It would be great to have time to share resources with other teachers who are interested in incorporating more technology into their classrooms. We are doing a lot of great things with technology. We need more sharing time.
My one challenge is Atomic Learning. I've been using it a lot with students. However, the way they search for projects or tutorials is a little frustrating. They have to enter their search information on the second screen after entering it on the first screen. It seems redundant. Keith
I've had a great year so far. With so many web 2.0 (3.0?) tools out there, I can pick one that fits with each topic I do. For example, Voicethread was perfect for class collaboration on cell organelles and their functions. Voicethread WOULDN'T work for my current topic. Instead, I am using Xtranormal for a student project (that I've done 4 yrs now) where they create dialog about a patient that contracted an infectious disease. Students can use Xtranormal to have the characters act out the scene. Today's Meet was great for high school students to reflect and converse while watching a documentary on obesity. More to come...
I have has some success using google scribes with the children in my room that have a real problem with spelling. Three of my students really like it, and one does not at all. Also, the more we use technology the more comfortable some students are sharing what they know and becoming "tech helpers". It gives the opportunity for some other kids to shine. Gail
My recent success actually involved a student who uses (or is supposed to use) a dynavox communication device. He is very cautious and consequently utilizes this device sparingly. I gave him the opportunity to use it with his classmates and access gaming applications. This not only encouraged his use, but gave his peers a better understanding of how the device works. It became "cool" rather than him being different. By the end of the session, he and his friends were all pushing buttons to communicate, even "arguing" via the dynavox as to who won the game. He still doesn't bring it everyday without reminders, but I have seen it more since that day in December than I had the rest of the year.
I'm really excited about the prospect of Google docs. It's just the thing that we need and that the STUDENTS need to do better. They need to be able to collaborate and learn how to hook their ideas together. It's unfortunate that we don't give them a chance to show off their skills, and this can be one more tool to use to do that.
Positive things happening here in the Elem. School are that the students came to a Literacy Night and presented how to use Voice Threads to their parents and peers. In fact the students requested that the teachers move out of the way so that they could do all of it and they were sharing literacy in the process. In the library the students are beginning to use the Library search functions indpendently, asking to use it to find information or books within the library.
Challenges have been in finding the time to let students and teachers explore technology in order to apply them in a manner that is of value to all.
We have been using voice threads as a formative assessment in third grade math. The students have been able to record their thoughts about particular math content. They have been very thoughtful with their comments and representation. One child was very bashful at first but has blossomed over the last couple of months. Theresa
The year has been going well. I've been a bit busy, so my new technology integration has been put on hold a bit. But, I have a number of great project/collaboration ideas in the works for next few weeks. I have had success working with google scribe with my 7th grade classes, and I am currently working with prezi in my 10th grade classes. Recent success would be with google scribe, I did a quick 'what have you learned' writing lesson with 7th graders. I quickly introduced google scribe and they took off writing incredibly detailed paragraphs. I was impressed with not only the top students, but even some of the weaker writers included great detail as a result of the enhanced T9 function (if that makes sense).
I have been introducing some teachers to wikis and blogs and VT and that has been productive. The going is slow, but I can see that we are making progress. A challenge I ffeel is that not all of the teachers get involved. It is an optional thing for them and this is a drag on the institution moving forward.
Teachers are using the RtI Ipads in their classrooms so that students can practice skills. There has been a great deal of interest in using them to improve fluency and vocabulary.
I have enjoyed learning new ways to incorporate technology into my classroom over the past two years. I am interested in learning how to use e-portfolios and incorporating them into my business classes. After talking to some professors at TC3 and SUNY Cortland, they are having their student use them as well. I do find it hard to have the time to either share ideas or explore how these tools work. I am glad to have the time today to start this exploration process.
Recent challenges: finding a way to move things forward. Looking forward: very interested in finding a user centric way to provide access to both technology and information.
