1. What are your favorite tools you now have in your personal technology toolbox? Briefly describe a particular activity that you will plan for your students using at least one of these new tools.
I am very excited about using SKYPE in my classroom... I really think that the students will benefit from it in lots of different ways. It is a fun and interactive way to teach and learn.
2. How have you transfomed your thinking about the learning that will take place in your classroom?
I definatley have changed my ways of thinking about the learning that will take place in my classroom. I have to let go of some of the control and let the kids take control of their learning with a few guidelines in place.
3. Were there any unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
I learned that there is so much more out there than I could ever imagine. I did have difficulties at times, but as i continued to navigate things got easier. I enjoyed the learning process and I am excited to use some of these tools in my classroom.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Tool #10 Underneath it All - Digital Citizenship
Three things that make a good digital citizen:
This tool was very helpful because sometimes it is easy to forget these things.
-Follow the Golden Rule of "Do unto others as you would have them do to you." I try to live by this daily. I also discuss it at least once a day with my students.
-Whatever you put in the computer it is there for the world to see.
-NEVER give your password to your friends. Kids love to tell each other everything, especially if it is a secret!
One of the resources mentioned above or on the Ed Tech website that I plan to use instructionally is Brain Pop. Brain Pop is such a great resource to integrate technology into the classroom! The kids love it and it also offers things for those who need things to be a little more difficult. The kids LOVE taking the hard quiz at the end of the activity... gives them a little challenge! The kids are held accountable by taking the quiz at the end- it could be used for a grade in the grade book! I already use this as an enrichment to my curriculum. This website is easy to access at home, too!
Explain briefly how you would "teach" the idea of digital citizenship to your students.
Theresa Trevino has done a great job of answering this question. Please visit her blog and read her explanation. Theresa Trevino's Blog - Tool #10
Explain briefly how you plan to share the idea of digital citizenship with your parents.
Back to School night is a great opportunity to communicate this to parents. Parents should sign a digital citizenship agreement that would hold them accountable for being aware of the procedures. I also agree with Meredith Ridner on her idea of adding blurbs to our blogs and newsletters and present them as "tips" to parents on a regular basis!
This tool was very helpful because sometimes it is easy to forget these things.
-Follow the Golden Rule of "Do unto others as you would have them do to you." I try to live by this daily. I also discuss it at least once a day with my students.
-Whatever you put in the computer it is there for the world to see.
-NEVER give your password to your friends. Kids love to tell each other everything, especially if it is a secret!
One of the resources mentioned above or on the Ed Tech website that I plan to use instructionally is Brain Pop. Brain Pop is such a great resource to integrate technology into the classroom! The kids love it and it also offers things for those who need things to be a little more difficult. The kids LOVE taking the hard quiz at the end of the activity... gives them a little challenge! The kids are held accountable by taking the quiz at the end- it could be used for a grade in the grade book! I already use this as an enrichment to my curriculum. This website is easy to access at home, too!
Explain briefly how you would "teach" the idea of digital citizenship to your students.
Theresa Trevino has done a great job of answering this question. Please visit her blog and read her explanation. Theresa Trevino's Blog - Tool #10
Explain briefly how you plan to share the idea of digital citizenship with your parents.
Back to School night is a great opportunity to communicate this to parents. Parents should sign a digital citizenship agreement that would hold them accountable for being aware of the procedures. I also agree with Meredith Ridner on her idea of adding blurbs to our blogs and newsletters and present them as "tips" to parents on a regular basis!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Tool #9 Incorporating Classroom-Based Devices as Tools for Learning
It is important to tie technology to the objective because the kids are growing up in a world of technology. We will integrate technology into education and content objectives, the kids are so use to using technology outside of the classroom and it will bring everything together. They will want to download the apps that we have in the classroom at home and keep the practice up at home.
Technology is used in my classroom during literacy workstations and math tubs. I feel that it is very important for a child to be in charge of his or her learning. With established rules and routines, the students will gain a sense of responsibility for their own learning.
Some apps that I found for the iTouch include:
Houston Zoo (Helps navigate when you are at the zoo, but also gives animal specifications. It also helps with the Map skills and reading a map with cardinal directions.) We visit the Houston Zoo each year and this app will be a HUGE success with my children.
Funny Flash (This one is neat because it morphs animals and then spells them out verbally and in print.) This will be a great app for those ESL students.
Math Drill (Addition & Subtraction - primary grades.) Awesome for students learning their math facts!
Sight Words (Great way for students to learn their sight words.)
The Weather Channel (Keep current with weather conditions anywhere. Goes well with our Seasons/Graphing Weather Unit.)
I use the iTouches during math and literacy stations. I plan to use them for to differentiate learning. The Brainpop app is great and plan to add this to my apps on the iTouches. The sight word apps will be used for my ESL students to review the English language.
Technology is used in my classroom during literacy workstations and math tubs. I feel that it is very important for a child to be in charge of his or her learning. With established rules and routines, the students will gain a sense of responsibility for their own learning.
Some apps that I found for the iTouch include:
Houston Zoo (Helps navigate when you are at the zoo, but also gives animal specifications. It also helps with the Map skills and reading a map with cardinal directions.) We visit the Houston Zoo each year and this app will be a HUGE success with my children.
Funny Flash (This one is neat because it morphs animals and then spells them out verbally and in print.) This will be a great app for those ESL students.
Math Drill (Addition & Subtraction - primary grades.) Awesome for students learning their math facts!
Sight Words (Great way for students to learn their sight words.)
The Weather Channel (Keep current with weather conditions anywhere. Goes well with our Seasons/Graphing Weather Unit.)
I use the iTouches during math and literacy stations. I plan to use them for to differentiate learning. The Brainpop app is great and plan to add this to my apps on the iTouches. The sight word apps will be used for my ESL students to review the English language.
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