Some of my favorite things included Wordle, Wordshift, Skype, and although I'm not a player, I liked Second Life. Additionally, I like Animoto! Bookr was great and useful.
Technology is always a struggle for me, so anytime I learn about all of the wonderful new technology tools I am moving in the right direction. These summer professional learning experiences update me and prepare me for the coming year. These new skills enable me to discuss, model, and share with other teachers and students the new technology resources that I've learned over the summer. This also gives me time to process the ideas and plan how to incorporate them at school.
This summers' 11.5 was the perfect number of "Things" to accomplish. Not too many not too few ...just the right amount.
Thank you very much.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Thing #11 - Digital Citizenship
Digital Citizenbship begins the first time a student works with a computer. All students should be aware of the pros and cons of computer useage, because good and bad habits start at an early age. Teachers need to start talking about being a good digital citizen from the beginning school career, and each year the talking and citizenship dialog should continue and expand.
In the early years teachers really need to talk about manners. Students need to understand how to treat computers as well as how to use computers. Students need to know how to care for the computers and to respect all related equipment.
It is very important for teachers to discuss safety in using computers. Students must know about the dangers involved with communicating on the internet. They should also be informed about the proper way to write and send messages. E-mail is really a popular form of communication and a lack of proper etiquette in e-mailing is unforgivable. Teachers need to discuss this and make sure that students are not only aware of this but adhere to the proper way of writing. Today's youth use e mail for social, educational, and professional use, so developing good writing habits start at an early age.
In the early years teachers really need to talk about manners. Students need to understand how to treat computers as well as how to use computers. Students need to know how to care for the computers and to respect all related equipment.
It is very important for teachers to discuss safety in using computers. Students must know about the dangers involved with communicating on the internet. They should also be informed about the proper way to write and send messages. E-mail is really a popular form of communication and a lack of proper etiquette in e-mailing is unforgivable. Teachers need to discuss this and make sure that students are not only aware of this but adhere to the proper way of writing. Today's youth use e mail for social, educational, and professional use, so developing good writing habits start at an early age.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Thing # 10 - Virtual Worlds-Second Life
Second Life can really be beneficial to teachers and students. It is a useful source for providing students the opportunity to see past present and future in almost every subject. It takes the students on a tour and shows a tsunami develops actually showing the earthquake that causes the tsunami. Fifth grade teachers can provide the students a tour of the U.S. Holocuast Memorial. The tour has so much information and graphics helping students understand what happened to the Jewish population as the Nazis swept through Europe. The tour is not timed so the teacher can stop and start discuss or question and then continue.
There is also a New Orleans tour, which I didn't like because landmarks are not placed accurately. Some sites were at the lake and should have been downtown. This is one persons' ideas about New Orleans so in using it the students should know that it's not exact.
I had difficulty navigating but after attaching the mouse it was easier. Students probably won't share that problem and will certainly love being able to have so much information about so many subjects at their fingertips. Teachers will love this magical site but it will take some getting use to.
There is also a New Orleans tour, which I didn't like because landmarks are not placed accurately. Some sites were at the lake and should have been downtown. This is one persons' ideas about New Orleans so in using it the students should know that it's not exact.
I had difficulty navigating but after attaching the mouse it was easier. Students probably won't share that problem and will certainly love being able to have so much information about so many subjects at their fingertips. Teachers will love this magical site but it will take some getting use to.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Thing # 9 - Slideshare
Slideshare otherwise known as "power point sharing" is very useful in education as well as the corporate world. It's difficult to keep up with what's going in the world and slideshare will help everyone meet and attain new goals and knowledge. What is being learned is both knowledge and skill in power point magic. Being able to observe and take the PPT with you to present to other groups expands knowledge and the ability to utilize power point globally.
Thing # 8 - Screen Capture-Jing
http://www.screencast.com/t/a5uqaX5W0s
Accomplishing screen cast required several attempts but it was worth it and each attempt brought on new problems, microphone, sound, and getting it to the blog. However, mastering the technique and remembering a couple of points will make this a useful tool in distributing
mass communication to the school.
This technology will be useful in teaching a group a new idea and installing the screen cast on computers so that all students will have the same image and delivery. Students can then proceed in follow up activities according to the instructions given by the screen cast and the teacher can assit and monitor.
Students would also enjoy creating a screen cast as using the computer with the microphone and delivering a presentation would be a good method of recording what they've learned. They can then e mail review their presentation or just present it to the class through their blog or email.
Accomplishing screen cast required several attempts but it was worth it and each attempt brought on new problems, microphone, sound, and getting it to the blog. However, mastering the technique and remembering a couple of points will make this a useful tool in distributing
mass communication to the school.
This technology will be useful in teaching a group a new idea and installing the screen cast on computers so that all students will have the same image and delivery. Students can then proceed in follow up activities according to the instructions given by the screen cast and the teacher can assit and monitor.
Students would also enjoy creating a screen cast as using the computer with the microphone and delivering a presentation would be a good method of recording what they've learned. They can then e mail review their presentation or just present it to the class through their blog or email.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Thing 7 - Video Resources
Classroom use of videos is not a new idea but today, there are numerous electronic sources available for students and teachers to obtain videos. We use Discovery Education everyday for information in all subjects.
Videos are an easy way for students to learn and view information that is not always available. They are able to watch a video about the art of map making, soap making, or the home of the Native American Indians. We frequently need to locate a video about the early pioneers. The younger grades are always in need of videos about community helpers and American symbols. The Internet provides us with many sites that have knowledgeable, appropriate, creative videos, so it's just a matter of locating the video that fits the need.
Videos are an easy way for students to learn and view information that is not always available. They are able to watch a video about the art of map making, soap making, or the home of the Native American Indians. We frequently need to locate a video about the early pioneers. The younger grades are always in need of videos about community helpers and American symbols. The Internet provides us with many sites that have knowledgeable, appropriate, creative videos, so it's just a matter of locating the video that fits the need.
Thing # 6 - Touch Apps
There are so many varied ways to use I Touch for teaching purposes. Using I Touch will be more interesting to the students and if available really the way to do classroom study and discovery.
Students can use the I Touch for dictionay and thesarus experience and will love the experience of learning through technology. Of course, this could be a fun game and will encourage students to use both of these fantastic writing tools when the need develops.
Social Studies students can view videos about different topics, take notes on the typing App, later students can e mail their comments to other students who have also seen the movie.
History students can use the google earth App to locate locations of battles, places where treaties have been signed or just locate important historic sites. They will also love locating the school or their own home.
If you have the I Touch students and teachers will gain from its' use.
Loading Apps to an I Touch
Students can use the I Touch for dictionay and thesarus experience and will love the experience of learning through technology. Of course, this could be a fun game and will encourage students to use both of these fantastic writing tools when the need develops.
Social Studies students can view videos about different topics, take notes on the typing App, later students can e mail their comments to other students who have also seen the movie.
History students can use the google earth App to locate locations of battles, places where treaties have been signed or just locate important historic sites. They will also love locating the school or their own home.
If you have the I Touch students and teachers will gain from its' use.
Loading Apps to an I Touch
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