Wiki+Journal+Assignment

=Open Source Software Journal=

__**1. Handy Notes**__
===Handy Notes is an easy way to keep all the notes that are usually scribbled down on a piece of paper, which usually become lost. Handy Notes provides an icon on your desktop so it is easily accessible. Rather than jot things down randomly for class or work, with Handy Notes you just click on the icon and type your thoughts. Anytime you want to refer back to the notes you just click the icon.=== ===a.) Handy Notes could easily be used in the educational setting. It could be used from middle school up through graduate classes. Durin college I found myself constantly writing notes and reminders on scrap paper. The scrap paper was so hard to find the next time I was working on the assignment. Sometimes I would even completely lose the paper!===
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b.) Handy Notes is completely free and an open source software. All you have to do is download the free software to use it.
===c.) I coulde see Handy Notes being most useful in Language Arts, Psychology, Ethics, Philosophy type courses. Although it could work in a Math course, I would find it a little harder because in Math there are symbols, fractions, lines and graphs you need to make note. Handy Notes would work great for the courses where you can just type what you hear and think of. I would think this software would bring some value to the classroom. As a teacher you could also have them print off their notes to see what they are keeping track of. In class random discussions occur where valuable information gets discussed. If the students had their Handy Notes pulled up, it could be beneficial to just type the thoughts and ideas of the discussion.=== ===d.) In my personal opinion I don't believe this open source software supports meta-cognition. Meta-Cognition is somewhat like understanding and thinking about how you are processing your thoughts. Handy Notes is a program that pops up every time your computer comes on where you just type in random notes. There is no thinking process or evaluation to this program. It is basically like a sticky note that follows you on your computer.===

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===**Tux Paint is a really fun and creative program designed for children, but great for all ages. You can draw, paint and create your own image. You can use pictures that you color in, create your own image, or paste images from it's collective images. This program could be used to pass time, complete an assignment for young children or something fun for a parent to do with a child.**=== ===a) This program could be incorporated into a preschool or kindergarten classroom. Children could re-create an image from a story, a self portrait, or draw their interpretation/comprehension of the story events. It would definitely keep the attention of a young student due to the many different and fun applications.===

b.) Tux Paint is a totally free and open source software.
===c.) I could see this program most useful in Language Arts and Art. A lot of students at a young age can't take a test over what they read, but can draw the answer. I am a total believer of Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences. This open source would apply to the visual learners. In my opinion majority of pre-kindergarten and kindergarten grades are visual learners, due to the incapability of reading. You can tell how much a child comprehends from a story by letting them draw their thoughts and images.=== ===d.) I believe this peice of software supports meta-cognition for the pre-k and kindergarten students. If the teacher read a book and asked the students to draw a picture with Tux Paint of Johnny when he went outside. The student would have to plan in their head what they wanted the picture to look like. Then they will monitor their comprehension as they draw the picture to see if what they are drawing is correct with what they heard in the story. Then when the child is done, they will evaluate their picture to check if it is the same as the event in the story. I believe these three steps are essential in using meta-cognition.===

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===a.) AbiWord could be used in a wide area of educational settings. It could be used early as first grade up through graduate work. Many programs are not designed or created to handle such a range of ages.=== ===b.) AbiWord is a free software that anyone can download. It is very similar to Microsoft Word, but doesn't cost a thing. I wonder why many schools don't use the free software, rather than pay money for Microsoft Word. The programs do pretty much the same thing.=== ===c.) AbiWord is very similar to Microsoft Word, so any content that finds themselves using Microsoft Word would use AbiWord. AbiWord would be great for Language Arts when typing papers, conducting research, doing projects, or completing a simple assignment. It could also be incorporated into math by completing word problems, charts, and graphs. I think AbiWord would bring the same value to the classroom as Microsoft Word, which is a lot. These word programs help students plan, visualize, organize, and evaluate their work, which is thinking about their thinking process. This is incorporating meta-cognition, which brings a great value to the classroom.=== ===d.) As stated in the answer above this open source software can support meta-cognition if used appropriately. For example, students might conduct a research project over lions. The students will plan out thier project with a rough draft. They will think about and evaluate their thoughts and writing. Then they will re-organize their work according to their thoughts about their thinking organization. Then students will evaluate if all their thoughts and statements come together to say what they wanted it to say. Doing this process in AbiWord produces meta-cognition. It is important to influence meta-cognition because it helps the student become a better thinker, learner, student and prepared for future events in life.===

