Tool # 11

1. What are your favorite tools you now have in your personal technology toolbox? Briefly describe a particular activity that you will plan for your students using at least one of these new tools.

I think my eyes have been opened to Edmodo. When it was first introduced to me as Facebook for kids, but it is so much more. I can't wait to explore all the possibilities in my classroom. I think having students make book suggestions, write reviews, and even critique writing is where I will start.

2. How have you transformed your thinking about the learning that will take place in your classroom? How has your vision for your classroom changed? Are you going to need to make any changes to your classroom to accommodate the 21st Century learner?

I now feel more hands on and that it is ok to explore new things. My vision has not changed, but I am thrilled about the opportunities that can be added. No, but I feel more confident now and ready to take a risk.

3. Were there any unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?

Nothing has really surprised me other than the fact of the vast opportunities available with technology today.

Tool # 10


1. Discuss at least three things you would want to make sure your students understand about being good digital citizens.

• Be safe
• Use the correct etiquette
• Don't believe everything you read

2. Share at least one of the resources mentioned above or on the Ed Tech website that you plan to use instructionally. I plan to use the AUP, Acceptional Use Policy. I think this is an important concept to make sure students know or reviewed before technology use.

3. Explain briefly how you would "teach" the idea of digital citizenship to your students. I would have the kids watch the Cool Cat Video, by Vicki Davis.

4. Explain briefly how you plan to share the idea of digital citizenship with your parents. I would either send a link for them to watch or compile the most important points with my teammates to create a newsletter.

Tool # 9

1. Why do you think it is important to tie the technology to the objective? Everything must be based on an objective to hold students accountable.
2. Why should we hold students accountable for the stations/centers? To stay focused on the task at hand and produce meaningful products.
3. Visit 2 of the applicable links to interactive websites for your content/grade level. Which sites did you like. How could you use them as stations? How can you hold the students accountable for their time in these stations? I like the Time For Kids Website and Animoto. On the TFK site students would be responsible for finding a current event and writing their opinion. They could even chose to write an essay. Students would be held accountable for making sure they had a clear claim, support points with evidence, and a conclusion. Students would create an Animoto after a social studies lesson on explorers or native americans. Students will be held accountable through a teacher created timeline and rubric.
4. List two to three apps you found for the iPod Touch/iPad that you can use in your classroom. What do you see that station looking like? How can you hold the students accountable for their time in these stations? I would like to use Word Catcher and Free Books in my classroom. Word Catcher allows students to make words out of falling letters. This is similar to Boggle and Scrabble. They could use this station during free time and write down a list of the words found. Maybe play with a partner to see how many words could be made within a certain time. With Free Books students can chose and download from over 23,00 books. They can highlight, bookmark, or even use the dictionary. I would have students use the bookmark feature to show me the progress they have made. This would hold them accountable and if they were not reading a reasonable amount of pages the IPad privilege would be lost.
5. What about other ways to use the iPod Touch/iPad? Share another way you can see your students using the device as a station. Save the same book on all four and create a book club.

Tool # 8

Dell 2120

• Google Apps
• Use to connect to projector
• Skype
• Edmodo
• Make Word documents

IPod

• Syncing to ITunes
• Creating bookmarks
• Create and view slideshows
• Searching and browsing apps
• Recording and playing voice menu

Management

• Set up clear guidelines and review consequences
• Review proper procedures when using technology
• Set up a rotation/share schedule
• Hold students accountable 

Tool # 7

Piggybacking off Christen's idea for discussing books on Edmodo, I would like to introduce collaborative writing while writing essays. After setting up Edmodo accounts students will be able to give feedback to each other.

A.  Using Edmodo, students from different classes will be able to read different parts of writing. For example, when introducing claims students can comment if they feel the claim is strong enough to support the paper.

B.  Fall 2012

C.  Edmodo, writing sources, and John O'Flahavan

D.  After introducing claims and discussing what makes a strong claim, students can read other claims on Edmodo and make comments. They may even be able to give ideas for support points. This could be used for titles, conclusions, leads, etc.

E. Will try this with other 4th grade LA teachers.

Tool # 6

Teaching 4th grade LA/SS I plan to create a Wall Wisher with my students so they can review books and leave comments. They can recommend books to other students or comments about things they have learned in SS like early explorers or Native Americans. This is an easy way to have a discussion with a post on a post-it. I will use Today's Meet with Mrs. Rabel and Mrs. Meadows to share ideas about LA and SS.

Tool # 4

I created a document and shared it with my team mate Sally Janacek and Lisa Branon, the librarian. I have asked them to comment on the document with me.

I also created one form and sent it in Google docs.

I can immediately share this with my team. They can go into my account and have direct access. This will prevent not having to resend out attachments.  We can all access to edit and respond.

I am excited to try using Google Docs to do shared writing between my class and another fourth grade class.

Tool # 3

Some video resources I plan on using with my class at the beginning of the year. Students have trouble remembering the 4 types of sentences and using them in their writing. I learned it is ok to use videos in your classroom as long as you add value and repurpose. I created a Dropbox and added files. I think this will be beneficial so students can get in from any device, like an IPad.

Tool # 2

Today I visited some of my colleague's blogs. Sally Janacek uses her blog for stations in math and science. I also like the fact that some students younger siblings can use some of the games. By younger siblings getting on the blog and playing games it will teach them the value of technology and encourage them to keep learning. I believe the PLN is crucial so that we can learn from others. At first, I think sharing thoughts publicly is challenging. I agree with Malissa Downham when she said that public access could be scary for parents and students. I think sharing your thoughts through blogging might be less intimidating than in person. Building a technology community will help us encourage each other. In the future I plan to visit this site http://booksforellkids.blogspot.com/ I think it will be very helpful teaching Language Arts and helping my students find books.

Tool # 1

I think the students would enjoy creating their own Avatar's when telling stories or creating a book character. The process seemed very user friendly and I think they would like that they could choose between so many characters.