My favorite tools are the Animotos and the Digital Storytelling. I would love to create an end-of-unit research project for either a science or social studies unit. I would first start with group projects and move to individual projects by the fourth nine weeks.
While I did have some difficulty with a few of the lessons, it really wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I still need to do some practicing on my own, but I do feel more confident with using these tools and technology in my classroom.
I was surprised by how simple a lot of these tools are. I was dreading the course because I thought I would be getting a lot of migraines from things not working correctly and I thought I wouldn't understand how to do the assingments. It was actually easy and I learned a lot of things that I can use in my classroom!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Monday, June 7, 2010
Tool #11
Three things I want to make sure my students understand about being good digital citizens:
1. Once you write something or send something, you can't take it back. I want my students to understand that a lot of people could see what they put on the Internet. They need to be careful when they post things and what they post about.
2. Don't copyright. If you take an original idea or picture, video, etc. from somewhere else, you need to document it. It something has a copyright, don't take it all.
3. Don't trust everything you read or see online. I think it is important that students know that the Internet has great information and sources. However, you have to make sure you are on a trusted site (and there are plenty of great, trusty-worthy sites on the Web).
I think one way to teach digital citizenship is to model for the students what you want to see from them. I think it is important to also cover being a good digital citizen in class before letting them use the technology. I think this would even be a great lesson for community circle/character education time.
1. Once you write something or send something, you can't take it back. I want my students to understand that a lot of people could see what they put on the Internet. They need to be careful when they post things and what they post about.
2. Don't copyright. If you take an original idea or picture, video, etc. from somewhere else, you need to document it. It something has a copyright, don't take it all.
3. Don't trust everything you read or see online. I think it is important that students know that the Internet has great information and sources. However, you have to make sure you are on a trusted site (and there are plenty of great, trusty-worthy sites on the Web).
I think one way to teach digital citizenship is to model for the students what you want to see from them. I think it is important to also cover being a good digital citizen in class before letting them use the technology. I think this would even be a great lesson for community circle/character education time.
Tool #10
The educational apps I looked at were NASA and Math Drills Lite. I could see using those in class. We teach space in science and it had some great photos. I could see letting the students practice their math facts with the other app. They usually don't like practicing them. However, I think practicing math facts on an iTouch or iPad would get them more interested.
I haven't had an opportunity to look at either device.
As I mentioned above, I think downloading the Math Drills Lite app to either one would be a great way for them to practice. Students could use an iPad or iTouch during centers/stations to practice math facts. They could also research by using apps, such as NASA. I think both of these devices would be great motivators to get the "hard-to-motivate" student interested in learning. They might actually want to participate if the technology is involved.
I haven't had an opportunity to look at either device.
As I mentioned above, I think downloading the Math Drills Lite app to either one would be a great way for them to practice. Students could use an iPad or iTouch during centers/stations to practice math facts. They could also research by using apps, such as NASA. I think both of these devices would be great motivators to get the "hard-to-motivate" student interested in learning. They might actually want to participate if the technology is involved.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Tool #9
I think Jing would be great for students to help "teach" a review lesson. It would be great for some of the students who maybe didn't understand the lesson to see/hear a peer, who fully understands the concept, to show them how to do it in their own words/way.
Skype would be great to connect my students with students in the district, other states, and other countries! It would be great to be able to talk to people that have experience in what we are talking about, but are not in our area. For example, if we were discussing a historical place, it would be great to Skype with someone in that location that could actually show the students a live view of the place.
Skype would be great to connect my students with students in the district, other states, and other countries! It would be great to be able to talk to people that have experience in what we are talking about, but are not in our area. For example, if we were discussing a historical place, it would be great to Skype with someone in that location that could actually show the students a live view of the place.
Tool #8
I found the following two videos on YouTube that I could use in my classroom.
1. The first video shows a space shuttle taking off. I could use this when we study space. Most of my students have never seen a shuttle take off. I think they would love to see his.
2. The second video, Jane Addams and the Hull House, was a great find for me! I had never been able to find much on Jane Addams and YouTube had several videos available.
I can use both of these videos in class to enhance my students' learning. The first video gives them a real-life look at what happens when the shuttle takes off. However, seeing it actually launch will give them a better idea of what happens during the launch. The second video has a lot of simple information and great pictures that will enhance my lesson on why Jane Addams is a good citizen.
1. The first video shows a space shuttle taking off. I could use this when we study space. Most of my students have never seen a shuttle take off. I think they would love to see his.
2. The second video, Jane Addams and the Hull House, was a great find for me! I had never been able to find much on Jane Addams and YouTube had several videos available.
