This took alot longer than 9 hours to complete...especially if you read all the links...but it's all about the learning...
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.
Loved the photostory, scary but true. I can see this being used for students to talk about habitats, animals, rocks, earth forces, etc. as a project.
I can see the flickr spelling and wordle being used alot for spelling and writing practice. I just have to figure out how to get the wordles off the site on on my desktop...
I really think the jing will help to teach concepts that require reteaching. It will make it easier for students to reteach themselves.
I like the social bookmarking (how do they get to my sites?) because the students using netbooks can find my sites that I want them to use for station or project work.
2. How have you transfomed your thinking about the learning that will take place in your classroom?
I think that these tools will be helpful in the future of teaching...we just have to get the equipment necessary to make them work in the classrooms. We still need wireless printing, webcams to make a truly 21st century classroom.
We just have to remember (soapbox again) that students need to learn the long way before they can find the shortcuts. Spellcheck and the internet are NOT foolproof and students have to be willing to say no and use their common sense to make things work. 3rd graders need to write on PAPER before they write on computers.
3. Were there any unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
That photostory was so easy...that favorites can be stored online...that wordles were fun..that there is SO MUCH information out there about all of this!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Tool #11
Digital Citizenship is a new buzzword, but an old concept. For years, TV and the news media have told stories about children meeting undesirable people online. It's really not difficult for children or adults to find "interesting" people who do and say the right things and then try to meet face to face and be in emotional and/or physical danger.
In today's Facebook society, you are known by the amount of "friends" you have, not by the people you actually know. Honestly, how can ANY 16 year old child be "friends" with over 200 people?
I am very strict about computer use in the classroom. There are rules to follow: 1) don't go on any web-site that I have not authorized, 2) do not enroll, or join any website...period, 3) do not "drift" onto another site that has a link on the assigned site, 4) if you see anything that doesn't look right, then let the teacher know.
My students know that violation of these rules means that they are grounded from computer use in the classroom and in the lab - no exceptions! I tell them real stories (watered down) of the things that can happen. I tell them that MY children were not allowed to be "friends" or speak to anyone on the internet that I did not have physical knowledge of. My daughter made the mistake of "chatting" with the cousin of a friend of a friend, who then asked for an inappropriate favor...
Once students understand my reasons, they are willing to follow these rules - they understand that are non-negotiable, but they also understand that it is for their safety.
We review how to get online and how to stay on the right site. I make sure that all internet movement is done as a class and in slow motion. I try to be hypervigilant when students are online because it is very easy to click the wrong picture by accident and land in the wrong space by mistake.
Some students will tell you that their parents let them "surf" wherever they want! Good for them, but on my watch, the students follow my rules. Hopefully the parents have a set of rules at home themselves...hopefully!
In today's Facebook society, you are known by the amount of "friends" you have, not by the people you actually know. Honestly, how can ANY 16 year old child be "friends" with over 200 people?
I am very strict about computer use in the classroom. There are rules to follow: 1) don't go on any web-site that I have not authorized, 2) do not enroll, or join any website...period, 3) do not "drift" onto another site that has a link on the assigned site, 4) if you see anything that doesn't look right, then let the teacher know.
My students know that violation of these rules means that they are grounded from computer use in the classroom and in the lab - no exceptions! I tell them real stories (watered down) of the things that can happen. I tell them that MY children were not allowed to be "friends" or speak to anyone on the internet that I did not have physical knowledge of. My daughter made the mistake of "chatting" with the cousin of a friend of a friend, who then asked for an inappropriate favor...
Once students understand my reasons, they are willing to follow these rules - they understand that are non-negotiable, but they also understand that it is for their safety.
We review how to get online and how to stay on the right site. I make sure that all internet movement is done as a class and in slow motion. I try to be hypervigilant when students are online because it is very easy to click the wrong picture by accident and land in the wrong space by mistake.
Some students will tell you that their parents let them "surf" wherever they want! Good for them, but on my watch, the students follow my rules. Hopefully the parents have a set of rules at home themselves...hopefully!
Monday, August 9, 2010
Tool #10
I am sorry to say that I am "I-anything" challenged. I totally dislike Itunes, and I don't know how to use an Itouch, Iphone, or Ipad. My students can teach me. I feel like Apple will take over the world...
I have held the device and hope that my students can use this equipment to research concepts for subjects like social studies and science. They can be helpful in the writing process by giving them spelling and dictionary assitance.
My only concern is that students will no longer use the hardcover dictionaries. I still feel that students should know how to find things the "old-fashioned" way. Mainly because you can't get internet service everywhere...
It's kind of like GPS and spellcheck...those apps are not always right. You have to know how to read a map and spell a word to make sure you are making the right decisions...You can't use a calculator until you know how the order and function of operations.
I don't want to jump the gun...sorry, but I'm old school here.
I have held the device and hope that my students can use this equipment to research concepts for subjects like social studies and science. They can be helpful in the writing process by giving them spelling and dictionary assitance.
My only concern is that students will no longer use the hardcover dictionaries. I still feel that students should know how to find things the "old-fashioned" way. Mainly because you can't get internet service everywhere...
It's kind of like GPS and spellcheck...those apps are not always right. You have to know how to read a map and spell a word to make sure you are making the right decisions...You can't use a calculator until you know how the order and function of operations.
