Tool #11: Reflections

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.

My favorite tools that I used was Tool #2 Image Generator. I can several ways these creative concepts can be applied to many lessons in the class room. I also loved photo story, it was so exciting to see the finished product and I'm sure with more practice each one would get better. Maybe a young Steven Spielburg will be born after using all this amazing technology.

2. How have you transfomed your thinking about the learning that will take place in your classroom? I'm not as apprehensive about trying new technology ideas in the class room because of this training. Many tools were not difficult just a little time consuming, but all of these tools can easily be applied to SBISD curriculum.

3. Were there any unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you? I had many unexpected surprised as I worked my way through this. Instead of dreading the assignments, I got excited to work on them and to see the finished product.

Tool # 11 Digital Citizenship

Digital citizenship can be defined as the norms of behavior with regard to technology use. As we know, most of our students feel comfortable with and use technology daily. As we also know, some of them are not using it appropriately. We have concerns about their safety. We have concerns about responsible and ethical use.

Digital Citizenship is so important as we advance in the use of technology. Teachers as well as parents need to advocate model and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology. As teachers we need to model digital etiquette and responsible social ineraction related to the use of technology and information. Finally, teachers need to continually improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional knowledge of technology.

To teach Digital Citizenship, first and foremost teachers should always model good practices and have students sign contracts of what is acceptable and what is not and make sure they have a good understanding before getting the privelege of using technology.

Tool #10: Exploring Mobile Technology and Appa

I really enjoyed reading and exploring these free educational apps. I borrowed my friends phone and downloaded a math app. I can really see a benefit to using this in the class room. The particular app that I downloaded was simple flashcards. When students finish work early, they can go to certain apps for them to review and practice their facts. Again, students are highly motivated to use itouches so the learning will be enhanced.

Tool #9: Sharing Information Jing & Skype

Jing is another capability to add images, to edit and to share information from the web. It seems like it is a quick way to add visual elements to all th online capabilites. Students could use this with many research projects through out the year.

Skype could be used in the class room to connect with other people, other cultures, and other countries. I know that first grade does the awesome unit where they study differenct parts of the world. They could add a skyping feature and actually visit a class room in another country. The students would get a first hand account of that culture.

I can see the many benefits of these technological capabilites in the class room. As for me, this is all still a major learning curve!!!!!

Tool #8:

Tool 8:

Using videos is a great way to teach students. It is motivating and fun! These short video clips could be used as set to grab students attention! Love it!