After 11 Tools

There are so many new tools that I have learned that I would like to incorporate into the classroom. I really enjoyed teaching PBL this summer and getting to use some of these new tools there, that I would feel comfortable enough to be able to apply in my classroom.
There always seems to be something new to learn with technology. I have to keep up with the new technology tools myself to feel comfortable enough to use in the classroom. This training has helped. The students these days really enjoy using technology and I try to make sure I integrate technology into the curriculum to keep up.

Tool #11

Even though students probably are using technology daily already; we need to make sure that they are using it appropriately. Digital citizenship is the norms of behavior students should be using with technology. It would be a good idea to start the beginning of the year teaching the three major areas.

I would probably start with:
School Environment and Student Behavior
Digital Security & Safety: electronic precautions to guarantee safety/physical well-being in a digital technology world
Digital Etiquette: electronic standards of conduct or procedure
Digital Rights and Responsibilities: those freedoms extended to everyone in a digital world

Tool #10

I haven’t really used iTouch, an iPhone, or an iPad, but I went to SBISD’s list of free apps that are appropriate for school. Looking at the apps, you see that this is just another way to use technology in the classroom to reinforce learning. The apps that stood out for me were:

Level - carpenter's bubble level, inch ruler, and centimeter ruler!
KenKen Lite - uses math concepts to solve puzzles similar in looks to Sudoku
Planets (Q Continuum)

Tool #9

I hadn't heard of Jing before this. Jing is just another way to introduce/reinforce curriculum to students. Teachers can create their own videos with narration. Students can use this tool for presentations or to even make timelines.
Skype is a way for teachers to open up their classroom and their students to a world way beyond their campus. With Skype, students can learn from other students, connect with other cultures, and expand their knowledge in amazing ways.

Tool #8

This is just another great way to get students engaged in the classroom. Showing the curriculum through different ways helps students retain the information taught.

My students really enjoyed the remix of the Black-Eyed-Pea video to get them engaged in reading.
Also, math videos are a good ways to help students memorize their facts.

Tool #7

This is a great tool. We used Photostory during PBL, and the kids really enjoyed it. I can see students creating their projects and then using them to teach the class.

Tool #6

Wikis can be used to get students more involved in the curriculum. Students can use a wiki for peer reviews on their writing pieces. Teachers can use a wiki for presentations.

Tool #5

These are the two websites I used quite a bit:

http://www.readinga-z.com/
http://www.sciencea-z.com/

Two websites that my students will enjoy using on their free time:

http://www.funbrain.com/
http://www.coolmath-games.com/

Social bookmarking can be used in the classroom by giving the ability for students to share bookmarks with each other. This is also a great resource for teachers to keep track of some helpful website and be able to share it with team members.

Tool #4

I enjoyed using Google Docs and the Google reader! Google Docs is a great way to share information. Google reader a great way to keep all the blogs you are following organized for easy access.
I used Google reader to follow my 4th grade team, our Principal, and AP.

Tool #3

Students can use Wordle with their vocabulary words or show all the words they have learned during a lesson.
Students can create their own sequel to a story using Bookr or create a book on things they have learned in a lesson.

Tool #2

Building an online education community is a way for educators to keep current with the ever changing world of technology. PLNs are a way for teachers to be continuously growing, while sharing our ideas with colleagues and providing feedback.

Commenting is a part of us communicating. It’s a way to provide constructive feedback or add to the other person’s thought. Invite comments that people leave by interacting with those that left them.

Five blogs I commented on:
Joy Into Teaching
Hugotepic
My Blog