After 11 Tools: Reflections

Wow, I cannot believe it is time to reflect on this incredible journey which really has just begun for me. There is so much new technology to embrace. My favorite tools were digital storytelling, image generators and mashups, Jing and Skype. We will be working with Google docs and it will be a great opportunity to collaborate with my team and share ideas. Embracing new ways to teach using technology will help prepare and support our students as they reach upper grade levels. By using technology tools, learning is much more exciting for students since having access to live chats with other classrooms in different parts of the world or viewing videos and pod casts created by students themselves gives them ownership of their assignment and inspires them to take responsibility of their own learning. Their completed project can involve a few students or an entire school or community. To me that is powerful. I praise all the educators for sharing their ideas and findings through their blogs.

Tool 11: Digital Citizenship

As with many skills taught in the classroom, teachers should model good practices of digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to technology to make certain all students understand the importance of digital citizenship. Having students discuss and role-play scenarios will give them the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of digital citizenship. In our classroom, teaching PK students to work with the iTouches at a designated table and putting them away properly at the end of the session is part of learning appropriate digital citizenship. Allowing them to choose apps to work with teaches them to take the initiative in the own learning and demonstrates personal responsibility for lifelong learning. Student's positive attitude toward using technology happens naturally when they are given opportunities to share their discoveries, successes, and challenges. This teaches them to share their findings and collaborate with each other. As for teaching productivity, new technology gives students an array of choices in creating works that appeal to them, their peers, and the community. Digital citizenship is as important as taking responsibility for the care of our planet.

Tool 10: Exploring Mobile Tech & Apps

This tool hits close to home since our students really loved using the iTouchs this year. They loved i wash my dog and cat apps. I thought Toddler Counting Lite, Alphabet Tracing, Glow Coloring, and Read Me Stories would be fun to try out this year. I especially liked the latter one and thought the titles "What Will the Weather Be Today? and How Shall I Get To School Today? will get some great reviews from our PK students. Students love bright colors and animation and when they find an app that is fun they naturally share with their friends and me. They want to show others how it works and get excited when they are successful at making puzzles, writing letters, numbers and words, matching numbers, counting, problem-solving, singing, playing songs, and so much more. Why use them in the classroom? They work! There is an app out there for every kind of student in the classroom. Some love puzzles and other matching type apps, others prefer to listen to music or listen to stories or songs or view previous dramatizations of stories, lessons, presentations, and events. Whatever their likings are, oral language development is at the core of their learning.

Tool 9: Sharing Info Through Jing & Sype

Jing and Screencast helps students and teachers save time and energy. The students can learn new skills or how to do something via narrated videos and online conversations. I thought about class routines ( from entering the classroom, washing hands, putting up the blocks and books to sharing materials) as I was reading the many uses Jing has to offer educators. I also think these activities will foster more cooperation and sharing among our students. "50 Ways to Use Skype" really opens doors to making new friends in far away places and learning new languages, cultures, and traditions. I liked the idea of story authored read alouds then students asking questions and teacher modeling teacher techniques for the struggling learner. The suggestions for the special needs students gives them opportunities to engage in chat and video mode and addresses inclusion in so many ways. The idea of offering Skype conferencing hours would provide parents an opportunity to understand the academic needs of his child better and connect home and school in more personal and meaningful ways.

Tool 8 Video Resources

My students are really engaged whenever they view video clips. This summer we watched quite a few on sea animals. One of them was a sea horse giving birth to four sea horses. The students counted each one as it was born and then debated whether we had missed one since one appeared to lodged by the coral nearby. The National Geographic magazines were already a favorite... these experiences were priceless!

I liked this clip for many reasons, but the main one is that four year olds participated in making "Caperucita Roja". I would use it to compare other versions of the story and to teach story elements. I would also create a movie of them role playing the story with and without props.

This clip I would use to have students brainstorm how they keep cool on hot days and have them discuss how these animals would keep cool in their own environment.

Tool 7 Digital Storytelling

I created this clip to show our PK students how important it is to use reference materials and to show them that they can apply what they already know in writing new words! There are infinite uses of digital storytelling. Students can show what they know even if standing in front of an audience is challenging for them. I think it does help them with their self-esteem once they view their creation.

Tool 6 Wikis

We used Wiki for lesson planning this spring. We divided objectives among our team during our meetings and used Word doc then pasted on Wiki. Editing on the Wiki at the same time took was a little bit of a challenge. We want to try some Google tools this fall. I did read some Wikis on themes. I liked an ocean unit very much and will spend more time getting ideas for math activities. I explored some activities on counting and connecting the dots and read their goals. I think student input is very important in planning lessons, so I would definitely observe them and inquire about their interests.

Tool 5

I found a couple of beneficial web sites and a blog that maybe of interest to my PLNs. Delicious allows our bookmarks to be accessible from anywhere and makes them reciprocal, making it highly social and beneficial for all. Tags keep websites organized and allows us to view other's favorites which may turn out to be our favorites or complement our favorites. Keeping track of books in our lives has never been easier. Making a wish list just might come out to be true.

feed://scholastic.com/classroom_solutions/megan_grades_prekk-atom.xml

http://www.pre-kpages.com/web_20/

http://www.librarything.com/

Tool 4: Google Docs and Google Reader

I really enjoyed reading about and watching videos on Google Docs. I made up a field trip suggestion/planning doc and sent it to one of my PLN friends, Francisco. What I liked the most is that the docs allows students to collaborate on poems, stories, plays, videos, movies, and so many other projects. Thinking comes naturally for students when they are invited to build on each other even if they are miles away and no one has to wait on anyone. I can see us as teachers using Google docs for lesson planning, road maps, newsletters, school events, field study trips, etc. High frequency words and numbers on flash cards created on Google docs come to mind then adding them to Ipod touches provided the students are familiar with them. I also see writing their daily news and dictations for home literacy practice and for sharing our classroom ideas too.
Google Reader makes it easier to narrow down personal interests and I really like how I can see their comments all at once. I set up my Google Reader and I'm following Amigos del Salon 12, Education is the Key to a Good Future, Urban Garden Casual, Using Technology to Teach, and Yoga Poses and Workouts That's Fit. By viewing the teacher's comments, I can find it easy to relate to them and see their perspectives as they work through the tools.

Tool 3: Using Wordle and Spell with Flickr

I try to keep rules simple but since our little ones love to run I would definitely add "caminar".

I would also add photos(maybe their own) for meaning.

    title="Wordle: Las Reglas">

Spell with Flickr gives students to be really creative in spelling words.

Tool 3: Having Fun with Images

Both Dumpr and Bubblr are great tools to keep the students focused. I like being able to choose how to use the images and what to teach with them like dialogue, sight words, CAP skills and so much more...I love the museum. For the kids to see their photos in such backgrounds and viewing them at home on their computers or in a book or ipod, what a treat.

Tool 3

http://www.dumpr.net/photo/78eb63e61d3e8677/

I could use these museum photos to celebrate birthdays by creating a slide show to teach celebrations throughout the year.

Tool 3

This Panda will teach my prek students sight words in a fun amusing way.

Tool 2: Five Blogs To Comment On

I have been reading about what others are learning about tools and their own perspectives and their creative ideas on how they will use technology in their classrooms. Here are my five blogs for commenting: Using Technology to Teach, Amigos del salon, Waves, Technology in the Bilingual Classroom, and Baby Goat. There will be others too...