I can use both of these videos in class to enhance my students' learning. The first video gives them a real-life look at what happens when the shuttle takes off. However, seeing it actually launch will give them a better idea of what happens during the launch. The second video has a lot of simple information and great pictures that will enhance my lesson on why Jane Addams is a good citizen.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Tool #7
Well, it has taken me all afternoon to get my digital story uploaded! Overall, it has been an interesting experience! Actually putting it together was not as hard as I thought it would be. I had to find pictures twice, because the first time I wasn't sure if the pictures were copyrighted. So, I searched again for copyright-free pictures, just to make sure. Trying to get it uploaded was a long process. However, it finally did it! I wish my pictures would be clearer and the writing would show better, but overall I am satisfied with my first digital story! I am also glad I was able to accomplish the task!
I think this would be a great way to end a unit for the students. It would get them interested because they can use technology. As a teacher, I can check to see how much they understood and could even see using this in place of a typical test at the end of a unit.
Tool #6
I think students could use wikis to work collaboratively on all kinds of assignments. I could see using them in my classroom with my students for book reviews and science and social studies projects. I think wikis would be great for working with your team. It would be an easy way for team members to see what the team leader still needs before turning it in. For example, our team always splits up our roadmaps every nine weeks. One team member does one subject. Our team leader could post the list of subjects on a wiki and the team members could edit it and change it when they have completed their roadmap. It could serve as a reminder to other team members that they need to get their part completed! Teams could also use wikis if they are having to plan a study trip or an event, such as library night.
Tool #5
I found 2 new Websites that are both very informative. I used the tag: teaching third grade. A lot of sites came up, however, these were Websites that I could see myself using in my classroom.
1. Beth Newingham's Third Grade - Her site has a ton of ideas for third grade teachers. Some of her ideas even include video clips for teachers to watch her put her ideas into action!
2. Interactive Activities - This site has interactive games/activities for you to use in your classroom. I think this would be great to use on the ActivBoard with your class.
I would use social bookmarking in my classroom for the Websites that I use in my teaching on a regular basis. I might even use it to bookmark sites for my students to use in research projects or maybe to go to during centers/stations.
1. Beth Newingham's Third Grade - Her site has a ton of ideas for third grade teachers. Some of her ideas even include video clips for teachers to watch her put her ideas into action!
2. Interactive Activities - This site has interactive games/activities for you to use in your classroom. I think this would be great to use on the ActivBoard with your class.
I would use social bookmarking in my classroom for the Websites that I use in my teaching on a regular basis. I might even use it to bookmark sites for my students to use in research projects or maybe to go to during centers/stations.
Tool #4
I was able to use Google Docs to send family members the vacation schedule for our trip this summer. It was easy and they were able to see exactly what the plans are for each day of the trip.
I could see using Google Docs and Google Reader in my classroom to keep students connected on research projects. Part of our curriculum is to teach students how to research. These 2 tools would be great for these projects, especially when they are working in groups. They could all be on separate computers at one time and view the same document!
I could see using Google Docs and Google Reader in my classroom to keep students connected on research projects. Part of our curriculum is to teach students how to research. These 2 tools would be great for these projects, especially when they are working in groups. They could all be on separate computers at one time and view the same document!
Friday, June 4, 2010
Tool #3
Pictures and gadgets really help bring attention to your Blog. It also personalizes your Blog, which is what I did with the top photo. I like to shop and the picture inside the Galleria helps to showcase that! I think adding pictures and gadgets helps students be more creative and involved with their writing.
I also created a Wordle. However, I am having problems posting it. So, here is the link to take you there to see it. Summer Vacation
I also created a Wordle. However, I am having problems posting it. So, here is the link to take you there to see it. Summer Vacation
Tool #2
I think PLN's are a great way for students and teachers to stay connected and updated about current trends/events in education. You can share thoughts and ideas with others in your field.
The one thing that stood out for me about commenting on blogs is to really leave a thoughtful comment. Don't just comment to leave a comment. You should put thought into the comment.
The 5 Blogs I commented on:
1. Tool #8 - Hatty Chatty The Techno Savvy Queen
2. Tool #1 - Joy into Teaching
3. Tool #1 - MGO at SOE
4. Tool #1 - aguykens
5. Tool #2 - Technofitness, Here I Come
The one thing that stood out for me about commenting on blogs is to really leave a thoughtful comment. Don't just comment to leave a comment. You should put thought into the comment.
The 5 Blogs I commented on:
1. Tool #8 - Hatty Chatty The Techno Savvy Queen
2. Tool #1 - Joy into Teaching
3. Tool #1 - MGO at SOE
4. Tool #1 - aguykens
5. Tool #2 - Technofitness, Here I Come
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