week 4: Excel

   I think spreadsheet is very useful. It is a very neat thing to use.I would use preedsheet in my class room becuase it could give the students a new insight into making timelines and different types of charts.
   As a teacher, i would a spreadsheet to configure my grade book. The advantages a spreadsheet has over a calculator are:

• formulas already there
• calculations are done for you

The 3 primary funtions of spreadsheets are:

• storing
• calculating
• presenting information

   I think they are awesome because  they are examples of Mindtools that amplifies and reorganizes mental functioning. Building spreadsheet models engages a variety of mental processes.

Jonassen, D., Howland, J., Marra, R. M., & Crismond, D. (2008). Meaningful Learning With Technology. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Week 3: Word

    Inspiration is basically the same thing as power point. It does the same things If i were to use Inspiration in the classroom I would use it so the kids could use it as a guide outline for a paper or presentation they were planning to write. It would be a brainstorming process.   The best type of writing actives to use in the class room in my opinion would be research papers. When do a writing assignment students can help each other by reading other papers and voicing their onion on it and giving advice and making corrections. A technology tool that can be used would blogging. Blogging gives students a way of submitting their opinion and thoughts and having others read it and make comments. I have had to teach my friend algebra before and i knew a lot of but after i sat down with her and explained it i felt like i understood it better also.
   In conclusion, Inspiration would be a good tool to use in the class room because it could give the teachers and students an easier way to plan out a paper or presentation.


Jonassen, D., Howland, J., Marra, R. M., & Crismond, D. (2008). Meaningful Learning With Technology. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.    

Week 2 Blog Assignment

  At first before i watched that video i though blogging was stupid but now since i have seen the video i think it's pretty cool. It's a very good way to communicate with others and to give your opinion and get comments on it.
  I think blogs would be useful for education by letting the kids have their own opinion about things especially if that child is quiet and shy during class. This gives them a way to express how they feel but not in front of a crowd of people.
  I don't think blogging should be used in the classroom. It should be an "at home" assignment. It's wastes time in class because the kids need to learning. They should be taught how to blog first and then do the blogging assignment at home for homework.
  You can use blogs and wikis to communicate with many people at one time. The kids can communicate with their classmates outside of class and share their ideas. They can communicate with kids from around the world that might be having trouble with the same things.

Jonassen, D., Howland, J., Marra, R. M., & Crismond, D. (2008). Meaningful Learning With Technology. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall. 

Jamie Gilliland

Hi. My name is Jamie Gilliland. I gradutated from TJC with my Associates in Kinesiology.