Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Classroom 2.0
The website "Classroom 2.0" is sort of like a blog and resource website for teachers. You can join different groups, create a message board, watch videos, and so much more. Right now the website kind of confuses me. I don't know where to start; there is so much. One thing that is great is that they try to prevent spam; therefore, they have to approve of all pending members! I am sure you could ask for help from another member because there are almost 54,000 members!!! Once you get started you can create your own page for other educators to get to know you and see resources you may add that they find useful. Overall, I feel this is an amazing teacher resource, and I can't wait to get more familiar with it throughout the semester and years to come!
EduTeacher
I found several amazing resources at EduTeacher. Here you can choose from a variety of subjects. Within each subject you can choose a grade level if you like. Although I found several great resources, I am only going to to discuss three of them in this reflection.
The first that I chose to talk about is a Math resource because my emphasis is in Mathematics. I decided to use Aplusmath. Here you can choose between games, flashcards, word finds, worksheets, and a homework helper. All of these activities will help students tremendously. They can choose what they think will help them best to practice and retain the information better.
Next, I looked into Special Education because it also intrigues me. I found a website called, "Accessibar". This is a toolbar extension for Firefox to make it easier for navigation. It also has the "Read Aloud" option for struggling readers. You can make an unbelievable amount of changes to webpages to meet the needs of any and all students.
The last site I am going to discuss is a site called, "Fact Monster". At this website, you can choose from several topics such "Math and Money" or "Games and Quizzes". You can choose from several other topics within the one you pick. Under "Math and Money", you can choose between tables such as the multiplication table, money such as money around the world, numbers such as roman numerals, etc. There are never-ending amounts of options within all of these sites. Technology makes it so easy to access these resources, too!
The first that I chose to talk about is a Math resource because my emphasis is in Mathematics. I decided to use Aplusmath. Here you can choose between games, flashcards, word finds, worksheets, and a homework helper. All of these activities will help students tremendously. They can choose what they think will help them best to practice and retain the information better.
Next, I looked into Special Education because it also intrigues me. I found a website called, "Accessibar". This is a toolbar extension for Firefox to make it easier for navigation. It also has the "Read Aloud" option for struggling readers. You can make an unbelievable amount of changes to webpages to meet the needs of any and all students.
The last site I am going to discuss is a site called, "Fact Monster". At this website, you can choose from several topics such "Math and Money" or "Games and Quizzes". You can choose from several other topics within the one you pick. Under "Math and Money", you can choose between tables such as the multiplication table, money such as money around the world, numbers such as roman numerals, etc. There are never-ending amounts of options within all of these sites. Technology makes it so easy to access these resources, too!
Kan-ed Reflection
I visited the Kan-Ed Website and found some really interesting sites. At the Kan-ed Website, the main page is a list of a TON of different websites full of teacher resources.
I really like the Kansas Education Resource Center (KERC) website. There are so many things to look into at this site. you can go into a specific subject or the grade level. You can also upload a lesson plan you found successful. If you go into a specific subject, you can then choose your grade level. It then gives you the standards. It is so useful and everything is at the touch of a button.
It also has a Back to School page, where you can find intriguing lessons, activities, and so much more. Here, again, you can choose a specific grade level. It has a page that can help you build a classroom community and shows you how to stay connected using technology. I strongly suggest this website. There are so many options and it's all on one website right there for you to use.
Nettrekker is another great site on the Kan-ed website. On this website, there are several subtopics underneath each subject. This makes it that much easier to find a specific lesson. You don't have to go to the broad Math title; here you can go to a specific lesson you are going over immediately. You can also use the Search option.
Say you are doing a lesson in Geometry. You could click on that button. It opens to a page with another list of topics even more specific such as "Plane Figures". It also tells you how many pages it has under that topic. This one has 364!! Again, it gives you a list of topics within "Plane Figures" such as Dimensions which has 77 options and this goes on and on. It's a bit of a process if you don't know what you're looking for, but overall so much easier because you don't have to go through a list of items that have nothing to do with the lesson you are trying to plan.
Overall, I find Kan-ed EXTREMELY useful and plan to use it all the time now and in my future classroom. These websites that I mentioned are only two of MANY websites all located on the Kan-ed website! I strongly suggest this website to other educators!
