I use Microsoft Word on a daily basis. As all of you do I'm sure, I create worksheets, notes to parents, newsletters, and more. In my classroom, we use Microsoft Word. I teach 3rd grade which is the transition year of typing. Our technology teacher uses Type to Learn so the students can learn the proper way to type. Because they don't learn this until the middle of the school year, I don't have the kids type too much until the end of the year. I do use the Alphasmart which I mentioned last week, and also the software Write OutLoud. I really like OutLoud for the kids who are struggling writers. By listening to their writing read back to them, they can hear the fluency errors that they cannot catch on their own. It is also a good way for students with a short attention span to stay interested in their work!
We also have Microsoft Publisher on all of our computers. I see this as a great tool to create projects across all curriculums. You can make a brochure on a country or animal, you can create signs for a science fair project board, or students can be more involved in creating classroom newsletters. I have found that the students who use Publisher really enjoy browsing through all of the templates to find one they like. There is so much to offer that it just takes time to become familiar with all of the templates and styles that are there. As a teacher, I don't use this program very often, but I have become more familiar and comfortable with it lately which makes it more appealing to use!
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6 comments:
Write Outloud sounds like a great piece of software. Does it sound like a computer when it reads what students write, or does it pause at commas and periods? What does it do if a students spells a word incorrectly? I can see where it would engage students!
I agree with both you and Chris, the Write Outloud sounds like a great program for students learning to read and write... (Sometimes I think I could use it...) I had the same question as Chris, how does it deal with spelling errors? Does it recognize it if the word is close enough or does it say it's an unknown word? I also agree with your assessment of DTP's there is so much to learn on them that it almost seems like it will take too much time.
Write Out Loud reads the words as they are written, so if a word is spelled wrong, it says it as best as it can. The hope is that the student recognizes that it sounds weird! It is a computerized voice...and you can choose a male or female :) It does pause at commas and periods, and reads the story just like you or I would. There are also different settings. You can have it read each word you type (it speaks when you press the space bar), each sentence (speaks when you use punctuation), or just the entire piece at the end. It is pretty cool!!
Wow the Write outloud sounds even cooler than I imagined. What a great piece of technology!
We need this type of technology for middle school. You would be surprised at how many students in middle school can not type with all of their fingers. Plus that Write OutLoud sound pretty cool. With text messaging and all the abbreviation students are using that in their writing and it drives me crazy! I wish if my students could hear what their paper sounds like they would think twice about turning it in! :)
A few of mention the amount of stuff to learn in a DTP so you haven't started yet --Start small on the software, make it do what you want it to do -- you don't have to use all the options, all the bells and whistles -- I have been using Photoshop for over 10 years and still don't use it to it's full capacity -- I just use the tool for what I need, as I need more I learn more.
I promise you I will never quiz you on how to use a piece of software -- just how you can make it work for you.
Amelia -- I am interested in getting the software just to hear the IM abbreviations :) LOL
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