I can't live without these tech tools -
1) iPhone - I use my phone to take photos, organize dates, see in the dark, get directions, etc. Of course, I use it to speak to my family!
2) MacBook - I love my laptop. It's sleek and intuitive. I think Apple products rock!
3) Barcode scanners - I can't imagine writing down book titles or using card catalogs. I can quickly scan books being returned and ones being checked out.
4) Projector - I love quickly accessing a file or showing a video clip to begin my lessons. The large screen allows everyone to really see what I'm talking about.
5) Lightsmith - I like that students can show others their work easily with a camera connected to the projector.
6) Email - I know some say it's outdated, but I still prefer to email than communicating through a public site.
7) Glogster & Wix- it's so easy to create a website now. Both of these make it easy to share with the community what students are learning.
8) Dropbox - can access files anywhere. Great for traveling.
9) Flickr - I love this site for free images to use in presentations.
10) Free fonts online - Example: http://www.fontspace.com/category/teachers
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Great Apps for Elementary Students
1) Edmodo- this is facebook for the kiddos. Teachers can post homework. Go green. No more lost homework. Parents can access it to find out classroom news. It's gaining popularity fast at our school. Grades can be posted quickly and efficiently. Less paperwork. I like that students can share information with one another, especially what they liked or didn't like about a book.
2) Stack the states- 99 cents. Geography should not be forgotten. With all the Common Core demands, let's not forget the importance of memorizing facts like the location of the states. This app will provide a fun way for students to build geography skills.
3) Dictionary.com- Free! I like to be able to quickly look up a word if I'm researching and I know students find this much handier than using a traditional dictionary. If they can't spell well, like google, the program will give some suggestions to lead students to the right word.
4) Dragon Dictation - Students can easily record their thoughts and send it via text or email. The app is free! I like it because I can record my thoughts driving (don't tell anyone, shhh!) and then it will save the message. Then I can email it to myself or someone else. Think about how nice this is for students. Students who struggle with writing can just go talk about their subject near an iphone or itouch and this app will convert it to text. Then the student could work with someone to check accuracy and add details. Not so overwhelming now!
1) Edmodo- this is facebook for the kiddos. Teachers can post homework. Go green. No more lost homework. Parents can access it to find out classroom news. It's gaining popularity fast at our school. Grades can be posted quickly and efficiently. Less paperwork. I like that students can share information with one another, especially what they liked or didn't like about a book.
2) Stack the states- 99 cents. Geography should not be forgotten. With all the Common Core demands, let's not forget the importance of memorizing facts like the location of the states. This app will provide a fun way for students to build geography skills.
3) Dictionary.com- Free! I like to be able to quickly look up a word if I'm researching and I know students find this much handier than using a traditional dictionary. If they can't spell well, like google, the program will give some suggestions to lead students to the right word.
4) Dragon Dictation - Students can easily record their thoughts and send it via text or email. The app is free! I like it because I can record my thoughts driving (don't tell anyone, shhh!) and then it will save the message. Then I can email it to myself or someone else. Think about how nice this is for students. Students who struggle with writing can just go talk about their subject near an iphone or itouch and this app will convert it to text. Then the student could work with someone to check accuracy and add details. Not so overwhelming now!
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Week 5 Digital Citizenship
I strive to be a good citizen in all aspects of my life. Why wouldn't that include digitally? I aim to act appropriately. If I have a problem with someone, I don't post my criticism online for the world to see. I try to let it go or resolve it personally with that person. Sometimes I've been known to write a question that might get the person to think deeper about what was said. I do not post photos of my students on my Facebook account or include personal details on my school webpage. I do not send emotional emails or type in all caps. By showing others respect, it hopefully will be returned. Others will know I am a professional educator. As an educator, I choose to model for my students how to act appropriately online. This will help me gain respect as a curator of information!
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Week 4 Material Generators
1) Rubistar - I have used this rubric generator many times for projects and presentations. I like how easy it is to select criteria for public speaking that will be assessed. The language is kid friendly. Great tool.
2) Crossword Puzzle Maker - I like to use this one to make crosswords for history tests. I can review the information in an easy, motivating format with this tool. I find students like crossword puzzles.