I really like the Kansas Education Resource Center (KERC) website. There are so many things to look into at this site. you can go into a specific subject or the grade level. You can also upload a lesson plan you found successful. If you go into a specific subject, you can then choose your grade level. It then gives you the standards. It is so useful and everything is at the touch of a button.
It also has a Back to School page, where you can find intriguing lessons, activities, and so much more. Here, again, you can choose a specific grade level. It has a page that can help you build a classroom community and shows you how to stay connected using technology. I strongly suggest this website. There are so many options and it's all on one website right there for you to use.
Nettrekker is another great site on the Kan-ed website. On this website, there are several subtopics underneath each subject. This makes it that much easier to find a specific lesson. You don't have to go to the broad Math title; here you can go to a specific lesson you are going over immediately. You can also use the Search option.
Say you are doing a lesson in Geometry. You could click on that button. It opens to a page with another list of topics even more specific such as "Plane Figures". It also tells you how many pages it has under that topic. This one has 364!! Again, it gives you a list of topics within "Plane Figures" such as Dimensions which has 77 options and this goes on and on. It's a bit of a process if you don't know what you're looking for, but overall so much easier because you don't have to go through a list of items that have nothing to do with the lesson you are trying to plan.
Overall, I find Kan-ed EXTREMELY useful and plan to use it all the time now and in my future classroom. These websites that I mentioned are only two of MANY websites all located on the Kan-ed website! I strongly suggest this website to other educators!
Podcast Reflection #8: Creating an Educational Follow Me Project
Sarah Beeghley created a podcast called, "Creating an Educational Follow Me Project". She is a Seventh Grader in Pennsylvania. In 2009, she won 1st place at Pensylvania State Middle School Computer Fair in the Webpage Design Category and the Edublog Award for Best Student Blog.
A Follow Me Project is something you creat to share your adventures with the world via Web 2.0 technology. It supports the creation of traveling stuffed animals, similar to the "Flat Stanley" project. This project is not only for teachers, but students and families too. You can find more out more here.
Her project is titled, "Civil War Sallie". She has been to Andersonville Prison in Georgia; Clara Barton Home in Maryland; Richmond, Virginia; Ford's Theatre; and Bull's Run. Her brother's is named, "Patriot Pete" who teaches and learns more about patriotism and wants to visit the capitol of all 50 states.
To create your "Follow Me Project", you must first name your project. Then, you need to decide the purpose for your project, whether it's a specific or general topic. How and where is he/she going to travel. Are you going to keep it within your classroom, local, or global. You can go to any Build-A-Bear Workshop or go to their online website to get started. You can even try to get one donated and can use whatever animal you prefer.
You can also collaborate with others using Skype, iChat on a Mac, and/or Google Video. Using these you can connect with your teacher and others. Teachers can use it to promote student writing, enhance social studies and science lessons, and incorporate technology into the classroom. It also encourages group collaboration, creates unique opportunities for math and analyzing web traffic and statistics.
You need to make sure you maintain internet safety. This project protects your name because you create a random username for your project. Students learn to use Web 2.0 tools safely and it promotes digital citizenship. Other benefits include: improving writing and technology skills, connects your students with other students and teachers around the world, allows students to explore places they would not normally see, and teaches you about other issues such as copyright.
A Follow Me Project is something you creat to share your adventures with the world via Web 2.0 technology. It supports the creation of traveling stuffed animals, similar to the "Flat Stanley" project. This project is not only for teachers, but students and families too. You can find more out more here.
Her project is titled, "Civil War Sallie". She has been to Andersonville Prison in Georgia; Clara Barton Home in Maryland; Richmond, Virginia; Ford's Theatre; and Bull's Run. Her brother's is named, "Patriot Pete" who teaches and learns more about patriotism and wants to visit the capitol of all 50 states.
To create your "Follow Me Project", you must first name your project. Then, you need to decide the purpose for your project, whether it's a specific or general topic. How and where is he/she going to travel. Are you going to keep it within your classroom, local, or global. You can go to any Build-A-Bear Workshop or go to their online website to get started. You can even try to get one donated and can use whatever animal you prefer.
You can also collaborate with others using Skype, iChat on a Mac, and/or Google Video. Using these you can connect with your teacher and others. Teachers can use it to promote student writing, enhance social studies and science lessons, and incorporate technology into the classroom. It also encourages group collaboration, creates unique opportunities for math and analyzing web traffic and statistics.
