When this article was written, it had been about 2 years since the iPad was first realized. Apple has sold approximately 64 millions iPads in two years. According to the author of this article, while this many units sold in this time frame is no small feat, the iPad itself won't make the difference. What is truly needed is a rethinking of the "how" and "what" in schooling. According to Kaufman, teachers must become much more learning facilitators and coaches and the idea of singular subjects as curriculum should change.
While much like a computer, the iPad can be used for much of the same things: doing research on the Internet, taking notes, writing papers, creating presentations, shooting and editing a video, and taking advantage of the many applications (apps) being developed for learning.
This article gives examples of some schools providing iPads to specific groups (grade levels or classrooms). For example, the Detroit Lakes school board purchased 244 iPads for every single fifth grader in Detroit Lakes Public School Districts, as well as every 5th and 6th grade teacher. Two additional carts holding 30+ iPads each will also be purchased for Roosevelt Elementary and High School. The cost for this initiative is roughly $105,000.
In Uitca High School students are going to be connected, every student will be given an iPad on the first day of school in the fall.
The North Folk Local School District is leasing 560 iPads 2's at a cost of $74, 500 per year for four years, with the option to buy each for $1 at the end of the lease. Teachers district wide will also receive an iPad. The devices are being paid for through textbook and Title I money.
According to this article, the traditional pen-and paper school test could become a thing of the past. The iPad has the potential to optimize learning outcomes for students. At some school the enthusiasm for adopting and implementing iPad is overwhelming. There are even a few schools making iPad mandatory for all students.
According to this article, new Zealand may be the first country to have all students have iPads in a 1:1 program that requires parents to provide them. In Britain there has even been, for the first time, a pilot of an exam administered on iPads.
This article is informative and encouraging for technology usage in the classroom. From my readings concerning the iPad it seems to be a growing trend in our educational systems and society at large. I would hope that school boards and administrators will continue to see the need to put these devices in the hands of teachers and students in order to "keep up" with the digital age we are living in. I think it is an exciting time to be in education, especially education technology. I like the idea of a generation who are "tech savvy" and current in their technology awareness and experience.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
mLearning-The Arizona Republic
Today's article is about a school in Arizona, Gilbert elementary school. Gilbert school is embracing e-reader technology with Nook Club. A Gilbert elementary-school librarian and principal have discovered a way to motivate students to read by downloading books and series thought the use of the Nook, an e-reader. The "Nook Club" gives six sixth-graders a school-bought Nook reader and allows them to use the device and read on it for two weeks. Sixth-grader, Elizabeth White says, "I like that I can read in the dark in bed and I also like that I can go to the Internet from home, and it's lighter than a lot of books."
School librarian, Bobbie Georgvich, says "the goal is to give all sixth-graders a chance to use the e-reader and read at least one electronic book by the end of the school year." Embracing e-readers is a growing trend across the country in libraries and classrooms. Who better to take the lead in this fast growing trend of technology than librarians and teachers? I like the idea that schools are training teachers and students in how to use the e-readers. According to principal, Terry Maurer, "our hope is to transition our library into a 21st-century library." The school is not shunning books, but officials see the advantaged to the e-reader. Because the librarian only has to buy once for the e-reader to share with six others, it is a good way to keep up with purchasing new books instead of waiting for a physical copy to be stocked. Also downloaded books are 20-70% cheaper than a physical book.
I think that e-readers help revive the joy of reading. I love the idea of every child being excited about reading, regardless if it is a physical copy or a e-reader. However, I do like that schools are trying to embrace this new leap forward in technology. Reading stories allows students to use their imaginations and go and see places and things with the mind's eye. I think anything we can do as teachers and parents to encourage a child to read is a move in the right direction. I want every child to love to read and if e-readers encourages a child to read, I am all in!
School librarian, Bobbie Georgvich, says "the goal is to give all sixth-graders a chance to use the e-reader and read at least one electronic book by the end of the school year." Embracing e-readers is a growing trend across the country in libraries and classrooms. Who better to take the lead in this fast growing trend of technology than librarians and teachers? I like the idea that schools are training teachers and students in how to use the e-readers. According to principal, Terry Maurer, "our hope is to transition our library into a 21st-century library." The school is not shunning books, but officials see the advantaged to the e-reader. Because the librarian only has to buy once for the e-reader to share with six others, it is a good way to keep up with purchasing new books instead of waiting for a physical copy to be stocked. Also downloaded books are 20-70% cheaper than a physical book.
I think that e-readers help revive the joy of reading. I love the idea of every child being excited about reading, regardless if it is a physical copy or a e-reader. However, I do like that schools are trying to embrace this new leap forward in technology. Reading stories allows students to use their imaginations and go and see places and things with the mind's eye. I think anything we can do as teachers and parents to encourage a child to read is a move in the right direction. I want every child to love to read and if e-readers encourages a child to read, I am all in!
mLearning-How the Amazon Kindle Fire Fits Into Education
Today's article is about how Amazon recently announced a new tablet device. With a 7" screen this tablet is clearly designed for direct competition with the iPad. According too this article, the Fire has nearly the same specs as the Kindle Keyboard and weighs just under a pound. The Kindle Fire uses Google's Android operating system, which will allow Fire owners to make use of Amazon's apps.
This article also introduces Cloud storage, an online file storage. The Kindle Fire is linked to the user's Amazon account, which includes free storage on Amazon's Cloud Drive. This article also addresses the textbook rental option from Amazon. Both students and teachers may rent textbooks electronically from Amazon. This feature is nice for students who do not want to have their own textbook copy to keep, it will eliminate the $700 + cost of buying textbooks per semester. The textbook rental option is also an excellent green aspect, since it will be saving the paper wasted on the new textbooks which are so often revised and reprinted.
The Kindle Fire gives consumers a less expensive option, anyone not wanting to spend the $400+ for the iPad can opt for the Kindle Fire.
I like the option of owning a Kindle Fire. For students or schools on a limited budget, the Fire will more than pay for itself. I also think the Fire offers a great option for textbook rental. Overall, I think the Fire is a lot of tablet for little money. The Fire is an excellent option for book reading AND music. As a teacher, I think the Kindle Fire would be a huge asset for my classroom. I think it would be exciting to integrate technology into the classroom using this tablet, perhaps it would ignite a new joy for reading with students. I like the idea of implementing the Fire into classrooms thus creating media integration for our schools.
This article also introduces Cloud storage, an online file storage. The Kindle Fire is linked to the user's Amazon account, which includes free storage on Amazon's Cloud Drive. This article also addresses the textbook rental option from Amazon. Both students and teachers may rent textbooks electronically from Amazon. This feature is nice for students who do not want to have their own textbook copy to keep, it will eliminate the $700 + cost of buying textbooks per semester. The textbook rental option is also an excellent green aspect, since it will be saving the paper wasted on the new textbooks which are so often revised and reprinted.
The Kindle Fire gives consumers a less expensive option, anyone not wanting to spend the $400+ for the iPad can opt for the Kindle Fire.
I like the option of owning a Kindle Fire. For students or schools on a limited budget, the Fire will more than pay for itself. I also think the Fire offers a great option for textbook rental. Overall, I think the Fire is a lot of tablet for little money. The Fire is an excellent option for book reading AND music. As a teacher, I think the Kindle Fire would be a huge asset for my classroom. I think it would be exciting to integrate technology into the classroom using this tablet, perhaps it would ignite a new joy for reading with students. I like the idea of implementing the Fire into classrooms thus creating media integration for our schools.
mLearning- The Kindle Fire will enable the next generation of 1:1 education
According to this article, the Kindle Fire, is the tablet for 1:1 use in schools. The price is right ($199), the screen size is perfect (7") to fit in any bag easily and small hands can hold it just as easily as high school and college sized hands, and the new Silk browser has the potential to deliver an entirely new generation of web-bases tablet applications.
