1. I like wikis, google tools, and social bookmarking. See my posts about each tool to see how I would use it in my classroom and professionally.
2. I think I have been transformed just because of being forced into having to "get my hands on" some of the tools and use them. Doing that has allowed me to see there are some new things out there that I can use that may make things a bit simpler. That is what I'm striving for...stop reinventing wheels and doing the same thing 10 times...worded differently.
3. It was a bit unexpected to find how much time each tool sometimes took. I think if I were at a different place in life...not having a 2 year old...I would be a little more into it. But, overall it exceeded my expectations.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Tool #11
I feel digital citizenship is important to show/teach to the kids. In kindergarten I find it a little difficult to see them saying anything horrible on someone's blog or purposefully going somewhere inappropriate...but I think it's my job to show them what to do if something like this happens...or if someone posts something not so nice on our blog (since I'm thinking of doing a class blog). The same with wikkis...be honest and try to make something better. I'll repeat...kindergartners don't really have mean bones in them yet...so I think it's just setting the example that all the media is helpful.
Tool #10
I do not have an iphone or itouch but have friends with them. Also, I attended a training this summer and was able to use one and doodle on it. I will use the itouches in learning centers. I'm very excited about using it in my library center as a listening center. I'm going to buy a jack that I can plug into the itouch and it will hold earphones. I'm excited because there is an app that allows you to talk and record your voice. So, I'll read books onto it and the kids can choose the app and listen to the stories while following along in the book. BEST THING...it's easy and my teaching partner can read Spanish stories on it and then the kids will be listening to both English and Spanish stories. A teammate of mine is an expert at finding great apps for K...I look forward to hearing what she has and possibly incorporating some of the ABC apps into my ABC center. Also I found an app "Sightwords Free" that could be used as a warmup in small group.
Tool #9
I'm too frazzled to seriously understand or think about how I can use screencast in my classroom. As for Jing...I think it would be great for capturing images from websites in order to show students or teammates easily...with cutting out having to GO to the website. Sometimes when we're discussing a story or important figure in history...the kids need a visual to help with the learning. Also, so many times I'm looking at websites and see ideas for lessons that I want my teammates to see. This way I don't have to direct them to the sites...I can just capture it and send it in am email. Skype I do like...but more for personal use. I really can't think of a way to use it in the classroom...except to get all parents to have Skype and then we can call parents from the classroom and they can SEE their child's GOOD behaviors or bad. :) But, I do love Skype for talking with my sister-in-law in Denmark.
Tool #8
I've used Youtube before in the classroom. Mostly to support the students in science and social studies (that they learn in Spanish). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u90qRE2F7CM This is an OLD :) video of a folk singer singing "Inch by Inch"...which is a storybook written by David Mallot. It was a read aloud for the class and I thought it would be fun for them to hear the song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTVg4QgHEOs This is a video on Youtube about how to plant a seed...care for it and such. I would use this in my preview for my Spanish language learners before they were to go over to the Spanish class.
Tool #7
So I was trying to think of a way that I could make something I already had...even better. So, I decided to use a powerpoint I made for college week of Texas universities. It was pretty simple to re-save it as a jpg and then load the slides into photostory. I was pretty excited about "talking" on the story...but finally gave up after about 1 1/2 hours to give up trying to get the stinkin' microphone on the computer to work. Also, I was very frustrated with the links provided for use of free downloads for music. I was wanting to find something that was a school fight song or at least marching music...nothing. That also killed another 2 hours browsing through the sites.
But, all in all I guess I could see using this with small group during guided reading. We could make a slideshow with just sight words for the lower groups and allow them to come up with sentence using the word and add that text to the page in the photo story. Also, let them pick the music...which I found making my own music a lot easier and less frustrating.
My last thought is that I sure hope we get our WHOLE flex day with stinkin' 11 tools thing...talk about TIME CONSUMING!!!
So, I've been waiting and hour for the photostory to load "processing video"...I'm just going to post and hopefully find another way to post the photostory.
But, all in all I guess I could see using this with small group during guided reading. We could make a slideshow with just sight words for the lower groups and allow them to come up with sentence using the word and add that text to the page in the photo story. Also, let them pick the music...which I found making my own music a lot easier and less frustrating.
My last thought is that I sure hope we get our WHOLE flex day with stinkin' 11 tools thing...talk about TIME CONSUMING!!!
