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Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Implementing Computer Technology in the Classroom
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| Creative Commons License to Share, Image http://www.flickr.com/photos/kathycassidy/3224352060/ |
One of the technologies I found for Project 1 is an app for ipads or iphones called Monkey Math. This is a fun, interactive app for early elementary students. I plan on implementing this in the classroom by using it to either introduce a topic or to practice a new concept. It could also be used independently by studnets so it would work well as a math center. The idea follows curricular goals becuase the topics in the games are common core aligned.
ReplyDeleteI one the websites I have found in project 1 is the Poe Museum website. I plan on utilizing this site on my website in conjunction with other supportive material. Students can easily navigate the site, read Poe's work and learn about his life. I did find there was a lack of supportive material for the students (i.e. reading guides, vocabulary list and critical essays,); therefore, supplemental websites, like Shmooop.com and vocabulary.com can be used.
ReplyDeleteSo far, I have really liked using Glogster. This was new to me and took some time to get used to, but I can see so many uses for this site in the fifth grade class I am taking over. I have also gotten more comfortable using Google sites. Outside of this class, I was just introduced to an app where you can look up the common core standards. I know fifth graders are learning about the states, including geography and important facts. Using Glogster would (I hope) really engage my students and excite them about their projects. Then, I can access the CC standards to link to the project from my phone. yay!
ReplyDeleteOne of the technologies that I am reviewing for Project 1 is Socrative. Socrative is a student response program that allows teachers to quickly test student understanding and collects the data for the teacher. The program helps to quickly assess how students are doing and allows teachers to judge if they need to modify the lesson to fit student needs. It is easy, fast and can't wait to present my lesson plan with it!
ReplyDeleteFor Project 1 I really enjoyed exploring Photo Story 3, a Microsoft software program, that enables users to create presentations with pictures, text titles, recorded narration, and background music. Photo Stories really appeal to visual and auditory learners and make for an effective, engaging way to learn. Perhaps its best feature is how simple it is to use and how easy it is to navigate through the creation process. Kids, even younger ones, can definitely use this independently once it has been modeled/demonstrated. Another great aspect is that there are countless ways in which to use photo stories in the classroom- to tell about yourself in the beginning of the school year, for students to introduce themselves to classmates, to introduce a new concept/unit of study, to review previous learning, as an assessment/project, to reflect on the year at the end, etc...In my lesson plan I will be using Photo Story as a means for students to create "book trailers". Teachers can give students guidelines to fit any and all curricular goals. The only downside is there is no version of the program for Mac.
ReplyDeleteI found and explored Glogster EDU. I know students always make posters for projects in class. These posters tend to be busy, often unclear and are usually forgotten at home by at least a few students. I liked Glogster because students can work on it in class or at home, can always access it in the classroom and can add more specific information because they can take videos or photos from the internet rather than having to cut out magazines or draw pictures. In grade 5, students learn about the United States. I would plan to use Glogster for the individual state projects. Each student would make and present a glogster on their assigned state, providing required information, but also being allowed to be creative and interactive with the poster. They can present via Smart Board and print a copy to grade or take home.
ReplyDeleteI am familiar with Prezi, but I chose to explore this site further to see how else I can use it in my lessons. I love that Prezi can be used as a presentation tool to introduce a lesson, but I also appreciate that it can be a portal to various videos, links and photos that are at your finger tips for the lesson. Instead of pulling up a million sources, listing objectives, listing essential questions and enduring understandings, this is a much more visually appealing way to present all the information for the students. I also like that the link can be sent to the students and parents so that it keeps the communication strong about what is going on in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteAs an art teacher, I have been in the "art on a cart" situation and it is stressful to try and remember to bring all the necessary materials for introducing a lesson, from room to room. With prezi, I just have to worry about bringing the art supplies, but can leave my discussion material to the clouds and access it anywhere.
Prezi can be used by the teacher or the students and can fit seamlessly into any curriculum based on the content placed in the Prezi. It offers teaching students the necessary content in the curriculum, under the 21st century skills umbrella.Prezi can be used at any grade level in any subject, however, if the students are creating the prezi's it may be better suited for upper elementary through to career professionals. A teacher in the early elementary grades could use it for introducing their units, but I would probably find another tool more suited for that age level for presenting their projects.
I also reviewed Socrative. I believe i will mostly use it for quick review type quizzes and Exits passes just for assessing the level of my students understanding of the lesson. However, I also discovered a new app for iPad called Educreations. I love that it allows you to create video tutorials. It is an interactive whiteboard that records your writing and voice. I think this will be beneficial for students because they can take the lesson anywhere with them. Teachers also can save time by recording their lessons before class, making it available to the students and then spend more time with practicing the concepts.
ReplyDelete