According to Christopher Dawson, for ZDNet Education, portability, at 7", is the key. The Fore tablets can move with students at a price almost too cheap to pass up. In his opinion, a 7-year old holding an iPad 2 is "a little scary."
The price of the Kindle Fire is exciting. And the Silk browser offers a mobile browser with increases in bandwidth and infrastructure thus delivering incredibly rich applications. As an educator, I like the idea of buying Amazon content to meet educational needs. I think the Kindle Fire is a less expensive way to integrate technology into the classroom. I think online textbooks are a great way to introduce the Fire to students and I am impressed with Amazon Silk for its ability to support existing Web services on behalf of education. I think the Fire is the right price and form for especially elementary students.
According to Christopher Dawson, for ZDNet Education, portability, at 7", is the key. The Fore tablets can move with students at a price almost too cheap to pass up. In his opinion, a 7-year old holding an iPad 2 is "a little scary."
The price of the Kindle Fire is exciting. And the Silk browser offers a mobile browser with increases in bandwidth and infrastructure thus delivering incredibly rich applications. As an educator, I like the idea of buying Amazon content to meet educational needs. I think the Kindle Fire is a less expensive way to integrate technology into the classroom. I think online textbooks are a great way to introduce the Fire to students and I am impressed with Amazon Silk for its ability to support existing Web services on behalf of education. I think the Fire is the right price and form for especially elementary students.
mLearning-Clearwater High replaces textbooks with Kindles
According to this article, 2,000 Clearwater High School students received their Kindle e-book readers that will replace a number of weighty textbooks and allow students to download other books used in class. Indeed the backpacks of these high schools are about to become much lighter. The school board ordered 2,200 Kindles, enough for the 2,160 students enrolled and spares for new students. Each Kindle cost $177.60, a discount from the estimated $200 customers would pay. Also, a traditional English textbook cost $95 but the electric version can be downloaded on the Kindle for $80. Students will be responsible for lost or damaged Kindles, the same way they are for textbooks.
I like the fact that these high schoolers received a Kindle, kids love technology and I think the Kindle is a great option. The tablet-size devices will have electronic versions of texts for math, English and supplemental science. Students can even look at novels, take notes and highlight portions of texts they want to. The device can also read the text aloud in a male or female voice.
According to the article, students can buy insurance for $20 to cover damage or loss of the Kindle. Also, the district, working with Amazon, can track each Kindle and shut it down if it's stolen or show up at a pawn shop, or appears on e-Bay.
As an educator, I think it is exciting to see the students interested in this device. I think it encourages students to explore and learn in new, innovative ways. I also think it is a technological advance, for the Clearwater school and a great way to empower students to be "savvy" with electronics in a classroom setting.
I like the fact that these high schoolers received a Kindle, kids love technology and I think the Kindle is a great option. The tablet-size devices will have electronic versions of texts for math, English and supplemental science. Students can even look at novels, take notes and highlight portions of texts they want to. The device can also read the text aloud in a male or female voice.
According to the article, students can buy insurance for $20 to cover damage or loss of the Kindle. Also, the district, working with Amazon, can track each Kindle and shut it down if it's stolen or show up at a pawn shop, or appears on e-Bay.
As an educator, I think it is exciting to see the students interested in this device. I think it encourages students to explore and learn in new, innovative ways. I also think it is a technological advance, for the Clearwater school and a great way to empower students to be "savvy" with electronics in a classroom setting.
mLearning-How the iPad is Changing Education
This article is about how the iPad is only two years old and already begun to change many things. Reading and Work are two of them. In January 2012, Apple entered the digital textbook market with the launch of iBooks 2 and the iBooks Author production tools e-books. According to John Titlow, in a way, Apple didn't enter the education market. Rather, it followed its customers there. A growing number of college students have, on their own accord, made the device a standard in their backpacks. More importantly, several school districts wasted no time launching pilot programs to use the iPad in the classroom in an official way.
According to this article, early on Chicago's pubic school district brought iPads into a number of its classrooms and even allowed students to take them home. Programs like this can ultimately save districts money on textbooks, since e-books are cheaper than the printed textbook. And of course, the iPad is lighter on the back than a bag full of textbooks.
One question asked, "does the iPad help learning?"... students at Riverside Unified School District have said "that using an iPad makes learning and doing homework more enjoyable and teachers confirm that students seem more eager to participate thanks to the iPad. Also, testing scores conducted at Riverside show that Algebra students using iPads tested at 90% proficiency compared to 60% textbook testing.
According to educator, Mike Muir "the iPad has enormous potential to positively impact education." The tablets make a great tool for self-directed, independent learning. The iPad has a wide range of tablet-based tools. Some predict that tablets will outnumber desktop computers in schools before we know it.
I love the idea of classrooms full of glass touchscreens on every desk. In my opinion, textbooks are often obsolete the moment they are printed, so why not an iPad? I think iPads are fun, exciting, and useful. As a teacher, I would love to have the opportunity to incorporate iPads into my classroom.
According to this article, early on Chicago's pubic school district brought iPads into a number of its classrooms and even allowed students to take them home. Programs like this can ultimately save districts money on textbooks, since e-books are cheaper than the printed textbook. And of course, the iPad is lighter on the back than a bag full of textbooks.
One question asked, "does the iPad help learning?"... students at Riverside Unified School District have said "that using an iPad makes learning and doing homework more enjoyable and teachers confirm that students seem more eager to participate thanks to the iPad. Also, testing scores conducted at Riverside show that Algebra students using iPads tested at 90% proficiency compared to 60% textbook testing.
According to educator, Mike Muir "the iPad has enormous potential to positively impact education." The tablets make a great tool for self-directed, independent learning. The iPad has a wide range of tablet-based tools. Some predict that tablets will outnumber desktop computers in schools before we know it.
I love the idea of classrooms full of glass touchscreens on every desk. In my opinion, textbooks are often obsolete the moment they are printed, so why not an iPad? I think iPads are fun, exciting, and useful. As a teacher, I would love to have the opportunity to incorporate iPads into my classroom.
mLearning-Managing a Classroom Set of iPads
This article is about the classroom management aspect of having iPads in the classroom. This teacher is thinking about how to best mange the use of having these devices in the room. The teacher expects the iPads to be well used, protected, respected, and integrated into the learning process.
The first section is entitled "Student Used Management"... iPads well used. Each student will be assigned a specific iPad which they can pick up form the charging station. Secondly, "Protected and Respected"...since each student will be assigned a specific device, students will be expected to take some sense of "ownership" over the device. The teacher expects the students to "polish" the screen before they put the device away and will be encouraged to observe the clean hands policies always. Thirdly, "Integrate to the Learning Process"...the hope is that this this classroom can move to becoming a paperless classroom. Notes, worksheets, tests, reports should all be delivered electronically. Eventually, this teacher wants to move to an electronic book. In order to make this process as smooth as possible, this teacher plans to introduce the most used apps one at a time.
The second section of this article deals with "setting up 20 iPads." The teacher unboxed each ipad and then set up an itunes account. After installing each iPad to the account, the teacher named each ipad with a famous scientist name (fun!). After selecting and installing apps, the teacher updated any already existing apps from a secondary account. The teacher then set up email accounts to each iPad. And then selected and installed the open source textbooks and desired pdfs for ibooks. Lastly, the teacher needs to decide on a case and storage solution.
The third and final stage of the article is storage and maintenance issues. The teacher wants a charging and syncing cabinet so that multiple iPads could be synced together from the cart. Of course, the coolest thing would be to have a shelving unit with charging pads on each shelf so that students need only place the iPad on the charging pad- no wires to connect (probably wishful thinking). The slots and outlets should be numbered and if no charging pads, then a docking type of configuration would be convenient rather than dangling cords. Also, a usb cable is needed for syncing. The cabinet should be enclosed, lockable, and portable.
