11 Tools Reflection

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.

 

My favorite tools are

--Photostory

--Tagging and Social Bookmarking

--Blogging

 

I would like to set up a class blog for use in Math and Social Studies.  As math and social studies is in our everyday lives, I would encourage kids to make weekly posts concerning current events or how they may have used math on a particular day to decide on something to buy (better deals).

 

 

2. How have you transfomed your thinking about the learning that will take place in your classroom?

 

I have come to the realization that our kids are so different today than when I was in school.  They are absolutely driven by these 21st century tools and need them in order to maximize their learning.  I will try my best to incorporate these tools as much as possible into my lessons and everyday activities. 

 

 

I expected to learn about many different tools for use within the classroom.  The program although overwhelming met my expectations and I now feel that i at least have my feet "wet" in each of the tools.  I hope and aspire to have the time and energy needed to incorporate and delve further into learning about these great tools! 

Tool 7

In completing tool 7, Photo Story, I made one to target my math class using the book The Greedy Triangle.  I completed the photo story, but was unable to successfully post it on the blog. Photo Story is a great way to have kids create quick visuals to go along with content as well as retell a story.  Although the program lends itself more to Language Arts, there are great ways to incorporate into math such as a review of definitions with pictures as well as making a "how to" guide for certain skills such as adding fractions. 

Tool 11

With the advent of technology becoming such a big push in the classroom, digitial citizenship is an issue that concerns me.  I believe it is extremely important to teach kids the proper etiquette and usage policies concerning technology.  There are a few items I would like to stress with my kids.  I think using scenarios or possibly role playing would be a great way to communicate to them the importance of displaying appropriate behavior when using technology tools. 

1.  Cyberbullying is a huge issue that kids should be aware of.  I think more times than not, they may not know that what they are doing is bullying.  Raising awareness can deter situations before they begin. 

2.  Students should as well know how to use manners when posting on a blog or social website.  Although constructive criticism is always welcome, there is a respectful way to go about it. 

3.  Now that students have and utlize district email as well as the use of google documents, they should be aware of and discuss appropriate converstaions to have over the internet.  They should know that tone can be miscommunicated in emails and as well, they should have a firm understanding of acceptable discussions. 

Tool 10

Wow!  I cannot wait to get my I touches in the classroom.  I have an I Phone and have used many apps before in tutoring sessions for math.  They are wonderful and entertaining for kids and a great way to learn. 

A few that I have used are Arithmetic, POP math, and Sudoku to build strategic skills.  These are great applications that can be used as early finisher activities or as well to help kids with math facts if they are struggling. 

Although these are the only apps I have reviewed on the educational front, I know that Spring Branch has a great list of free apps that will be very useful in the classroom.

Tool 9

Skype will be a great tool to incorporate in the classroom.  It is an invaluable resource in which you can connect with a professional or another classroom and give kids an experience they may not normally get.  I plan on trying to skype with another math teacher for a lesson on a topic we are learning. 

Jing is a great tool that I would like to try.  I think it would be great when teaching a new concept as students can see how to work a math problem step by step.  I can send the file to their google accounts so they kids can review the lesson for a reteach or refresher. 

Tool 8

Mrs. Burk's area and perimeter rap is going to be quite useful when teaching measurement.  I think it will be a catchy way for the kids to learn these two concepts. 

http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=157&title=Mrs__Burk_Perimeter_Rap

Mr. Duey's fraction rap will be a great tool to use when reviewing fractions. 

http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=24266&title=Mr_Duey___Fractions_Official_Video

Tool 6

Wikis are a wonderful idea for students to use amongst each other.  In both Math and Social Studies, I would like to incorporate the use of Wikis.  In math, students could write about how they are using the math skills we are learning in everyday life.  Likewise, in social studies, students can talk about current events and how they relate to historical events. 

Tool 5

I found two websites that I have bookmarked on "Delicious"

http://www.mathplayground.com/

http://www.internet4classrooms.com/

Social bookmarking can be a useful tool in the classroom.  This will be a useful tool for the kids if we set up a school delicious account.  We use computers in the classroom often, so they will be able to open the delicious account to view the websites they are allowed to visit.  Internet 4 classrooms is a great website for any subject area and skill. 

Math Playground is as well a great website for games and math resources to be used on a daily basis. 

Tool 4

I am very excited to have completed tool 4 using google reader.  It will be great to be able to follow all of my colleagues' blogs with just a couple of clicks.  We will easily be able to see what's going on with each other on their blogs.  I will use google documents to share lesson plans with my planning partner, Jill.  We can share the lesson plan and discuss what we'd like to do for the following week even if we are at home through the chat!

Tool 3

I enjoyed creating my "Wordle" and Spell with Flickr.  I would love to use the wordle for kids at the beginning of each unit in Math.  We could make one with the new vocabulary and print it out as an extra visual for the kids.  Spell with Flickr would be a great tool to use when we do the Wax Museum at the end of the year.  It will add a nice finishing touch to biographies or backboards. 

Tool 2

I love the idea of using PLNs as a learning community in order to share ideas!  This is very exciting because I'm always looking for new ideas, so it's great that I can go to blogs from my school and others to gain new perspective.

I love that the comments from fellow teachers will give me ideas in how to improve my teaching.  I like Robin's comment about my voki....feedback is always welcome!

The five blogs I picked for my comments were:
Dorothy Bean http://dorothybean.blogspot.com/


Tools for the 21st Century http://sashaluther.blogspot.com/

Robin Carpenter  http://laladylowdown.blogspot.com/

Kendall Buckalew http://blogginbhe.blogspot.com/
 
Becky Rollins:  sciencerocksatbhe.blogspot.com
 
 

Tool 1

Setting up my blog was quite fun.  I enjoyed picking from all the different templates.  Tammy was a great teacher!  I can't wait to get started with my next 10 tools.