Metaphors

1. What is the primary software metaphor (big idea)?
Type writer on steriods.
2. When you run the software, what can you immediately do without using any tools or menus?
Type words, sentences, paragraphs, etc.

3. What patterns in this software help you?
Using TAB to create a new paragraph. Automatic spell check with auto capitalization and self fix on common mispelled words.

4. What are some things that you can do in this software that are similar to things that you can do in other software? For example, what user interface features are similar, etc.)
Save, print, shortcut keys, copy and paste


5. What do you find easy about this program? Difficult?
Easy-If I want to go simple, it can go simple: Type, save, print.
Difficult- Remembering where ALL the functions are, and remembering to save in the earlier version's format so other people can view my work.

6. Based on the expert/novice information, what are some strategies that we could use to teach children and novice adults how to use the basic features of this program?
One strategy is to go exploring and try the functions. Just make sure you show them how to undo them.
Another strategy is to think of the menus as drawers of a dresser. Each drawer is labelled and everything in it goes with that label

7. Find the image (picture) and drawing tools in this software. Use each tool and make sure you understand what they do. Got it.

Ebsco Articles

I'm looking forward to seeing some new articles about the Vernier LabQuest. It just came out this past fall so not many articles have been written about its success.

I like the idea of adding articles to my website. Its sort of like adding webites for a webquest, but the students are actually reading articles. Somehow, it seems more meaningful that way.

Marco Polo

After searching through the entire (which is not much) data base for middle school science I found a lesson that I might be able to use for next year. There were only about 5 lessons total for 6-8 grade science. The site itself is a great idea, but it needs some work. They should actually wait until they get several lessons for each science topic before they even advertise having science lesson plans. Having just a few is too risky: some people might be checking back for more later, while other people might be instantly turned off.