A Virtual Journey Through

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A Virtual Journey Through
The ITS Program!
Created Presented by Techmos
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Telecommunications
Telecommunications is communicating over a
distance. Today, the most common form of
telecommunication is email. Telecommunications
was started with the invention of the telegraph.
It allowed people to communicate over vast
distances for the first time. The difference
between telegraphs and emails is the amount of
time that it takes the message to be relayed.
There are two forms of communication
asynchronous and synchronous. Synchronous
communication occurs at the same time. The
disadvantage to this is that both people must be
available at the same time. Asynchronous
communication allows you to send a message and
the receiver can read and respond when they have
the time available. The disadvantage is that you
may need an immediate response and the person is
not available at the time.
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Databases
Databases are used to organize data in a
collective fashion. Databases can be beneficial
to teachers by allowing them to organize student
records, grades, contact information, and a
number of other classroom management necessities.
There are two types of databases that we used in
the ITS class - Microsoft Access and Microsoft
Excel. Microsoft Access allows you to organize
information and view it in a more involved way.
The database file is your main file that
encompasses the entire database. The table is a
collection of data about a specific table. The
fields are the different categories within a
table. The datatypes are the properties in each
field. The values are the information in each
datatype.
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Graphics
Graphics play an important role in our every
day lives. We see graphics in textbooks, on
television, on the internet, on signs, etc.
There are six different types of graphic programs
that are used to create graphics print graphics,
drawing, images, painting, idea processors, and
animation. There are five different types of
images Decorative, Representational,
Organizational, Explanative, Transitional. We use
these images daily to decode and encode our
world.
Tools for obtaining graphics include
Clip Art Web-based Graphics
Digital Cameras Scanners
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Desktop Publishing
Reading the summary of Howard Garner, of
Frames of Mind gives us nice insight as to how
intelligence gravitates towards a symbolic
system. Symbols, symbolic systems, and symbolic
products span the gap between the structures and
functions of the nervous system and the roles and
activities of a culture. Symbols can function
alone as meaningful entities but are generally
elements or components of a more highly elaborate
system. Letters or sounds are combined to form
words words become speech or text numbers and
other abstract symbols become mathematical
formulas lines, shades and textures become
pictures. Symbols and symbol systems are most
influential when they are combined to form
full-fledged symbolic products stories, movies,
scientific theories, rituals and review. These
symbolic products are created by individuals to
convey a set of meanings and understood,
interpreted, appreciated, criticized, and
transformed by other in the culture. (6567
Technology for Teaching by Norton Sprague)
This confirms how important it is to have
children connect personal experience and learning
with symbols, symbolic systems and symbolic
products. They need to develop the skills to
become a good encoders and decoders of symbolic
products. Desktop Publishing is a great way to
foster and integrate these skills into learning
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Video
Video is another form of literacy. People are
able to encode their message in a different way
when they use video. While decoding, the person
watching is able to connect to material in a
different way than print allows. Many more
senses are used. Students today have grown up
in a visual world. Watching TV and playing video
games take up most of their spare time. Because
of this, material presented in a video format is
easier for them to decode and get meaning from
it. Teacher should keep this in mind when
creating lessons from their students. A variety
of multimedia should be used, especially video.
When students are able to create video to
present what they have learned, they are able to
connect to the material more than if they just
wrote their thoughts down. Students are
motivated to create an amazing product.
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Web Based Learning
Web Based Learning provides the opportunity to
make learning come alive, to make it more
relevant and more realistic, and to actively
engage students. Web Based Learning Offers
students the ability to learn through the use of
the internet in the form of discussion forums via
email, virtual field trips, web quests and
on-line courses. Offers access to many sources of
information. Offers real-world relevance to the
classroom. Increases the authenticity of the
learning environment. Promotes equity, as
resources not available to even the richest
schools become available to all students.