Tool #7

This was a very big pain for myself to do. I had to do alot of refiguring on my computer in order for this to work. I did however, enjoyed making this so much and now I am going to use this in many ways in my classroom but also I can make videos about the family and things we do and send them to my family in Canada.

Tool #11 Reflection

I loved photo story even though mine took forever to complete. However, I can see how the students would love doing this. Not only could they make a photo album about their first grade year but we could do even something as simple as field trips. I would just love for the kiddos to take pics. through-out the school year on their own and create their own photo album of their first grade year.

I think I am ready to move toward a technology driven classroom. We are going to share our learning with our classroom learning community as well as our gradelevel learning community through the WIKI and blogs as well. We will use our Social studies time to learn about being a citizen of our class, school, state, country, ecosystem and now the digital community as well.

The unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised me was how long it took. For the hours that I did this, it was long. The only way I could accomplish this task was for me to sit with a friend for one full day and more to complete this without interruptions. The navigating back and forth was very difficult.

Tool #11

Digital citizenship seems to me the same as manners. Just like we teach in our classrooms and at home about getting along, sharing, working together, respectful and just good holesome citizens, etc, and how to be good citizens in our world. Our children need to do the same while using technology. Having a teenager myself, I try to explain to him that you must be very careful when it comes to looking and writing things on the web. because there is no way to go back. I tell him all the time that no matter how hard it is to hide things, it can always be found, just ask any famous person out there where they think that they are doing just something so innocent and then that ends up no being so. That goes along the same lines as not giving out information, that others should not know. Being careful who you "talk" to is also so important. Just like we teach our children not to talk to strangers. It is our responsibilities as teachers and parents that we provide a safe technological world for our children, and give them the tools to be able use this WONDERFUL technology, but in a safe manner, for themselves and for others.

Tool #10

I have used an iTouch briefly and an iPad. Some of my students were introduced to iTouches from 5th graders this year.Ive used a few free aps just recently since I just got my own Itouch phone. However now after looking on my friends phone I have found even more. For instance, iDoodle2lite, Ibrainplus and preK safari. I hope to find many more apps for my students to use. The benefit of using an iTouch is its hands-on appeal. It will grab the kids' attention and keep them engaged, which is great for those struggling learners.

Tool #9

Skype and Jing! I don't have any experience with either of these applications! Skype seems to be a little more involved and need alot more help with this. Skype seems like a more reasonable option for my classroom. I think Skype would be a great way for students to keep up with a pen pal class! When I worked at a private school awhile back, the students would write letters to other students far away and it would take awhile for letters to go and then come back. It think it would be a fun way and much easier way for kids to learn about the world outside of their own world this way and I also think it would be a great way to expose our students to other cultures. Virtual field trips would be an outstanding way to utilize Skype. However, now days kids know so much more than we do and I'm absolutly sure they can show me more ways than I could ever imagine.

Tool #8 Part 2

I chose the 2 videos for two very different reasons. The first video would be one to show the students in the classroom to demonstrate a way readers theater works. I know that some students including myself are very visual and I believe that seeing is worth everything.
The second video is more for myself professionally. I again am a very visual teacher and the more ideas I get from outside resources the better.

Tool #8

Tool #6

In collaboration with a older classroom my first grade students could it to create a beginning, middle and end of stories and then be able to log in at home and view what the other classmates have done.
I can also see how WIKI would come in handy with communication with parents by posting newsletters, upcoming events and just simple notes for all of the first grade parents and then also where the other teachers could add to it.

Tool #5

Since with the implimentation of I-touches thoughout the school, I find that I really need to keep myself updated with all the new things that are available out there. I expecially will like using the itouches as polling devices in the classroom. We do have activ votes for the activ votes but I believe this will help the students expand their learning.
I used delicious to bookmark the following sites:
http://polleverywhere.com
http://cellphonesinlearning.com

Tool #4

1. I created a multiple choice document so that before the school year begins we as a team are all on the same wave length of when we would like to meet.
2. I set up a Google reader so that I am able to follow my teammates. I usually just work from emails so this will make it so much easier for myself and also my team to communicate in alot easier manner.
3. The form document will allow me to collaborate effortlessly with my peers. The youtube video was very familiar to me. Sending emails back and forth and then getting back with one another and so on just took forever and now this will be so... much easier to do and take less time.
In the classroom I can see how I could use this maybe more so with the parents then my students. I could let the parents know when projects and homework are due.
Communication: So much easier!!!

Tool# 3

I really enjoyed playing around with this once I was able to get signed on the correct way in order to post it onto my tools. Going back and forth is very time consuming going from the web to the blog itself. I think with the educational aspect for in the classroom, they could at the beginning of the year use it to interview teachers of where their summer vacations took them and then plot out on a map where all the teachers had been and then make a large map and display outside. Later, they could then do each other in the classroom which would be a great way to get to know each other.

Tool #2

Participating in a PLN is a very exciting new dimension to teachers collaborating. This allows us as teachers to teach "without borders/walls!" In the past, teachers taught in isolation. Now through the use of technology we can collaborate and expand our own minds easily and daily.

Commenting on blogs needs to be positive due to this being a challenge for most and that the more positive comments made, the more apt. we are to doing.

I have commented on the following blogs.
http://holterjenny.blogspot.com
http://hilskindergartenkickoff.blogspot.com
http://blessingsx4-motherof4.blogspot.com
http://meredithadixon.blogspot.com
http://iteachilearnigive.blogspot.com