I think this article is VERY practical. I like how the author list the step by step process in handling 20+ iPads. As a teacher, I realize the importance of planning, planning and more planning:). This article is a great tool to go by when implementing the use of iPads into the classroom.
The first section is entitled "Student Used Management"... iPads well used. Each student will be assigned a specific iPad which they can pick up form the charging station. Secondly, "Protected and Respected"...since each student will be assigned a specific device, students will be expected to take some sense of "ownership" over the device. The teacher expects the students to "polish" the screen before they put the device away and will be encouraged to observe the clean hands policies always. Thirdly, "Integrate to the Learning Process"...the hope is that this this classroom can move to becoming a paperless classroom. Notes, worksheets, tests, reports should all be delivered electronically. Eventually, this teacher wants to move to an electronic book. In order to make this process as smooth as possible, this teacher plans to introduce the most used apps one at a time.
The second section of this article deals with "setting up 20 iPads." The teacher unboxed each ipad and then set up an itunes account. After installing each iPad to the account, the teacher named each ipad with a famous scientist name (fun!). After selecting and installing apps, the teacher updated any already existing apps from a secondary account. The teacher then set up email accounts to each iPad. And then selected and installed the open source textbooks and desired pdfs for ibooks. Lastly, the teacher needs to decide on a case and storage solution.
The third and final stage of the article is storage and maintenance issues. The teacher wants a charging and syncing cabinet so that multiple iPads could be synced together from the cart. Of course, the coolest thing would be to have a shelving unit with charging pads on each shelf so that students need only place the iPad on the charging pad- no wires to connect (probably wishful thinking). The slots and outlets should be numbered and if no charging pads, then a docking type of configuration would be convenient rather than dangling cords. Also, a usb cable is needed for syncing. The cabinet should be enclosed, lockable, and portable.
I think this article is VERY practical. I like how the author list the step by step process in handling 20+ iPads. As a teacher, I realize the importance of planning, planning and more planning:). This article is a great tool to go by when implementing the use of iPads into the classroom.
mLearning-the iPad for Administrators and Teachers
This article is about the iPad for administrators and teachers. According to this article, the biggest complaint administrators and teachers have is too much paper. What is the solution? The iPad:). Teachers and administrators can use less paper and never worry about which pad they jotted a note on AND never be late for an appointment again.
As a teacher, the search for the perfect organizer is a never-ending task. This article offers many apps that will suit teachers and administrators. I will list some of my favorite apps from this article below:
IEP Checklist - this is a free app that reinforces IEP information and allows you to put in student information. This is especially good for Special Education department chairperson.
Look For - an app for principals who are either doing a walk through or an observation. It enables users to organize, identify, clarify and provide immediate feedback to classroom teachers regarding their instructional practices. $49.99
Grade Book Pro - Easy to use track grades and attendance. If using the iPad2, it supports the ability to take student photos. $9.99
TeacherPal - free app, great for elementary school teachers who want to add student photo. Also enables teachers to take attendance, grades and input behavior.
Teacher Assistant Pro - allows teacher to keep track of student's actions, behaviors as well as achievements. $3.99
Sticky Notes - Keep this in your tool bar so you always have your sticky notes with you. $.99
I think these apps are exciting and useful ways to stay organized and keep track of important information. I especially like the ideal of having my sticky notes on my tool bar! And the Grade Book Pro seems like a great app to use on a daily basis for grades, attendance and photos too!:)
As a teacher, the search for the perfect organizer is a never-ending task. This article offers many apps that will suit teachers and administrators. I will list some of my favorite apps from this article below:
IEP Checklist - this is a free app that reinforces IEP information and allows you to put in student information. This is especially good for Special Education department chairperson.
Look For - an app for principals who are either doing a walk through or an observation. It enables users to organize, identify, clarify and provide immediate feedback to classroom teachers regarding their instructional practices. $49.99
Grade Book Pro - Easy to use track grades and attendance. If using the iPad2, it supports the ability to take student photos. $9.99
TeacherPal - free app, great for elementary school teachers who want to add student photo. Also enables teachers to take attendance, grades and input behavior.
Teacher Assistant Pro - allows teacher to keep track of student's actions, behaviors as well as achievements. $3.99
Sticky Notes - Keep this in your tool bar so you always have your sticky notes with you. $.99
I think these apps are exciting and useful ways to stay organized and keep track of important information. I especially like the ideal of having my sticky notes on my tool bar! And the Grade Book Pro seems like a great app to use on a daily basis for grades, attendance and photos too!:)
mLearning -Knack for Nook
Today I looked at the "Knack for Nook" article and how E-devices are helping learning in Hoover schools. Hoover's school system has launched a three-year pilot program in which 50 elementary school students (4th graders) are using hand-held Nooks in their daily work. With district officials' blessing, the director of curriculum and instruction for Hoover City Schools has created a three-year $30,000 budget and partnered with Barnes & Noble to purchase about 50 nooks. The money will also cover upgrades for the next two years.
All students had to take a "Nook license test" and when they passed, sign a contract. Essentially the students are agreeing they'll care for the device, bring it to and from school every day, and because it's school property (like a textbook), will turn it back in at the end of the year. The kids also received a variety of mini lessons that included instruction on apps and good digital citizenship. According to Karen Darroch (4th grade teacher), "now they watch science and history videos, play math games, take vocabulary and spelling test and use it for study guides for test preparation." I like the thought of students working on math apps to enhance skills or watch a math video to help with fractions. I think allowing the students to use the Nook in class is a great way to integrate technology into many subject areas.
The article also tells about a fourth grade student, Mitch Plamondon, who said "the Nook has helped him raise his grades." I think is is fantastic that this student has not only improved his grade, but perhaps his study skills since he started using the Nook. I agree with Mrs. Plamonden (Mitch's mother), "I believe it's very important to keep updating teaching and learning techniques." Overall, I think the Nook and most any tablet can make a difference in student achievement and motivation.I think it would be great for the Nook tablet to eventually become available system-wide.
All students had to take a "Nook license test" and when they passed, sign a contract. Essentially the students are agreeing they'll care for the device, bring it to and from school every day, and because it's school property (like a textbook), will turn it back in at the end of the year. The kids also received a variety of mini lessons that included instruction on apps and good digital citizenship. According to Karen Darroch (4th grade teacher), "now they watch science and history videos, play math games, take vocabulary and spelling test and use it for study guides for test preparation." I like the thought of students working on math apps to enhance skills or watch a math video to help with fractions. I think allowing the students to use the Nook in class is a great way to integrate technology into many subject areas.
The article also tells about a fourth grade student, Mitch Plamondon, who said "the Nook has helped him raise his grades." I think is is fantastic that this student has not only improved his grade, but perhaps his study skills since he started using the Nook. I agree with Mrs. Plamonden (Mitch's mother), "I believe it's very important to keep updating teaching and learning techniques." Overall, I think the Nook and most any tablet can make a difference in student achievement and motivation.I think it would be great for the Nook tablet to eventually become available system-wide.
mLearning-Evaluating the Nook Tablet for Elementary School
I chose "Evaluating the Nook Tablet for an Elementary School" for today's entry. This article is discussing a school that is considering purchasing 30 tablets, enough to accommodate one class at a time when they visit the library. Currently, the school purchases 30 books at at a time for these reading groups, so, the hope is that digital books will save money. However, they found out that digital versions are often as expensive as a bound paper copy, so it would take a long time to make up for the purchase price of the tablet (about $199). The other school of thought in the group was that the benefit to the tablet purchases is the exposure to technology.
