Journal # 7: Google Earth

Google Earth is basically a virtual globe that lets you view images, maps, and 3D buildings from satellites. You can even find and explore some galaxies in the sky! From the discussions I read on Classroom 2.0, it seems that it is great for students and can definitely be used in the classroom. One lady even said it is good for math lessons by creating paths and measuring them with a ruler. They were using math skills and didn't even realize it! This could also be used for problem solving strategies. That same lady said students could pretend they were in the Coast Guards and had to conduct a rescue mission...how fun! The news has even mentioned that Google Earth is used in people's lives! In one case, someone was missing and they used it to find the missing person! In addition, Google Earth uses longitude and latitude, which is a great concept for kids to learn and play with and this is the perfect tool for that! Although, like most programs, there are glitches and some problems with it, but nothing that can't be resolved or worked around. An example one teacher used the program for was rates and wildfires, which could be hard for students to wrap their heads around, so a program like this would definitely help them!

Journal # 6A- Inspiration

Inspiration
I really like Inspiration and think it is a great program. I thought it was pretty easy to use and user friendly. And as for students, I think visual learners will benefit the most from this very visual program since it is very easy to see words and concepts shown as pictures. This software even looks really cool and fun! I found it easy to navigate through, although the fact that you have to pay for it is a downside, and in my opinion, it is not inexpensive. Students could definitely use this program in the classroom to actually show the message they are trying to get across, whatever that is. Such as comparing two versions of the same story, using pictures, etc. I did not use Atomic Learning for this program, only because I like to explore a new program with my own trial and error method. I like playing with the program and finding out how to do new things on my own, as I think it's more rewarding.

Journal 6b-iMovie

iMovie
I also really like this program, just not as much as Inspiration. I do not think it is as user friendly as Inspiration is. Although I do think students will like it more because they can take pictures and videos of themselves and their peers/friends, and then edit it themselves. This way they can learn how to edit and add music, etc. to frames while having fun! The software is very appealing to the eye and the fact that it comes when a mac computer means it's free which is awesome! This could definitely be used in the classroom, as stated before of students taking pictures/videos of their class and a similar project like we did in class with already uploaded pictures, videos, and music and they can play with the program and teach themselves to how to edit. I did not use Atomic Learning for this program either and for the same reason which is that I learn a program better when I just play with it, trial and error.