Success: more students are feeling comfortable doing lab writeups and reflections in google docs, their ePortfolio, Prezi, etc. I am allowing students tHe option of submitting work through a variety of means. It makes for an interactive and interesting classroom and I am amazed at their hidden talents
It would be great to have more laptop/net books in the room. As more people become comfortable using them the harder it becomes to find time to get them for your own students. This is a good problem to have.
Reducing the amount of paper usage in the classroom has been an area of positive impact in my classroom. The use of Google Docs to compose, comment, revise and turn in written pieces in the ELA classroom has saved an immense amount of paper. By using the Google Docs application, it created a simple opportunity to upload and/or embed student work into a Google Site which we've been using as an e-portfolio.
Challenges I've been faced with in the classroom include that my students love using my iPad for different activities. However, it's only useful in small group due to only having one on hand.
I have enjoyed helping teachers and students use the available technology. I have helped teachers with I pads, blogging, voice threads,and video streaming. A frustration is to get teachers to use the available technology,some don't even have laptops in school to use with the projectors. They don't have the time to put into technology.
The elementary students become so engrossed in learning with the ipad. I work with individual students or small groups. They beg to learn about fractions with some of the apps I have. Fractions are especially difficult for many students so any tool with engages them is helpful. Our students are becoming efficient at logging in to the netbooks as well.
I was actually approached by a student with a request to make my wiki page interactive. She loves accessing the linked websites and thought she should be able to let me know when she was there. I feel like this reinforces what we are trying to teach them, that technology is key to their learning. It was so gratifying to think that she not only wanted access, but sought out a way to gain it. Linda helped me link to kid Blog and ideas immediately came to mind for other ways to use it. I am hoping that removing the paper and pencil task from their writing and replacing it with an iPad or netbook will get them anxious to respond to the questions I post regarding what their reading.
It would be great to have time to share resources with other teachers who are interested in incorporating more technology into their classrooms. We are doing a lot of great things with technology. We need more sharing time.
ReplyDeleteMy one challenge is Atomic Learning. I've been using it a lot with students. However, the way they search for projects or tutorials is a little frustrating. They have to enter their search information on the second screen after entering it on the first screen. It seems redundant.
Keith
I've had a great year so far. With so many web 2.0 (3.0?) tools out there, I can pick one that fits with each topic I do. For example, Voicethread was perfect for class collaboration on cell organelles and their functions. Voicethread WOULDN'T work for my current topic. Instead, I am using Xtranormal for a student project (that I've done 4 yrs now) where they create dialog about a patient that contracted an infectious disease. Students can use Xtranormal to have the characters act out the scene. Today's Meet was great for high school students to reflect and converse while watching a documentary on obesity. More to come...
ReplyDeleteI have has some success using google scribes with the children in my room that have a real problem with spelling. Three of my students really like it, and one does not at all. Also, the more we use technology the more comfortable some students are sharing what they know and becoming "tech helpers". It gives the opportunity for some other kids to shine. Gail
ReplyDeleteMy recent success actually involved a student who uses (or is supposed to use) a dynavox communication device. He is very cautious and consequently utilizes this device sparingly. I gave him the opportunity to use it with his classmates and access gaming applications. This not only encouraged his use, but gave his peers a better understanding of how the device works. It became "cool" rather than him being different. By the end of the session, he and his friends were all pushing buttons to communicate, even "arguing" via the dynavox as to who won the game. He still doesn't bring it everyday without reminders, but I have seen it more since that day in December than I had the rest of the year.
ReplyDeleteI'm really excited about the prospect of Google docs. It's just the thing that we need and that the STUDENTS need to do better. They need to be able to collaborate and learn how to hook their ideas together. It's unfortunate that we don't give them a chance to show off their skills, and this can be one more tool to use to do that.
ReplyDeletePositive things happening here in the Elem. School are that the students came to a Literacy Night and presented how to use Voice Threads to their parents and peers. In fact the students requested that the teachers move out of the way so that they could do all of it and they were sharing literacy in the process. In the library the students are beginning to use the Library search functions indpendently, asking to use it to find information or books within the library.
ReplyDeleteChallenges have been in finding the time to let students and teachers explore technology in order to apply them in a manner that is of value to all.