In order to justify this reasoning, the writer looked at the durability of the digital book, and indeed it won't get tattered. The writer also looked at the school's web access, because the school subscribes to some web-based services that provide games and learning activities for children, the kids would be able to access these services through the Nook Color Tablet.
Also, there is a rather large library of apps for the Nook, and there are many apps for kids and most only cost a dollar or two. Nook books can also be accessed on iPads, iPhones, iPod touch handhelds, Android phones, Android tablets, Windows PCs, and Macs. So, if the school decides to replace them in the future with iPads, the titles will be available on other platforms. However, Nook apps are not cross-platform compatible, as is the Kindle Fire. So the question is would the Kindle Fire be a better option?
In my opinion, I think the Kindle Fire may be a better investment because it is cross-platform accessible and operates Google's Android operating system, which will be around for the forseeable future and has many apps. As an educator, I think the Kindle Fire or the Nook would be great investments for the school, not to purchase technology just for technology's sake but clearly because the Nook is durable, has access to the Web and has apps. I think students should experience digital books in order to feel comfortable with today's technology. I also like the audio option where the voice reads the story aloud to the student. I would opt for the Kindle Fire, however, if the Nook was the only choice, I would assuredly say "go for it!"
In order to justify this reasoning, the writer looked at the durability of the digital book, and indeed it won't get tattered. The writer also looked at the school's web access, because the school subscribes to some web-based services that provide games and learning activities for children, the kids would be able to access these services through the Nook Color Tablet.
Also, there is a rather large library of apps for the Nook, and there are many apps for kids and most only cost a dollar or two. Nook books can also be accessed on iPads, iPhones, iPod touch handhelds, Android phones, Android tablets, Windows PCs, and Macs. So, if the school decides to replace them in the future with iPads, the titles will be available on other platforms. However, Nook apps are not cross-platform compatible, as is the Kindle Fire. So the question is would the Kindle Fire be a better option?
In my opinion, I think the Kindle Fire may be a better investment because it is cross-platform accessible and operates Google's Android operating system, which will be around for the forseeable future and has many apps. As an educator, I think the Kindle Fire or the Nook would be great investments for the school, not to purchase technology just for technology's sake but clearly because the Nook is durable, has access to the Web and has apps. I think students should experience digital books in order to feel comfortable with today's technology. I also like the audio option where the voice reads the story aloud to the student. I would opt for the Kindle Fire, however, if the Nook was the only choice, I would assuredly say "go for it!"
Friday, July 20, 2012
Earth
Google Earth allows the computer to become a window to anywhere...viewing aerial and satellite images, photos, road and street maps, business listings and more...wow, now you can even navigate under the ocean's surface and explore sea floor terrain, you can view historical images going back decades, imagery of Mars and take guided tours of Mars, tracing paths of rovers and landers along the way. Wow, Google Earth is a great tool for teachers, especially in geography and science.
I next looked at the Pre-School lesson plan. This lesson plan gives ideas for integrating Google Maps, Earth and SketchUp into the Pre-K classroom. One idea is to create placemarks with pictures, videos, and audio clips of famous poems that could be listened to by students. Then allowing students to draw a picture about the poem listened to, also, the lesson plan offers the idea of zooming in on where a student lives and having them identify various objects and their colors on the satellite image, such as houses, roads, trees, and cars. And lately, the lesson plan suggests creating an alphabet tour using the first letter of famous places around the city (ex. Atalanta) and then stdents may know where these places are in relation to where they live, then the teacher suggest mixing up the placecards and having students put them in alphabetical order.
The next lesson plan I looked at is the Elementary lesson plan for lower grades 1=5. This lesson plan gives basic ideas for integrating Google maps, Earth, and SketchUp also. It suggest turning on the borders layering GE and having students recognize various states, provinces and countries. It also suggests to create a map of people who explored America. Using the line tool to trace their path across America and creating placemarks along the line to explain important events.
Lastly, I looked at the Google Geo Teacher Institute 4 of 5 site. This site explains how Google SketchUp is no longer owned by Google, but by Trimble. SketchUp is a free download and it enables the production of 3D objects which can be located and viewed by Google Earth.This site shows the Ecotricity wind-turbine in Swaffham, Norfolk which provides power for hundreds of homes in the town. The presenter, Beryl Reid "placed" the models in the landscape where they are actually located and then added realistic photo textures from Google Street View. This site show several different images and how the are being "placed" on SketchUp in order to create the idea of Google "trips"...quick tour points. This geographical enquiry is interesting and beneficial when teaching geography or social studies in the classroom.
I next looked at the Pre-School lesson plan. This lesson plan gives ideas for integrating Google Maps, Earth and SketchUp into the Pre-K classroom. One idea is to create placemarks with pictures, videos, and audio clips of famous poems that could be listened to by students. Then allowing students to draw a picture about the poem listened to, also, the lesson plan offers the idea of zooming in on where a student lives and having them identify various objects and their colors on the satellite image, such as houses, roads, trees, and cars. And lately, the lesson plan suggests creating an alphabet tour using the first letter of famous places around the city (ex. Atalanta) and then stdents may know where these places are in relation to where they live, then the teacher suggest mixing up the placecards and having students put them in alphabetical order.
The next lesson plan I looked at is the Elementary lesson plan for lower grades 1=5. This lesson plan gives basic ideas for integrating Google maps, Earth, and SketchUp also. It suggest turning on the borders layering GE and having students recognize various states, provinces and countries. It also suggests to create a map of people who explored America. Using the line tool to trace their path across America and creating placemarks along the line to explain important events.
Lastly, I looked at the Google Geo Teacher Institute 4 of 5 site. This site explains how Google SketchUp is no longer owned by Google, but by Trimble. SketchUp is a free download and it enables the production of 3D objects which can be located and viewed by Google Earth.This site shows the Ecotricity wind-turbine in Swaffham, Norfolk which provides power for hundreds of homes in the town. The presenter, Beryl Reid "placed" the models in the landscape where they are actually located and then added realistic photo textures from Google Street View. This site show several different images and how the are being "placed" on SketchUp in order to create the idea of Google "trips"...quick tour points. This geographical enquiry is interesting and beneficial when teaching geography or social studies in the classroom.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Maps
I did not know much about Google Maps until tonight...I like how you are able to get directions and see an actual "map" on Google Maps. I usually use MapQuest when searching for a specific location or directions, so, seeing another option is nice. I like how there are "written" directions in words AND and actual map. I have noticed when traveling personally, I often can follow a "picture" map much easier than the printed directions. Also, I think students need to be able to read a map. With so many GPS navigation systems available today, it would be easy for a student to not learn the correct way to "navigate" around a paper map, to know the direction of northwest, southeast or the symbol for interstate or highway.
The Google Treks is a nice option for teachers. I like how it is divided into specific age groups and specific, organized subject matter. I also think it is helpful that Google Treks offer rubrics to guide the scoring and evaluation. I think this would be a great site for Social Studies especially if you are studying places in the US or even abroad.
I also looked at the How Do WE Rock Around the Clock? lesson plan. I have never thought about how do rocks and minerals affect our lives from the minute we awake until we close our eyes at the end of the day, so, I like how this lesson plan allows students to discover how important rocks and minerals are in everyday lives. For example, what is used to make concrete? What rock materials were needed to build my school? I like how this lesson plan is interactive and able to pull students from various parts of the US to interact and answer questions pertaining to rocks and minerals. I also like how the map is integrated into the lesson by marking or "keying" particular sites where the answer to the question may be found. Perhaps the student in Scottsdale, Arizona enjoys learning about the textile shop in Wilmington, NC...this is a very good interactive tool to learn about rock and mineral usages in different regions of the US.
