Saturday, August 7, 2010

11 Tools Reflection

I have enjoyed learning about the 11 tools! I will definitely incorporate as many of the tools in my teaching after introducing the digital citizenship.

Some of my favorites and the ones I will bring in into the classroom will be:
Mosaic with ImageChef - I am already planning on the posters I am going to create to enhance learning in my classroom!
Animoto – I will introduce it as a writer’s workshop publication tool. It is a fun and organized way to keep a clear sequence of events, and it will help to add all the literacy elements as well. I am sure my students and I will enjoy the final product of every story.

Even when technology is relatively new to me, I have been able to learn quickly when acquiring new skills, but was conversely shock at how long it would take me to complete this assignment. I keep spending long periods of time en each tool, especially when creating videos and searching for images to include into all of the different tools.

Tool # 11

After going through all the tools, I can visualize better the danger and the responsibilities students can encounter using technology. It is imperative that students have at least the basic knowledge of Digital Citizenship. So, they can be informed about the norms of behavior they should follow regarding technology use. Students now days feel comfortable with its use on daily basis, but we need to make sure they use technology appropriately.

Integrating the new tools in my classroom comes with the responsibility to teach my students about digital citizenship.
Three things I want my kids to know and practice from digital citizen are:
Digital Security & Safety: electronic precautions to guarantee safety/physical well-being in a digital technology world
Digital Etiquette: electronic standards of conduct or procedure
Digital Literacy: the process of teaching and learning about technology and the use of technology

Tool # 10

I love Apps!!! I have learned the use of the IPod and the IPhone from my own kids. I am using some of the educational apps that I am sure my students are going to enjoy. Apps are perfect while working in small groups.

Here are some of the Apps:
Read me a Story
Stories2Go
ILearn Solar System
Basic Math with Mathaliens

Tool # 9

I downloaded Jing, I play with it, and I like it! With Jing I can create tutorials for students or co-workers. It is use friendly and will guide the viewer through whatever steps they need to achieve for a particular task.

I love and appreciate Skype because is a tool that help me stay connected with my family and friends outside the U.S. In school, students can learn from other students, they can connect with other cultures, and expand their knowledge in amazing ways!

Friday, August 6, 2010

Tool # 8

I have enjoyed the searching and the uploading! What a great tool to include in our lesson plans. I believe that videos help students engage in the learning process.

Here is the first video from youtube: Clip from Lean on me
I love it because it shows some aspects of leadership.


This second video is from CNN Democratic Debate: English as Official U.S. Language?
I like it because as an immigrant and a bilingual teacher, I agree with President Barack Obama and the Secretary of the State Hillary Clinton


Tool # 7

Storytelling is an incredible tool for adults and children. It will unquestionably enhance the teaching-learning experience in a classroom.

Love it!


Tool # 6

I am in love with the idea of students working on WIKIs to collect their ongoing work as part of writer’s workshop. Students can go back and look at their work to edit and publish it. WIKIs are a great tool to help students enhance their instruction and enrich communication.

It is wonderful that WIKIs provide unlimited storage for digital materials! And are kids and technology challenged friendly!

Tool # 5

I joined Delicious! It was very convenient to add the add-on toolbar to my browser. This way I can easily tag and bookmark sites I want to locate from any computer. I am glad I don't have to email myself links anymore!

Here are some of the websites I visited and added to "My Delicious":
http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter110/ch110a.html

http://www.readinga-z.com/index.php

http://www.kidinfo.com/current_events/current_events.html

I love social bookmarking!

Tool # 4

Google Docs is a great tool! I like its easy way I can share information with others. This tool helps me share team work while taking classes. I also believe it can be use the same way in the classroom.

Google Reader provide a very nice way to keep track of different sites I am interested in and share them with friends and other groups I work with.

These tools will be beneficial to use with my team mates and with my students.

Tool # 3

Two of the image generators I found interesting to use before, during, or after introducing a concept were the following:

1. Animoto to make a movie out of pictures.











Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.


2. Mosaic with ImageChef

ImageChef Word Mosaic - ImageChef.com


Both great tools for teachers and students to use in the classroom.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Tool # 2

An Online Education Communities provide an excellent venue to improve the day-to-day teaching and learning experience of the learning community itself by enhancing instructors’ focus on behaviors that contribute to a student’s sense of connection within the community.

I like the idea of emphasizing the human elements in blogging by revealing and maintaining as much of my identity as is deemed safe; minimizing harm to others by never knowingly hurting or injuring someone with information made available on my blog; and building community by linking my blog to others.

I commented on the following blogs:
Tomorrow and Beyond (M Dimareli)
Maria's Modern Life (M Giraldo)
Rosaura's Blog (R Ramirez)
Mimi the Blogger (M Garcia)
Vivian's Blog (V Herrera)


Friday, June 18, 2010

Tool # 1

The Avatar and blog creation was fun! My friends and I met in a coffee place and had a great time choosing our voki!