Although Dropbox is similar to GoogleDocs which I am more familiar with it, I actually really like it and have plans to use it. With Dropbox you can store photos, which I believe GoogleDocs doesn't have the capability. I also plan to use Twitter and Edmodo in class. Both of these tools are a cool way to get the students connected on line, through projects, with any questions or concerns, and gives them an opportunity to have immediate feedback.
I am excited for the new technology that will be available for my students in the classroom and can't wait to actually start using it. I understand that personally I need to keep up to date on technology in order to keep up with the kids and to have everything prepared. I envision that I will have to adjust some rules and procedures when the technology is in use, to take care of it, and to be responsible.
I enjoyed this little journey through the 11 tools. I've always heard about Blogs but never really paid attention to the hype about them. I actually am proud to say I have my own Blog, I think its pretty darn cool. I've learned a lot about what is available out there to use as teaching tools for the kids. I plan to use this technology to my advantage and to theirs. I'm excited to see where in the classroom we go from here.
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Sunday, November 25, 2012
WOW!! Tool #10
In my World Geography classes we had a lesson on what it takes to be a good citizen. That which includes being a good citizen in the community, at school, globally, and in the digital world. I realize that we can have one lesson and they learn from it, but it is a continuous lesson in reality. A lot of things go in one ear and out the other, and ultimately these kids are human and will make mistakes like we all do. It worries me that they could use the internet in a way that could harm themselves or someone they care about. I will do my best to monitor and continue to be honest with them about the web and let them know when used effectively it is a an amazing tool.
Three things I would like them to understand about being a good digital citizen include etiquette, safety, and plagiarism.
I want my students to realize that things they say or pictures they post on the internet are not private and once its out in cyber space its out there for all to do with it what they will.They need to understand with their family they may act one way, with their friends another, with their teachers another, and with the internet they should too. They should do what they can to present themselves in an appropriate manner and not create a bad reputation for themselves. I also want them to be safe on the internet and make sure they don't talk to people they don't know or allow people to take advantage of them. Also, in no way, shape, or form do I want them to be a part of cyber bullying. They need to be aware of the dangers of bullying on the internet. They need to protect themselves and play it safe. The last thing I want them to understand is that plagiarism is unacceptable. Of course it is a lot easier to catch that happening with websites like turnitin.com, but still they need to know that they must do their own work. I also want them to understand that everything they read on the internet may not be true. They need to learn that research doesn't entail grabbing the first source given, they need to really look through documents and analyze the validity of the content they are researching.
I would continue to reinforce, remind, or teach the importance of all of these issues with students through discussions. I have a Google clip about digital citizenship that I've shown to my World Geography classes, that I can also share with my ELA classes.
Having an open communication with parents about what their child is doing in school and on the internet is very important. A note can be sent home with students to have their parents sign and return. This form could include websites that the students often visit. This would allow for parents to know that they too at home can visit the websites for themselves so they can be aware of where exactly their child is going to on the internet.
I like various resources that I know can be used in the classroom effectively such as BrainPop. Both Media Awareness Network and Common Sense Media have great lesson plans and educational opportunities for both student and parent.
WOW!! I'm almost there!!!
Three things I would like them to understand about being a good digital citizen include etiquette, safety, and plagiarism.
I want my students to realize that things they say or pictures they post on the internet are not private and once its out in cyber space its out there for all to do with it what they will.They need to understand with their family they may act one way, with their friends another, with their teachers another, and with the internet they should too. They should do what they can to present themselves in an appropriate manner and not create a bad reputation for themselves. I also want them to be safe on the internet and make sure they don't talk to people they don't know or allow people to take advantage of them. Also, in no way, shape, or form do I want them to be a part of cyber bullying. They need to be aware of the dangers of bullying on the internet. They need to protect themselves and play it safe. The last thing I want them to understand is that plagiarism is unacceptable. Of course it is a lot easier to catch that happening with websites like turnitin.com, but still they need to know that they must do their own work. I also want them to understand that everything they read on the internet may not be true. They need to learn that research doesn't entail grabbing the first source given, they need to really look through documents and analyze the validity of the content they are researching.