The Google Treks is a nice option for teachers. I like how it is divided into specific age groups and specific, organized subject matter. I also think it is helpful that Google Treks offer rubrics to guide the scoring and evaluation. I think this would be a great site for Social Studies especially if you are studying places in the US or even abroad.
I also looked at the How Do WE Rock Around the Clock? lesson plan. I have never thought about how do rocks and minerals affect our lives from the minute we awake until we close our eyes at the end of the day, so, I like how this lesson plan allows students to discover how important rocks and minerals are in everyday lives. For example, what is used to make concrete? What rock materials were needed to build my school? I like how this lesson plan is interactive and able to pull students from various parts of the US to interact and answer questions pertaining to rocks and minerals. I also like how the map is integrated into the lesson by marking or "keying" particular sites where the answer to the question may be found. Perhaps the student in Scottsdale, Arizona enjoys learning about the textile shop in Wilmington, NC...this is a very good interactive tool to learn about rock and mineral usages in different regions of the US.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Images
This is my first time ever using Picasa. I love the cropping option as well as the redeye removal. I REALLY like the TEXT option. I like how you are able to type a caption on your photo page. I also like the color options...soft focus, tint, sepia, sharpen, etc. I especially like the polaroid option because I always liked using a polaroid camera, so this option gives me a warm. fuzzy nostalgic feeling:).
PicMonkey has many options...party invitations, calendars, flyers, etc.
Flickr claims to be the best online photo management in the world.
I do not have experience using any of these photo editing apps, however, I do think if I took the time, I could create some really interesting fancies (embellishments, maybe?) to my pictures. Overall, I am sure that these photo editors allow you to be VERY organized with your pictures. I think these sites could prove very useful in a classroom setting. I like the idea of putting all my classroom pictures in an photo editor to create collages, calendars, or even books. I currently use Shutterfly but I may need to look into Picasa as my new go to "photo shop"...especially if I want to have an online library of all my pics.
Sites
https://sites.google.com/site/mrsshaws2ndgradeclass/home
I chose the topic "Mrs. Shaw's 2nd Grade Class" because I have taught 2nd Grade (in a Christian school, pre-children of my own, pre-mommy world:)) and because I am currently seeking elementary education certification (I only now have and ACSI teacher Certification, not state). When I taught before at the christian school (6 years ago), I did not have a wiki or a blog for my classroom . I think with the technological culture we have now, I will want to set up a class wiki or blog when I begin teaching again. This assignment is a good introduction to the blog, wiki site options for teachers.
I chose the topic "Mrs. Shaw's 2nd Grade Class" because I have taught 2nd Grade (in a Christian school, pre-children of my own, pre-mommy world:)) and because I am currently seeking elementary education certification (I only now have and ACSI teacher Certification, not state). When I taught before at the christian school (6 years ago), I did not have a wiki or a blog for my classroom . I think with the technological culture we have now, I will want to set up a class wiki or blog when I begin teaching again. This assignment is a good introduction to the blog, wiki site options for teachers.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Game-Based Learning
I looked at Sim Sweatshop. I accepted the challenge to enter the world of sweatshop and become a factory worker. I hope to be able to survive while making sport shoes for less than a dollar an hour. My wage is $6.05 for a full days work. A standard working day is 12 hours. My assignment is to make 3 sport shoes by the end of the day. Here I go...Oh my word! I worked as fast as I possibly could and did NOT meet my shoe target. I only made 1 sports shoe today. My pay was docked and I only made $2.01 for my daily wage. UGH!!! I will continue... because my energy has dropped by 49%, I must remember to replenish my energy with food and drink. I will skip the food because it is too costly ($1.49) and only purchase a drink, which cost $.0.29...I will continue... OH MY WORD!! My neighbor asked me to join a union, I said "yes", however, my management finds out about this and coincidently everyone involved gets mugged by a group pf men...as a result of the beatings I loose 40% of my total energy....this game is horrible!!! I buy another drink for $0.29...ok, back to work...finally, the factory has been asked to double it's production for the summer season, my line manager asked me to add another 4 hours to my working day and I will not be paid, I must say "yes" because I fear the consequences if I say "no" this added 5 sport shoes to my daily work. I had to finally stop playing this game because it was so depressing...I was getting nowhere FAST! Wow, what a learning experience for sweat shops...depressing! Hopefully my next game will be FUN!:) Educationally, this game is a great toll to teach about other social, economic situations in other countries. This game would be a great "hook" for a social studies lesson or a cross-culture unit.
The next game I looked at is Chore Wars. I am interested in recruiting a party of adventurers from my household to help me with "chores". Chore Wars lets you claim experience points for household chores. I like the idea of point rewards to individual tasks. As a teacher, this game could be used for classroom jobs. The students would love to create a character and I am sure they would be eager to help if points were involved:). This is a great game to make sure that everyone in the household or classroom is pulling their own weight. Quests are adventures that delete themselves automatically when they've been claimed. For example, if you say the bookshelf REALLY needs dusting, you could create a "dusting the bookcase urgently" chore that was a quest, the next person to dust the bookshelf would claim the quest. This game stimulates competition but for a good cause... everyone can be happy...the teacher or parent AND the student or child...the students/children will enjoy the competition (adults maybe too:)) and the teacher/parent will be able to have a clean house or organized classroom. Neat concept!!
The next game I looked at is Chore Wars. I am interested in recruiting a party of adventurers from my household to help me with "chores". Chore Wars lets you claim experience points for household chores. I like the idea of point rewards to individual tasks. As a teacher, this game could be used for classroom jobs. The students would love to create a character and I am sure they would be eager to help if points were involved:). This is a great game to make sure that everyone in the household or classroom is pulling their own weight. Quests are adventures that delete themselves automatically when they've been claimed. For example, if you say the bookshelf REALLY needs dusting, you could create a "dusting the bookcase urgently" chore that was a quest, the next person to dust the bookshelf would claim the quest. This game stimulates competition but for a good cause... everyone can be happy...the teacher or parent AND the student or child...the students/children will enjoy the competition (adults maybe too:)) and the teacher/parent will be able to have a clean house or organized classroom. Neat concept!!
Advanced Searching, Alerts, Bookmarks
If you are not finding what you're searching for after a basic search, Advanced Search is a wonderful tool. Advanced Search allows you to look for certain complex searches. I especially like the language option. I also like the reading level option, for example, a second-language learner may want web pages written at a basic reading level (basic, intermediate or advanced).
The Advanced Image Search is also a nice option. To be able to find an image with specific words or phrases may help when integrating technology in a certain subject. Perhaps you are studying plants and have a picture of a tulip and want more pictures of tulips, you could image search and find full color images. Or perhaps you are trying to find a specific bush that grows in New Mexico, you could put in a particular region and find images published in this area
Google Custom Search Engine is also a nice way to ass a search box to your homepage to help people find what they need on your website. This search box allows visitors to search your website quickly and efficiently to get fast and relevant search results. This could be great if your class or school has a website...Google Custom Search will allow others to find what they are looking for quickly and concisely.
Google Bookmarks is a way to save shortcuts to your favorite webpages and get to them in seconds. Google Bookmarks are stored in your Google Account, which means you can access them from any computer with an internet connection. As a teacher, Bookmarks is a great way to organize your favorite maps, videos, games, etc. You can even label your content into categories which allows you to collaborate your contents into specific subjects for easy viewing.
The Advanced Image Search is also a nice option. To be able to find an image with specific words or phrases may help when integrating technology in a certain subject. Perhaps you are studying plants and have a picture of a tulip and want more pictures of tulips, you could image search and find full color images. Or perhaps you are trying to find a specific bush that grows in New Mexico, you could put in a particular region and find images published in this area
Google Custom Search Engine is also a nice way to ass a search box to your homepage to help people find what they need on your website. This search box allows visitors to search your website quickly and efficiently to get fast and relevant search results. This could be great if your class or school has a website...Google Custom Search will allow others to find what they are looking for quickly and concisely.
