Final Website Project

School Library Website

Blog Post 4: Technology Assessment 2

     Wow, I had no idea how much technology was available at my fingertips.  I thought I was pretty up-to-date with my technology skills.  When I look at the powerpoints I use to present content, I thought knowing and creating those powerpoints made me pretty tech savvy. Now that I have been introduced and used additional Web 2.0 tools, I feel I have strengthened and increased my Web 2.0 portfolio. I no longer feel like I am not able to use these tools or any others that come my way. As I was using this new technology I was already thinking about other ways to apply their uses.

     My weakness about technology is getting comfortable using it. It is a little intimidating at first. I will need to read and reread the instructions just to make sure I am not going to mess anything up.

     Now that I know where to look for new technology, I will be able to keep current with the technology as it comes along.  I will continue to check Web 2.0 lists for the latest tools and their uses.

Diigo List

My Diigo

VoiceThread Discussion

Shelfari Page

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Blog Post 3: Lesson Plan Revision

A lesson plan I found is on Cell Vocabulary from BetterLesson.com, Cell Organelle Vocabulary Introduction. The lesson's objective: Students use a worksheet to copy the vocabulary definitions located on the last page. Since this is an introduction to the cell, the students may not be familiar with the terms or even know what the organelles look like. I would integrate technology into this lesson by having the students go to cellsalive.com. By using this website, they are able to select the cell model they will be working with and scroll over the organelle. THe students are able to see the organelle, read the definition and draw the organelle. Students could use paint or powerpoint to create an animal or cell model.

Search Engine - Adopt-An-Element Project

Class Web 2.0 Wiki

http://smslis5720spr13.wikispaces.com/Presentation_Tools

Copyright Lesson Materials

Copyright Lesson Plan

Copyright Lesson Presentation

Strategies Professional Development Handout

Strategies Professional Development Presentation

Blog Post 2: Handheld Devices

Ah, how nice it would be to have these handheld devices in the classroom!  The article I read “Will the Kindle Change Education? stated a few reasons why e-book readers, Kindle, would benefit students and teachers in the classroom.

The benefits of having e-book readers in the classroom would be an extension of the library where the e-book readers would be stocked with digital texts for easy transportation.  A library would not need to stock 4 or 5 copies of the same book. Reading groups would not be limited to the number of hard copies available in the school library.

The e-book reader could help the reluctant reader in a number of ways.  The reader could access high-interest magazines and books.  There is also a text-to-speech audio feature, where students can hear and see what is being read to them. The audio books could help with fluency, especially for special needs students.

Amazon.com will pilot a project with six universities to get course textbooks on the more advanced Kindle.  However, graphics and Adobe documents will only be available in a black and white and grayscale.

I can use the Kindle in the library as a resource for library book clubs and for students to use on research projects.  The students in the book club will be assigned a Kindle for their use. They will use the Kindle throughout the day. If they have a few minutes in class after their instruction, they would be able to read and make notes about a character or chapter. For students with research projects possibly download two or three books on the Kindle, rather than carrying the books home.  This might be helpful to students who need to ride the bus or walk home.

Reference:

Scholastic Administrator Magazine: Technology. “Will the Kindle Change Education?”. http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3752572

 

 

 

Blog Post 1: Technology Strengths and Weakness

     I am pretty comfortable in my technology strengths.  I am proficient in using word, powerpoint and excel. I use word and powerpoint during classroom instruction.  I like using powerpoint to present content information because I am able to add different types of text and color to the presentation to emphasize a key point.  I can add animations and transitions to the text or slide.  These subtle changes to each slide helps the visual learner stay engaged. I feel my technology weakness is not letting students use technology more in the classroom.  I have ventured out a little more this year using webquests, interactive websites and appletts.  They are able to guide themselves through the lesson using a worksheet.  It is sometimes a bit unnerving letting them be responsible for their own learning.  I feel like if they do not hear the information from me, they are not learning it. 
     As an educator, I plan to encourage my students to use more technology to supplement their own learning. Since I am comfortable using technology, I should also teach this skill to my students.  This will enable them to be prepared for the jobs of the future. I have recommended students to use powerpoint, prezi and glogster in previous years but have not been consistent year to year.
     I would like to continue learning how to use the educational apps and incorporate them in the classroom.  I am just now discovering this side of the technology world. I am curious to see how well it might work for students to use their cell phones to text their answers to me when I use a jeopardy review game.