Thursday, October 17, 2013

Journal Post 7

Focus question: What are intelligent tutoring systems and how can students and teachers use them successfully?

Intelligent tutoring systems are powerful software programs that promote inquiry learning by students through computer responses to the student actions. These systems are useful because as the students answer questions, the computer records their responses and makes predictions about what the users know and do not know. Based on these predictions, the computer will use questions based on what the students need practice on. This brings a total different feel towards computer systems as tutoring, now they can be perceived as individualized an set up to mold each students needs. These intelligent tutoring systems should in no way replace the teacher. Students should still feel welcome to go to their teacher for any concerns.

                                                            Photo credit to Prime Education

Tech Tool: Scratch
Scratch is a website in which students can make their own games, animated stories, and interactive art. A website such as scratch allows students to use their creativity and watch their thoughts come to live. The homepage of the site offers you to view examples, try it out, or sign up. It is free to sign up. The website is animated which makes it seem like it is a website for younger kids. There is also a section for parent and educators to learn about scratch and ways to use it in a science, math, or any other lessons, as ways to integrate it into different grade levels.  
                                                   Photo credit to Kansas Snap Shot day

Summary: Chapter 7
This chapter contains basic and useful information such as information on software’s. It discusses some commonly used software by educators and students such as, words processing, spreadsheets, presentation, and antivirus software.  The chapter also discusses ways in which educators can evaluate software. Most software used by educators is purchased by a school and installed into all the computers. Games and simulations are also a big part of this chapter. I think this is an important part of using technology in schools, especially for students. Students love computer games and simulations. This is a way to capture the student’s attention and also make a fun activity an educational one. Lastly it discusses intelligent tutoring, which is an individualized approach to using computer programs for tutoring. The system makes educated guesses on what time of questions the student should practice, based on prior responses.  

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