So, I've been waiting and hour for the photostory to load "processing video"...I'm just going to post and hopefully find another way to post the photostory.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Tool #6
So I think I like the whole Wiki thing. I definitely think I like it as a class website for me to communicate with parents and add some extras. Since I HATE the district teacher website option...I think a Wiki would be great. I was mostly searching for Kindergarten classes that used wikis for learning...the closest I got was 1st grade. The class created a story map for a story and then others were able to edit and revise the text. I really liked how it can show students how far their ideas for writing can go. I think it went a little far on the wiki I viewed because I can't imagine that the kids were able to stay with the story for as long as it had been added to. Too much text. But, maybe you could use it and have your teammates or other classes in the district help construct the story. I aslo thought it would be neat to use as a KWL. The class could start the wiki with what they know about a topic to be studied and then as they learn...it can be updated and changed.
My biggest concern is how do I remember to use this in the classroom and how do I make sure to give it the attention it will need in order to be effective. I already feel as though I'm trying to keep my head above water...will this drag me under deeper? I realize most people have hand-held devices that allow them to access all of these "new technologies"...but I can't afford to pay for the phone and the monthly usage. How will our district help educators to be able to afford the things that are required in order to have a life outside of school (without staying up to god-awful hours of the night)?
My biggest concern is how do I remember to use this in the classroom and how do I make sure to give it the attention it will need in order to be effective. I already feel as though I'm trying to keep my head above water...will this drag me under deeper? I realize most people have hand-held devices that allow them to access all of these "new technologies"...but I can't afford to pay for the phone and the monthly usage. How will our district help educators to be able to afford the things that are required in order to have a life outside of school (without staying up to god-awful hours of the night)?
Tool #5
Two of the sites I discovered were Kelly's Kindergarten and Making Learning Fun. I shared them as posts on the blog. I had actually seen them before but REALLY wanted them added to my social bookmarking site. So many times I've had them in my favorites on my laptop and then something happens to the laptop and they have to wipe out all my info...or I'm at home or on another computer and can't remember what they are.
I REALLY like the whole social bookmarking thing...it is so easy to search for sights by tags and so easy to share them with my teammates. I can't tell you how many times Jill F. had to email me links to sites.
I REALLY like the whole social bookmarking thing...it is so easy to search for sights by tags and so easy to share them with my teammates. I can't tell you how many times Jill F. had to email me links to sites.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Task #4 -
1.Okay, so I created a spreadsheet so my teammates could enter student reading data so we could see as a grade level where we stood. Not teacher by teacher...but all of kinder. My only problem is I'm not sure if it will work...I have to wait until someone enters some fake data. :) I also didn't like that I couldn't enter more than 2 questions. Maybe you can...but I couldn't figure it out.
I really like google docs for communicating as a whole school. I think it would be great for Carroll, our admin. assit. to email out a calendar and allow each person to add event on the one calendar. So often things are left out or we are not aware of events and schedule events the same day as other events and this just seems like it would eliminate mistakes. I also think it would be great for our P to use instead of having us fill out surveys to gather info for what we want support in.
I also really enjoyed watching the little bits where is showed how high school kids were using it for their writing and assignments. I'm having a bit of trouble with how to use it in K, but what's new. :)
2. I set up reader and subscribed to the 5 blogs I'm going to be following. I really like the concept of getting the updated postings on reader instead of always having to visit the blogs...BUT, I sort of like looking at the blogs more than reading the stuff! :) I guess reader will help me know when to check out their blogs...b/c I'll know they've been on and possibly updated something.
3. As I mentioned previously, I really like google docs for whole school type communication and collaboration. I'm not too sure how it can be used in K...I guess we could create a grade level graph by collecting data and entering it into a spreadsheet and each class would have to enter their data and then in the end we would see the whole grade level data. Hmmm...just thought of that. But, as far a each student using it individually, nope...I believe it will be done WITH the teacher so when they are older they can do it by themselves.
For reader...if each class has a class blog, we could be kept updated through reader when an update is made and then check it out. Of course I'm saying all this and we don't even have projectors or smartboards so the kids would only be able to see it on the TV screen. :(
I really like google docs for communicating as a whole school. I think it would be great for Carroll, our admin. assit. to email out a calendar and allow each person to add event on the one calendar. So often things are left out or we are not aware of events and schedule events the same day as other events and this just seems like it would eliminate mistakes. I also think it would be great for our P to use instead of having us fill out surveys to gather info for what we want support in.
