Tool #11 - Self Assessing and Reflecting

My favorite tools:
Voki
Blogger
YouTube
Discovery Education
DropBox
GoogleApps
Glogster
Prezi
Diigo
Skype
Classroom-Based Devices

Since we have started doing a great deal of project based assessment I think I will utilize Blogger, Discover Education, DropBox for their research. GoogleApps, Glogster and Prezi for their collaboration and final product.

My vision for my classroom has changed a great deal. I wouldn't say I was fearful of using technology in my classroom in previous years but I didn't think there was much time for its use, other than projects, because of how fast the curriculum moves. Now I can see my classroom being more technology friendly. I think the kids will enjoy it. I dont think I will have to make too many changes, but I think I could utilize technology more often and I think that will be easier with the increase in devices in our classrooms.

I didn't think I would take much away from this training but boy was I wrong! Great Training.

Tool #10 - Underneath it All - Digital Citizenship

1. Discuss at least three things you would want to make sure your students understand about being good digital citizens.

Advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology. Plagiarism is a big issue with students today. They must learn how to use information correctly and treat other's works with the same respect as they would theirs.

Students must also learn that although their words are private, their writings and thoughts need to be used in an appropriate manner. And they also need to protect their works from others that may deem harmful.

2. Share at least one of the resources mentioned above or on the Ed Tech website that you plan to use instructionally.

From EdTech: Digital Rights & Responsibilities: those freedoms extended to everyone in a digital world.

3. Explain briefly how you would "teach" the idea of digital citizenship to your students.

Firstly, I would go over all of these rules with my students, letting them know this is a serious matter. I would give the students various situations and have them work in groups to decide and explain if they do/do not meet the criterias of positive digital citizenship. Then give them feedback on their answers.

4. Explain briefly how you plan to share the idea of digital citizenship with your parents

I would write up the same guidelines I went over with the students in class and send it home to their parents to have them read, agree, sign and date the guidelines.

Just as in the American Constitution where there is a Bill of Rights, there is a basic set of rights extended

to every digital citizen. Digital citizens have the right to privacy, free speech, etc. Basic digital rights must

be addressed, discussed, and understood in the digital world. With these rights also come responsibilities

as well. Users must help define how the technology is to be used in an appropriate manner. In a digital

society these two areas must work together for everyone to be productive.

 

Tool #9: Incorporating Classroom-Based Devices as Tools for Learning

STUDENTS AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Why do you think it is important to tie the technology to the objective?

Plain and simple, I think technology adds an interesting aspect to any lesson other than straight instruction. It also gives students chances to show their creativity.

2.Why should we hold students accountable for the stations/centers?

Doing projects is all fine and dandy, but the real reason, I feel projects should be used for, are to give the students another option to convey their knowledge other than traditional tests but also make sure they are learning during the process.

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?

First I visited Tools for 21st Century Learning, https://tsapp.springbranchisd.com/web20tools/detail.aspx?tool_id=553. I was interested in the forces app which could be used along with a forces calculation app. Then at the end of class, have the students take a short quiz from similar questions from the apps to see how much they retained.

Next, I visited Interactive, http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/BarGraph/ . My students struggle with how to read bar graphs and line graphs and how to plot on both. This would give them extra practice on how to read graphs as well as having an app for plotting line graphs. Then as earlier stated, have the students take a short quiz from similar questions from the apps to see how much they retained.

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?

I really liked the one decimal subtraction game. My students have a hard time with addition and subtraction of numbers with decimals. I could use this in a station when working with reading graphs, thermometers or scales. http://www.iboard.co.uk/skill-builders/mental-calculations/subtraction-one-decimal-place-7-9 . Then at the end of the lab have some questions with adding and subtracting decimals, while reading different lab instruments and see how well they do.

Another app that I really liked was the Planet App on the Thinkfinity website. It lets the student travel through outerspace and gives them details/descriptions of what they are looking at. This could be used during our planet project and they could retrieve information about their assigned planet from this website as well as others.http://sciencenetlinks.com/tools/planets-app/

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.

I could see this device as a way to create movies for their projects. Just another way to express themselves.

Tool #8: Taking a Look at the Tools

Due to watching the itunes video I learned how to not only find the new updated version, as well as, make sure I had the updated version of itunes. I also learned how to navigate through itunes. Ranging from setting up my library and its settings, downloading apps to creating a new account.

The most important idea I took away from watching the 2^nd video was where to go and how to download SBISD approved apps for my student's use.

Computer Management:

1. Students and I will create a set of rules/guidelines that must be followed when using the devices
2. Random seating will be used for each project (by the drawing of cards), unless behavior problems cause for a change at my discretion
3. Consequences for improper use of devices will be stated and agreed upon before use of devices
4. Students must take and pass, with a 100, a basic test on the proper use of the device before allowed to use the device
5. Students, along with their parents will sign and date a contract agreeing with and acknowledging all the above statements (excluding the test) before use of the devices

Tool #7: Reaching Outside your Classroom: Online Digital Projects

I chose GlobalSchoolNet.org to design my collaborative project.

Content objective: What is plate tectonics and How does plate tectonics affect the world around us?

When you plan to implement: Next School Year

What tool(s) you plan to use: Computers, approved books, magazines and journal articles for research. District/Teacher approved websites. GoogleApps and Blogger for collaboration. Skype, Glogster, Animoto, Prezi, etc for final project and presentation.

A brief description of the project (plan - two or three sentences): Students will do beginning research on the concept of plate tectonics. Then they will research what is caused by the movement of plates and what landforms can be created. Then students will do national research on how the shifting of plates affects people in other countries as well as the United States. 

Tool #6: Using Web Tools to Promote Discussion in and out of the Classroom

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Aq_dmSlqWKuZdElPN1YxdFFwNEJoYTJjM3dKajNiV1E

This is a link to a Google Doc spreadsheet that I could use in my class to remind my students of missing work they owe in class. This way it can't be a surprise that they owe work.

The other technology I would like to use more is skype. Im not sure how I would link or embed that. I have an account set up already. I believe I could use this for students that have questions while doing their work at home. Also it could be used during class, while they are working on a project/assignment. They would be able to ask me questions right from their desk without interrupting class.

Tool #5: Producing with Web 2.0 Tools

http://65andre65.edu.glogster.com/safety/ This is a glogster I created on Safety Equipment, that I could use for an introduction to the safety section.

http://prezi.com/nknswucuctxe/my-favorite-scientist/ This is a short prezi I created as an outline for my students to creat a research project on their favorite scientist.

I could use glogster for presentations while my students could use prezi and glogster for research projects and other content related projects.