After 11 Tools: Reflection

WOW! This has been a big, big learning experience and quite overwhelming too! I feel that technology revolves at a thousand rpm's and I've been waaaaay behind! So many new tools that are available to enhance my teaching and make it more current. I really like the idea of having the ipods in the classroom and providing them to my students so they can 'play as they learn' or 'learn as they play'. I'm NOT done yet...there is sooo much I still don't know...but I feel lucky to be part of Spring Branch's 11 Tools technology movement!

Tool 11: Digital Citizenship

Well, just like we teach our student the proper way to use and handle books and writing utensils, it is our responsibility to teach and reinforce Digital Citizenship. Students can get carried away with the ease of opening websites and falling into innapproppriate ones inadvertedly. Teaching the acronym THINK sounds like an effective way to remind them of the importance of safety. Teachers and parents need to provide and maintain open communication and know that supervision at all times is key to cyber safety.

Tool 10: Exploring Mobile Technology and Apps

I think that the idea of having ipods in the classroom will help make school more exciting for our kiddos. Many of our students lack the means to acquire one and I think they will have extra interest in 'playing' with it and learning many literacy and Math skills. Talk about making school fun!!! I'm excited that we are having a training on ipod use for our classrooms. I can use the training myself, since I am not familiar with it. We are lucky!!!

Tool 9: Sharing Information Through Jing and Skype

This tools are amazing! I like how Jing it helps enhance and add visuals to the 'conversation'. You can guide students with a clearer explanation of the topic you are trying to get across. Jing, among other tools, is also new to me.
I had heard of Skype before from my cousinn who lives in Brasil and keeps n touch with her parents and siblings. I've also have used Skype with my daughter and cousins. It's a wonderful way to keep in touch and see the person you are communicating with. Skype would be a great tool to use for parent/teacher communication and/or conferences.

Tool 8: Video Resources

I found a really nice video in Teachertube about the life cycle of the Monarch Butterfly which I can use during The Naturalist Workshop, and another video from Youtube about the alphabet, interestingly sung in Spanish. I have been unsuccessfull in my attempts to upload these videos into my blog, so I'll have to revisit this tool, with some additional help.

Tool 7: Creating Digital Stories

OK! Definitively I need additional help with this tool! Oh, how I wish my daughter would still be in college here instead of far away Denver!!!!
I really enjoyed learning from the digital videos created to help us with the 11 tools. I'll be back to this one later!

This is very frustrating! Another attempt to upload this video has failed... 4th time!

Tool 6: Wikis

I liked the usefulness of this wiki tool. No more confusion about what other people want to share and contribute to a common cause. It can save time when we are planning lessons as a team for classroom activities and prjects. Very useful for our Rodeo and Water Day planning!