Google Bookmarks is a way to save shortcuts to your favorite webpages and get to them in seconds. Google Bookmarks are stored in your Google Account, which means you can access them from any computer with an internet connection. As a teacher, Bookmarks is a great way to organize your favorite maps, videos, games, etc. You can even label your content into categories which allows you to collaborate your contents into specific subjects for easy viewing.
Monday, July 16, 2012
iPadApps
I can find myself becoming addicted to apps:)! I looked at the Art apps, I especially like the icoloringbook app, it is so fun just to color the many different animals. This app could be used to help illustrate a book or help support a lesson on a particular animal (classification). I also looked at Picasa and Picasa Cascade...I think these apps would be great to put my photographs on to create neat slideshows and interesting photo albums. Picasa and Picasa Cascade could be great tools to document or highlight the special events in your classroom throughout the school year. These apps allow you to upload pictures and as a teacher you could create a album for each child and give it as a gift at Christmas or the end of the school year. Or you could use Picasa Cascade for a slideshow presentation of your class during a class party to highlight all the fun things you did throughout the year (field trips, projects, recess time, read aloud time, parties, etc.) Pictures and videos are great ways to share experiences and events with others. I also looked at LangArts-Eng apps. I looked at the JumboWord Search app. This app could be a Spelling supplement because it helps students become more familiar with words and their spellings. I really liked the Read Me app. This app offers students various books in a series. I think this would be a great app for students who like to read or for those students who may finish their work early and need a "filler" while other students are finishing up the assignment. This app offers reading with great illustrations. This app will allow students to practice reading and comprehension. I also looked at the Mathematics apps. I really like the beat the Computer Multiplication app. This app would be a great practice app for students who need to practice their multiplication facts. I also like the Math Drills Lite app because this app allows you to choose addition, subtraction, multiplication or division drills. It also has a number line displayed for the more visual learner, this added manipulative may prove helpful when practicing the math facts. And lastly, I looked at the Find Sums app and this app uses ten frames to and pictures that represent counters to represent various numbers. I think it is always an added bonus to have a a picture and a word to represent a number. I liked exploring the various apps, I think it is fun and educational:).
Drawing
Drawing by Google Docs allows you to make various shapes and by clicking and dragging you may duplicate the shapes. By double clicking inside a shape you are able to type inside of the shape. Drawing by Google Docs also allows you to Chat within the document. Drawing allows you to include shapes, colors, design and words. I really like the You Tube New in Google Docs screencast. There is a wide open space for drawing, a dedicated space which allows you to draw "with" other people and build stuff together. I also looked at the Making Goofy in Google Docs...a very cute YouTube clip. As a teacher, I think Drawing would be fun to illustrate a short story or illustrate a specific journal entry. A student could use Drawing to help support any subject, for example, a student could draw a sun and a plant to illustrate photosynthesis or a picture to depict a particular vocabulary word, there are many uses for Drawing by Google Docs. The Lesson Plan: Book Buddies allows students to produce digital sketches to create digital books to print or view online. I like the idea of using technology to support literacy and allowing students to "create" their own illustrations to support their book...very nice art integration!
Friday, July 13, 2012
Finders Keepers
Delicious is a "social bookmarking" service. Delicious offers a banner which lets you know about many of the features and you can click "learn more" to find more information about the service. I listened to the tutorial and learned that Delicious offers Fresh Bookmarks, which is the most recent bookmarked entries in the delicious community and twitter conversations. Hotlist, which displays the most popular bookmarks. And Explore Tags, which allows you to see the most popular tags that people have applied to their bookmarks.
Google Reader helps you find and keep track of interesting stuff on the web. You can subscribe to your favorite websites, and keep up with what's popular. Reader keeps track of what you've read, so you only see unread items when you come back...super neato!:) I like the fact that Google Reader will act as a bookmark of sorts. I like the fact that it will place a border around an item that I have read. As a teacher, I think it is important to be able to subscribe to favorite sites and blogs. These new sites and blogs can be added information when teaching a lesson or simply a way to learn more about a certain subject for personal knowledge. Google Reader also offer keyboard sho rtcuts to save you time by helping you quickly explore your reading list. Google Reader allows you to export your subscriptions from other various popular feed readers such as myYahoo, Google iGoogle, NetVibes, Bloglines, Newsgator Online, Rojo, Safari bookmarks, and Firefox live bookmarks.
Library Thing is the world's largest book club. It will catalog your books from Amazon, the Library of Congress and 690 other world libraries. Library Thing allows you to find people with simialr tastes and find new books to read. It also lets you read free early reviewer books from publishers and authors. You may enter 200 books for free, as many as you like for $10 a year or $25 for life. This would be a great tool for teachers because it will allow you to keep all your books in one place and have them at your access whenever needed. I love to read and I like the idea of being connected to people who like to read what I do, it is like having my very own book club organized for me.
Google Reader helps you find and keep track of interesting stuff on the web. You can subscribe to your favorite websites, and keep up with what's popular. Reader keeps track of what you've read, so you only see unread items when you come back...super neato!:) I like the fact that Google Reader will act as a bookmark of sorts. I like the fact that it will place a border around an item that I have read. As a teacher, I think it is important to be able to subscribe to favorite sites and blogs. These new sites and blogs can be added information when teaching a lesson or simply a way to learn more about a certain subject for personal knowledge. Google Reader also offer keyboard sho rtcuts to save you time by helping you quickly explore your reading list. Google Reader allows you to export your subscriptions from other various popular feed readers such as myYahoo, Google iGoogle, NetVibes, Bloglines, Newsgator Online, Rojo, Safari bookmarks, and Firefox live bookmarks.
Library Thing is the world's largest book club. It will catalog your books from Amazon, the Library of Congress and 690 other world libraries. Library Thing allows you to find people with simialr tastes and find new books to read. It also lets you read free early reviewer books from publishers and authors. You may enter 200 books for free, as many as you like for $10 a year or $25 for life. This would be a great tool for teachers because it will allow you to keep all your books in one place and have them at your access whenever needed. I love to read and I like the idea of being connected to people who like to read what I do, it is like having my very own book club organized for me.
Finders Keepers
I looked at the self scoring quiz. I created a quiz and my partner, Rachel created a quiz. We shared our quizzes with one another and took each others quizzes. I think creating the quiz was easy, and emailing it to someone was also fairly easy. However, the self scoring part of the form was not very easy to follow. Overall, I think the self scoring quizzes will be a great tool for me as a teacher, especially when I am able to work out the kinks and spend time perfecting the process. I somewhat understand how to set up the formula part of the self scoring quiz, I just do not fully understand how to interpret the equation, for example, I am not sure what the $ represents. I did listen to Dr. Krug explain how to set up an answer key and he used different parameters and it mad much more sense to me than the example the example gives.To my understanding, you can only put an answer key in line by line AFTER the answer has came in and the dollar sign allows for the answers to always compare to answer key.
I looked at the Graphing with Google Docs & Forms elementary lesson plan. This lesson plan required students to create a Google Form to collect information to their class, then the teacher will be able to view a summary of the data in Google Spreadsheet. This lesson has a quiz in Google Spreadsheet as well.
I looked at the Graphing with Google Docs & Forms elementary lesson plan. This lesson plan required students to create a Google Form to collect information to their class, then the teacher will be able to view a summary of the data in Google Spreadsheet. This lesson has a quiz in Google Spreadsheet as well.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Gmail, Google Calendar, iGoogle
I recently set up a Gmail account for this class. I like the Gmail search offered in Gmail, this is especially useful if you have several emails. I also like the Chat option for Gmail. Gmail also makes the Google Apps for Education Edition, this is a nice option for schools.
