Tool # 7

I created this digital story to publish my poem Where I'm From. This poem is inspired from George Ella Lyons' work. This can be used by students to displaytheir work, particularly their poetry. The process of creating the digital story was time consuming and tedious. But, once it was complete, it was worth the work that went into it.

After 11 Tools :Reflections

I like image generators, particularly Bookr, Wordle and Glogsters. If I were in the classroom, I would make it one of the activities to place in a workstation for reviewing concepts and vocabulary. Reviewing math and science terms through this creative outlet can help in retaining
concepts being studied.
Moreover, participating in this program gives me depth and insights into what is available electronically and will make it easy for me to spot if teachers are using technology to their advantage in maximizing student learning and achievement. Children are no longer passive learners. They are constantly enticed to the learning that is innovative and at their finger tips.

Tool # 11

Technology is constantly evolving in our electronic information age and students need to know that the act of easily accessing information comes with benefits and perils. Three things students must understand about being digital citizens have to do with on-line safety, digital etiquette and utilizing social networking to maximize learning and achievement.

Each area can be presented in an open dialogue with students. When talking about on-line safety, tie in the discussion to the background knowledge that students have on safety in general. Students have schema of procedures, policies , laws and regulations that are in place and followed daily to protect them and maintain their safety (i.e. driving, crossing the street). Anchor charts are always great visuals to record what students know about the subject. Start with the familiar and then move students to the digital community and what they think is necessary to be safe while on-line. The dialogue has to be teacher led with probing questions such as:Do you give your personal information (i.e. address, phone number) to whoever you are chatting to on-line? The teacher generates important points with the issue of safety at the heart of various scenarios.

The same teaching process can be used to discuss etiquette and acceptable social behavior and following copyright laws. The idea is to move students from the realities of their 3-D life to the realm of the digital world, highlighting the benefits and perils.

Tool # 9

Jing can be used to take pictures of the screen you are working on in a step by step progression to create a visual 'How-to'. It allows you to add arrows and text to the screen to provide explanations and extra information. One task that students can be asked to do before using Jing is to write the text step by step in the form of a writing piece that will be taken to Jing later.

Skype is a form of video conferencing that provides instant communication with whoever you want to share information electronically. It allows you to share information live. It can be the primary source for research. Imagine students carrying on a conversation with a favorite author or consulting experts when conducting research papers! For example, they can converse with zoologists if their research is on a particular animal or an architect or engineer if they what to know how geometry (i.e angles, perimeter, area) plays into their occupations. The possibilities are endless.

Tool # 10

I reviewed several Apps from the SBISD list and I found that some presented information only. The You Tube for the Goggle Earth App showed how to explore places that students might want to visit. The example I enjoyed was the visit to New York City and Central Park. I liked the icons that gave extra information on the sites surrounding the primary site that was being explored (i.e. museums, other attractions of interest). I reviewed the Hangman Apps, but could not work the apps to experience the game. However, it seems to be like the old fashioned paper and pencil hangman we are so used to doing. The Paper Toss Apps for the iPhone provided a chance to toss the paper in the trashcan and thus worked with spatial relationships and eye-hand coordination in a 3-D format. I can see these apps in classroom centers and workstations. There are numerous apps games to enhance math, spelling, even SAT vocabulary flashcards. The idea of having students manipulating the screen with the tip of their fingertips rather than working with paper and pencil activities is a great turnabout in educational practices.

Tool # 8

I picked two YouTubes that deal with El Dia de Los Muertos. The first video tells about the tradition in a way that depicts the authentic components of the celebration as it is observed in Mexico. YouTubes allows students to view information in another modality other than a handout or a reading selection. This is a great auditory and visual way of presenting the lesson. The core area of Social Studies can not be better enhanced than through this techological tool.






This second video is in the format of interviews about how El Dia de los Muertos is celebrated. It centers around altars and the items included on them. In contrast to the first video, this video tells of how Americans observe the celebration. In this video, you will see that some people in the U.S. create altars for pets. This is not traditional in Mexico.





Enjoy! In the classroom, YouTube videos can be set up in a workstation and tied to writing activities, family interviews and the creation of altars to commemorate the cultural occassion. Students can also create their own videos and post them on-line. The idea is not only to have students consumers of information, but producers of information, as well. This will involve students designing the concept of the video, preparing for an interview and actually producing a video.

Tool # 6

Using a wiki will take the place of what we have been asking students to do for a long time now.....keep writers notebooks on composition books. a wiki allows students' writing tasks that we ask of them, to go digital. Reader's reponses, connections, writing and compiling personal narratives, all can be kept on-ine for all to see and share suggestions to improve writing pieces and literacy assignments. Wow!