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.

Tool #6

Wikis are a fabulous way to have student input, explore project ideas, and provide for class calendars, class topics, projects coming up, TAKS dates, and other important items that students can read, respond to, or gather information. I saw a secondary wiki created by a teacher, and students had opportunities to share thoughts and suggestions.

As for team meeting purposes, wikis provide opportunities for feedback, important events, goals, and curriculum input/planning. Wikis allow teachers to spend time doing what they need to do without having to meet for extended periods. Imagine those pieces of information that are noted in the silent agenda items! Wow!

Tool #5

The two websites that I chose to join were:
The website reading rockets has many suggestions for parents and teachers. I used the tag reading comprehension and math skills as tags

http://http//www.readingrockets.org/article/3479

http://http//www.mathplayground.com/

Teachers can easily browse through the internet and find these website and share with others. A team can also have an account and add to the list to help teachers during team planning sessions. Sometimes a fellow teacher may need extra help in finding resources--and what a better way than delicious! With students, teachers can find helpful websites for students who need that extra help or with work stations during the day.

Tool #4

I created one document in Google Docs and shared it with two others in my PLN. The google doc provided an opportunity to start planning our Breakfast Club meetings and tools for implementation. This tool will help us as we each have travel plans and other obligations, but will offer the necessary steps for feedback and changes. I am even thinking about including our vice principal as we crystalize our plans.

I also went to my Google Reader and have my five blogs that I am following: But It's Summer, Moulton Lava, Teacher Like Us, Cool Cat teacher, and English With Rosa Classroom.

The two google tools will enhance not only the work of a teacher, but students can also share their projects and work with each other. I am glad that I am working with 11 tools because so much of what my group has planned will be easier to receive feedback, edit/revise, and when school starts the changes can be made without having extra meetings.

Tool #3

I was amazed to have experienced these image generators/mashups! The ways to utilize them in a classroom is endless. For example the rabbit picture and words clearly demonstrate the names of my bunnies. I created the rabbit with words using image chef. I think this would be a fantastic tool to use at the beginning of school when students are getting to know each other. Students can work on their own image chef and use words that descibe themselves. There are many extensions that the teacher can use with these creations.

I also created a poster with Glogster/edu. This was a magnificent way of using pictures to describe myself. The phrase "pictures are worth a thousand words" is not a misnomer, but very truth! I could write many activities to use with Gloster/edu, but I don't have the space. I did have my master piece,but I deleted it. However, I chose to use Bookr. This is a short story about rabbits.

The learning process via the image generators/mashups are endless! One excellent way is to have a picture and have students to think of one word to describe the picture. Talk about learning to write and describe images!

Tool #2

Building a PLN is a part of meeting with other teachers and/or team members. Since our planning agendas are literally filled with items to discuss, PLN can bridge thoughts, comments, or questions that were not addressed at the meeting. Participating in a PLN is an innovative manner to exchange information or gather information within a group of teachers. What would this look like in a classroom? The word lilt comes to mind; think about the rapport between teacher and her students. PLN can also be utilized to gage a lesson or to make extensions to the skills that were taught. The main point that stood out reading about blogging and commenting is using decorum and courtesy. Being an educator, I need to set great examples of decorum within the PLN.

The five blogs that I commented on were: FrAsianLAT, But It's Summer, 11 Steppin, Online Gadgets, and Laura's 11.

Tool #1

It took me some time to get this started, but it was fun. I am glad I have this opportunity to get some more experience! Enjoy the trail to the bright and shiny green pasture of Rabbit Land--aka--11 Tools. When avatars are utilized in a classroom, students can personalize their learning by designing their own avatars, and using them when they are writing compositions, working on projects, and group work. This year I plan to continue this blog so that my students can read about me, assignments and topics that will be covered during a particular time.