Welcome
to FSUS and the Earth/Space Science (computer) lab. The purpose of this letter
is to maximize your visit to my unique technology classroom.
The
courses I have taught include a 7th and 8th grade
Business Technology wheel. Each 9 weeks, basic keyboarding, word-processing,
PowerPoint, how computers work, email, are taught to a new group of students. I
also teach 2 upper level computer programming classes: Data Modeling, SQL –
database programming, Java programming and Java Applications to 11th
and 12th graders. Now I teach 1 Honors and 4 General Earth/Space
courses.
My
certification is Math and Physics with a Masters in Computer Education. Having
begun teaching 33 years ago, I have a wealth of experience. You are invited to
see some of the programs I have developed by looking at my credits at http://www.fsus.fsu.edu/mcquone/CREDITS/biography.htm
It
is my philosophy that the use of technology can enhance learning if ‘used
effectively’ in the classroom. Technology should augment traditional
instruction, not replace it. Technology should only be used when it is
interactive or ‘better than a book’. (The Journey Inside is an excellent
example http://www97.intel.com/scripts-tji/index.asp
) Some programs and websites have simulations that a teacher alone cannot
produce. Others have diagnostic tools, math skills programs, science models and
on-line experiments. Others offer opportunities for remedial work and/or
accelerated learning. Some of the software available are: Riverdeep, Academy of
Reading, Incredible Tutor, Mavis Beacon Keyboarding program, Net-Support School
(for management of the computers), and Microsoft Office.
WebPages
are wonderful instructional tools. See the current and former (Integrated
Science, Astronomy) web sites that I have produced for my classes as examples
of communication and content. http://www.fsus.fsu.edu/mcquone/ Note the Topics
and Homework pages that give the daily class assignments. My motto is “Touching
the World with a Passion for Learning.” The ability to communicate with
students and parents through email is also invaluable. Now each student has a
‘safe’ email address. (www.gaggle.net)
Middle school students can only email other FSUS students and faculty.
Notice
the organization of my classroom. The 30 computers are labeled: 1A, 1B, 1C,
2A…..10C. Students are assigned seats randomly. Some activities are individual
and some are group activities. Cooperative learning techniques are used to
assign specific roles to person A, B, C within a group. I can assign different
groups a variety of unique tasks to perform.
Two
years ago, FSUS was awarded a grant to establish an Oracle Internet Academy
here. At the time, we were one of only 150 schools in the world to receive this
honor. Oracle Corporation executives believe that in order to have more persons
capable of handling the technical needs of a computerized society, there must
be more high-level technology training at the high school level. The Oracle
Corporation Educational Division has developed a unique on-line and hands-on
curriculum for the two courses. I have been trained directly by experts within
the Oracle Corporation to help advanced academic students receive specialized
skills that will allow them to get higher paying jobs while attending college
and give them a jump-start on computer courses they will take in college. A
full explanation of the Oracle curriculum can be found on our Oracle Internet
Academy site: http://www.fsus.fsu.edu/oracle/
I
appreciate the opportunity to share my classroom and educational ideas with you.
I hope your visit has been worthwhile. If you have any further questions,
contact me at 850-245-3811 or cmcquone@garnet.acns.fsu.edu
Sincerely,
Catherine
McQuone