EME Journal #4

    The Florida Computer Science Standards list several benchmarks for grades to hit when learning about technology use. For example, grades 3-5 should be able to use modeling and simulations on a computer to explain real-life situations. They should be able to identify concepts and explain how the concepts in the simulations can be used to solve problems in the real scientific world while answering a question or hypothesis with their data. They should be able to explain what the model that they created shows or doesn't show in their own words. I would prepared to implement this standard based on my current skill set because I still use this skill today. In my college science classes, specifically biology, I have created countless online models and simulations to explain and/or solve different problems or events. I actually enjoy using this skill set and I feel that 3-5th graders would as well. 

    There are many resources available to teachers, which can be very helpful, especially to new teachers who do not have their own style or haven't found what works best for their students yet. For example, the CPALMS Educator Toolkit is the perfect hub for Florida teachers of any grade or subject to gain resources they might need. One cool resource I found was a lesson plan for 6th grade math students to be able to engage in discussion that shows their thinking. In this lesson plan, students must come up with the best variety for a new cookie introduced to a cookie company. They must problem solve and discuss with each other to figure out how to create the most success in their company. I would definitely use resources in my teaching. I think it is important for teachers to bounce ideas off of others, or see examples of other resources because a resource they see might have something that they forgot in their own work. 

    Internet searching is also very important for teachers because not everyone knows everything. In a world where information is easily accessible, teachers should know how to properly search for what they need so they can find reliable, accurate information. After all, we wouldn't want teachers passing along the wrong knowledge to a future generation. The searching skill I liked the most from this week is reverse image searches. I knew this was possible, but could never figure out how to do it on my own, and honestly never cared to learn. Now that I know how, I will definitely be using this. I can't count the amount of times where I wanted to know where something was from in a picture, like shoes or an item. I could also use this if I see something in a photo that I would want in my classroom, but can't find with a simple search.