After 11 Tools: Reflection

I love all the tools I have in my personal technology toolbox and I surely enjoyed learning about all of them. I especially like PhotoStory. I am planning to use it with my students by having them create their own stories or change the outcome of a story they already know.

After I completed this training I have transformed my thinking about the use of technology in the classroom. The number of technology tools you can use with the students is amazing. I am looking forward to incorporate more technology into my lessons. I think the learning will be more fun and will be greatly impacted.

I was surprised to discover all of the free learning app’s available for all the subjects. And that you can use the iPod not only for entertainment, but for learning purposes too!!!

Tool 11

The three things I would make sure to teach my students about being a good digital citizen are:

1. - Digital etiquette or netiquette. Just the way we set up class and school rules at the beginning of the year, it is imperative to establish a set of rules of how to behave online and use technology appropriately. It is important for them to understand that the use of technology is a privilege and no right and as such, you can loose it if you do not follow the rules.
I really enjoyed the BrainPOP videos about digital etiquette. I am sure the students will enjoy them as well.

2. - Teach them how to access accurate and credible sources of information.

3. - And most important, keep themselves safe, never share personal information, and making them aware of the dangers of the digital world.

Tool 10

Last week I went to a training on how to use the iPod Touch instructionally in the District. Everything was a WOW for me. We received a long list of approved Apps (all subjects) for the iPod Touch, all for free!!! I am particularly interested in the apps related to Language Arts. For example, I Can Read Lite helps the young children learning to read and spell.
Lit2go has a large collection of poems and stories, fiction and non-fiction arranged by grade level, author, content area, reading level.
I can see the iPod touches being used by the students in centers to review concepts learned in the different core subjects. The things that the teachers and students can do are amazing. The sky is the limit!!!

Tool 9

I actually used Jing to complete my tool 7 assignment. I had the book I used for my digital story telling downloaded in my computer, so I captured the pictures of the screen using Jing. It is a great tool to add visuals to your lessons, and students can add visuals to their projects too!!!
Students can use Skype to communicate with other students and people around the world and exchange information. Also, Skype could be very useful when a student is absent. You can bring the lesson to his/her home!!!

Tool 8

I found this video about how implement Guided Reading in a classroom. I think it would be useful to train new teachers.


I also found this video on YouTube to teach the young students the alphabet.

Tool 7

Creating a digital story telling was a lot of fun!!! Students can create audio books from their own stories using pictures they download from the Internet or pictures taken at school.

Tool 6

Wikis is a great tool to collaborate and share information with other teachers, students and parents. Students can collaborate to edit and revise research projects and writing pieces. The possibilities are endless!!!

Tool 5

I created an account on Diigo. It was very easy and presented a lot of very helpful tutorials. Diigo allows you to highlight the text and attach sticky notes with your comments, letting you to interact and discuss important points with other teachers or students right on the web page, preserving the original material.
I found the following websites:
www.writingfix.com
A great website with lots of interactive prompts, lessons, and resources you can use in the classroom.
ww.literactive.com
This website offers a collection of leveled guided reading books, with audio available; comprehensive phonic activities, and supplemental material such as worksheets and activities that go with each book. The nice thing is that all the material is available for free!!! The only thing you have to do is register.

Tool 4

Google docs is a great tool!!! It does make sharing and collaborating easier. As teachers, we can use it to revise and edit road maps and schedules, share and analyze students’ data among other things. It is amazing how technology can make us be more efficient and productive.
Students can work together on projects, written compositions, etc. and receive feedback from their peers, teachers and parents. Once their work is published, they become publishers in a world wide level!!!
Google reader allows teachers to keep track of their favorite websites in one place and share it with other teachers.

Tool 3

Using Wordle and glogster I created a word cloud and a poster for two of the comprehension stragegies: Visualizing and Inferring. I would use this programs to make posters for my "visual learners".

Also I can see the students creating mini stories, uploading photographs, putting words in pictures, creating word clouds and making their own mini stories.

Tool 2

By building an online education community and participating in a personal learning network (PLN) we expand our horizon of learning. It gives us the opportunity to interact with others in a totally different manner. Learning is a lifelong process. We have to collaborate, share ideas, and learn from each other towards a common goal: the success of all our students!!!
The point that stood out to me from the commenting advice is “writing a meaningful comment”. We should try to post a comment on the blogs we visit that are meaningful and inspiring to the author of the blog. Also, we have to teach our students how to leave meaningful comments as well.

I commented on the following blogs:
My life is teaching (Alfredo Delgado)
The Little Blogger that Could (Melanie Dulworth)
Young World Tech (Carmen Young)
Discovering Technology for Education (Guadalupe Menjivar)
Teaching and Technology (Eric Zulaica)

Tool 1

It is official: I am a blogger now!!!
I had a lot of fun getting my blog started. It was very easy. The instructions were simple to follow. Children today enjoy technology; therefore, I think they will love blogging. I am looking forward to learn more about the 11 tools for the 21st. Century Learner!!!