3) Print Shop Deluxe - I would like use this to create reading awards and flyers. This can be cost effective. I give out many reading awards throughout the year and it seems easy to create personal awards instead of using the generic ones at the parent teacher store.
2) Crossword Puzzle Maker - I like to use this one to make crosswords for history tests. I can review the information in an easy, motivating format with this tool. I find students like crossword puzzles.
3) Print Shop Deluxe - I would like use this to create reading awards and flyers. This can be cost effective. I give out many reading awards throughout the year and it seems easy to create personal awards instead of using the generic ones at the parent teacher store.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Week 3 Software
It's important to understand how software can be used in the classroom to promote student growth. There are five functions outlined in Roblyer and Doering's textbook.
1) Drill and Practice - This will help students to work on problems and get instant feedback. One example of this software is Math Magician. Math Magician is quick way to see if students are progressing at accuracy and time.
2) Tutorial - A software included in this group would be one that could teach the student or review material. It might provide explanations, routines, and feedback. One that could help students with grammar is English Leap. There are reviews over basic grammar rules, quizzes, and common mistakes outlined.
3) Simulation - Autism Simulation is extremely helpful for younger children to work on body language and facial expressions. This allows students to look at real faces and think about situation.
4) Instructional Games - Games are always a motivating way to help children practice their math facts. I like Factmonster.com. I like to use this website for intermediate students.Factmonster's Math Games
5) Problem Solving - These types have direct steps to teach a lesson. The textbook suggests Memory Challenge on http://www.criticalthinking.org but I could not find the Memory Challenge. I found one that on the top ten integration strategies for software in the text. Stock Market Software could fit into many categories actually - simulation and problem solving.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Web 2.0
Animoto http://animoto.com/play/1xgTYneFPuyDNeCcPDaEdQ This is the link to my Animoto project. I found this web 2.0 tool fairly easy to use. I used Flickr for all the photos which allows copyright free photos and images to be used.
Glogster site http://rocks43.edu.glogster.com/famous-alabamians
This is very easy to use and I've heard of many teachers using it for their website. I think I'll consider changing my wiki at school with a glogster.
Free Choice http://voicethread.com/share/4365589/
I tried Voice Thread. I heard about it a few years ago at a conference. It was fairly intuitive. I had to figure out why my voice wasn't recording on my mac. Duh! Mute button was on. Other than than that, I enjoyed playing around on it.
Glogster site http://rocks43.edu.glogster.com/famous-alabamians
This is very easy to use and I've heard of many teachers using it for their website. I think I'll consider changing my wiki at school with a glogster.
Free Choice http://voicethread.com/share/4365589/
I tried Voice Thread. I heard about it a few years ago at a conference. It was fairly intuitive. I had to figure out why my voice wasn't recording on my mac. Duh! Mute button was on. Other than than that, I enjoyed playing around on it.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Week 2
Week 2 - Hot topic debate
Software games in school have advantages and disadvantages in my opinion. I think some should be allowed because of how motivating they can be and the instant feedback students receive. There are great software games such as ones on factmonster.com. Quest Atlantis is one I've heard about and what like to try.
However, I think the concern is how long and in what context are they being used. I think we need to be real concerned about how much screen time students are receiving daily. Research states that kids that are not to receive more than one to two hours a day. If a child watches cartoons before school for 30 minutes, plays a game on an ipad at school, plays a video game right after school, and then watches a movie before bed - yikes! See how it could easily go more than 2 hours for a day.
Software games in school have advantages and disadvantages in my opinion. I think some should be allowed because of how motivating they can be and the instant feedback students receive. There are great software games such as ones on factmonster.com. Quest Atlantis is one I've heard about and what like to try.
However, I think the concern is how long and in what context are they being used. I think we need to be real concerned about how much screen time students are receiving daily. Research states that kids that are not to receive more than one to two hours a day. If a child watches cartoons before school for 30 minutes, plays a game on an ipad at school, plays a video game right after school, and then watches a movie before bed - yikes! See how it could easily go more than 2 hours for a day.
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