After 11 Tools

Getting to know the various tools and applications, gave me a better idea of what to use and when. Before I experimented with the different tools, I was somewhat skeptical of time involved, but as I began to explore the more fun I had. I like the image generators and mashups. The students will certainly enjoy exploring, creating, and inventing different products. Those shy students will be able to express what they are afraid to say.

Another tool that I will utilize is the digital storytelling. I plan to have the students record a story for their book buddy. Then both students can sit and listen to it. I can also record a story, poems, book excerpts for my students to hear and read at a work station.

The unexpected things I encountered was things are changing every year! I need to keep up with all the tools!

Tool #11

Just like teachers begin the year with rules or Tribes Aggreements, teachers(including me) need to have a section called Digital Citizenship posted for students. Students need to be taught that there will be guidelines when using any type of technology. One area I will certainly teach is decorum. This word is so essential in our digital world because of the communication that is involved between senders and receivers of messages. Decorum applies to the application of proper behavior via what we say and what we write.

Second area that I would teach students is responsibilites that come with any type of digital communication. Listing these responsibilities and helping students know that certain types of personal information is not to be distributed to any one in the digital world.(when in doubt--ask the teacher or parent)

The last area I would teach is respect. This word has become overly utilized, but I would certainly define the term and explain what the word means. With the three areas, I would assign groups of students to make posters illustrating these 3 areas. This section of digital citizenship needs to be done before using any type of technology.

Tool #10

Apps on the itouch is a wonderful way to have students watch subject matter like science on any topic. For example, you can down load videos on plants or insects. Students can work on this part in a Tech Station in your room while you work with small groups. Students can take their journals and take notes on the video(s). How about if you have some struggling readers or advance readers? Down loads can be made on novels or books. You can also record stories for students to hear with earphones. This can also be a work station during the language arts block.

I know at the end of the year I have a poetry unit, and now I can down load many poems for the students to hear and reflect on what they have heard.

I like the NASA app because students can watch, keep a log, and see images of space or our planet. Another app is iphone screenshots. This is where students can doodle away and make pictures and at the same time respond to their drawings in their writer's notebook! Great for those students who complete their assignments early!

Tool #9

Using skpye will bring to the world/experiences to my students! There are many times in science or social studies that topics are so abstract for the students to understand, but with hardly any elbow grease, my students can see, hear, comprehend, and talk to experts. Think about how much less xeroxing I have to do! We can save our precious trees! I hope to implement skype this year with the various topics that my students will study.

Jing is another way to have specifics on projects, parental conferences when the need arises, or to work with students on their projects. For example, if you visit other schools and like a particular set-up, you can upload it and share with members of your team. You can share with parents when their child has a good grade or a great project! For the students, they can record experiments and share it with other students in another grade. For book buddies, you might have the students to record a book and share with their book buddies.

Tool #9

Wow, what an adventure! I would like to use skype to visit other museums in other cities, states, or countries. Learning history can be so much more enjoyable if students can visit the sites without having to leave the classroom. Think of the limitless ways to having a field trip to another state, city, or country! Another idea is the unit on space

Tool #8

http://http://science.discovery.com/videos/master-of-the-universe-hawkings-voice.html
The afore-mentioned link is about Stephen Hawkings. This man is incredible because he has written many books for children about the universie. I highly recommend him and his books. I thank my sister for sharing this with me. Thanks Cindy!

http://http//www.biography.com/video.do?name=historicalfigures&bcpid=1740031454&bclid=1785352185&bctid=33836764001

This is an excerpt from the bio of Anne Frank. I really think this is an excellent video for students to see while they study her life. Videos provide the needed background for students to read and share. Moreover, videos can be great substitutes of the xerox regime. Students can take notes about the interesting aspects of her life.

Tool #7

This assignment was some what difficult because the voice over I was not able to add it to my selection. I might try again soon. I know that I will be using this tool to help in science, math, writing or reading. I chose SIMILES as a topic because this seems to be an area that my students have trouble with describing or elaborating their compositions.