Reflections

Wow, I'm still waiting for my video to load for Tool #7. Nonetheless, I will complete the tools without the Atomic Learning and maybe the video. I really do like Photo Story. I told my son I wish we had known about this when we were doing presentations for his high school classes. We may not have done everything on powerpoint. This would have been more fun. I'd like to use this more in the future for other work presentations. I'm impressed with the tools that are available for students. I'm anxious to see how teachers will use this in their classrooms. Can we use these tools in our after school program? What would that look like?

Tool # 11

There are several digiteen topics that would be beneficial for students. We need to discuss safety, bullying, and proper etiquette when using technology. I particulary liked viewing some of the videos on Brain Pop and the TEA webpage. I would explore these further and pick a couple of videos to use when discussing this topic. If I were to use technology extensively in my classroom, this would be something I would plan to teach the first couple of weeks while I am establishing classroom management.

Tool #7

This tool has taken the longest to accomplish. I wanted to do much with photostory and ended up producing a small flick. It's about the things I didn't get to do this summer. I couldn't add the voice over. The microphone wasn't working so I'm publishing without it.

Tool #10

I previously (up to 5 days ago) had an ITouch which was assigned to me by the district. I enjoyed the tool and recently found several free apps for classroom learning. I especially liked the apps that allow for working with words (Shake Spell, Words Free, Word Spy). There were also some good apps for Math (Numbrosia). Five days ago, I traded the ITouch for an IPad. The apps on my ITunes transferred to the IPad. I am still learning how the IPad works. Students should have lots of opportunities during workstations to use the ITouch. The teacher could do a mini-lesson to introduce the different apps. Students can work at their pace and build skills in all academic areas.

Tool #9

Using Jing and screencasting could be a useful tool for establishing effective workstations. Teacher can record instructions and supporting information to help students get work done without interrupting the teacher's small group instruction. A teacher could try recording instructions for a day he/she was absent. Students could listen to messages from teacher on work that is expected to be done.
I've used Skype before at home. I am interested in the use of Skype for read alouds, conducting interviews and presenting a performance. Hopefully someone will try this out.

Tool #8

I searched You Tube, Teacher Tube, and School Tube for teacher training videos. I found a different look to Teacher Tube than what I had used before and did not find it user friendly. I found the following videos which I thought were okay for teacher training ideas.



The video is from You Tube and talks gives an idea for an activity at the beginning of the school year.



Next is a video from School Tube. Enjoy.



Videos allow students and teachers see what is happening in the world and how it relates to what they are doing.