tool #11

Dropbox is one I have learned about that I think I will use the most.  In my classroom, I really like learning more about Google programs and think I can incorporate that easily into some of my lessons.  Also I want to try to use Today's meet to help move along classroom discussions, as well as have everyone participate.

My thinking hasn't exactly changed, I am just going to have to work harder to put more of it out there. I will have to change lessons to utilize the technology we will be receiving. It would help more if I could start giving some of the control over to the kids over projects, because honestly they will always be more techno-forward than I will be!

I really didn't have any unexpected outcomes, but a lot of surprises! I guess I didn't realize how much technology was actually out there for us to use.  I didn't look into all the links/sites they had listed, and the ones I did view I didn't spend as much time exploring them as I would have liked.  But I can always go back to them to learn more about them.

tool #10

Being Good Digital Citizens:
  1) How to find good sources - use some Alan November techniques here (look at the ending .edu .gov)
  2) Safety on the internet. Making sure you never give out personal information. 
  3) Plagiarism - it is very easy to accidentally plagiarize. 

I fortunately have colleagues that have given me great resources.  There are some websites that have explanations, videos, and even class work (paperwork) to help cover the 3 concepts that I have listed above.  Brainpop also have good videos that talk about cyber-bullying.

Tool #9

1) The technology is a tool or source that we use to help teach the content. The technology needs to have certain objectives/goals so the kids know how they should be using them. 2) Students need to be held accountable and know the expectations for the stations they visit. Stations are a way for students to explore the content on their own in many different ways. 3) MangaHigh is a site we use in Math class.   The students love that they are competing with other schools!  Another site I looked at was phET.  I think this is one that I would be able to use for my Science class!!4) I found an app earlier this year that explains the phases of Mitosis and Meiosis.  The app goes through the phases one at a time and explains what happens in each.  It also has picture gallery of microscopic slides and video. 5) I can see the students using these devices to create tutorials for other students in the class (or for future years).  I would love to have the kids go through and rate all of the apps we use. Have a document that they go and rate them so other students can know which app gives the most help. 

Tool #8

I Learned:
   Dell Netbooks
       - will have Windows 7
      - they will have web cams (how awesome)! 
       - will have to have students use SBS\username to be able to login. 
   iPad
      - will need to set up iTunes account and sync each device with my "Teacher" computer. 

My coteacher and I will have the technology numbered. Students will be assigned a number and the kids will use them/share/work in groups with them.  

Tool #7

A) Students will develop ideas about how to reuse/recycle/re-purpose unwanted "trash" items to create an item that is decorative and/or useful.

B) In the spring during our unit on Human Impact on the Environment.

C) Google Docs, Skype

D) Students bring items from home that can be refurbished and turned into something decorative or useful. Items may be re-purposed, transformed, or combined with other materials so a new product is created. The top items have the potential to be sold at our PTA auction.

E) I will want to start off small, maybe work with the other 7th grade class on our campus. Maybe eventually move to collaborate with other classes in our district.

Tool #6

I have already had much experience using Google Docs. We use it as a staff here at Cornerstone and it is beneficial to help students know what work they are missing and what they still need to complete and turn in. I do know several kids who have used google docs for presentations. It is so wonderful because we continually have problems where one member has all the work and they turn up absent so they cannot work on the project. They also know that it is always saved which is nice.

I have a Diago account but unfortunately have not had the time to get on and learn how to use it.

I have an Edmodo account but rarely get to use it with my students. It is a goal of mine to set something up for next year so students can get on and know what they missed, etc.

Tool #5

When I saw Makebeliefs Comiz, I thought that would be a great idea for our students to use when they have to draw a comic strip on primary and secondary succession. I know many of them are not amazingly talented artists and would appreciate being able to do their comic strip online. However, the only thing that I do not like about it is that it limits the creativity of my students. I would love for them to draw however they see it and not necessarily choose from what they are given. 

Here's My video from GoAnimate:

It was fun and I can see how the kids would enjoy it. 

http://goanimate.com/videos/0ZD_s0RUlktM

I do know that many of my kids enjoy using Prezi for their presentations. It is a different way to present things and they like to use them for projects when they are mostly relaying information. It is something I would like to get better at using. I know they kids like them and it would be nice to use it as an instructional tool to change things up in the classroom a bit. 

I would really like to check out MixBook. It would be a nice scrapbook to create for the kids for the end of the year or use personally for my family that is out of state. 

Tool #4

Using Apps on Campus: 
Google Docs can be used on campus to share documents, worksheets, and documents that have been updated or edited. This way you can download these updated documents in what folders you have on your computer. This App is also great for when you have a sign-up list and need people to go and sign up for jobs, cookies, etc.

Using Apps in Classroom and Students Using Apps: 
Using Google Forms is a great way to create assessments for students to do during a stations assignment or as homework one night. Student should be using their google email accounts already to collaborate with peers and with teachers. I also think that Google Docs is a great tool for students to use especially for presentations in the classroom. This way, multiple copies of one part of the project aren't all floating around to different people and allowing them to be presented not finished. Every part of the project can be updated in Google Docs. I am excited for my students to get to use this App. Another app that can be useful to students are the calendars to help the keep up with assignments and when projects are due.

Tool #3

Sites to get videos from:
www.youtube.com
This site allows you to search any type of video or clip you might need to use in your classroom. It also gives you other video references like the ones you have searched.
http://video.pbs.org/
This site is easy to use. It has great videos at different lengths and definitely some cool ones on nature and science.



Videos I like:

Pistol Shrimp Sonic Weapon

Integer Rule Song

Copyright and Fair Use:

Fair Use is about how you restructured the material to add more value to it. If you are using it for a different purpose than what it was used for than it is probably Fair Use. 

Just because you use a bibliography at the end of your work does not mean that you will not be in violation of copyright laws. 

www.dropbox.com

This is a great tool to use in the classroom to allow students to share files with their peers. When working on projects they can save files to the dropbox so that if one person is sick during the presentation day and what not then the rest of the group still has access to the presentation.

Tool #2

I found it so interesting to go and look through other teachers blogs! I especially like being able to see the links and the videos that teachers post. Sometimes when a teacher is just writing a blog it can be hard to grasp what they have produced or what they are trying to allow you to see/use. However, with the pictures and videos it is fun to watch what they have been doing in their classrooms. We all have different ways of thinking and some have more creative skills than others, so with the PLN's it is beneficial to see different ways of teaching different subjects to make each other better educators.

After reading the advice about commenting, I think one thing that stood out to me the most is to ask questions and leave things open ended. When blogging, I typically don't seek comments, but am just writing to tell stories and share information. However, with this type of blogging it is wonderful to be able to leave things open so that teachers with other experiences can share their thoughts with you. 

Sharing my thoughts publicly is slightly challenging to me, because I don't tend to want to write about what I think about feel on the internet. It will take some getting use to, but because it has such potential to benefit me a lot as a teacher I am willing to acclimate myself a little faster! 

This is a blog I would like to go to more for some reality checks on teaching inner city students. This man gives real advice and doesn't shy away from touchy subjects. Interesting to read about for sure. http://thejosevilson.com/

First Blog Ever!!

Hello! This will be my first ever post to a blog! I have been thinking about starting a blog for a long time, but haven't gotten around to it yet (we can all understand that, right?).

Getting everything going for the blog was fairly easy. I did not have any major trouble other than I am not using google chrome for this so the set up to embed the avatar code was a little confusing. Nothing the blogger help couldn't fix! ;) I loved getting to play with all of the settings and then create the page exactly how I wanted to. I love experimenting so this task was exciting and fun!