I also really enjoyed watching the little bits where is showed how high school kids were using it for their writing and assignments. I'm having a bit of trouble with how to use it in K, but what's new. :)
2. I set up reader and subscribed to the 5 blogs I'm going to be following. I really like the concept of getting the updated postings on reader instead of always having to visit the blogs...BUT, I sort of like looking at the blogs more than reading the stuff! :) I guess reader will help me know when to check out their blogs...b/c I'll know they've been on and possibly updated something.
3. As I mentioned previously, I really like google docs for whole school type communication and collaboration. I'm not too sure how it can be used in K...I guess we could create a grade level graph by collecting data and entering it into a spreadsheet and each class would have to enter their data and then in the end we would see the whole grade level data. Hmmm...just thought of that. But, as far a each student using it individually, nope...I believe it will be done WITH the teacher so when they are older they can do it by themselves.
For reader...if each class has a class blog, we could be kept updated through reader when an update is made and then check it out. Of course I'm saying all this and we don't even have projectors or smartboards so the kids would only be able to see it on the TV screen. :(
Tool #3 - cont.
ImageChef.com Poetry Blender
I can use this to also support using language by allowing learners to pick a background and then have them tell me the things it makes them think of.
Tool #3
I could use comicstripgenerator.com for teaching voice and helping my ELLs to speak and write.
I can use comicstripgenerator.com to show my concern with blogging. :)
Tool #2 - Posting on MY blog
1. What are my thoughts on building a community and being part of a PLN? I'm not too thrilled. I feel like I will be the "Darth Commentor". I'm hugely negative currently and it may be b/c it's summer and I'd rather be doing other things; 1)while my 22 month old is napping and 2)after he goes to bed...due to the fact that he doesn't really allow me on the computer during his awake hours! Also, I'm just not into reading things online and more specifically, just reading things people feel inspired to share. Sure, they may help me out one day...but I just find myself not drawn to blogs. Shoot, I don't even post on facebook all that often. I don't understand the point of sharing my thoughts with anyone out on the internet.
2. What point stood out to me on the commenting advice? DON'T be Darth Commentor! :) I read the advice...I sort of was "intrigued" by the questioning bit "why" vs. "how".
3. What 5 blogs did I choose for my comments? From Sherwood: Maria Palermo (my teaching partener!), Jill Fairchild (Tech guru who will help me to see how this can trump some other instructional time in my already too tight schedule!), Kathryn Thomas (b/c I don't know much about her as a teacher...and I'm curious), Pam Brennan (b/c I liked her "thought" about humanity, and of course...Glover (the science guru!). I chose all blogs from colleagues at my campus b/c I will be able to later "see" things they may be doing with what we are learning and that to me is more powerful that just reading or watching on the internet.
2. What point stood out to me on the commenting advice? DON'T be Darth Commentor! :) I read the advice...I sort of was "intrigued" by the questioning bit "why" vs. "how".
3. What 5 blogs did I choose for my comments? From Sherwood: Maria Palermo (my teaching partener!), Jill Fairchild (Tech guru who will help me to see how this can trump some other instructional time in my already too tight schedule!), Kathryn Thomas (b/c I don't know much about her as a teacher...and I'm curious), Pam Brennan (b/c I liked her "thought" about humanity, and of course...Glover (the science guru!). I chose all blogs from colleagues at my campus b/c I will be able to later "see" things they may be doing with what we are learning and that to me is more powerful that just reading or watching on the internet.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Tool #1: Time Spent
If I had nothing else to do in life and was bored silly...I think I would like this. It's sort of like setting up my class website and following Facebook...I have other things to do!
Two hours later I have created an avatar in voki, chosen my blog format, tried to post a picture (but it kept overtaking the blog--and I was frustrated with trying to shrink it in my documents) and became frustrated with trying to change the color scheme.
How will I use this in my classroom? Instead of Daily Message on chart paper...let's blog it! Instead of Shared Writing on chart paper...blog it!
Other than that...I'm not sure...give me time!
Two hours later I have created an avatar in voki, chosen my blog format, tried to post a picture (but it kept overtaking the blog--and I was frustrated with trying to shrink it in my documents) and became frustrated with trying to change the color scheme.
How will I use this in my classroom? Instead of Daily Message on chart paper...let's blog it! Instead of Shared Writing on chart paper...blog it!
Other than that...I'm not sure...give me time!
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