Korey+McKenney


 * Program:** Create Fractions
 * Subject:** Math
 * Software:** JavaScript
 * Purpose:** The purpose of this program is to educate kids in the fractions who are just learning them in a visual way. The program will show the student a fraction in the number form and then below the fraction will be a picture. The picture below is either of a rectangle or a circle. Each of those is divided by lines by the student using the top gauge. The student split the fraction first into the number of parts according to the fraction. It is the students job then to use the other gauge to color in the number segments according to the fraction. Each time the student is done shading the picture the click on check drawings. When the student colors them in correctly the click on create a new exercise and then it shows them new fractions. If the student does not get the fraction correct the fraction comes up with a (f) next to it which means fail. The student then has to repeat the drawing until they get it right.

I think that program has very good intentions and looks like a good program to work with. The only problem I have with the program is that it doesn't show the students why they colored or divided the picture up wrong. Other than that I think it is a great learning tool because they can split the fraction into two parts, the denomenator and the numerator. It gives the student the visual ad as well which is how most 21st century learners learn today. I think the tool is very effective to those students learning it because of the fact you have to break down the fraction. You can also preview the program as a teacher to see if you understand and like the program to help teach you students. The instructions are pretty simple and easy to understand. I think if I was going to be a math teacher that this is a program I would assign for homework on the home computer. []


 * Program:** Tux Typing
 * Subject:** Technology and typing
 * Software:** Linux, Windows, Mac
 * Purpose:** Tux Typing is a program the gets kids to type using the keyboard and teaches them to type faster. Tux Typing is designed by Tux4kids. This program has several different levels and has several different games. Eash games has a different typing style. Some are letters you have to type out and some are words. Each game teaches you to locate the letter on the keyboard faster. It is a fun and interesting game for kids to try. The penguin, Tux, helps the child see the letter and type it. One program the child has to type out full words while the penguine eats the fish, in another program the child has to type out letter so the penguin doesn't get hit with fireballs. It's more of like an astroids game but with the keyboard.

Although the program is designed to help kids type better and faster I feel that it is more of a program you should do at home or in a computer class. It would help in the computer class because you are using the keyboard every day and it a more interesting way to help kids find letter than the normal typing style (typing out a sentences for words per minute). I think the strengths in this program are that the student has to learn to locate the letters faster and type a bit faster at a time rather than trying to type a word slowly. I also think that it helps being a fun game because it will capture the attention on the student longer than just going to to a computer room and typing a sntence for time. It's weaknesses are that it is a game. When these students have to change grades and type papers that are more boaring will all the time wasted on the game payoff? Or will the student simple go back to slow typing because they are not challenged in typig the paper? It's has both ups and downs and some things to think about. As a teacher you cna dowload it and play with it to see if you want to use it in you computer class. []


 * Program:** Starfall
 * Subject:** Reading
 * Software:** computer with access to the internet
 * Purpose:** Starfall is a site where teachers and parents can teach the students to learn. Parents often use the site to help their children learn the alphabet and start to read. The entire site is interactive with the student. There is a link for the abc's. The student clicks on it and all of the letters pop up. Now if the student clicks on one other letter the website shows him/her the letter and tell them how it sounds. It then uses the letter in a word and show you the meaning for instance B is for ball. On this link it also gives you the vowels to words. Once the student pick s vowel the vowel is shown in a word and the computer tell him/her how it is suppose to sound. The student can interact and click on the letters as many times to learn more. One the maing page the other 3 links are for reading, one is for starting to read, one is making reading fun, and the other is I'm reading with books. Starting to read is sounding out letter and has the interaction of matching c with can and f with fan. It also has the begginng readings such as zac the rat. The computer show the student how to sound out the word to read it. When you move on to reading is fun then you learn about yourself. You finish or fill in the blanks about yourself or the story but click on the picture. This keeps the interaction fun while the student is learning reading. In the last one I'm reading, the site has several stories for the kids to read and enjoy with all the interaction of the characters.

I think that this site is one of the best sites I'm ever seen for kids to start reading. I love that it has interaction with the students and gets the kids excited about what they are doing. This site is like a teacher in many ways in the fact that it teaches the students how to sound out words and letter. I think it's a great jump start for kids before they get into school to help them learn. I think the mear interaction with the computer and the letters helps the best because thats how these students learn now, their attention span is so short that they need the interation constently to help them learn, especially boys. I honestly think that if a teacher does not use this program in their class that the parents should be using it at how to help their child succeed more. It has a great appeal about itslef because the letters can dance and you have characters that you can match and letters you can match. It forces the kid to learn on there own with out help. The only help they get in the site with pictures and sounds. Teacher can play around with the site if they would like to see how it will help there students learn. []


 * Program:** Animal Corner
 * Subject:** Science
 * Software:** Internet
 * Purpose:** Animal Corner is program in which elementary school kids can learn about animals. The animal corner is a website that has animal from all over th world. The animals are broken down by location and what kind of animal they are. The students can see the different animals by clicking on animals and they are broken down by what kind of animal they are such as reptile, marine, pets, etc. A student can click on the animal and then read about all of the differnt types such as turtles. The student can read and come to know the animals habitats and behaviors. The site stays very well updated with new information are they get it which is great for a student who is looking.

I think that this is a great site for older elementary kids who are starting to work on their first projects, which are usually about animals. It give the student plenty of informations about the animal they want to research. It's a good learning tool for them because that's how you are going to find most of you research. You are going to be reading about it and it can be in a book or on a website. I think it's a website that can help kids to find animals, for instance if the student finds an animal outside the can look for it on this site to see what it's behaviors are. It's also are great website if the student is traveling with their parents to better understand the wildlife around the area. It's strengths are that it gives a wealth of information for the student and gets them looking at other sources for information than just the teacher. Its weaknesses are that some of the words are a little advanced for the student and they might need help from a parent or teacher. The site ios also not interactive with the student, I think that would help more with the student if they could see the animal in action. Each teacher can get to the website and see if they would like to incorporate it in their class. []


 * Program:** Fun With Music
 * Subject:** Music
 * Software:** Flash
 * Purpose:** Fun with music is a flash interface game that sllows students to learn about music. Students can learn about tempo, rhythm, pitch, harmony and others. They can play with the tempo and hear it as it would sound in a band. The entire site is interactive with the student and the student can design their own music as well. The student can learn the notes and what each of the notes means. After the student knows the notes they can create their own. They place the note on a bar and after they put all their notes on there they can play it back to see how it sounds. They student can play around with what they want to listen too. This site is put together by the San Fransico Symphony. The student can learn about new instrument and what the instrument sounds like. The site also comes complete with a radio so the students can listen to classical music. The site also gives details on the Symphony to let the students and parents know what is comming up with the Symphony.

I think that this is a great site. I had to learn music when I was a kid and it was hard to follow along with the teacher because we did have visual examples. The teacher would belt out a tempo or a note but you could hear it with music. I think this is a great site to get students excited about music. It's a great interaction to learn about the tempo, rhythm, and note. You can actually hear the difference in each not and the note can explain themselves. You can also read about what notes do if you prefer to do that then play with the note, so it great for two learners. And the great part about it is it gets students thinking and creating. They can create their own music and they have to think about how they will put the notes together to make something sound great. In a class each student can build their own and then play it to the class to see what they think about it. I believe the strengths of this site are that the student can interact, learn, think and create. I think the only weakness of the site is writing when it is explain a note or tempo. The teacher can interact with the site and show it to their kids in class. It gives the teacher a chance to play with it and see what it can do before the show their students. []