Sunday, July 31, 2011

tool #8

3 things I learned:
-how to set up the SBISD network on the iTouch/iPad
-how to set up an iTunes account
-the district has a bank of apps that have already been approved/tested

I definitely plan on using the iPods and/or netbooks during LA or math workstations. I also think it would be fun to have students use them for group projects, such as making a short movie using the iPod's video feature. I know there are soooooooooo many other things that can be done with this technology. I think more ideas will come to me as I start planning for the year. There is so much to think about.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

tool #7

Content Objective: TSW collect data on plant growth and share/compare results with a partner classroom.

Implement: I think this could be implemented at any time during the school year as long as the classes plant around the same time.

Tools: Skype in the classroom, iEarn, and/or Google docs

Project Plan: The partner classes would plant the same kind of seeds/bulbs within the same week. As the plants grow, students will take data (climate, temperature, measure plant growth, etc). Preferably, the classes would be in two different parts of the country or world. Students will use Google docs for collecting/sharing data. I think it would be fun to use Skype to show off the plants to each other.

Monday, July 18, 2011

tool #6

I think wallwisher is a great way to poll the class. When the polling has finished, the information can be used/analyzed to put into graph form. Or it could be used as a way to get to know your students. I also think a tool like this would be helpful in getting the shy students participate and share their opinions and ideas. Using the computer means they don't have to speak up in front of their class.



I also created an account with Skype in the Classroom. I think this tool would be fun to use with pen pals. After students have been writing to each other for a while, it would be great to "meet" through Skype. Teachers also use Skype in the Classroom to set up projects. An example of a project is a teacher in a northern state is looking for a class in the south to share a project on the civil war. I hope that makes a little sense.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

tool #5 (continued)

I really like the website bighugelabs.com. The only tricky part was finding an image large enough so it wouldn't look all pixelated when I uploaded it into the trading card or movie poster. I think this would be a great way for students to create a product based on a book they've read in class or about a famous person from history. I really think kids would have so much fun using this program.

tool #5

I think the Wordle tool is super easy to use and would be a great way to introduce something new to the class. My example uses words to introduce myself to my new class. If I were going to incorporate it into a lesson I would use key words about a certain topic/concept to pique the students' interest. Students could also use it in the same way to show understanding of topics studied in class.

Wordle: Untitled

tool #4

I think using Google docs would be a great way to create and edit the school newsletter or grade level newsletter. I like the Google forms tool because it makes it so easy to make a little quiz. I can see someone using this tool to create quizzes as way for students to earn extra credit when needed. I think it could also be used to check for understanding periodically while reading a longer, more involved chapter book.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

tool #3 (continued)



I've been teaching summer school and kind of forgot about keeping up with this.  I found my second video for tool #3, and think it fits perfectly with all we are learning.  The quality isn't great, but the video still gets the message across. I found the site TeacherTube to be most helpful in finding videos. To me, it just seemed easier to navigate.
I could not figure out how to find or use the remix filter in Picasa. Maybe I missed something.
As far as the info about Fair Use and Copyright goes, I think it's great that we can use the information we find for educational use.