__**4. Buddi**__
__**[]**__ ===a.) Buddi could definitely be used in the educational settings, especially in the field of mathematics. Buddi helps you evaluate, analyze, and figure your investments, incomes and expenses. This is a great skill to acquire in school and before you reach the real world. So many young people get wrapped up in debt at a young age. It is essential to use programs that help students learn how to plan and evaluate where their money is going.=== ===b.) Buddi doesn't require any registration or payments. It does ask for a one time donation when you download, but it is totally optional. It is a free open source software that is downloaded for free.=== ===c.) This specific open source software could be used in a mathematics class in middle or high school or an accounting course. Accounting class could use the software to it's best use though. This software not only helps you plan out and adjust your budget, it puts the information into a visual representation of a graph. This is great because some students are visual learners. If they see their budget visually then they can realize what is possible and not possible with their money. This type of technology application and utilizing two different types of learners is a great characteristic to encourage success in the middle and high school classrooms. I believe this software would bring a lot of great values.=== ===d.) Meta-cognition is when a person is thinking about their thinking. As I have stated earlier I believe that when a person is thinking about how to plan, organize and evaluate their thoughts/actions that also falls under meta-cognition because the person is thinking about their thought process when completing a task. While using Buddi students will be thinking about how to plan, organize, evaluate and analyze how thier money is being spent. This is crucial for real life living. Meta-cognition is when students are thinking and are aware of their thinking process. The students who complete Buddi are doing that in a way. They are thinking about their thinking process of why and how they spent their money. Then thinking of better ways to improve those thoughts. So, yes, I believe this software can support meta-cognition.===

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===Gimp is an image maniupulation program. It is a program designed for a middle school student to an adult. It is a neat program to change the way your picture looks based on the mega pixels. You can do simple manipulations to very complex manipulations. There are versions for the PC and MAC users.=== ===a.) Gimp could be used in the educational field of technology and art. Digital immigrants love to learn on their own by experimenting with new programs. This software would do just that for the students in a technology or art class.===

b.) There are no costs and the download is free.
===c.) This piece of open source software would be used best in the art field. I could see art students really enjoying the many different editing tools on their pictures. The students would take their own picture and edit many different aspects to fit their liking. I know art students are usually very creative and using a open software program like this would take picture taking to the next level for some students. Some students like to take pictures, but experiencing this software would open the students' eyes to the field of photography, where editing is a key role.=== ===d.) Depending on which way Gimp is used, it could or couldn't support metacognition. If someone is just fooling around with a picture for fun I don't believe it would support metacognition. I believe so because there is no plan if someone is just playing around on a picture. Without a plan it is hard to evaluate and monitor an outcome. If a person is using Gimp for a specific outcome or goal and they have a plan, I belive the person would be using metacognition. Pretend a student had to use Gimp to manipulate an image. He or she would know what they wanted to do, monitor and evaluate thier progress by using multiple strategies to solve their problem.===

b.) Google gadgets have no costs or registration issues. In order to use a gadget you will need a website so you use it.
===c.) Google gadgets can be used in any class content. This specific gadget (hangman) could be most useful by being incorporated into the Language Arts subject. This hangman gadget brings vocabulary building and practice. As a teacher, I see many students with weak vocabulary skills. I think this specific gadget, if used right, could help with building vocabulary. Check out the prezi website to see three different ways it can be used in the classroom.=== ===d.) This gadget really doesn't address metacognition. Metacognition is a higher order of thinking that involves planning, monitoring and evaluating the progress of your work. This gadget doesn't address any of these things listed though. If used correctly the hangman gadget would help students build vocabulary, which is just a memorization process, but important to work on.===

b.) There are no fees, costs or registration requirements for using Hot Potatoes. It is absolutely free!
===c.) Hot potatoes can be used in any content area for all grades. Any teacher can create assignments or tests based on what exactly he/she is teaching. This software could be most useful for Language Arts, Science, of Social Studies. It could be used in Math, but proabably not as much as the other subject areas. This is a great tool for all teachers. It brings creative customization for all teachers on their assignments.=== ===d.) If you are looking at Hot Potatoes from a teacher's prospective I believe it does model some type of metacognition for the teacher. As an instructor sometimes I design a test or activity based on what I want the students to learn. Then I teach the students the objectives of the test, which matches the classwork and instruction. As said before, metacogniton involves planning. If Hot Potatoes creation is designed with planning of instruction in mind, then yes, it involves metacognition. It does because after you plan and teach then you will monitor and evaluate their learning by the Hot Potatoes creation. Lastly, you will evaluate the progress. Are the students making progress or not. Do I need to reteach or not?===

