November 5, 2013
Last Thursday along with Tuesdays class, we were really learning to be familiar with a variety of techniques used on mac computers and other softwares available out there. Since I do not own a mac computer and stick to my handy hp, I am definitely familiarizing myself with all the settings and such on the mac. Many of the settings on the computer are helpful for students with certain needs, also. For example, a blind student could use the voiceover accessibility to learn readings and such things.
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| Main Settings Page |
There are a ton of speaking qualities to the mac as well. One may change the voice to male or female or even princess! Along with the computer speaking to you, you may speak back to it. Someone that struggles with their typing skills has the ability to speak to the computer and it will type papers for you. Apparently there is even an iPhone App available out there; however, that should not really surprise me.
We also found out an easier way to send folders and multiple files through email in an easier way. This is called a zip folder. You must compress the folder and it duplicates it into a zip that is faster and easier sent.
In the classroom, Inspiration 9, I feel, would be very beneficial. It is a fun way to categorize things in learned from a lesson and kids are able to have fun with it and use the picture icons in it. Along with graphing and organizing information learned, students are able to transform that knowledge into a presentation as well on the exact same software! For students that are more visual learners, this software can be highly beneficial.
Lastly, we discussed pixlr.com. I was not aware that there was a free website just like photoshop! This excites me and I will definitely be using it. It would be beneficial in the classroom as well due to the fact kids can express themselves in their own unique way and show their creativity!
