Blog Post #2

• Question 1:  In detail, describe 2 assignments you give students in your future classroom that would require them to use 21^st century skills while using word processing. NOTE:  Be sure to relate the assignments to your subject area and mention some of the ways you read about in this chapter.

     Considering the subject and age range I would be teaching(7-12th grade Social Studies), the most fundemental assignment I would give using MS Word would be the quite unpopular essay. A standard essay can be a fairly instensive task that would involve studying a particular person, place, event, or even an idea; writing about the chosen subject matter in a fair ammount of detail; as well as a good practice for the loathsome standardized testing. Overall the essay excerises a multitude of academic skills that should show a great degree of proficiency within a givin subject.

     A Second kind of assignment I would give with using MS Word would be a simple newsletter. Givin the task of writing a newsletter of being of a particular group at a specific time for example, "Imagine your are a newspaper reporter in Poland within the month September 1939." First your task would have to be to figure out what happened at that place on that particular time. Secondly the critical feeling about how you would feel put in that situation as if it were a real life scenerio. Considering the viewpoint from what they would be writing, it should create a new perspective on that particular event.

• Question 2:  Describe how technology is related to constructivist teaching.

When it comes to a constructivist style of learning, technology offers what older styles of learning can not provide easily. Students the are more visual and interactive learners are not as able to construct knowledge from books and lecture. Technology is more adaptive mediums for a constructive style of learning for these students. i.e. video, computers, etc.