Chapter 6

Hypermedia and multimedia tools have become increasingly important in education. This chapter really focuses on all of the different types of hypermedia systems and how they can impact education. I found it very interesting how closely linked multimedia and hypermedia are today. Basically, any type of hypermedia (including links) is also multimedia (including different types media). They have become to integrated now, that it is difficult to imagine them not being linked. This connection between multimedia and hypermedia has expanded the amount of information and opportunities that these types of systems offer, especially for education.
Commercial hypermedia software packages use hypermedia to add energy and life to instructional software. Interactive books can expand students' motivation and reach out to students in new and different ways. Using hypermedia in reference materials like encyclopedias, almanacs, and atlases, enhances these things in huge ways.
"People with fairly nontechnical skill levels now can develop their own complex, professional-looking hypermedia products." This type of hypermedia authoring is so important to education today. Due to the ease at which hypermedia can be created, teachers as well as students are capable of using and creating hypermedia products. The availability of audio, video, photographs, graphic images, and different types of text makes it so easy for teachers and students to compile these things together and author their own type of hypermedia. I think that having students create their own hypermedia projects is a wonderful idea and a great way to foster intellectual advances; however, I also think that is important for students to do on-paper planning for their projects. I do not think it is a good idea for all of the planning, strategizing, and brainstorming to be done through the computer. If teachers make students write down their steps or the way they are going to create the project the students may be more organized and structured when they finally do dive into creating the hypermedia project. I also think that it is very important for students' work to be displayed in some way to the rest of the class or to others. If students know that their work will be displayed, they will hopefully work harder to create something that is worth showing off. I also liked how the text suggested that students do self-assessments of their hypermedia projects. By doing this, students will be able to see how well they have done, and what they could have done to meet all the criteria. If students learn to do self assessments, they should be more likely in the future to analyze their own work and try to enhance it even when not required.
Four types of multimedia authoring tools were described in the chapter. I thought that they all had a lot to offer and there were very interesting ways to integrate them into the classroom. Presentation software is a create way for teachers and students to present information. I thought that having students use presentation software to present book reports was a great idea. I also think it is important that students learn how to best use presentation software as an aide for a presentation. The student or teacher must have good communication skills and be able to use the project or tool in a way that benefits everyone. If the presenter just reads off of a PowerPoint, the software's effectiveness is not being fully used. Another type of multimedia authoring tools was video production and editing systems. I loved how the text said that teachers or students could record themselves creating experiments or doing steps for a procedure. Also, I liked the idea of putting together a news show or the morning announcements. The text also describes the idea of virtual reality. This is great for virtual field trips for all students. Also, it offers a new way to reach out to children with special needs.
Basically, I think that allowing students to engage in hypermedia systems will increase motivation, processing skills, and creativity. Since hypermedia systems are so interactive and offer such a variety of different modes to receive information, these systems offer something for people who have different learning styles. I think that it is so wonderful that recently students have not just interacted with hypermedia systems but they have been allowed to create their own. With effective teachers and the right resources, students can greatly benefit from creating their own hypermedia systems.

