Summarizing the Semester

CC by lindymclean

Wow, I can't believe the end of the semester is already here! Although this is the end of the semester, that does not mean I will be finished with blogging, testing out new technologies, and keeping up with my personal learning network. All the tools that we used in this class were so helpful and I love how much I learned about integrating technology into my lesson plans. Before this course, I was hesitant to try out new technologies, but now I love roaming around on the internet looking for new ways to integrate technology into the classroom.

Although I have learned a TON, there is so much more learning to do! I would like to still look at iclickers, interact with smartboards, and explore the ways in which cell phones can be integrated into the classroom. I am going to integrate many of the technologies I have learned in this course, and I am excited to see how they work in a classroom setting. I can see how much fun and more interactive lessons would be after taking this course.

Elmos

CC by Old Shoe Woman

When I was in third grade, I remember we were one of the first schools to have two elmos. It was so neat! I remember my teacher using it to show us different measuring tools. It was so useful in the classroom because we could actually see what she was doing. Elmos are really useful in math and science when showing the students how to use different measuring tools or using different representations. Instead of using a transparency where you have to get special tools, this is so easy because teachers can just use the elmo to show students the tools.

Online Polling

This is something that I wanted to try out. I wanted to see how easy it would be for my students to make one. Online polling systems would be such an easy way to integrate into science or math lessons -- creating a hypothesis and testing it, etc. That is one of the GLCEs that come up in many of the K-5 grades. Plus, it is fun and easy for them to make.

Take this survey at:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/M65C78Y

Embedding documents into blogs

Using Scribd is a good way to embed a document into a blog or a website. This is a good way to communicate information with parents. Instead of copying and pasting what you had on a word document and having the format completely different, it would be very useful to embed a Scribd document into a blog or a website. For example:

Laura Catalano

Fables

While doing my final project on teaching fables, I decided to make another Photo Peach re-creating the story of "The Tortoise and the Hare." It was so much fun! I really think that students would enjoy making these as much as I did. It is really easy and fun to use. Here is my fable! Enjoy!

The Tortoise and the Hare on PhotoPeach

My Wiki Space

Wikis are very useful in the classroom. They are different from blogs and a weebly because they can be collaborated easily by different people. In an elementary setting, I think this would be a particularly useful tool. Especially in a Spanish class where much of the instruction is spoken. So, if I could integrate some writing assignments where students would collaborate with each other and begin to edit each others papers, I think this would be very useful. For any grade, I think this is something that could be integrated easily into any lesson plan. Check out my lesson plan/activity at http://lcatalano89.wikispaces.com/Lesson+Plan

More on SmartBoards

CC photo by jess_mcculloch

After going to a presentation on SmartBoards, it is clear that they are very effective and fun in the classroom. Not only are there TONS of features that the SmartBoard has, but it is just a great tool to increase the interaction in a classroom. Although students can not write on the SmartBoard at the same time, it is proven that this type of technology in the classroom is very useful to increase interaction and retention of materials. A few fun features the SmartBoard includes:
- Game templets: a popular way to review concepts in a classroom as a review.
- Electronic maps: can be used for quizzes, review, and interaction -- bringing geography to life in a way students can see and interact with.
- Timers: used for games in the classroom
- Websites: teachers can actually go to websites on the SmartBoard and write on it, circle something important, highlight things, etc.

... and SO much more! I really encourage all of those who have the opportunity to integrate a SmartBoard lessen into their classroom because I can see how students will want to participate and interact with the material after they are introduced to such a fun tool. However, students need to be aware that this is a very, very expensive piece of equipment and only special erasers and pens are used on the board. I think giving the students a little introduction/workshop would be ideal so they can understand how to use it, and how important it is to understand how to use the technology.