You need to make sure you maintain internet safety. This project protects your name because you create a random username for your project. Students learn to use Web 2.0 tools safely and it promotes digital citizenship. Other benefits include: improving writing and technology skills, connects your students with other students and teachers around the world, allows students to explore places they would not normally see, and teaches you about other issues such as copyright.
Podcast Reflection #7: Primary Digital Portfolios
I recently watched a video called "Primary Digital Portfolios". This was posted by Kathy Cassidy, a first grade teacher in Canada. In this video, she had two of her current students and two of her formers students: Carson, age seven; Sabrina, age five; Braeden, age six; and Dalton, age seven. These four students reflected on their experiences using digital portfolios. Cassidy uses a classroom blog for their digital portfolio. Here they can post writing, images, and other things that help them to showcase what they have been learning throughout the year. Using this blog also allows parents to see what is going on in the classroom.
What is a portfolio according to these students? They said that it was a way to show the work they've done and that it shows your work at the beginning of the year and how much you have improved at the end. On their blogs, they are most proud of different activities that they have posted such as the patterns they created, things they have made out of clay, and stories that they have created. The students also discussed what choices that had in creating their blog. One said that she got to choose what to make her pattern out of such as ice cream, strawberries, numbers, letters, etc. Another said if they used Vocaroo or Sketchpad, and that they got to choose a picture to write about.
There were several ways that they could show what they are learning in the classroom. You could put up pictures, writing, activities, or both. You could use Vocaroo, which is a recording of yourself reading. Storybird is a tool you can use to create your own story and add pictures to it. Sketchcast is another tool they use in the classroom. Here you can draw pictures while it videotapes you. You can record for up to 20 minutes. They used this tool to draw what they knew and learned about plants and on Mother's Day, they drew a picture of the mother.
How can students use online in a safe manner? Do not allow students to put their last name or a picture of themselves to remain anonymous. They can also tell if people are viewing their online portfolios or not. Each post has a count of how many times that post has read. Viewers can also make comments about how the students are doing.
The students thought that an online portfolio is better than a paper portfolio. They felt this way because when it is online, it is easier for people to see your work. A paper portfolio restricts this to your classmates and teacher. After hearing about how much online portfolios have impacted these four students, I am inspired to use this in my future classroom.
What is a portfolio according to these students? They said that it was a way to show the work they've done and that it shows your work at the beginning of the year and how much you have improved at the end. On their blogs, they are most proud of different activities that they have posted such as the patterns they created, things they have made out of clay, and stories that they have created. The students also discussed what choices that had in creating their blog. One said that she got to choose what to make her pattern out of such as ice cream, strawberries, numbers, letters, etc. Another said if they used Vocaroo or Sketchpad, and that they got to choose a picture to write about.
There were several ways that they could show what they are learning in the classroom. You could put up pictures, writing, activities, or both. You could use Vocaroo, which is a recording of yourself reading. Storybird is a tool you can use to create your own story and add pictures to it. Sketchcast is another tool they use in the classroom. Here you can draw pictures while it videotapes you. You can record for up to 20 minutes. They used this tool to draw what they knew and learned about plants and on Mother's Day, they drew a picture of the mother.
How can students use online in a safe manner? Do not allow students to put their last name or a picture of themselves to remain anonymous. They can also tell if people are viewing their online portfolios or not. Each post has a count of how many times that post has read. Viewers can also make comments about how the students are doing.
The students thought that an online portfolio is better than a paper portfolio. They felt this way because when it is online, it is easier for people to see your work. A paper portfolio restricts this to your classmates and teacher. After hearing about how much online portfolios have impacted these four students, I am inspired to use this in my future classroom.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Podcast Reflection #6: Integrating Online Language Tasks for Young Learners
I found a really interesting podcast posted by Shelly Terrell called, "Integrating Online Language Tasks for Young Learners". In this podcast, she explained how important technology is now and all the different ways young children (and adults) can use it in and out of the classroom. All of her resources for this podcast can by found at "Technology for Kids Wiki".
Current students now grow up learning technology immediately, while when we were young we learned using paper and pen. Because of the changes, we need to be able to prepare our future students for "their" world.