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===a.) This software can be used in many educational settings. It could be used in middle or high school or college work. Students can learn some very important characteristics and traits on how to edit and improve pictures.=== ===b.) You do not need to register or pay anything to use Picnik. Picnik does show you want more photo editing tools you can use if you upgrade and chose to pay a small amount. I edit my photos on Picnik and it was well worth the $25 a year. You don't have to download Picnik either. You just go to the website and start uploading your pictures. If you want to create an account you can do that for free. This way your pictures are stored to your account.=== ===c.) This project could be most valuable in Art, Technology or a Photography class. This software is really a great tool compared to just a few years ago all you could do on your computer to your pictures were the basic minimums. This software allows so many different options for your photos. Pictures really look like professional quality after using Picnik. The students can dig into a much deeper level of artistic talents and maybe even develop a talent that might give them an idea for a future occupation.=== ===d.) ﻿This program, I believe, can encourade students to use metacognition. When they are instructed what and how to do something on this program they will immediately think of a plan. They will think about how they are going to do and what they are going to do. Then the students will monitor their work and determine if it is or isn't what they would like it to be and why or why not. Last the students will evaluate their work and figure out if it is more or less of what they expected, how can they make it better and determine how well they did. This doesn't mean every student will engage in thise metacognition process because some students just do things without any particular reasoning, but that is why the instructor needs to probe the students and maybe give them a checklist on how to think through a metacognition process.===

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===a.) Moodle's usage is unstoppable in the educational setting. It can be downloaded by Mac or PC and can be used to teach a completely online class or a face to face class. You can design the whole structure of how you want your class to work and set up the progress of assignments. This open source could be used for any online learning for high schoolers, undergrad or grad student.=== ===b.) Moodle does not require any fee for their download. It is a free open source software that is copyrighted, but users still have their freedom. There aren't any registration issues that I am aware of either. You go to "downloads" and click the option that is downloadable for your computer.=== ===c.) This website builder can be used for any content. Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science, Technology and pretty much any other class that you have taken before. As a group last Spring we designed a high school online Geometry class. You can utilize different ways to post links, tests, assignments, surveys, videos, chats and many other things that will help the instructor run a smooth class.=== ===d.) I feel that Moodle definitely uses metacognition for the studetns and the teachers. As a teacher you have to plan, organize, evaluate and analyze how you want your students to learn your course work. Teachers have to really think about what they know when setting up the layout for their Moodle course. As a student completing a Moodle online course, I belive the students will be pushed towards using metacognition. An online course is different than face to face courses because you have to really monitor your own progress and evaluate how you are doing. The students don't have a teacher everyday reminding them of what, how and when they should be doing something, therefore the studetns have to do it themselves. Students hae to examine and ask questions to themselves about their own learning.=== e.) [] *You will need to log in as a guest to see the Moodle that was completed as a group last quarter. Use password: edct551

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===a.) Google Earth can be used in many educational settings. I know my nephew who is in third grade has been using it in Science class to see what Earth looks like. They also are finding North America and Ohio. Students of this generation pay more attention mainly because there is technology involved. This software could be used in the classroom or online setting for grades three and up. This software does some basic tasks and some very in depth tasks for students more experienced and involved.===

b.) There aren't any registration fees or costs for Google Earth. You can download it free of charge and explore the world!
===c.) Google Earth can be used in different content. It can be used in Science to explore the Earth, the moon and do experiements. In Social Studies different cultures can be studied and observed. It can be used in Language Arts to write a report. It can also be used in the Math field for measuring and drawing. This open source would probably be most useful in science. It brings so an enrichment value for the students. Learning about the Earth by looking at a globe didn't really give the student too much to visualize. But, by using Google Earth it can give students a much more in depth experience with the Earth and her characteristics.=== ===d.) If using Google Earth in the correct way it could display metacognition qualities for students. After given an assignment students will have to come up with a plan and figure out how to utilize that plan. They will need to decide what would be the best way. Then students would need to monitor as they are going through and completing the project asking; Am I doing this right? Do I need to go a different direction? Do I need to remember this? Then the students could be evaluating their work by thinking how well they did or could they have done it differently. A lot of software can provide opportunities for students to build metacognition, the teacher just has to help them learn how to do the steps to achieve the thinking process of metacognition.===