I would continue to reinforce, remind, or teach the importance of all of these issues with students through discussions. I have a Google clip about digital citizenship that I've shown to my World Geography classes, that I can also share with my ELA classes.
Having an open communication with parents about what their child is doing in school and on the internet is very important. A note can be sent home with students to have their parents sign and return. This form could include websites that the students often visit. This would allow for parents to know that they too at home can visit the websites for themselves so they can be aware of where exactly their child is going to on the internet.
I like various resources that I know can be used in the classroom effectively such as BrainPop. Both Media Awareness Network and Common Sense Media have great lesson plans and educational opportunities for both student and parent.
WOW!! I'm almost there!!!
Saturday, November 24, 2012
2 More Left to Go!!! Tool #9
I think it is important to tie the objective to technology when appropriate.
The students at times are more engaged when technology is being used, and if they see it being tied to the objective then they know what lies ahead.
It is important to hold students responsible for the use of the technology, because it is theirs. I always tell the kids that they are in our classroom five days a week over a long period of time, its like a second home to them and they should treat it with respect as they would their own home. They are little people that will one day turn into adults and they need to assume responsibility at this age to take care of things that technically aren't theirs, but are.
I really like Learning Games for kids. I can use it for both my ELA and World Geography classes. Brainpop is not listed and I actually really like that website too, and the kids are familiar with it.
One app that I liked was called Verses Poetry. It gives you a group of words and allows you to organize them however you want. This would be a great tool to help them practice writing poetry. We finished the poetry unit, but I actually plan on touching on it briefly again towards the end of the year. So, this app would help to refresh their memories. Stations could entail them writing a poem on their own or in a paring of two. Time management wouldn't be a big issue. A timer would help to let the students know when it is almost time to shut down and switch, and when it is actually time.
Another app I came across was Animation Creator Lite to create comics. I think this app would be cool to use during Greek Mythology at the end of the year in ELA. Also, this would be a great app to use at any time for World Geography. Students could work in groups to create comics about other cultures and present them to the class to help them learn too. For Mythology students could use them in the same way to teach others about a Greek Mythological character they learned about.
1 Using the notepad app on the IPAD or IPOD could help students record their thoughts in a different way instead of writing them down. They could also alternate on taking turns on silent reading days to read a book on the ipad.
What's Up... Tool #8
I am familiar with the Apple and Dell products and didn't learn anything really new from the tutorial videos, except for probably proper names of ports and stuff. The Netbooks are convenient for the classroom but the login time is a hassle, especially when everyone is using the network at the same time. Tends to make them run really slow. Plus each of them not having their own cord is a hassle because they tend to die pretty quick.
I will be excited to have all this technology in the room available for my students. I know they will appreciate it too. I will make sure to have rules and procedures in place for them when the technology is being used. I will also put stipulations on websites they can't go to. I will make sure they are all aware of consequences if they do not follow procedures. I have some great kids, so I know they will know what's up.
I will be excited to have all this technology in the room available for my students. I know they will appreciate it too. I will make sure to have rules and procedures in place for them when the technology is being used. I will also put stipulations on websites they can't go to. I will make sure they are all aware of consequences if they do not follow procedures. I have some great kids, so I know they will know what's up.
Keeping Up...Tool #7
It is a little more difficult to get through these tools when you are doing them alone, and most everyone on your campus has completed them. I'm doing the best I can with what I have. The idea of collaborating with other classes and students locally and around the world is genius. With the technology we have it is amazing to think what is actually at our fingertips.
If I were to collaborate with a class I think it would be great to use this tool during research in either ELA or World Geo.
Content Objective: Upon conducting research, students will produce a final multimedia presentation using available technology.
In ELA we are actually about to begin our research unit, so this may be a great time to implement this technology/lesson. If some students in different periods choose the same topic they could collaborate on information they have found.