She had students from a classroom write down how they use technology, and almost all of them use it for something different. Some said they use it for fun and others said because classes are boring. One said it helps them to achieve their goals while another said that it opens a new world. Several wrote that they use it to meet to new people all over the world; some even met people from another country! Many students also noted that it is an easy way to communicate with friends and those that you haven't seen in awhile, such as relatives. One student even said that technology inspires them and allows them to be creative! Hearing students say that they use technology for so many different ways and not just to play games inspires me to integrate technology in my classroom and help widen their knowledge on the many resources technology gives them.
Technology allows you to create videos in the classroom, but if you do so you must get permission from their parents. You can even get permission slip pages off of the internet with the click of a button. In order to create a video, you will probably need a digital camera, laptop or computer with a microphone and/or webcam, and a scanner. Which almost every school has AT LEAST one of all of these.
Most computers also already have applications on the computer that allow you to create a video. On a PC, you could use Paint, Windows Movie Maker, etc. A Mac has iMovie, GarageBand, iPhoto, etc. There are also multiple web tools such as Skype, Blog, Wiki, Voki, Glogster, and VoiceThread.
Voki is an avatar that you can create and have it talk. You can either record a message yourself or hide your identity by using a voice that Voki has uploaded. Glogster allows you to create and design a multimedia poster. You can embed audio and videos, add pictures, etc. And VoiceThread is a digital story teller. You can upload videos, pictures, audio, and even doodle. All three of these can also be embedded easily into your class Wiki or Blog.
Wiki's are a great source to have in your classroom because it allows parents to become and stay involved with what their children are doing in the classroom. Kids become more interactive and it goes beyond the walls of the classroom. Also, teachers are able to easily edit the page(s).
Current students now grow up learning technology immediately, while when we were young we learned using paper and pen. Because of the changes, we need to be able to prepare our future students for "their" world.
She had students from a classroom write down how they use technology, and almost all of them use it for something different. Some said they use it for fun and others said because classes are boring. One said it helps them to achieve their goals while another said that it opens a new world. Several wrote that they use it to meet to new people all over the world; some even met people from another country! Many students also noted that it is an easy way to communicate with friends and those that you haven't seen in awhile, such as relatives. One student even said that technology inspires them and allows them to be creative! Hearing students say that they use technology for so many different ways and not just to play games inspires me to integrate technology in my classroom and help widen their knowledge on the many resources technology gives them.
Technology allows you to create videos in the classroom, but if you do so you must get permission from their parents. You can even get permission slip pages off of the internet with the click of a button. In order to create a video, you will probably need a digital camera, laptop or computer with a microphone and/or webcam, and a scanner. Which almost every school has AT LEAST one of all of these.
Most computers also already have applications on the computer that allow you to create a video. On a PC, you could use Paint, Windows Movie Maker, etc. A Mac has iMovie, GarageBand, iPhoto, etc. There are also multiple web tools such as Skype, Blog, Wiki, Voki, Glogster, and VoiceThread.
Voki is an avatar that you can create and have it talk. You can either record a message yourself or hide your identity by using a voice that Voki has uploaded. Glogster allows you to create and design a multimedia poster. You can embed audio and videos, add pictures, etc. And VoiceThread is a digital story teller. You can upload videos, pictures, audio, and even doodle. All three of these can also be embedded easily into your class Wiki or Blog.
Wiki's are a great source to have in your classroom because it allows parents to become and stay involved with what their children are doing in the classroom. Kids become more interactive and it goes beyond the walls of the classroom. Also, teachers are able to easily edit the page(s).
Friday, March 4, 2011
Podcast Reflection #5: Plan Less, Do More
I watched a video by David Wells titled, "Plan Less, Do More". His podcast was inspiring to me. He said that having a plan is good, but the learning aspect is more important than the planning itself. Therefore, don't stress as much on the planning process and focus on what the students will or need to learn. As long as they learn something, you've done your job. But, the more complicated the plan the less connected it is to student planning. Plans are still needed though.
He believes that technology needs to be embedded into your plan. Technology needs to be integrated into lesson plans, professional development, school curriculum, etc. Nothing will ever go perfectly, but you need to make the best of it and accept those challenges. You also need to realize that changes need to be made all the time in order to have a successful classroom. You have to be able to talk to other teachers to get answers to questions that you may have or for ideas that you may find useful.