Chapter 5

I think that the different types of additional software support tools are very interesting to learn about. I was not really aware of all of the different types, and have not had much experience with them. The Materials Generators seemed very useful. Desktop Publishing Software seemed like a really good tool for having students use to create projects such as brochures. Whenever I used to do projects like this, I would use a word processors to do parts of it and then cut out and paste things onto other paper. If I were able to use a desktop publishing software program, my work may have looked more professional and I may have taken more pride in my work. These types of programs seem very useful for reporting research and aiding creative thinking. The test and rubric generators, as well as the worksheet and puzzle generators seem to be extremely useful for teachers. I have never experienced using a test or worksheet generator, but I hope that in the future I have access to them because their benefits seem to be huge. I am curious to know if most teachers use these, or if not, how most teachers create their tests and worksheets.
I found that the different types of Data Collection and Analysis Tools all were pretty interesting and useful. Of course, the electronic gradebooks, statistical packages, and students information systems are great tools for teachers. Also, the computer-based testing systems are great for having students complete tests on their own and receive immediate feedback. On the other hand, I do not think that they should be used all the time, or even very frequently depending on the course. I think that the most beneficial tool of this type is the student response system. I have used what we called "clickers" in a few classrooms before. I think that they really get the students involved, and they are anonymous so other students won't know who answered correctly or incorrectly. Also, I have used the program called DyKnow, which offers a way that all students can have a multiple choice question come up on their screen and they have to answer it. I really liked how these systems involved all students, so everyone had to answer.
I think that the Graphics Tools are really cool and useful for school and also personal use. Draw and paint programs, image editing tools, and the collections of clip art, animation, sound etc are great for letting students and teachers express themselves not only in words. These can motivate students more and foster creativity. The charting and graphing tools also do this, but they are also beneficial in aiding in mathematical processes and understanding mathematics. They offer a created visual to go along with certain data. Graphics tools are very helpful for making normal papers or ideas more interesting and pleasing.
Planning and organizing tools are also really important. Lesson Planning software and Scheduling and Time Management tools are beneficial for teachers in obvious ways. They basically make things a little easier and less time-consuming. Outlining tools and Concept Mapping Software is a little different. I like how it helps students, or even teachers develop their own ideas. This type of tool does not create ideas, but just helps the individual organize them and develop the ideas more. I think that outlining and mapping ideas really helps when writing an essay or even solving a problem and making this available on the computer is very beneficial.
Research and reference tools like electronic encyclopedia, atlases, and dictionaries seem to be just the regular thing except on the computer. However, I think that they really offer a lot more. I remember anytime I had a project or something to research, I would always pop in my Encarta CD-Rom. Now, I would probably just search the Internet, but both ways are very helpful. Having this information on the computer, allows for very easing searching and wide ranges of information. Also, these things can provide you with multimedia and interactive data or information that can greatly enhance the learning experience about a specific topic.
Finally, the last section of the text just described other tools for specific content areas. In particular for math, graphing calculators are a very beneficial tool. However, it is very important that students to not rely on the calculator. I think that not enough teachers stress the idea that the calculator is a tool, an aide. It should not do the work for you. Graphing calculators are particularly useful for graphing information and letting the data be viewed. Also, I have had some experience with computer calculation systems such as "Maple". This computer type of calculator offers even more advanced calculations than a graphing calculator.
Basically, there are so many different software programs that offer such a variety of opportunities and aide in the classroom to both students and teachers. It is important for teachers to use what is available to them in a way that is helpful to their students.

Chapter 4

Chapter 4 was all about the basic software tools of word processing, spreadsheet, and database programs. I think that all of these tools are extremely useful today, and are pretty much ingrained into our system of education. Word processing has transformed a lot of society, especially when it comes to education. I can't imagine not easily typing a a paper for class, and going back later to make easy corrections. Also, think about all the handouts that teachers create using a word processor. It is hard to imagine life without "Microsoft Word". Now there are so many additional tools that allow much more than simple typing.
The text mentioned that using a word processor to first type up a document may actually result in better writing than if it was done on paper first. I think that this depends on the writer and his or her personal learning style. Personally, if I have to write up a formal paper for any type of subject, I like to hand write it first. I usually gather my ideas and then write it all down first. Since it is slower than typing, it allows me to process my thoughts. Also, because I can not just easily backspace, I tend to think more about what I am writing and the best way to write it. Also, when I am making a review guide for a test, I also write that out. I learn a lot through actual writing and for me, directly typing my thoughts into a word processor limits how well I process them in my head. This is most likely not true for everyone, but it is what I think about myself. I am not trying to say that word processors are not needed, because I usually type up everything after I write it, and then I go in and make easy corrections. However, initially typing up things in a word processor may not benefit everybody.
The spreadsheet is another type of software tool that is very useful. Particularly in my field,mathematics, spreadsheets are very important. In school, I used them a little, but never really used them to their full capabilities. I think they are very useful for making tables and then graphing results. Hopefully, I will be able to integrate spreadsheet into some of my math lessons. It is also important for teachers to be familiar with spreadsheets so that they can use them for grades and other information.
Database software is something that I was not very familiar with before reading about it. I have used library databases to search for information to use for research papers and other things. I have also used search engines on the Internet such as Google to find information. However, I have not really had any experience with creating databases or using databases in relation to people. However, the text offered a lot of ways that databases are useful. I think that they are very important for teaching students how to make their way through the vast amount of information on computers everywhere. Students need to learn how to find what they are looking for, especially at a time when Internet search engines are becoming extremely popular. Databases used to store information on people are very useful as well, but must be kept private for many reasons. I have not had much experience with these databases with information on people, but I think it would useful for me to learn since I will have my own classroom and students to manage one day.