The Google Calendar allows you to share your schedule, get your calendar on the go by syncing to your mobile phone's built in calendar, send invitations and track RSVP's, sync with your desktop applications, customize reminders to help you stay on schedule and all this is free:).
Google calendar is a great tool. I like looking at the calendar in the month mode, however, it is nice that it offers daily, weekly, and 4 day options. I like the color coded options for contacts birthdays and Us holidays. I am a very "scheduled" person and love to plan, plan, plan...in fact, my husband teases me that I try to plan my entire life out in a day;). Therefore, the calendar is a wonderful option.
Google Calendar offers a task feature. The task gadget helps you keep track of the things you need to do. You can create lists of items and set due dates and notes Along with my calendar usage, I am an avid list maker, so, the task feature would be a huge asset for me personally.
iGoogle is another tool. I use iGoogle at home on my PC. I like having the CNN.com news section, date & time, weather, and Gmail listed on my start page. I look at the weather section daily ad I often click around on the CNN news section to read a little of the current events in the news.I like the idea of using the iGoogle page in the classroom when studying weather or perhaps a moon project, students could track the moon for 2 weeks and view the various pictures and/or facts related to the moon patterns. iGoogle is a nice way to quickly view topics that interest each person individually, I like the idea of having a custom made page for myself:).
The Google Calendar allows you to share your schedule, get your calendar on the go by syncing to your mobile phone's built in calendar, send invitations and track RSVP's, sync with your desktop applications, customize reminders to help you stay on schedule and all this is free:).
Google calendar is a great tool. I like looking at the calendar in the month mode, however, it is nice that it offers daily, weekly, and 4 day options. I like the color coded options for contacts birthdays and Us holidays. I am a very "scheduled" person and love to plan, plan, plan...in fact, my husband teases me that I try to plan my entire life out in a day;). Therefore, the calendar is a wonderful option.
Google Calendar offers a task feature. The task gadget helps you keep track of the things you need to do. You can create lists of items and set due dates and notes Along with my calendar usage, I am an avid list maker, so, the task feature would be a huge asset for me personally.
iGoogle is another tool. I use iGoogle at home on my PC. I like having the CNN.com news section, date & time, weather, and Gmail listed on my start page. I look at the weather section daily ad I often click around on the CNN news section to read a little of the current events in the news.I like the idea of using the iGoogle page in the classroom when studying weather or perhaps a moon project, students could track the moon for 2 weeks and view the various pictures and/or facts related to the moon patterns. iGoogle is a nice way to quickly view topics that interest each person individually, I like the idea of having a custom made page for myself:).
Spreadsheets
I have never worked with the Spreadsheets of Google Docs. After reviewing the Atomic Learning for Spreadsheets, I learned how to title a new document, open a new tab and upload a spreadsheet. Google Docs allows you to upload Excel Spreadsheets to Google Docs by converting to Google Docs and then uploading. I also looked a keyboard shortcuts. By clicking Help and going to Keyboard shortcuts, I am able to view all the shortcuts, if using a Mac, I substitute the command key for the control key. I like the shortcut options. I also looked at the Chat feature. in the upper right hand corner is an area to type a message and send to other viewer. This is helpful when collaborating with other people in the same text. I also looked at email notifications and this is an email alert that goes out to shared viewers..by going to Tools and setting specific regulation rules we can set specific notification requirements. I like the daily digest email and the right away email notification that is available.
I looked at the Consumer Product Testing Experiment for elementary. The students were expected to understand why consumer product information is important and the type of tests and methods for recording data from those test. The students used Google Forms, which is a survey development interface with built-in reporting. As a side note, to my surprise, this means the day of SeaMonkey are numbered, apparently people are not interested in paying monthly fees to store survey response data. I absolutely think I could use a lesson plan like this one someday. I think a survey on time watching TV or time on video games would be a great survey to conduct. I would pick the age group of my students because I would be interested to know how much time they are spending watching TV and playing video games outside of class.
The second lesson plan I looked at was Introduction to Scientific Method - Marble Stacking using Google Spreadsheets. In this lesson students are introduced to the scientific method through a hand-on activity using Google Spreadsheet to record data and report findings. By titling the columns headers with hypothesis, method, observations, and conclusions the teacher is able to assess understanding through the spreadsheet.
I think spreadsheets are wonderful tools for math and science. In fact, in my last class, I was able to create bar graphs in two math lessons using excel. Spreadsheets are wonderful tools in teaching and assessing.
I looked at the Consumer Product Testing Experiment for elementary. The students were expected to understand why consumer product information is important and the type of tests and methods for recording data from those test. The students used Google Forms, which is a survey development interface with built-in reporting. As a side note, to my surprise, this means the day of SeaMonkey are numbered, apparently people are not interested in paying monthly fees to store survey response data. I absolutely think I could use a lesson plan like this one someday. I think a survey on time watching TV or time on video games would be a great survey to conduct. I would pick the age group of my students because I would be interested to know how much time they are spending watching TV and playing video games outside of class.
The second lesson plan I looked at was Introduction to Scientific Method - Marble Stacking using Google Spreadsheets. In this lesson students are introduced to the scientific method through a hand-on activity using Google Spreadsheet to record data and report findings. By titling the columns headers with hypothesis, method, observations, and conclusions the teacher is able to assess understanding through the spreadsheet.
I think spreadsheets are wonderful tools for math and science. In fact, in my last class, I was able to create bar graphs in two math lessons using excel. Spreadsheets are wonderful tools in teaching and assessing.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
The Web: Basics and Browsers
I looked at Sea Monkey. It is mu understanding that it is not just a browser. It offers Mail & Newsgroups, Composer, Address Book & Chat.
Google Chrome Home page looks very different. Google Chrome has a Chrome Web store which is an online marketplace where you can discover thousands of apps, extensions and themes. Google Chrome is the first browser to incorporate machine translation in the browser itself, without requiring additional plug ins. Google Chrome's most-loved features are the Themes...beautiful! And the Address box is called Omnibox in Chrome. You can browse incognito mode when you don't want your website visits to be recorded...very interesting:). Chrome sees very user friendly.
I also looked at Camino. It has an address bar, a Camino help drop down menu, it had a news drop down menu, and a Google, Amazon bookmarks. It has forward and back arrows for back and forward function and allows for other search engines.
I looked at Sunrise...wow! It was a completely different layout than I am used to. It offers iphone, ipad, itunes, ipod on the address bar. This is a great feature if you are solely an "Apple person."
I still feel like I am learning MUCH about technology, this is a new experience for me.
Google Chrome Home page looks very different. Google Chrome has a Chrome Web store which is an online marketplace where you can discover thousands of apps, extensions and themes. Google Chrome is the first browser to incorporate machine translation in the browser itself, without requiring additional plug ins. Google Chrome's most-loved features are the Themes...beautiful! And the Address box is called Omnibox in Chrome. You can browse incognito mode when you don't want your website visits to be recorded...very interesting:). Chrome sees very user friendly.
I also looked at Camino. It has an address bar, a Camino help drop down menu, it had a news drop down menu, and a Google, Amazon bookmarks. It has forward and back arrows for back and forward function and allows for other search engines.
I looked at Sunrise...wow! It was a completely different layout than I am used to. It offers iphone, ipad, itunes, ipod on the address bar. This is a great feature if you are solely an "Apple person."
I still feel like I am learning MUCH about technology, this is a new experience for me.
Presentations
I am familiar with Power Point for presentations not Google Docs - Google Presentation. I looked at various topics in the Google Presentation tutorial.
