Top Tech Tools

     Besides Google Apps, what other technology tools might you be using to engage and interact with your students? After reading several articles, I repeatedly came across blogging and Voicethread. 

     For blogging, I suggest Kidblog.org. This site provides a safe and secure way to digitally connect with your students. Do students get excited about blogging...YES! Will they try to use it like a social media...YES! One cool advantage of using Kidblog is that the teacher can approve all comments before they appear on the blog whether the student responds from school or home. When the teacher models how to use the blog, the appropriate use of the tool can be discussed at this time. If a student submits an inappropriate response, the teacher can unapprove or delete the comment so that other students never see it. Pretty awesome, right? So, why go to all the trouble? I have never seen students get so excited about plate tectonic movements, as I did today when they were asked to blog about it. Using this digital format, the teacher was able to get 100% participation. The students were excited, and engaged. Moreover, they were begging to know if their answers were correct! Wow, every teacher's dream! 

     Voicethread is a technology tool that students can use to provide information about a specified topic. This digital tool uses images to guide the conversation. The neat aspect of Voicethread is that students can record or type their responses with each image. As they add responses, icons gather around the image. When a student clicks on play, all the responses associated with the image can be heard. In my opinion, this is one of the easiest tech tools to integrate in your classroom. Again, the student response to this tech tool is phenomenal! Using Voicethread, I am seeing students get excited about literature circles! 

     If you are already using these tech tools, way to go! If not, which one might you consider implementing in your daily teaching and learning? Notice where these two tools are found in the pyramid.

Using Google Apps

     You may be thinking, Okay, I've gone Google, now what? I wanted to share some links with you that may help you decide how Google can be best utilized in your daily learning initiatives. As I mentioned in an earlier post, Powtoon and Simplebooklet are free apps that can be added in Google Drive so your students are safely inside of their own account when accessing these tools. Whether you are using a computer lab or just one computer, Google has features that can foster an optimal learning environment for the teacher and student alike! Take a peek at the first link to find out one way that Google can assist you in scheduling conference times, grading or creating a curriculum standards map.  Then the other links are provided to give you more information about Powtoon and Simplebooklet. 

40 Ways to Start Using Google Apps in Schools

How to create animated presentations. Powtoon-The PowerPoint Alternative

Simple Booklet

    The keys to using technology tools is planning and simplicity! Choose your tool, choose the topic, share the task with your students and give them time to write down their responses so that their time at the computer is efficient. I know that using less paper is one of our goals in the classroom; however, from my own experience, most elementary students submit higher quality work when they arrive at the computer with a written response. Simplicity will ensure that you keep using Google as a regular part of your classroom learning!

Have You Gone Google?

    Have you ever noticed that many classrooms have a hum or some type of noise? You might be wondering what that is all about if you aren't normally in the classroom. However, it's a healthy part of classroom learning and engagement, particularly in small group centers or learning activities. Now I am wondering as I hear their buzz, if they have gone Google! No, this isn't a new phrase for losing your sanity, but an effective way to integrate technology in the classroom using the Drive feature of Google. In Drive, teachers and students can access a variety of tools. Now that apps can also be added, teachers can also have Powtoon and Simplebooklet right at students fingertips! Wow, what a great way to engage students and promote critical thinking skills in daily learning! 

My Summer Goals include Learning

     As I am enjoying summer break, it is providing a great time of reflection and rejuvenation. I am reflecting on how I have taught particular lessons or themes this past year, and of course, and considering how it looked with Common Core as the guiding light, and how I can make it better next year! I am also reading blogs and articles to see what's new. Let's be honest, it's changing so fast that it takes a lot of energy just to try to be in the know, let alone actually implement in the classroom. Any implementation makes a teacher rethink teaching and learning and devise a plan for the journey from start to finish! I have ran across two tools that I would like to actually implement in some way- PowToon and simplebooklet. I will determine which one works best with my teaching style, curriculum and learning goals. I look forward to the discovery of something new to use in the classroom!

Student Technology Showcase

     May 6th is an exciting day for Pinnacle leaders and their students! GCS Board Members and Administrators will have the opportunity to see the direct impact that Pinnacle participation and training has on students. I am so proud to be part of the Pinnacle XVI team! Using technology in the classroom is vital to student success! Take a look at our trifold and you will see why!!

FTT

One of my FTT or favorite tech tools is Voki. This month I will use Voki as an avenue to provide instructions and allow students to create their own. Why Voki? This is a prime example of asynchronous learning. This type of blended learning can be done anywhere with a wifi connection. Some students are so excited about using technology tools to demonstrate their learning, that they are willing to work on their project at home. This also allows parents to see what their students are learning. Other skills that are being developed simultaneously are perspective, audience, design, and critical thinking skills. Similar to Twitter, students must find ways to get their point across in a limited amount of characters. This provides great experience with avoiding wordiness and eliminating unnecessary information. I see this technology tool as a win-win for teaching and learning!

In this example, I used my Voki on my website to introduce the science concept of biomes.

Sliding in Outer Space

Two groups of students created paper-slide videos to demonstrate their knowledge about the solar system and moon. Other groups created Photostorys and Voicethread. I can see how they are becoming more and more independent with each project!

Pinnacle is Tops!

10. I have a 21st Century Classroom!
9. Technology tools are for ready for student use!
8.Cooperative learning opportunities are part of daily learning!
7. Professional web presence is enhanced!
6. New professional contacts and learning communities are established!
5. Pinnacle provides support and feedback!
4. Training is provided so I know how to teach my students using technology!
3. Students are engaged and motivated!
2. Students learn and cultivate 21st Century skills in products of learning!
1. Student learning is relevant and meaningful!

Muppets Making their Mark

I thought the movie title that best matched my class was The Muppets Take Manhattan. This movie is about Kermit and his friends making the trip to New York to get their musical on Broadway only to find it's a more difficult task than they had planned. My cast of characters includes witty, intelligent, quirky and whimsical students. Combine this altogether and the days can change from fantastic to fury or, on a positive note, from fury to fantastic in a matter of minutes! As I continue to plot, ponder and plan lesson plans, assessments and curriculum goals, I have decided that keeping a sense of humor is near the top of my priority list. It's important for us to learn to laugh at ourselves. These moments of comic relief help sustain our persistence and allow us to accomplish our learning goals each day. Adjusting to the many changes in learning, teaching and delivering the curriculum has been an uphill journey so far. Making my way through this first year of common core has been more difficult than I had planned. However, I am making the time to have conversations with my colleagues, using technology when possible to make better use of time and working long after the school bell has rung to ensure I not only meeting the directives of the county but also to ensure that students are moving towards their individual learning goals. It can be overwhelming at times, but then I think about my zany cast of characters and the wacky director they have, now that's funny!