Week 3: Exploring new technologies
While I wouldn't describe myself as tech-savvy, I've been able to hold my own my tech needs. However, having the opportunity this week to explore a lot less obvious tools and apps has been so helpful.
I was most intrigued by Flipboard. I hadn't heard about it before and now I'm raving to my family and friends about its offerings. I love the idea of curating an assortment of stories that interest me from a wide variety of publishing platforms. While I'm a die hard New York Times fan, I do like the idea of having information from other sources coming right too me instead of me tracking them down. I think this is a great tool for students to help them develop an appreciation, love and eventually reliance on getting a daily dose of non-ficton information in one's reading diet.
LiveBinder is a brilliant concept and an app I had not heard of. It makes total sense to have an assortment of lesson plans grouped by theme, all available on-line. I like the collaboration component of LiveBinder-- very web 2.0. I also like how the main binders for the education component are not based on traditional subjects, but audience (substitutes, parent resources, admin, etc).
Padlet is an app that I found so appealing because of its ease of use. My school has a lot of iPads and I can easily see myself using Padlet with confidence. I like that students can each "have a voice" during a lesson without me necessarily having to call on them. I also like the idea of using Padlett at the end of class for anonymous feedback regarding what worked, what didn't, etc.
Finally, I humbly admit I know nothing about RSS stuff. After exploring the 10 RSS link, I'm going to give Digg a whirl and see how that plays out.
Monday, September 26, 2016
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Week 2: My Wiki start up experience
Building my wiki (http://underwoodmockelection2016.wikispaces.com) was not as intimidating as I thought it would be. I looked at both PBWorks and Wikispaces and decided to go with the latter because I liked the design template options.
So far I have included 3 sub-sections to my wiki: election videos, maps, and read aloud. I envision this wiki for teachers, primarily, and then for parents, in order to encourage them to engage with their children in the upcoming presidential election. I love the idea of providing resources for parents and teachers to help them educate and connect with children about the election.
I do also envision my students (upper grades) contributing to the wiki as well. I'd envision them sharing their reactions to presidential debates, sharing essays on why they would chose one candidate over another, etc.
The challenge for me with this wiki is providing materials that are accessible for each three, without isolating one group in the process.
We'll see how it all goes!
Jean
September 19, 2016
Building my wiki (http://underwoodmockelection2016.wikispaces.com) was not as intimidating as I thought it would be. I looked at both PBWorks and Wikispaces and decided to go with the latter because I liked the design template options.
So far I have included 3 sub-sections to my wiki: election videos, maps, and read aloud. I envision this wiki for teachers, primarily, and then for parents, in order to encourage them to engage with their children in the upcoming presidential election. I love the idea of providing resources for parents and teachers to help them educate and connect with children about the election.
I do also envision my students (upper grades) contributing to the wiki as well. I'd envision them sharing their reactions to presidential debates, sharing essays on why they would chose one candidate over another, etc.
The challenge for me with this wiki is providing materials that are accessible for each three, without isolating one group in the process.
We'll see how it all goes!
Jean
September 19, 2016
Monday, September 12, 2016
TOP TEN THINGS EVERY TEACHER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT TECHNOLOGY
1. Even with the growth of technology in the classroom, nothing replaces (or compares to) a teacher passionate about the subject s/he teaches. Students need your wisdom and experience to help guide them as 21st century learners.
2. Navigating a new app or Social Media tool is easier than you think. If it were too complicated, a company would not produce it because it wouldn't make money. You are savvier than you think when it comes to technology!
3. You are not expected to be an expert on any one piece of technology-- ask for help, especially from teachers who you feel use technology supremely well!
4. Join communities online to get support and to learn about how you can implement technology in the classroom.
5. Do not fear change. The unfolding changes in technology offer new possibilities to make your teaching more dynamic and your classroom more innovative.
6. Share your experiences with technology with peers. Encouraging others to explore technology can create opportunities for colleagues to learn and explore together.
7. Be flexible. You may feel like you've mastered your favorite digital tools or strategies for teaching with technology, but there are always new tools being created, and new ways to approach technology as the field unfolds.
8. Don't get too caught up in all of the "bells and whistles" of a particular piece of technology. Make sure your students are using that technology as a vehicle for their learning and to create new knowledge.
9. Use technology as a new way to communicate with parents is relatively easy but offers a big impact. When parents get a regular peek into your classroom to see the excellence occurring, you are not only communicating with parents, but you are cultivating advocates that can support and defend education and educational policies.
10. Learning new technologies is a humbling experience and a great opportunity for teachers to empathize with our students on their educational journey.
1. Even with the growth of technology in the classroom, nothing replaces (or compares to) a teacher passionate about the subject s/he teaches. Students need your wisdom and experience to help guide them as 21st century learners.
2. Navigating a new app or Social Media tool is easier than you think. If it were too complicated, a company would not produce it because it wouldn't make money. You are savvier than you think when it comes to technology!
3. You are not expected to be an expert on any one piece of technology-- ask for help, especially from teachers who you feel use technology supremely well!
4. Join communities online to get support and to learn about how you can implement technology in the classroom.
5. Do not fear change. The unfolding changes in technology offer new possibilities to make your teaching more dynamic and your classroom more innovative.
6. Share your experiences with technology with peers. Encouraging others to explore technology can create opportunities for colleagues to learn and explore together.
7. Be flexible. You may feel like you've mastered your favorite digital tools or strategies for teaching with technology, but there are always new tools being created, and new ways to approach technology as the field unfolds.
8. Don't get too caught up in all of the "bells and whistles" of a particular piece of technology. Make sure your students are using that technology as a vehicle for their learning and to create new knowledge.
9. Use technology as a new way to communicate with parents is relatively easy but offers a big impact. When parents get a regular peek into your classroom to see the excellence occurring, you are not only communicating with parents, but you are cultivating advocates that can support and defend education and educational policies.
10. Learning new technologies is a humbling experience and a great opportunity for teachers to empathize with our students on their educational journey.
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