Tool 10: Exploring Mobile Technology And Apps

Technology is a great motivator for students. I can see how students would be willing to take the time to learn. One free application that I saw was the dictionary. The dictionary provides the sound of the word and the definitions. It provides the same thing as a book dictionary with the extra of providing the sound for the pronunciation. Another application that I saw was the US Constitution for Social studies. The app has it well organized by the preamble , articles, amendments, the federalist papers, and images of the constitution. This allows students to select parts of the Constitution which will reduce students from being overwhelmed by the small letters. I appreciated the organization of the this particular app as well as having sound put into the dictionary for my ELL students.

Tool #9 Sharing Information through Jing / Skype

I have opened the accounts on Jing and Skype to add on to the growing list of other accounts. I uploaded some homemade family videos and have sent notices to family members to view. The benefits students will gain in using these two programs will be great in communicating information back and forth and providing students a venue to share what they have learned. It is a great motivator as well.

As far as the campus, district, state and nation, Jing and Skype can definitely keep the lines of communication open among professionals. It will aid in increasing capacity among teachers and school leaders.

Tool #8 Video Resourses

Incorporating videos into education has allowed me as an educator to capture student's attention and built on their interest. Students are motivated to learn as they often don't even realize they are learning. Videos can make the teaching experience more effective by providing the visual or experience that most of our students do not have in their lives-especially when introducing ELL students to English vocabulary. Videos can motivate! I have uploaded three videos that are a good start to introduce concepts in science. One has to do with the water cycle, another with simple machines and the last with climate. They were taken from Youtube and Schooltube. Check them out!

Tool # 7 Digital Story Telling

I can see how this tool can benefit our student's writing and understanding of sequencing. It really wasn't difficult to create (as long as you knew where to find your pictures.) I did have somewhat a difficulty finding music that would fit the story without impinging on someones' copyright. Otherwise, I can see this is pretty easy for students to use in the classroom.
Now just remember, this is my first video creation using my child's pictures. This story is fiction.

Tool #6 Wikis

Excellent! This is great to have available for students. Students will be able to learn together and collaborate on things that we are presenting in class-such as science, literature, social studies and math. At the same time, this will allow students to clarify misconceptions. Along with this great student resource, it enables educators to build on the school/home communication. Parents will be informed about what students are doing at school. I like how Mr. Boyd fifth grade teacher has his set up. I think he will be my mentor. Though I must say that PBWorks (http://educatorspbworks.com/) has great examples and ideas.

Tool #5 Tagging and Social Bookmarking

Okay,I am almost half way done. I created My Group- Fifth grade team-Hollibrook where I've invited all my 5th grade level teachers to join. SO far, Solana wins the prize. Thanks Solana! I have added two web links-Science Vocabulary Hangman game and Educational Ideas. On the first, you can have students practice their science and math vocabulary. It also allows teachers to input their own vocabulary and have students interact with the computer. On the second link, teachers may obtain information over any area they have a need to further their knowledge.

Tool#4 Documents and Readers

I set my document and sent it to my fifth grade team members, It was a copy of the Math Road map for 2010-2011. As for the Reader, this took a little longer than what I had anticipated. I got distracted reading them. Very interesting but time consuming. I can see great benefits for students as well as for teachers. Students will be able to look and find specific sites that teachers have reserved for students to look for information. I can see how beneficial it will be for road mapping. Teachers can easily add and adjust information on the document. It will surely make it live document!