We have been using voice threads as a formative assessment in third grade math. The students have been able to record their thoughts about particular math content. They have been very thoughtful with their comments and representation.
ReplyDeleteOne child was very bashful at first but has blossomed over the last couple of months.
Theresa
The year has been going well. I've been a bit busy, so my new technology integration has been put on hold a bit. But, I have a number of great project/collaboration ideas in the works for next few weeks. I have had success working with google scribe with my 7th grade classes, and I am currently working with prezi in my 10th grade classes. Recent success would be with google scribe, I did a quick 'what have you learned' writing lesson with 7th graders. I quickly introduced google scribe and they took off writing incredibly detailed paragraphs. I was impressed with not only the top students, but even some of the weaker writers included great detail as a result of the enhanced T9 function (if that makes sense).
ReplyDeleteI have been introducing Google Docs and other Web 2.0 apps to my students and have seen a lot of success.
ReplyDeleteOne area of concern is helping more teachers use technologies and help them to be more comfortable using this awesome resource.
ALSO here is a link to a Google Docs training module. http://edutraining.googleapps.com/Training-Home/module-4-docs
Great good idea.. Perhaps we could come up with a technology guide for teachers to refer to, with useful tools and websites.
DeleteI have been introducing some teachers to wikis and blogs and VT and that has been productive. The going is slow, but I can see that we are making progress.
ReplyDeleteA challenge I ffeel is that not all of the teachers get involved. It is an optional thing for them and this is a drag on the institution moving forward.
Teachers are using the RtI Ipads in their classrooms so that students can practice skills. There has been a great deal of interest in using them to improve fluency and vocabulary.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed learning new ways to incorporate technology into my classroom over the past two years. I am interested in learning how to use e-portfolios and incorporating them into my business classes. After talking to some professors at TC3 and SUNY Cortland, they are having their student use them as well. I do find it hard to have the time to either share ideas or explore how these tools work. I am glad to have the time today to start this exploration process.
ReplyDeleteRecent challenges: finding a way to move things forward.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward: very interested in finding a user centric way to provide access to both technology and information.
Success: more students are feeling comfortable doing lab writeups and reflections in google docs, their ePortfolio, Prezi, etc. I am allowing students tHe option of submitting work through a variety of means. It makes for an interactive and interesting classroom and I am amazed at their hidden talents
ReplyDeleteChallenges: colleagues
It would be great to have more laptop/net books in the room. As more people become comfortable using them the harder it becomes to find time to get them for your own students. This is a good problem to have.
ReplyDeleteReducing the amount of paper usage in the classroom has been an area of positive impact in my classroom. The use of Google Docs to compose, comment, revise and turn in written pieces in the ELA classroom has saved an immense amount of paper. By using the Google Docs application, it created a simple opportunity to upload and/or embed student work into a Google Site which we've been using as an e-portfolio.
ReplyDeleteChallenges I've been faced with in the classroom include that my students love using my iPad for different activities. However, it's only useful in small group due to only having one on hand.
I have enjoyed helping teachers and students use the available technology. I have helped teachers with I pads, blogging, voice threads,and video streaming. A frustration is to get teachers to use the available technology,some don't even have laptops in school to use with the projectors. They don't have the time to put into technology.
ReplyDeleteThe elementary students become so engrossed in learning with the ipad. I work with individual students or small groups. They beg to learn about fractions with some of the apps I have. Fractions are especially difficult for many students so any tool with engages them is helpful.
ReplyDeleteOur students are becoming efficient at logging in to the netbooks as well.
I was actually approached by a student with a request to make my wiki page interactive. She loves accessing the linked websites and thought she should be able to let me know when she was there. I feel like this reinforces what we are trying to teach them, that technology is key to their learning. It was so gratifying to think that she not only wanted access, but sought out a way to gain it. Linda helped me link to kid Blog and ideas immediately came to mind for other ways to use it. I am hoping that removing the paper and pencil task from their writing and replacing it with an iPad or netbook will get them anxious to respond to the questions I post regarding what their reading.
ReplyDelete