1. What are your favorite tools you now have in your personal technology toolbox? My favorite tools are the image generators and mashups, digital storytelling and Jing. I look forward to using these tools in the classroom. I am really excited to explore using Jing and digital storytelling in the classroom, these are two tools that I think will really aid me in helping students with problem solving and math workstations.
2. How have you transformed your thinking about the learning that will take place in your classroom? I think the only transformation is that I've learned more tools to use to enhance learning in my classroom.
3. Were there any unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you? I was already familiar with a lot of the tools, having done 23 Things previously. The one tool that really peaked my interest was Jing...I look forward to exploring the possibilities of using it in the classroom.
8.09.2010
Tool # 11 Digital Citizenship
As teachers, it's important that we take the time to teach our students about digital citizenship, not only looking at our students but also reaching out to parents and the community. Like others have mentioned in their blogs, I found the graphic organizer on Cool Cat Teacher blog to be very useful as a guideline for teaching digital citizenship. There are three areas that I would focus on discussing with my students.
1. Security and Safety: Students need to understand how to find credible resources. Students tend to believe whatever they find on the internet. They don't take the time to question the reliability of the resource or website. Teaching students to use good searching techniques is the beginning to understanding how to evaluate websites. As more social networks become available or popular, it's important to talk to students about being safe and knowing who they are communicating with.
2. Etiquette: Students need to learn that even on the internet there are codes of conduct to use. Opening a discussion as to what is appropriate behavior on the internet can allow students to create a classroom code of ethics for computer use.
3. Cyberbulling: As a fifth grade teacher, this is a subject that I feel is important to discuss with students. In this technological age, most fifth grade students have cell phones, interact on social media networks and plan games online. There is a definite rise in cyberbulling among kids, it's so easy for students to send messages that are threatening, teasing and hurtful about a person to a huge group of people at one time. More and more we see news of students who have been targets of cyberbulling and it's devastating effects.
I would teach these concepts one at a time building upon each one and leading discussions with students to come up with fair and acceptable guidelines to use in the classroom and hopefully, will carry over to their computer use at home.
1. Security and Safety: Students need to understand how to find credible resources. Students tend to believe whatever they find on the internet. They don't take the time to question the reliability of the resource or website. Teaching students to use good searching techniques is the beginning to understanding how to evaluate websites. As more social networks become available or popular, it's important to talk to students about being safe and knowing who they are communicating with.
2. Etiquette: Students need to learn that even on the internet there are codes of conduct to use. Opening a discussion as to what is appropriate behavior on the internet can allow students to create a classroom code of ethics for computer use.
3. Cyberbulling: As a fifth grade teacher, this is a subject that I feel is important to discuss with students. In this technological age, most fifth grade students have cell phones, interact on social media networks and plan games online. There is a definite rise in cyberbulling among kids, it's so easy for students to send messages that are threatening, teasing and hurtful about a person to a huge group of people at one time. More and more we see news of students who have been targets of cyberbulling and it's devastating effects.
I would teach these concepts one at a time building upon each one and leading discussions with students to come up with fair and acceptable guidelines to use in the classroom and hopefully, will carry over to their computer use at home.
8.08.2010
Tool # 10 Mobile Apps
I don't own an iPhone, iTouch or iPad but I have used the iTouch at school with students. Students were able to play math games that supported concepts they were working on in the classroom and have fun playing them. I found that most of the free apps they used were on their grade level but there were some that involved concepts that were more difficult and on a high school level. It's extremely important as a teacher to first review any app that you plan on using with students. I know that students are able to also listen to books on the iTouch which I think is great resource.
I plan on purchasing a iPhone and look forward to being able to explore more apps. My nephew introduced me to a couple this summer that I totally became addicted to.
I plan on purchasing a iPhone and look forward to being able to explore more apps. My nephew introduced me to a couple this summer that I totally became addicted to.
Tool #9 Jing & Skype
I wasn't familiar with Jing but the more I read about it, the more I look forward to using it in the classroom. I do feel the need to learn and explore it more before I try it out in the classroom but I can already see using it as a math station/center students use. Being able to show students how to record the work or answers with out having to show the whole class is a benefit.
Skype is a great tool/resource to use to communicate with others easily and quickly via the computer. I like the fact that even with Skype you don't have to have a webcam in order to communicate. It has lots of uses for teachers and students in the classroom. I like the idea of inviting guest speakers/visitors to interact with students in the classroom without them being physically present. It would be great to use to interact with another classroom in another city, state or country.
Skype is a great tool/resource to use to communicate with others easily and quickly via the computer. I like the fact that even with Skype you don't have to have a webcam in order to communicate. It has lots of uses for teachers and students in the classroom. I like the idea of inviting guest speakers/visitors to interact with students in the classroom without them being physically present. It would be great to use to interact with another classroom in another city, state or country.
8.06.2010
Tool #8
Cute video to help students learn how to simplify fractions. I've shown this to students in previous years and they enjoy anything with music and a beat. I look for videos on Teacher Tube more than YouTube for the simple fact that I feel I can trust finding suitable material.
Even though I no longer teach Science, I found this video on the water cycle a couple of years ago and I think it just shows the power of creativity in children. I've always liked the concept of how they put it together.
Tool #7 Digital Storytelling
I made a photo story of my brother's wedding. I've used photo story before to create projects in my library science classes. Uses for digital storytelling, it obviously lets someone tell a story using pictures, images, text, music and/or voice. One of the things I like about digital storytelling, it allows the user to personalize their story. I've seen some really awesome videos done by students. They can use it to create book reports, show problem solving in math and science concepts.
8.05.2010
Tool #6 Wikis
Wikis are great resource to use to collaborate with others. I've used wikis in several classes to find information about courses, ask questions and add comments/opinions. They can be very useful but if used in the classroom, as they would need to be monitored regularly. Wikis allow students to add their input, ideas and make revisions collaboratively. Some ideas on how to use wikis-set up problem solving problems in Math, use as grade level meeting place to share lesson plans, and as a place for parents to find homework tips and strategies to use with their children at home.
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