I don't want to jump the gun...sorry, but I'm old school here.
Tool #9
I was somewhat hesitant about this one. But being openminded, I jumped in with both feet.
I am liking Jing. I did not download it, I have no camera or microphone, but can see its use when letting the students record how to solve problems on the activboard. Or I can use it so they can watch my motions to work a certain concept. Instead of interrupting me while at stations, they can just watch the "video" and rethink how to take care of the situation.
I am thinking (uh oh) that the district will probably be supplying either computers with cameras, external cameras and/or microphones so we can utilize all this fabulous knowledge.
My daughter uses Skype. She uses it to talk to her friends instead of using the cell phone. They take pictures and can see facial expressions when speaking. It's the future in Aliens when they were talking face to face on the phone. This can be a great feature speaking with relatives near or far to keep in touch.
I can see Skype's use in a classroom if arrangements can be made to connect with another learning institution or person with information to share. But I am cautious about it for the same reason that you can't find information on the White House at www.whitehouse.com...(please do not use this link)
So I can see the pros and cons of both sides...
Onward and upward...
I am liking Jing. I did not download it, I have no camera or microphone, but can see its use when letting the students record how to solve problems on the activboard. Or I can use it so they can watch my motions to work a certain concept. Instead of interrupting me while at stations, they can just watch the "video" and rethink how to take care of the situation.
I am thinking (uh oh) that the district will probably be supplying either computers with cameras, external cameras and/or microphones so we can utilize all this fabulous knowledge.
My daughter uses Skype. She uses it to talk to her friends instead of using the cell phone. They take pictures and can see facial expressions when speaking. It's the future in Aliens when they were talking face to face on the phone. This can be a great feature speaking with relatives near or far to keep in touch.
I can see Skype's use in a classroom if arrangements can be made to connect with another learning institution or person with information to share. But I am cautious about it for the same reason that you can't find information on the White House at www.whitehouse.com...(please do not use this link)
So I can see the pros and cons of both sides...
Onward and upward...
Tool #8
I use videos OFTEN in my classroom, especially for social studies and science. I always try to find most of my info on United Streaming. For biographical info, they aren't the best, but they give me something. For science, United Streaming is fabulous, and my students are excited about watching science videos when they can't go out for recess.
Since Planet Earth is now on United Streaming, I don't have to bring my own personal videos. But those are amazing videos for students studying habitats...
The reason I chose this one is because it is National Geographic... I will definitely look at their site more often to find great things...
I also posted the video about the USS John Stennis. I know that my students are interested in how the force moves the planes off the ships.
There are SO MANY choices on videos...I can't wait until the Discovery show Life is available!!!
Hulu - National Geographic Specials: Arctic Kingdom: Life at the Edge
Since Planet Earth is now on United Streaming, I don't have to bring my own personal videos. But those are amazing videos for students studying habitats...
The reason I chose this one is because it is National Geographic... I will definitely look at their site more often to find great things...
I also posted the video about the USS John Stennis. I know that my students are interested in how the force moves the planes off the ships.
There are SO MANY choices on videos...I can't wait until the Discovery show Life is available!!!
Hulu - National Geographic Specials: Arctic Kingdom: Life at the Edge
Tool #7
Tool #7 took me forever...till 3 in the morning! I made it harder than it had to be. I was searching for all my home videos. That's great, except I only needed pictures for PhotoStory.
I also found myself going for the big story instead of narrowing my topic. I found my topic and kind of enjoyed putting the show together.
I did script for voice over, but district computers do not have microphones embedded in the laptop.
So...here it is...
Peace Be to You!
I also found myself going for the big story instead of narrowing my topic. I found my topic and kind of enjoyed putting the show together.
I did script for voice over, but district computers do not have microphones embedded in the laptop.
So...here it is...
Peace Be to You!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Tool #6 - Wiki
I'm on a roll...
I always wondered what a WIKI was...now I know. It basically seems like a web-site that is MUCH easier to change and manipulate.
I saw a really cool wiki from a 3rd/4th grade class in Australia from 2005, called http://terrythetennisball.wikispaces.com/
The class started a story and then added different endings and sections! It is really interesting. I wonder how long it would take to maintain...
Would a wiki be a better idea to use for a class web-site? There is one for the campus through SBISD, but I am still challenged and do not know how to create my own page.
I could see using this technology to show class book reviews or even create our own story...if it's easy enough for me, then maybe some of my students (with computer experience) could work together to create, maintain and add to the story.
Hmmmmm...gives me something to think about.
I always wondered what a WIKI was...now I know. It basically seems like a web-site that is MUCH easier to change and manipulate.
I saw a really cool wiki from a 3rd/4th grade class in Australia from 2005, called http://terrythetennisball.wikispaces.com/
The class started a story and then added different endings and sections! It is really interesting. I wonder how long it would take to maintain...
Would a wiki be a better idea to use for a class web-site? There is one for the campus through SBISD, but I am still challenged and do not know how to create my own page.
I could see using this technology to show class book reviews or even create our own story...if it's easy enough for me, then maybe some of my students (with computer experience) could work together to create, maintain and add to the story.
Hmmmmm...gives me something to think about.
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