Reflection about the 11 tools

I think all the tools are important and fun to do once you learn how to do it. But one of the tools I liked and enjoy the most was Animoto. It was really fun putting all the pictures together and adding music to it. I'm sure the students would love to watch themselves in a video doing their school work, pictures taken on field trips or special events.



Another tool I enjoyed and I think it will be fun to use in class is the Wordle. I would use it to brainstorm vocabulary before I start teaching any subject. The students will probably be amazed to see all the words pop up on the Active Board.



The other tool I also liked was Skype which can be used to communicate with other students in other classrooms, schools and even with other students around the world.

We live in a world surrounded by technology. Our students need to have the opportunity to experience learning that comes through it. I believe my students will benefit from all the different tools that will be introduced to them in the classroom and hopefully will help them be more prepare for the world out there which is so technology driven.

Was there anything that surprised me about this program?

The whole program was a surprise! Before I started, I had no idea of what it was about. However, I enjoyed learning new ways to incorporate technology in my daily lessons. I know I the students will enjoy using all the new gadgets that will be available to them. I really look forward to it.

Tool #11

Digital Citizenship

Students need to understand that there are rules that need to be followed when using technology. They have to understand that just like we follow rules in every place we visit, there are rules that have to be followed when using the internet. Otherwise, there will be consequences since using the technology devices is a privilege not a right.

We must instruct students to never share personal information with strangers. The info. they should not share is their name, address, e-mail addresses, telephone numbers or passwords. That way they can be more safe when navigating the internet.

Students should have appropriate instruction on how to use the technology devices available in the classroom. Also, these devices should not replace instruction. They should only be used as a way to re-enforce topics already learned.

Just like I teach rules to be followed throughout the year in and around the school, I would teach how to operate all technology devices. I will teach them safe ways to navigate the internet, to be kind to others, never use inappropriate language when blogging and never leave the sites instructed by the teacher.

Tool #10

On tool number 10 I was able to try some of the free apps available to us. I tried one for math and one for science.

I do not have an ipad or itouch, but I borrowed one of each from other teachers and they are great. I also saw my daughter play with both of them and she enjoyed them. She said she had tried them in first grade. So, I'm sure that my second graders will enjoy them next year if we have them available in the classroom.

How I would use them in my classroom? Well, I have many ideas. I would have the students practice different activities about topics already covered. I would use them for language arts, math, science, social studies and more...

Tool #9

Jing can be used by students to add visual images to their presentations. The images can make the presentations more interesting.

Skype can be used by students to communicate with students in other classrooms around their school. Students can also us it to communicate with professionals, such as authors and illustrators, who might want to share their ideas on how to become a great writer or illustrator.

Tool #8

Watching educational videos in the classroom is very important because it can really enhance the students' learning. Videos help students engage in the learning process. Watching a video about any topic can help students connect better to their life experiences. I enjoy showing videos to my students right before a lesson because it makes them want to learn more about the topic.





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=By6vvFPWjEke

I use videos throughout the year in an effort to engage my students in the learning process. I chose this video of the water cycle because it is a topic that needs to be taught in second grade. I watched a few videos about the water cycle and this one seemed to be the right length and it had the information needed for the second graders.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AUeM8MbaIk

This is a video about the life cicle of the Monarch butterfly. I chose it because it shows the complete cycle and it is real. I think the students will enjoy it because of all the details they will be able to see. They will also see what the butterfly does right after it takes flying.

Tool #7

Creating this movie about our trip to Cancun was very neat.

In the classroom, I can take pictures of the students durig activities of the different subjects and create videos that can be shared with the parents. Also, when our class goes on a field trip, I can take pictures and use them to create videos for parents to see what their children are experiencing.

I also think that a video can be created for open house. The parents would be thrilled to their little ones' active participation in the classroom.

Tool #6

I have many ideas to use wiki. One idea I have is that the students can use it to brainstorm ideas about a particular subject they want to write about. They can also ask someone else to check, edit and add more ideas. Then, they can write their composition and have other students help them with editing. That way, the students will not only be sharing their own ideas, but at the same time they will be learning writing strategies from each other. I could say that wiki is similar to Google doc.

Tool #5

I joined the diigo application. It was very easy. I think it will be fun to use because if I find a website that I want to keep track of, I can bookmark, tag and I can find it from any computer.

Tool #4

Google Dos can be a very helpful program because it can be used to get ideas to create lessons. It is also fun to use because team members can add or delete to the document or just share your their own ideas.

Google Reader is a great way to stay in touch with the world's daily news. This can also help to get new ideas to teach technology lessons aout topics that are up to date.

Tool #3

I think wordle can help my students develop their vocabulary skills and help them make more connections with their real world.

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Creating this video was fun. It is not perfect but I know I can edit it and hopefully make it better.

Video

Tool #2

I believe that being in a personal learning network has many advantages. You can communicate with others at any time and anywhere to get new ideas to be used in the classroom and also you can help other educators by sharing your knowledge in technology.

What motivates me to communicate with others is that I can get new ideas on how to teach my students to get more knowledgeble in the technology field. I'm sure the students will be eager to communicate their knowledge with other students.

I commented onthe following blogs:

Teaching and Technology (Eric Zulaica)
First Grade Tech (Maria Castro)
Jackson's Blog (Nancy Jackson)
The Blooming Blog (Lily Pena)
Young World Tech (Carmen Young)

Blogging to Learn

I finally made it this far! It's been a little slow for me but I'm glad I'm finally blogging. I can wait to complete the next 10 tools and learn more about it so I can teach my students next year. I'm sure they'll be eager to learn using the tools that we will have available for them.