I plan to use as many of the tools as I can, depending on my comfort level. Although, I'm sure the students wouldn't have a problem figuring out how to use them. I plan on using GoogleDocs, Skype, and Animoto.
Students can actually team up with another student in a different class to do research. They can each find research on a certain subject and can keep in contact through any tool via the web. They can also present their information together through any tool that will allow them to create a power point or the such.
If I were to collaborate with a class I think it would be great to use this tool during research in either ELA or World Geo.
Content Objective: Upon conducting research, students will produce a final multimedia presentation using available technology.
In ELA we are actually about to begin our research unit, so this may be a great time to implement this technology/lesson. If some students in different periods choose the same topic they could collaborate on information they have found.
I plan to use as many of the tools as I can, depending on my comfort level. Although, I'm sure the students wouldn't have a problem figuring out how to use them. I plan on using GoogleDocs, Skype, and Animoto.
Students can actually team up with another student in a different class to do research. They can each find research on a certain subject and can keep in contact through any tool via the web. They can also present their information together through any tool that will allow them to create a power point or the such.
Friday, November 23, 2012
In an Instant...Tool #6
It's still amazes me how much technology is a part of our everyday lives every minute of the day. For many years I was opposed to having my own personal Facebook and Twitter account. Although, about a year or so ago I gave into both, and now my life seems a little more fulfilled. So. I. Think. Could I do without either, probably so. The real question is if I want to, and the answer is no. I feel so up to date with things being apart of "In the Know, in seconds". This generation of kids is all about that and I think as educators we really need to stay up with modern times or we could end up being more lost than we already are.
I chose to create a professional account for Twitter with the name of
LMS Olivarez Class at Twitter
I included some Tweets on that page that I could ask students to respond to. I think it would be fun and quite educational for the students to follow institutions like CNN News, ABC 13, National Geographic, The New Yorker on Twitter. This would also allow them to be informed of what is happening at the moment they are searching. Twitter can be used as a forum to connect to others around the world and even with other students in all of my classes.
I can also use EDMODO to help connect students in class. Instead of a 140 character Tweet they would have the ability to write more. I could set up stations where answering a question on Edmodo would be an activity that needs to be done. An example would be like this message I posted in Edmodo...
Edmodo 1st & 5th ELA
I chose to create a professional account for Twitter with the name of
LMS Olivarez Class at Twitter
I included some Tweets on that page that I could ask students to respond to. I think it would be fun and quite educational for the students to follow institutions like CNN News, ABC 13, National Geographic, The New Yorker on Twitter. This would also allow them to be informed of what is happening at the moment they are searching. Twitter can be used as a forum to connect to others around the world and even with other students in all of my classes.
I can also use EDMODO to help connect students in class. Instead of a 140 character Tweet they would have the ability to write more. I could set up stations where answering a question on Edmodo would be an activity that needs to be done. An example would be like this message I posted in Edmodo...
Edmodo 1st & 5th ELA
Oh The Places I'll go...One Day Tool#5
Oh The Places I'll go...One Day
I created the video in Animoto. I think it is a great video for my World Geo classes. I think it will help motivate them to finish their education and see the world...One Day.
Wide Awake Success
I had to set up Glogster accounts for all of my students in World Geography and used this as an example to show them what a Glog looks like. It is a bit inspirational I think. In W GEO we tend to do a lot of projects here and there about different countries. I think this is a great tool for them to use when needing to create a poster for a particular subject, country, or culture. Plus the advantage of having their work on line, they can show their parents or friends anytime from anywhere with internet access. I really like Glogster.
I created the video in Animoto. I think it is a great video for my World Geo classes. I think it will help motivate them to finish their education and see the world...One Day.
Wide Awake Success
I had to set up Glogster accounts for all of my students in World Geography and used this as an example to show them what a Glog looks like. It is a bit inspirational I think. In W GEO we tend to do a lot of projects here and there about different countries. I think this is a great tool for them to use when needing to create a poster for a particular subject, country, or culture. Plus the advantage of having their work on line, they can show their parents or friends anytime from anywhere with internet access. I really like Glogster.
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