Technology in the Classroom

Drop Box


https://www.dropbox.com/


- I have just discovered what icloud actually is and have considered using it.  The only problem is that I have a mac at home and an ipad, however, my work computer is not a mac.  If I used icloud I am not sure I would be able to download my non mac files onto it.  With drop box, I can use any computer and have all of my files in one space.  After viewing the video, I downloaded it instantly and plan on using it.  I am constantly emailing myself documents to use at work, which works fine, but I don't want to do that anymore when i can can simply save a file to one location that can be accessed everywhere.  I may compare an icloud to the drop box and see which I like more, just so i am sure I am well informed either way.  My goal is to become more tech savvy and I am grateful for the many resources I have found in this class thus far.




Wordle

-I am excited to use wordle in my classroom.  I have never heard of it before today and appreciate these useful tools. I can see this helping my students with language arts.  I am going to have them help me create the parts of speech they need to master and once we have created each then we will post them in our room.  We actually use linking verbs so i will use it for that, prepositions, adjectives, etc.  I also want to use it to help them with latin and greek root words.  So each worlde will have words that have different roots such as one for geo, one for philo, and one for phon.  I see them really enjoying seeing how it is created and helping me make them.  


Jing


http://www.techsmith.com/jing.html


 I used to be the kind of person whom got nervous about new technology for fear of messing it up.  Last week, learning wordle was easy and I have used it in my classroom.  This week we were able to view a video on how the brain creates meaning.  Wordle creates that clear visualization and persistence.  The interaction could be with your students.  Then we learned about Jing which definitely incorporates all three needed for meaning.  I can see worlde being used as more display scenarios.  Jing, however can be used in so many instances.  For example, I am going to have my students begin blogging when we go tot he lab next.  Now I can simply show them how to do it, or they can watch a video, replay it as many times as needed, and be able to focus on the task at hand.  Sometimes I think that media is a good break for the students verses just hearing and watching the teacher.  The reason I chose to show a video of how to create the blog is because the blog itself creates meaning.  Instead of comparing and contrasting species in an ecosystem via writing a paper, my students will blog their comparisons and reply to their peers posts.  This will allow them to make connections with others as well as their own work.  The Jing "how to" video will serve as another tool to help them create it.  I will have the link easy access for them on a common library search thread that they all have access to.  


Popplet

 I definitely see myself using this tool with my students.  I think it is  great method of demonstrating a real world application of graphic organizers and how one thing can relate to another.  For example,  if I was teaching genre studies I could have different popples with different genre studies that link to examples and elements of those genres.  This gives a visual of something otherwise not visually taught.  If you wanted to incorporate project base assignments they could use it as a summative assignment where they demonstrate everything they have learned in your unit.  Such as representing the three branches of government, their duties, who is involved, and checks and balances.
I also think this tool would be great for teachers to use with one another.  The idea that you can link with others to share ideas alone makes it worth using with colleagues.  I think student could also collaborate with one another via the tool that allows for multiple users.

Remind 101
http://remind101.com/learn_more 


 This post couldn't have occurred at a better time.  As long as our principal has no problem with it, I will be using this as early as next week.  I love the fact that it helps parents stay on track with what is due.  For example,  this week my students had 3 items to turn in on Friday.  I think a friendly reminder would have been beneficial  in order to ensure they get turned in.  I also like that it is for parents who want to sign up and they won't actually have my cell number.  On a more personal note.  I have a parent with a closed head injury.  She does not see things as they are, is disorganized, and has had many issues this year.  I am frequently getting 3-4 emails a day asking questions about what is due when, even though she is given newsletters and has access to my website.  I can see her benefiting from this because it is one more way of reminding her of what is due and when.  Thank you for this great idea!