Tool 11

I can't believe I have finally finished my 11 tools! It took some time, but I ended up learning a lot.

Some of my favorite tools that I learned about were Wallwisher, Skype, Wordle, and Animoto. I will use Skype to collaborate with another first grade classroom in Dallas during our weather unit. Also, I will have my students create Wordles after each nine weeks in science to show their learning. I am excited to use and integrate the new technology that I've learned in my classroom.

My thinking about the learning that will take place in my classroom next year has definitely changed! I feel much more comfortable with the new technology we will be receiving (iPod Touch, Activboard, and netbooks.) I will use technology as a part of my workstations. I will need to go over the proper use of each new piece of technology. We will also go over digital citizenship before use. As a part of my classroom jobs, I will now have some Technology Managers who will help with the management of these devices.

I did not expect to already have some knowledge of so many of the tools! I was able to understand and apply many of the tools easier then I had originally thought. However, I was frustrated at times when I couldn't do something simple like up-load a program into my blog (such as Wordle.) All in all it was a great learning experience and I look forward to implementing many of the 11 tools into my classroom.

Tool 10

Before students begin to use any of the new tools/technology in the classroom, they must understand the importance of digital citizenship. Three things that I would like my students to understand about digital citizenship are:
1. Don't talk to strangers-even online, if you don't know them, don't talk to them.
2. Be nice-cyber bullying is still bullying.
3. Stay Safe-don't share password, personal information, etc. online
I plan to teach digital citizenship using the videos found on Brainpop and Brainpop Jr. and also collaborating with our school librarian about isafe...what a great resource! I plan to use a lot of role playing/ Tribes activities to explain the right and wrongs about digital citizenship. The Brainpop videos could even be used during open house to share with the parents the importance of digital citizenship. It's so important that the parents know what their students will be doing with technology in the classroom and how to keep them safe.
It's so important that students understand how to stay safe online!

Tool 9

1. Why do you think it is important to tie the technology to the objective? Using technology in the classroom is a hands-on and engaging way for students to learn. It's a great way to motivate them. It's very important to tie technology to the objective so we can know the learning outcome. Also, it needs to match the objective so the students are held accountable.
   
2. Why should we hold students accountable for the stations/centers? Students should always be held accountable for workstations so they can show their learning. If they are held accountable they will want to work hard and do their best.
   
3. Visit 2 of the applicable links to interactive websites for your content/grade level. Which sites did you like. How could you use them as stations? How can you hold the students accountable for their time in these stations? I enjoyed exploring Learning Games for Kids. This website is great because it breaks it up by grade level, subject, and objective. It has a lot of fun, easy to use, and educational games that students can access independently during work stations using the Activboard and netbooks. I also enjoyed exploring Studyladder. Studyladder is easy to use and teachers can have a free account. It has wonderful literacy games and activities which will be perfect for centers. Students can be held accountable for both of these by asking questions about it. Also, many of the games provide a score of how they did.
   
4. List two to three apps you found for the iPod Touch/iPad that you can use in your classroom. What do you see that station looking like? How can you hold the students accountable for their time in these stations? Some of the apps I explored were A Bee See, Ace Math Land, and Counting Coins. These can be used for math stations and literacy stations. It's great because these can be used to reinforce what has been taught in whole group. The sight word app (A Bee See) can be used to differentiate sight words from the word wall for different student levels. The math apps are great to reinforce what was taught during the mini lesson. There are so many awesome and fun apps for students!
   
5. What about other ways to use the iPod Touch/iPad? Share another way you can see your students using the device as a station. iPod Touches will can also be used as a motivation/ good behavior reward for students who need it.

Tool 8

I'm really excited that we will have netbooks and iTouches in the classroom next year. When the students have used them in the past in our school library, I know it was a great motivation for them, so I think they will be excited to see them in the classroom!

Before we use them the most important thing we will have to do is develop rules and routines. Brainpop Jr. has a lot of good videos about digital citizenship and cyber bullying. We will discuss the proper way to turn them on/off and put them away. I read on a fellow teacher, Carla Neal's blog that she is going to identify some "Techies" in the classroom who can help manage the devices.

I plan on using the netbooks and iTouches as workstations with 2 or 3 students at a time. I've learned that the netbooks have cameras which will be useful for Edmodo and Skype. Also, there are a lot of great apps that can be used to teach reading and phonics that the students can use in stations on the iTouches.

I can't wait to use these! I think it will really enhance student learning.

Tool 7

Another first grade teacher and I, Elizabeth Hoppe, who teaches at another school in Dallas. We are going to connect our classrooms through Skype. During our weather and climate unit we plan to compare and contrast the weather in Houston and in Dallas and ask each other questions. Using Skype, Mrs. Hoppe and I will be able to model finding information and asking questions so that our students can be successful.

Content Objective: Recording Weather
Implement: First Nine Weeks Science Unit
Tools to Use: Embedded videos from TeacherTube and Discovery Education, Skype
*Students will compare, contrast, and record daily weather by using Skype to speak with other first grade students who live in the Dallas area.

Tool 6

I have a friend who is a first grade teacher in Dallas. We have discussed that our classes will be "virtual pen pals" through Skype. We will be able to see what life is like in Dallas and vise versa. We can come up with questions to ask each other. I think Skype will be easy to use in the classroom and the students will love it.

The other tool I tried is Wall Wisher. It's an online bulletin board. This is a great tool that parents, students, and other teachers can use to see what's going on in my classroom. People can post stickie-notes to comment on the bulletin board.

Take a look!
http://www.wallwisher.com/wall/pt6ES2agiI

Tool 5

I have used Wordle many times in my classroom. I think it's a great tool and the students love it! It can be used as a way to introduce a lesson and also as a way to close a unit. I am having some trouble getting my Wordle into my blog. Here is (hopefully) a Wordle about Matter.

Another tool that I tried was Animoto. The students will love to use these videos to close up a unit. I can see these being very useful for science and social studies. Here is my animoto...

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.