11 Tools Reflection

1. What are your favorite tools you now have in your personal technology toolbox?

My favorite tool was photostory!  I loved being able to make it personal, and it was so simple.  I think one of the ways we can use photostory is to make our own online classroom yearbook!  

2. How have you transfomed your thinking about the learning that will take place in your classroom? 

There were definitely many things that I learned in 11 tools that I was not aware of, so having been exposed to these new resources has changed my thinking and given plenty of ideas for this new year.  There were so many resources; I don't even know where to start!  I think that is a good problem to have.  

3. Were there any unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
The only things that surprised me were the extensive amount of new tool and resources that are available that I was not aware of.  I'm glad that I have had the exposure to these tool, so that I can find new ways to motivate my students while making their learning even more interesting and engaging.  

Tool #11 Digital Citizenship

Rule #1: SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY!
These days, it's hard to imagine a world without the internet.  It seems that the age is getting younger and younger that have internet access.  Unfortunately, its the children that are the most vulnerable on the internet.  As a teacher that is implementing technology into my students' day, I think it is very important that they are educated on how to stay safe.  I think making connections with some of the other safety rules, such as "stranger danger" would be a good way to relate the importance of not going somewhere on the internet that they do not have permission to be at.  It's good to show them within the confines of the classroom, because there are some safety features in place to keep them from venturing off into cyberspace.  I think including internet safety into a general safety unit would be a good way to talk about ways to safe on the internet and why.

Rule #2 Be Original
There is a wealth of information on the internet, and the temptation to take someone else's work is strong.  I think promoting original work and encouraging creativity is key in keeping students from copying and pasting.  They do need to be aware that doing so is wrong and if they do happen to cut and paste, they will need to know how to credit a source. 

Rule #3 Be a good Citizen
I think the social expectations we have face to face should apply to internet expectations.  I will make sure to share with the children to be nice to everyone face to face or on the internet.  If they can't say it face to face, then it should not be said.  It is important that the children are aware that mutual respect applies anywhere even on the internet. 

Tool #10

I have limited experience with Apple products.  I have used an I phone (someone else's), but have never used an Ipad or I touch...they seem really cool, but just never used one. WOW...the possibilities seem endless using this technology in the classroom! There are SO MANY apps that kids can use and they make them for all ages, so what's great is it doesn't matter the age!   Some of the free apps I found were Learn to Draw Dinosaurs, Read me Stories by 8interactive limited, and Sequence Search: Search for arithmetic sequences (like 2,4,6 or 3,7,11) in a number grid. Like word search, but with numbers. The only problem I found with some of the free apps was that some of them were sample apps, so you couldn't get the full effect.  It was a little hit and miss with the free apps.  The itouch can definitely be used as a literacy center and hopefully the students could learn how to use a new application each week or so. It is a great motivator, because its something new!  They are going to love it!

Tool # 9

I think both programs would be fun to use in the classroom, especially Skype.  I think Skype would make having penpals so much easier; all you have to do is schedule times to log on!  I read a really great suggestion on using Skype.  The idea was starting an online book club.  I think that is a fabulous idea!  It would be really great to see the kinds of discussion and opinions about books we are reading from classrooms outside of our school, district, state, and beyond!  I think the students would really enjoy experiencing new friendships through an online community of learners.

Tool #8 Video Resources

I found some really great videos on youtube.  I think that there is a district password for National Geographic, but I don't have an ActivBoard in my room so I don't know if my campus has those passwords.  I was able to find some really great videos on YouTube.  It was a new experience for me, because I've only been on YouTube for entertainment purposes.  It never occurred to me to use it as a resource.  I teach PreK, so I was able to find some really great videos. 

Tool #7

I really love photostory!  I had a lot of fun creating my story.  I was able to use a song that I wrote and recorded in my husband's studio.  It was very personal for me.  I want to share it with everyone!  It was not very difficult to do, and so much fun.  I would be more excited about posting this, but I am having the hardest time uploading!  I will edit and repost, once I figure out how to fix the problem.  I think students will have a great time taking ownership of their work with this tool!  It was very fulfilling to see the finished product; I want to make more!

I tired several ways to upload my video.  I would click on the "upload video" icon, select my photostory (that I saved as a .wmv file), and clicked upload.  It would look like it was uploading for several minutes and then a window would pop up and say there was an error processing the video.  I saved it onto a disc and tried to upload it from my personal computer, thinking it might be a firewall issue on my district laptop.  It still didn't load.  I then made another photo story, thinking I might have saved it wrong, but that video did not post either.  I'm not sure what the problem is; I did see a lot of comments on the 11 tools blog with this same problem.  If I can figure out how to get the video to upload, I will definitely post!

Tool # 6

Wikis!  Well, just like the 11 tools blog mentioned, I was familiar with a wiki to the extent of wikipedia and that was the end of it. I was clueless beyond that, until now!  It was so interesting to find out what a wiki truly is, and what you can do with it!  I like the collaborative potential of a wiki.  I think its a great way for teams to keep on the same page with each other by sharing ideas.  For the classroom, a wiki can definitely be used for interactive and shared writing.  It gives the students an opportunity to collaborate with each other on a whole new level using a different medium.  It can also be a means to involve parents.  They can see first hand the collaborative writing that goes on in the classroom!