs. wingspan and height vs. foot length. Finally, after collecting data we had to answer four questions.

As a group, we took personal measurements and found a correlation between the measurements. Ex.) Height vs. Wingspan

Part II: Your Work

Analysis

1.) Is there a relationship between height and wingspan?

- Yes.

2.) How can you tell from the graphs?

- The taller you are, the bigger your wingspan is going to be.

3.) Is there a relationship between height and foot length?

- In general, obviously if you're taller you are going to have a bigger foot. However,

our data doesn't show that.

4.) How can you tell from the graphs?

- Erin and Hannah have the same foot size even though they do not have the same height.

Content Exploration Tool- Google Earth

Temperature Data

This program runs through google so any computer with internet access is capable of using this program. With this you are able to check the boxes of information you want to be present on your map. You can type in a place and the information will be provided. For example I wanted to look at weather and the temperature in Bloomington, Indiana. I just type Bloomington, IN into the search box and the map takes me there, showing the temperature at that time and date. Then by clicking on the temperature shown I can view further details on the weather forcast.

This program would be considered a reference tool. This is capable of helping students understand the differences in weather and temperature all over the world. It is a really easy tool to use and can be a great instant form of information. There are many other content areas that can be explored with using this google maps program. You have a virtual earth right in your classroom computer. You can also look at buildings, roads, and borders which can translate into many hours of exploration for students.

Around the World with 80 Schools Podcast Summary

Around the World with 80 Schools

This podcast was all about connecting schools from all over the world! They discussed all of the possibilities that a program called Skype can bring to your classroom. The possibilities of advancement in many literacy skills such as; basic, media, intercultural, ethnical, and network in addition to skills such as; communication, collaboration, and creating connections.

The podcast as well gives you step by step instruction on how to set up a Skype account, how to find other students to connect with, as well as how to help your students evaluate and reflect on their experiences. The podcast then ends with showing you videos of classes skyping all over the world. It was a very interesting and exciting podcast to watch. It really helped me get excited about bringing technology into my classroom and I hope you feel the same!

Scholastic- student activities Evaluation

SITE

This site allows teachers and students to reach many different activities, games, and resources. It is a very organized website and is easy to use. All the activities are organized in tabs by the grade level. Once you click on a grade level all the activities are separated by subject. Each on the the subjects have many different interactive resources and games that students can use.

Efficiency: Saves so much time for the teacher because all the resources are organized and all on the same site. It saves time for students because they are able to log on-line at any point and work through any of the resources you provide them.

Effectiveness: I believe this resources improves effectiveness for student learning because students are able to work through any of the exercises or games at their own speed. They are able to view any of the resources at any point.

Enhancement: This is a wonderful opportunity for both students and teachers. It provides a organized cluster of resources for teachers and fun games and education entertainment for students.

Tramline Virtual Field Trips Evaluation

This is a really amazing tool that turns the term field trip around. Instead of having to spend all kinds of money and time to plan a field trip, why don't you bring the field trip to your classroom. This website allows you to take your students to just about anywhere in the world and allows them to observe places and things they would probably never be able to visit.

Efficiency: This tool allows you to save all kinds of time because you don't have to make plans and go through all the paperwork required to take students on a field trip. At the same time it allows the students to quickly receive the information in their own classroom.

Effectiveness: The students are not restricted to just reading the content but, have it in action before them. They can see the concept in real life while never leaving the classroom.

Enhancement:Gives the students an opportunity to visit and understand concepts that normally would just be in black and white. This tool can bring many of the concepts they must understand to life and can be revisited at any point in time.