He believes that technology needs to be embedded into your plan. Technology needs to be integrated into lesson plans, professional development, school curriculum, etc. Nothing will ever go perfectly, but you need to make the best of it and accept those challenges. You also need to realize that changes need to be made all the time in order to have a successful classroom. You have to be able to talk to other teachers to get answers to questions that you may have or for ideas that you may find useful.
Podcast Reflection #4: Project Based Learning in Hand
Tony Vincent created a podcast called, "Project Based Learning in Hand". Here, he explained how hand held devices could be used in the classroom. Students are able to connect, communicate, and collaborate with others easily. They also have other resources whenever and wherever they may be needed.
He made an entire video project on an iPod Touch using an app called SonicPics. It was really interesting. He could do many additions to his video to make it interesting for all students. It would make lessons more engaging and could also be used for presentation you may have your students do for a project. Using a video like this, you can also post it onto your website for other educators to use if they like it. He did ALL of this from his iPod Touch...AMAZING!
By using technology for projects, you can allow less time for projects students do because the technology decreases the amount of time necessary to complete a good project. It also decreases the amount of information teachers need to cover in a lesson while increases the amount of information students uncover on their own.
Tony also uses Rubistar online to create his own personal rubrics for different assignment. Then, he can allow his students to help him design it and decide what is important and acceptable and what is not. Therefore, the students know what is expected of them and feel as though their ideas are important too.
You can even copy and paste notes or keynotes onto a notes page on the same hand held. Research is at the touch of a button, if needed, quickly using technology.
He made an entire video project on an iPod Touch using an app called SonicPics. It was really interesting. He could do many additions to his video to make it interesting for all students. It would make lessons more engaging and could also be used for presentation you may have your students do for a project. Using a video like this, you can also post it onto your website for other educators to use if they like it. He did ALL of this from his iPod Touch...AMAZING!
By using technology for projects, you can allow less time for projects students do because the technology decreases the amount of time necessary to complete a good project. It also decreases the amount of information teachers need to cover in a lesson while increases the amount of information students uncover on their own.
Tony also uses Rubistar online to create his own personal rubrics for different assignment. Then, he can allow his students to help him design it and decide what is important and acceptable and what is not. Therefore, the students know what is expected of them and feel as though their ideas are important too.
You can even copy and paste notes or keynotes onto a notes page on the same hand held. Research is at the touch of a button, if needed, quickly using technology.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Podcast Reflection #3: A Gardener's Approach to Learning
I watched a video by David Warlick called "A Gardener's Approach to Learning". He believes that we are cultivating our classroom to our students. Cultivating is preparing and using land; therefore, we are preparing our students and using our classroom and resources. I love this analogy. It fits perfect, especially for me as a Kansas girl. Farming is everywhere!
We don’t need to spend so much money on textbooks and worksheets. If we convert to technology it will save us money in the long run. We don’t have to spend money on an endless supply of paper and ink. You can have the students use computers or use overhead projectors to give lesson plans or submit online worksheets or homework assignments.
Plants grow next to each other to protect themselves from diseases and bugs. Students become friends and learn from each other. Whether it’s school-related or social/manner-related, we need to integrate modern technology into the classroom cultivate our future.
We don’t need to spend so much money on textbooks and worksheets. If we convert to technology it will save us money in the long run. We don’t have to spend money on an endless supply of paper and ink. You can have the students use computers or use overhead projectors to give lesson plans or submit online worksheets or homework assignments.
Plants grow next to each other to protect themselves from diseases and bugs. Students become friends and learn from each other. Whether it’s school-related or social/manner-related, we need to integrate modern technology into the classroom cultivate our future.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Using Twitter as an Educator
Personally, I am not a big fan of Twitter. I don't know the exact point of it. Right now I don't have time to look at sites educators post and find out which ones are good or not. I also don't like how a bunch of random people that I have no idea who they are and they have no idea who I am add you all the time. And I'm sure that some of the educators that I am following now may feel the same way. I do feel though that if I had time to look at websites (maybe this summer), there would be some websites that I could use in my own classroom. It's just finding time to go through them that is the hard part. Maybe as I get more and more used to it I will change my mind, but for now this is my personal opinion of Twitter.
There were a few websites that I did look at and found interesting:
Math Activity Website
What Students Need From Teachers
The Innovative Educator
My Twitter Page
There were a few websites that I did look at and found interesting:
Math Activity Website
What Students Need From Teachers
The Innovative Educator
My Twitter Page
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)