1. What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
I really enjoyed learning about the iTouch applications. Since this isn't a piece of equipment that I own I had never used/explored it before.
I also really love the screencast. This is something I will absolutely be using this year. Being able to give my students a visual they can watch will be so beneficial to them!
2. How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
I always have a technology goal each year. Using these tools will be able to help me reach those goals more efficiently. I also have more ideas through microblogging to engage parents as well into our daily classroom.
3. Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
I had never heard of the Virtual Worlds....the creativity of those worlds surprised me.
4. What could we do differently to improve upon this program's format or concept?
I really enjoy the set up and format of the program. Being able to do this online is helpful. Also the required blogging to "turn in" assignments is great. Before last summer I had never blogged, really even read a blog, and couldn't imagine myself as a blogger. Now however it seems second nature. I would have liked more of these "Things" to apply to elementary. Sometimes it is hard to find great ideas to do with younger elementary kids. They are absolutely capable of digital learning! They love it when they are able to create and complete assignments using digital components.
Thanks for creating Library2Play2. I really enjoyed all of my digital learning this summer!
Monday, August 10, 2009
11.5 Thing 11
Digital Citizenship is so important. Our Librarian does a wonderful job teaching digital citizenship. It is my job as the classroom teacher to continue to model and teach upon what she has taught.
I loved the diagram of the 4 areas (Literacy, Safety, Learning Strategies, and Etiquette) with the student in the middle. It really makes clear what digital citizenship includes. A great visual for parents if they are worried about their child being on the computer. Being able to show them that this is what we teach your child about the computer and digital citizenship would be so helpful.
I also liked the site that had the 9 Themes of Digital Citizenship with the definitions. It helped a lot to organize my thoughts on what I have taught my students in the past and what I need to continue with or add to.
In our school, all the grade levels have a computer lab time, PreK-5th. As the students move up, their work on the computer increases. Since I'm on the Technology Committee at my school, I tend to try more new ideas with my students. This way I'm able to report back to my team with ideas for their computer lab time. I can also give them tips that I found useful when I presented the lesson to my students.
The beginning of the year is spent on Digital Citizenship-learning about the computer (Digital Literacy) and what the proper conduct for technology use is (Digital Etiquette). It is very important for me to begin with these two areas and to continue on reviewing them as the year continues. Digital Citizenship is not something that is taught only at the beginning of the year, but through out the entire year. It is not something that is taught in 1st grade and then assumed they remember it in 2nd, but retaught year after year. It is important to do so. Not only as a review, but also because technology changes so quickly there is always something new to learn!
I loved the diagram of the 4 areas (Literacy, Safety, Learning Strategies, and Etiquette) with the student in the middle. It really makes clear what digital citizenship includes. A great visual for parents if they are worried about their child being on the computer. Being able to show them that this is what we teach your child about the computer and digital citizenship would be so helpful.
I also liked the site that had the 9 Themes of Digital Citizenship with the definitions. It helped a lot to organize my thoughts on what I have taught my students in the past and what I need to continue with or add to.
In our school, all the grade levels have a computer lab time, PreK-5th. As the students move up, their work on the computer increases. Since I'm on the Technology Committee at my school, I tend to try more new ideas with my students. This way I'm able to report back to my team with ideas for their computer lab time. I can also give them tips that I found useful when I presented the lesson to my students.
The beginning of the year is spent on Digital Citizenship-learning about the computer (Digital Literacy) and what the proper conduct for technology use is (Digital Etiquette). It is very important for me to begin with these two areas and to continue on reviewing them as the year continues. Digital Citizenship is not something that is taught only at the beginning of the year, but through out the entire year. It is not something that is taught in 1st grade and then assumed they remember it in 2nd, but retaught year after year. It is important to do so. Not only as a review, but also because technology changes so quickly there is always something new to learn!
11.5 Thing 10
I spent days on this assignment. It is really easy to get lost checking everything out. Even though I had fun learning about the Virtual Worlds I'm having difficulty trying to adapt it to fit into my classroom. I don't think it is appropriate for the Elementary level, especially my 1st graders. I can see the potential for Secondary grade levels. I will continue to learn and work through the Virtual Worlds, maybe an idea will come to me on how to use this in the elementary classroom. Right now though, Virtual Worlds won't be something I focus on at the moment.
11.5 Thing 9
Powerpoint is used a lot in our school. It is nice to have another option. Especially for those students that might not have access to powerpoint at home.
I really liked that you can add a podcast to it and create a slide show with the student's own voice.
I could use this almost in the same way I plan to use the screen cast.
I really liked that you can add a podcast to it and create a slide show with the student's own voice.
I could use this almost in the same way I plan to use the screen cast.
11.5 Thing 8
I love this new resource! And I love that they are FREE!
I had some problems creating one because my computer is acting up and something is apparently wrong with my JAVA. I'm trying to fix it and will hopefully have a screencast posted soon.
