After Tools #11 Reflection

Some of my favorite tools that I have in my personal technology toolbox are the knowledge of Apps, Video resources and Digital story telling. All three tools will be incorporated in my classroom to further support my reading science, writing, math, and social studies lessons. Perhaps the tool I enjoyed the most is the digital story telling. I 'd like to have students share with me and others what they have learned in one of the subjects previously mentioned by having them retell or tell their version of their understanding. This will enable me and others to clarify any misconceptions.
Taking this course has given me more tools to incorporate in my classroom. If I have the right equipment in my classroom and I will most definitely transform what I have learned into my teaching. I love technology and my mind has been s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d. Worth the investment of time!
One of the programs that I found unexpected is the use of the google document. A great big YES on my part! I like this program for communicating with grade level team members and reducing the amount of documents. This was definitely not expected in this training.

Tool #11 Digital Citizenship

As the overall goals are defined by NETSS, students are expected to advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible action for the use of information and technology. As educator, this too would be my goals to teach in the classroom. After viewing Digiteen Digital Citizenship Wiki. considerations must be made for the age groups one is teaching. In my case, I teach elementary and I must find an appropriate means to share this information to my students. BrainPop is an excellent resource to guide students to meet the goals of safe practice, legally extracting information and being responsible for their actions. It catches students actions and it interacts with them.

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.