Digital Blog Post #E- Chapter 7

          One very helpful concept I learned while reading through chapter seven was how it explained the difference between types of software. The most important software I learned about were standard software application and open source software. Standard software is mainly the type of software used on a daily basis by many individuals. For instance, it is used by accountants for tax preparation software to teachers for Microsoft office to create PowerPoint for different school subjects.  Open Source software is different from standard software because this software gives public access allowing individuals to modify or change it to their benefit and cannot charge if other people use it. Standard software typically does not allow this and mainly make user agree to their terms and conditions instead which will not allow anyone, but the creator to change or modify the program.       

            Another topic I found really interesting was building, creating and inventing software. From my perspective I believe this is a great way to engage the student in creating new software after all they are the future generation.  Two examples of these software tools are kid pik and google earth, kid pik allows students to create slideshows which, in essence, allows the student to be creative with their own unique slides. Google earth is a software that allows a person to pinpoint a location and allowing them to see a vivid picture of it as well. For instance with google earth if students had a project about Egypt kids would be able to get an image within seconds.

                The last topic that dragged my attention was computer games as a learning resource.  This topic however I believe has a different perspective from other individuals depending on whither one is a digital native or digital immigrant.  Some individuals believe that computer learning games are just a distraction and useless because they believe that regardless it is just a game with no good outcome. They believe these games overall have negative effects such as lower social interactive skill and lower fluent reading, writing and thinking skills.  Other individuals, on the other hand, believe that these games have positive impacts and, in essence, create a more fun engaging way for students to learn.  I personally agree that computer learning games have positive impacts on students because these students are digital natives and are constantly using technology so by not allowing them to use this helpful resource we are giving them a disadvantage that will eventually affect them in a negative way.

 

Resources:

Maloy, R., O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S., & Woolf, B. (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education Inc.

Rios Moreno, P. (October 04, 2015) Technology created with Wordle
www.wordle.com