Application Reviews

This week we were asked to review two online applications. I found this a useful exercise. As a teacher, it is always nice to find quality, free, online applications to use in the classroom.

Google Documents

The first program I chose to try out was Google Docs. This is a program that use often and absolutely love. With Google Docs a user is able to create word and excel documents easily. My favorite feature is that those documents can be easily shared, and edited with collaborators. Not only can multiple people work on shared documents, but Google will show you what changes were made and when. It is a really useful program.

Another feature that I love is that Google automatically save your documents, and saves them often, so there is no need to worry about losing data.

With Google Documents, it is also possible to load existing documents (i.e. Microsoft Word or Excel, etc) into Google Docs to share. Converting also works in reverse, you can easily download documents and save them to your computer.

The coolest feature in Google Docs is the form option. This allows the user to create a survey to send out via email. The form can be created using whatever questions the user would like, with multiple answers possible. If someone responds to the form, or completes the survey, the results are automatically emailed back to the creator. From permission slips to take-home tests, this option has many, many applications in the classroom.

While Google Docs is not my primary word processing application of choice, I do find it to be a very easy program to use on a daily basis with features that make it invaluable to me.  

PicMonkey

PicMonkey is a program that I have not used before, but thought I would try out. Usually for my online photo editing I use Picassa, another Google program. PicMonkey is very similar. Much like Picaassa, PicMonkey has many photo editing options: basic editing such as exposure, color, cropping and sizing, as well as, more advanced options such as overlays, textures and even themes. With editing options such as teeth whitening and spray tan, it is a must have photo editor! 

Unlike Picassa, the user does not need to create an account or download a program to be able to use it. Use is as simple as dragging a picture. 

My favorite feature of PicMokey is the collage creator option. This option have different layouts and color choices to use to showcase your photos, it even has background images to choose from.

PicMonkey is an extremely easy program to use. I think it would be a great way to showcase student learning. Students could create a collage of samples of their work from throughout the year to illustrate their growth. It would also be a great program for them to utilize when creating a project or a report. I will definitely keep it in mind for the future. 

Creating a site with Google Pages

This week we were asked to create a website using Google Pages. I have created many websites, this was not anything new. I had a little trouble figuring out Google Pages at first, it is not the most user-friendly or intuitive program, but I figured it out pretty quickly.

I chose to create a website for a field trip to give parents information on the venue and other information they need to know. This is a realistic way I might utilize a website, such as this, in my classroom. To be honest, I think that having a classroom blog seems to meet my classroom needs more than a classroom website does. To me, websites seem more permanent than blogs. I like that blogs are easily update-able and seem a little more informal.

To view my website, all you have to do is follow this link: Kindergarten's going wild

Creating concept maps in Bubbl.us

This week we were asked to create a concept map using Bubbl.us. In kindergarten, we use concept maps frequently to illustrate connections or to represent our ideas. I really like the idea of being able to use technology in the creation of our concept map. I chose to create a concept map about animals. My kindergarten class will be starting a research based project on animals after spring break, and creating a map, such as this, as a group would be a great jumping off spot. Here is the map I created.

 

Creating screencasts

This week we were asked to create a screencast that we could use as a tutorial for a lesson we could use in our classroom. I was a little apprehensive about doing this, it seemed to be complicated, but was surprised by how easy it actually was. My screencast is aimed at kindergarten students who are working on animal research projects with their parents at home. This activity would be part of a large animal study that kindergartners will be completing in April, both in school and at home, with each kindergartener choosing different animals to research and share with the class.

For kindergarten students, using the computer takes a little assistance, but I really like the idea of creating a tutorial to help them feel some ownership over their learning and to create a little independence. By students are becoming very comfortable using computers in the classroom, and would enjoy doing their research with minimal assistance from their parents.

Using a screencast aimed at my kindergartners will also reinforce to parents, that although they need to support their children, they should not be doing the project for them. Hopefully this screencast will support and encourage my young learners and make them feel a little more independent in their own research. 

Google maps for teachers and students

This week we were asked to create a google map to use with our students. In kindergarten, one of our big focuses for the school year is on community. We study the parts of a community and discuss community helpers. We also take field trips to explore important places and the people that work there.

This is a map that ties with the idea of community. I would use this map in coordination with our field trips, to discuss the different places we are going to (and did) visit.

View Our Community in a larger map

In my classroom, I would update the locations with photos and videos taken during our field trip so that students could recall what we saw and who we met during our visit. 

We were also asked to develop an idea for students to use google maps independently. I really like the idea of using a google map over breaks to show where families went during their vacation time. Parents could log into a classroom map with their kindergartner and create a pin of where they were during break. They could also add photos and videos of their time together. After break, we could use our maps to share what kindergartners did with their families and where they traveled to. This would be a great activity used to encourage kids to share their experiences, but also a meaningful way to discuss different cities and states. My kindergartners cannot work google maps alone, but with parent support they would be able to successfully use the program in a relevant and meaningful way. 

Exploring podcasts

This week we were asked to find  an interesting podcast to listen to and review in our blogs. I was able to find a great technology podcast called Teaching with Technology. 

This podcasts discusses ways to implement technology in the classroom. From blogs to e-books and everything in between, this blog covers it all. It is informational and entertaining. A podcast I would recommend to all teachers looking for inspiring ways to integrate and utilize technology in their classrooms.

I especially found this podcast especially useful. It discusses what the "ideal" day of an elementary age student could look like at a school where technology is fully integrated into all areas.
A day in the life

Since this post is specifically about podcasts, here is a podcast that explains how to create podcasts:
Podcasting for beginners

Linking material in Blogs

This week we have been asked to update our blogs with videos, maps and photos that link to relevant information. For this assignment, I decided to research a few examples of why educational technology is relevant and important in today's classrooms.

Let's start with a cartoon:

For today's students, technology is more relevant than it has ever been. It is how they learn, understand and relate to material and eachother. Teachers need to respond to this interest if they are going to be successful in reaching their students. 

Throughout history, people have worked to be more effective. They have developed tools to help them accomplish this goal. The following video is an example of how technology has changed throughout history:

As time changes, people must change and adapt to be more successful. If you would like to learn more about educational technology, I suggest you attend this conference. (That is, if you can make it to Florida!) Click the photo for information about the 2014 FetC conference, offered next January.

Here is how you get there:

View Larger Map

At this conference you will learn new ways to integrate technology in your classroom to meet all of your learners diverse needs. I would hope to learn new ways to reach all of my students and to expand my current use of technology which is: 

I truly believe that technology is an important tool educators can utilize to expand their students learning and meet all of their unique learning needs.