I looked at the color background tutorial and if offers a drop down menu with many colors and gives you the option to choose a theme for all slides or individual slides. Using Power Pint, I usually use the "cutesy" backgrounds offered (butterflies, tiles, flowers). I do think Google Presentations offers more colors than Power Point.
I looked at inserting a text box where you mouse click and drive to make the specific text box. Using Power Point, I would choose the given text box and not create my own.
I looked at the Using the web clipboard. Google Presentation allows you to copy and paste using the web clipboard. The web clipboard allows you to copy various slides to the clipboard and paste later to specific slides if you highlight text box AND text and paste to web clipboard. Then I can go to blank document and choose web clipboard and choose to paste text or shapes with matching style. This is a great way to build your own "portfolio" of shapes, text, and pictures to share with others or move throughout your presentation.
I also like how the comments area allows you to tag others in a comment for feedback... by typing + (plus sign) and user name or email address then Google Docs allows you to add someone from your contact list. An email will be sent to the person selected and the person will receive the comment about specific graphic. I like this feature.
I looked at the Biomes lesson plan. This lesson plan expects students to create a Google Presentation on a "biome" using four slides. This particular presentation used a prarie theme using a photograph which was embedded in the presentation. Students may also add a youtube video, movie clip, shapes or drawings. Notes were to be color coded.
I looked at the color background tutorial and if offers a drop down menu with many colors and gives you the option to choose a theme for all slides or individual slides. Using Power Pint, I usually use the "cutesy" backgrounds offered (butterflies, tiles, flowers). I do think Google Presentations offers more colors than Power Point.
I looked at inserting a text box where you mouse click and drive to make the specific text box. Using Power Point, I would choose the given text box and not create my own.
I looked at the Using the web clipboard. Google Presentation allows you to copy and paste using the web clipboard. The web clipboard allows you to copy various slides to the clipboard and paste later to specific slides if you highlight text box AND text and paste to web clipboard. Then I can go to blank document and choose web clipboard and choose to paste text or shapes with matching style. This is a great way to build your own "portfolio" of shapes, text, and pictures to share with others or move throughout your presentation.
I also like how the comments area allows you to tag others in a comment for feedback... by typing + (plus sign) and user name or email address then Google Docs allows you to add someone from your contact list. An email will be sent to the person selected and the person will receive the comment about specific graphic. I like this feature.
I looked at the Biomes lesson plan. This lesson plan expects students to create a Google Presentation on a "biome" using four slides. This particular presentation used a prarie theme using a photograph which was embedded in the presentation. Students may also add a youtube video, movie clip, shapes or drawings. Notes were to be color coded.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Keyboarding
The first free software I looked at was www.typing.madefun.net
I took at typing speed test and it was fun. It kept record of my time, speed and accuracy. I think this could be a wonderful resource for students to practice their keyboarding skills. I know when I took typing in high school (many, many moons ago), the speed drills that we did were beneficial in helping me to increase my speed and accuracy.
The second software I looked at was touch-type.com and it also offered a speed type test. I think these websites are good ways to practice typing as well as give yourself a sense of how well you actually do type.
The third software I looked at was typingweb teaching portal and I looked at a beginner lesson entitled The Top Row Keys exercise and it shows how to position fingers and reach for the top row of the keyboard. I also looked at Homerow and Beyond lesson. This lesson shows how to position your fingers on the keyboard. This is a beginning lesson but very informative because it shows the proper way to position your fingers so that you can type with ample speed and efficiency.
I took at typing speed test and it was fun. It kept record of my time, speed and accuracy. I think this could be a wonderful resource for students to practice their keyboarding skills. I know when I took typing in high school (many, many moons ago), the speed drills that we did were beneficial in helping me to increase my speed and accuracy.
The second software I looked at was touch-type.com and it also offered a speed type test. I think these websites are good ways to practice typing as well as give yourself a sense of how well you actually do type.
The third software I looked at was typingweb teaching portal and I looked at a beginner lesson entitled The Top Row Keys exercise and it shows how to position fingers and reach for the top row of the keyboard. I also looked at Homerow and Beyond lesson. This lesson shows how to position your fingers on the keyboard. This is a beginning lesson but very informative because it shows the proper way to position your fingers so that you can type with ample speed and efficiency.
GoogleDocs
I LOVED the youtube video on "Going Google"... I had no idea that I could access Google Docs from my Google Drive with my PC at home! I do not have a Mac at home so I am excited to know the my gmail account gives me options. My partner and I typed back and forth on a blank page using the Google Docs and it was super fun! I love how I can type at the same time my partner is typing and she can see what I am typing and I can see what she is typing. I also love how what we are typing is labeled with our name AND color coordinated....super cool!
I looked at the Lesson Plan: Book Buddies
I liked how the teacher used first grade sketching as a writing prompt while adding a digital arts program to produce digital sketches AND using Google Presentation created digital books!!!
My daughter just finished kindergarten and her teacher assembled pictures that each student in her class had created and made a hardback book using the photos and as a parent it was a great keepsake. So, as a parent and an educator I connected to this lesson plan in that the children will draw and use digital technology and a book to represent their artwork is very special.
In this particular lesson plan, the teacher uses the sketches for the setting of a story. The students write stories about their sketches. Then the teacher introduces Tux Paint and has each student practice the drawing with different brushes, styles, sizes, and colors. This teacher used google docs to assemble the book and print the book. I think Google Docs is a wonderful resource to use technology in the classroom and create innovative materials for the students.
The next lesson plan I looked at is Reader's Workshop Online Activities. This lesson plan enables students to create online documents and engage in groups to express their literary comments. These students used Madlibs, Wordsearch and discussion questions to interact with one another. I like this lesson plan because it utilizes Google Docs in a literary way and opens up the possibility of distant relationships with other readers/students.
I looked at the Lesson Plan: Book Buddies
I liked how the teacher used first grade sketching as a writing prompt while adding a digital arts program to produce digital sketches AND using Google Presentation created digital books!!!
My daughter just finished kindergarten and her teacher assembled pictures that each student in her class had created and made a hardback book using the photos and as a parent it was a great keepsake. So, as a parent and an educator I connected to this lesson plan in that the children will draw and use digital technology and a book to represent their artwork is very special.
In this particular lesson plan, the teacher uses the sketches for the setting of a story. The students write stories about their sketches. Then the teacher introduces Tux Paint and has each student practice the drawing with different brushes, styles, sizes, and colors. This teacher used google docs to assemble the book and print the book. I think Google Docs is a wonderful resource to use technology in the classroom and create innovative materials for the students.
The next lesson plan I looked at is Reader's Workshop Online Activities. This lesson plan enables students to create online documents and engage in groups to express their literary comments. These students used Madlibs, Wordsearch and discussion questions to interact with one another. I like this lesson plan because it utilizes Google Docs in a literary way and opens up the possibility of distant relationships with other readers/students.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Mac OS
I have been a computer user for approximately 15 years. I have predominately been a Windows user, I have very little Mac experience. I like the open applications option of the Mac. I honestly know very little about a Mac and this class will be my first true exposure to it. I have noticed the fox around the globe icon for the internet use, I think this is a neat icon. I do know how to read, compose, and send e-mails using the Mac. I did bookmark the tony krug website so that I will be able to get to it fairly quickly when needed. I learned that the exit, enlarge and minimize controls are on the left side of the computer instead of the right side. I set up a blog tonight. I feel like I learned a lot tonight on the fast track.
Blogger
I read Heyjude learning in an online world blog. Judy o'Connell is an educator focusing on emerging technology and its applications for K-12 education. In My Portfolio section, she lists her Upcoming Presentations. She has written three books....Learning in a Changing World series which presents the core areas for teacher librarians and school leaders.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)