11 Tools # 11

Wow!  I finished all 11 tools.  During the coming school year I plan on using Glogster most likely for science since my students enjoyed it last year.  I will also try using Edmodo, Animoto, Today's Meet, and Voice Thread.  In using these differnet tools, I know it will allow more creativity for my students and will engage them more into the learning that will be going on in the classroom.  I am going to need major support in accomplishing this task before me, but I just have to keep reminding myself that Rome wasn't built in a day.  It will definitely be an interesting year.

11 Tools # 10

Digital Citizenship/netiquette boils down to one word:  manners.  Basically we, as teachers, need to teach the students how to use the internet, active websites, and social networks correctly.  They need to make sure they are not setting themselves up for cyber bullying or opening themselves up to predators.  It is our job to teach them how to use the internet safely.  In conjunction with that, we need to teach them how to evaluate the sources they use when doing research on the internet.  The best way to do that is through modeling and practicing these skills.  Another thing to keep in mind that it isn't going to be a one time lesson.  It has to be on-going through out the year.  One good place to start is with Brain Pop.  They have a good video on netiquette.  Using our librarian is also a good resource.  Part of their curriculum that they have to teach is internet safety.  This will help you keep it being on-going throughout the year.  One way to introduce digital citizenship to parents would be during Open House, parent-teacher conferences, or a letter sent home along with a social contract for the students.  This lets the parents know your expectations in regards to the use of the internet and the consequences to improper use of it.

11 Tools # 9

Technology needs to be integrated into the curriculum because it engages the students.  They are more willing to pay attention when technology is part of the lesson whether it is an interactive lesson or whether they get to use the computer.  Students need to be held accountable for the learning they do on computers so that they take it seriously.  Students can use interactive websites and still not learn anything because they just play to be playing.  They need to be completely engaged in the activity and stay with it even if they struggle with the activity.  If they are not accountable, they can stop playing when they struggle over a concept and go to something else.  Active monitoring comes into play with this also to keep them on the correct website.  Ways to make the students accountable is to have them write a reflection about the website or activity they worked on.  I think Google Docs is a great idea as a way to hold them accountable.  Two interactive links that looked good were Learning Games for Kids and Studyladder.  Studyladder is similar to Odyssey and has an accountability system built into it.  Several apps that looked good were Aliens Kids Math, iLearn Solar System, and Math Adventures.  Other ways you can use the iPads as a center are for literature passages, such as A-Z passages, use them to answer question on Google Doc, voice record their answers about the passage, or use it with their book club.