How I am going to use this in my classroom this year....
In 1st grade it is the first time many of the students are learning to save to their San Folder without the full help of a parent helper or teacher. Most of my students had this concept mastered before leaving first grade, however a few still needed a bit of help. The first few months of school I spent a lot of time helping each student by talking them through the steps as they saved their work. By creating a Screen Cast-I can capture the screen shots, talk them through it and beable to play it back on the computer connected to the projector in the computer lab. This would allow all the students to have a visual of the screen they should be seeing and also be able to hear the verbal directions. All the while freeing me to help individual students with other questions or help those that need more one-one help with these directions.
Another use will be when we have our 5th grade learning buddies helping with a project. I can use the screen shots and my verbal directions to help the 5th graders know my expectations for the project. Allowing them the chance to better guide the 1st grader in the project.
I can't wait to put this to use this year!
I had some problems creating one because my computer is acting up and something is apparently wrong with my JAVA. I'm trying to fix it and will hopefully have a screencast posted soon.
How I am going to use this in my classroom this year....
In 1st grade it is the first time many of the students are learning to save to their San Folder without the full help of a parent helper or teacher. Most of my students had this concept mastered before leaving first grade, however a few still needed a bit of help. The first few months of school I spent a lot of time helping each student by talking them through the steps as they saved their work. By creating a Screen Cast-I can capture the screen shots, talk them through it and beable to play it back on the computer connected to the projector in the computer lab. This would allow all the students to have a visual of the screen they should be seeing and also be able to hear the verbal directions. All the while freeing me to help individual students with other questions or help those that need more one-one help with these directions.
Another use will be when we have our 5th grade learning buddies helping with a project. I can use the screen shots and my verbal directions to help the 5th graders know my expectations for the project. Allowing them the chance to better guide the 1st grader in the project.
I can't wait to put this to use this year!
11.5 Thing 7
This took up a lot of time...but only because I kept searching for new videos. I liked learning more about the copywrite. As teachers we hear so much about what we can and can't do according to the copywrite laws that it can be confusing at times. It is important to start the students learning about copywrite now.
I loved that I found videos of interview with authors. This would be great when we introduce a new author, began an author study, or to learn a little bit before we have an author visit. It allows access to authors' thoughts even though your school might not be fortunate enough to have author visits. This ties in nicely to my belief that everyone is an author and has a story to tell. It provides a visual for the students to see that yes, they can be an author too!
TOTLOL was great for videos for basic concepts. It is wonderful for the younger grades and for those students that need a little more help in their basic concepts. There were many videos about letters, numbers, letter sounds, etc. This would also be useful to the ELL students. Especially the students that come into our school with out any previous English instruction or knowledge.
Hulu had some great resources for 1st grades science units.
I love having more resources for videos--it is something that catches students attention. I liked that most of the videos I found had small clips so that I could show only what is relevant and also not use up too much classtime finding the specific clip of the video I wanted to show.
I loved that I found videos of interview with authors. This would be great when we introduce a new author, began an author study, or to learn a little bit before we have an author visit. It allows access to authors' thoughts even though your school might not be fortunate enough to have author visits. This ties in nicely to my belief that everyone is an author and has a story to tell. It provides a visual for the students to see that yes, they can be an author too!
TOTLOL was great for videos for basic concepts. It is wonderful for the younger grades and for those students that need a little more help in their basic concepts. There were many videos about letters, numbers, letter sounds, etc. This would also be useful to the ELL students. Especially the students that come into our school with out any previous English instruction or knowledge.
Hulu had some great resources for 1st grades science units.
I love having more resources for videos--it is something that catches students attention. I liked that most of the videos I found had small clips so that I could show only what is relevant and also not use up too much classtime finding the specific clip of the video I wanted to show.
11.5 Thing 6
A few weeks ago I went to the Apple store and played with the iTouch.....of course now I really want one of my own!
I did find out that the easiest way to search for applications is through the site: appshopper.com
Since I didn't own the iTouch I couldn't download the application but through appshopper it shows you more screens from the application and gives more details.
I found tons of useful applications. It was difficult to find applications that could be used by more than 2 users.
I could see students pairing up to use the flashcard applications, iwrite word slate, name that state, etc. and quizzing each other. Some of the applications were interactive through bluetooth technology which allowed several users to be connected and work together. The possiblilies are endless!
I did find out that the easiest way to search for applications is through the site: appshopper.com
Since I didn't own the iTouch I couldn't download the application but through appshopper it shows you more screens from the application and gives more details.
I found tons of useful applications. It was difficult to find applications that could be used by more than 2 users.
I could see students pairing up to use the flashcard applications, iwrite word slate, name that state, etc. and quizzing each other. Some of the applications were interactive through bluetooth technology which allowed several users to be connected and work together. The possiblilies are endless!
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