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.