Reflections

Wow!!! I did it! What a journey. I am amazed how technology has advanced and evolved. There was so much to explore within the 11 tools. Some of my favorite tools are google docs, flickr, wordle, digital storytelling, ipod touch. I do have a lot to learn, but I am up for it. My thinking has definitely transformed because I had many reservations. I know with practice and support I am on my way. I do plan to use the ipod touch for workstations, independent practice and more. Digital storytelling will be a part of writer's workshop to enhance the writing process. I would love for my students to create a wordle at the beginning of the school year to use words that express who they are and what they are about. Google docs will be more for my benefit at first to use to communicate with my team. I will implement as many applications as I can handle. I will need to perfect my skills and become more comfortable. I will DANCE my way into technology!

Tool #7

I used photostory 3 to create my finished product. I chose something personal to share...dance a passion of mine. Students will truly enjoy digital story telling. Using this feature, the students will have a more genuine experience when telling/sharing a story. Students can add their own personal touch with photos, pictures, text, voice overlay etc. Digital story telling would work well in writers workshop where the students can take their writing even further and to another level. I would like to thank J'Nay Thompson, my best friend's daughter, for her assistance, photography, and technical support.


INSPIRATIONS...

Tool #11

Digital Citizenship:

Being a good digital citizen is a very imperative tool to teach. Modeling good digital citizenship is very important for students to observe, using videos to demonstrate appropriate digital citizenship allows students to have another visual for reinforcing what's appropriate and what's not and even providing role play opportunities for students to practice good digital citizenship can be effective in teaching this concept. Three things I would like my students to know about being a good digital citizen are:

* Give credit where credit is due when using sources such as photos, ideas, videos etc. Do not take credit for something that is not your original idea or concept.

* Be responsible. Make sure your have parental consent when using various sites at home and have consent from your teacher when at school. Be careful about what you publish and release. Once you send something out you can't take it back, so think and make good choices. Remember to represent yourself with excellence.

*When you're unsure about something....ASK...better to be safe than sorry.

Tool #10

Mobile Technology and Apps...COOL!!! I haven't had the opportunity to explore personally, but I am looking forward to exploring and working with the ipod touch. The two apps I viewed were Math Drills Lite and K12 Timed Reading Practice. The Math Drills Lite is a fun way for students to practice facts through using mobile tecnology. K12 Timed Reading Practice allows students to practice reading using stories. Other content areas can be practiced through this app as well. I can see this tool used in workstations, additional practice, re-teaching if appropriate and allowing students who may finish work earlier to stay engaged in learning.

Tool #9

Jing and Skype

Both resources were interesting to view. Jing I see more as visual use for relaying information with the use of visual support. Skype can provide genuine experiences for children globally, engaging children in communication developing those skills, conferencing if the need presented itself with parents or other teachers. Skype can reach the massess and allow connection no matter where you are. I would need to explore skype more to develop a comfort with using this feature. Wow, what an awesome way to connect!

Tool # 8

Using videos as a resource can be very beneficial and engaging for students. Videos can be used as a set for introducing a lesson, serving as a visual for students to refer to support new objectives/re-teaching or to just give a fresh perspective and voice in delivering instruction throughout the day.

Tool #6

After viewing examples of Wikis, I believe students will be more open to writing. I find writing to be an area where motivating students to write can be challenging. Wikis can be used in the writing process, creative story writing, posting ideas, finished products etc. Wikis will engage everyone and keep students actively involved. Workstations can be generated from wikis and more. Teachers can always manage progress and individual needs through the world of wiki.

Tool #5

This tool will be very helpful with organizing and managing various sites. I really can see how this will be helpful with our team. We are always sharing websites as well as ideas and teaching strategies with one another. By using social bookmarks we will all have access to new websites and build a plethora of resources right at our hands to use with our students. Websites explored: http://www.mathplayground.com. and http://www.ixl.com/math/practice/grade-2-area. These sites looked very interesting.

Tool #4

There was truly much to explore in google docs. I foresee many uses with google docs in the near future especially with my team. It would have been good to have known about this feature a year ago because my sister and I did plan and organize our 2009 family reunioun here in Houston. I know my sister would have loved the spreadsheet feature within google docs. She is all about spreadsheets. She uses spreadsheets to organize everything. It's the accountant in her. I will definitely need to become more adept in using google docs because I would like to use this feature in my classroom. I can set up a google doc to conference with my students during the writing process and speed up my responses to my students work. The students could use google docs to aid in peer editing, sharing and so much more. I did explore the http://docs.google.com to explore creating business cards. In addition, google reader is definitely a great way to manage many sites and blogs that I follow. I will definitely have to continue with more follow up using google. I have so much to learn. I know that technolgy is growing and I respect that; however, it is not easy for me to sit in front of a computer...I am not disciplined because I am use to moving about. Technology has not been big on my list, but I will have to change my mind set...slowly, but surely. As long as I have support I can get there.

Tool #3

Viewing the links under the image generators and mash-ups were interesting. Allowing students to have access to use spell with flickr, worditout, animoto, etc.. will motivate students to want to use their creativity especially with the writing process. Bookr, for example, would be an awesome way to encourage students to create their own stories. This can be one way to motivate the reluctant writer to jump into writing. Sometimes children just need to use their senses or other creative aspects to begin the writng process such as a picture to spark a thought...pictures can say a thousand words. Picture above: Credit to flickr focusing on keeping the end in mind... reaching tool 11/reflections. Wordle was added as a gadget further up within my blog.