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. 

Successfully implementing technology

First off, I would like to say "yay!" because I already utilize photo sharing in my classroom on a regular basis with my students’ parents. I find it a very good way to document learning and growth throughout the school year and to get parents involved in their student’s learning. I also have parents that take part in uploading and sharing pictures they take when they volunteer in the classroom, which establishes and maintains a sense of community among the adults as well. Here are some pictures I compiled for this assignment. Check them out.

In regards to the reading, I find the study listed to be interesting, mostly because I have worked at schools moving towards a one-to-one ratio of laptops to students. For many years I taught at a private school that implemented a 5 year plan to introduce laptops to all students k-12. They began at the high school and then slowly worked through the grades a few at a time. It was very successful for the students and school. They found it to be a worthwhile return on their investment because student engagement and performance increased dramatically.

I think the reason the initiative listed in the book was not successful is due to many factors including teacher resistance to “top down” change, poor instructional quality of software and the failure to teach teachers how to implement the technology in the classroom.

• ·         Top down change – there isn’t any evidence that teachers wanted to change to the laptop system or had any desire to change their current teaching methods. For teachers to be successful in implementing new methods, they need to see the need that they are meeting. If teachers are not on board, the program cannot be successful.
• ·         Poor software – the book mentions that curriculum guides and worksheets were installed, but that does not mean that the computers were teaching material in a meaningful way. For students and teachers to find a purpose for the laptops, they need to meet a specific need or introduce (or reinforce) material in a different way. Simply replacing pen and paper with a computer is not a beneficial use of technology.
• ·         Failure to teach implementation – the example does not mention if the teachers had any training on how to use the computers to enhance their teaching. It reminds me of the adage “give a man a fish he can eat for a day.” Giving a teacher a laptop does not mean that he/she will know how to use it to teach effectively.

In my experience, successful implementation of laptops begins with training, not only the teachers and the students, but the families as well. At the school I mentioned above, parents were invited to workshops on how to utilize and support their children at home. The face of homework would be vastly different and the school wanted parents to be prepared for that as well as the teachers (who of course attended many workshops and trainings on how to maximize student learning with technology.)

Teachers also need to be a driving force of change. These decisions cannot be mandated and carried out without feedback from those at the front of the instruction. The decision needs to come out of collaboration between the school and the faculty, with a strong commitment on behalf of the teachers to use the new technology to better instruction.

This is a good example of how technology needs to be thoughtfully chosen and carefully implemented to be successful for those using it. Simply providing it is not enough to increase student learning. 

Organizing and Sharing Bookmarks

I am so excited the Delicious came into my life! This program has truly taken a habit that I have had for a long time, and completely revolutionized it. Postman would be happy because it solves problems that I have been working around for some time. I am a bookmarker. Big time. I have bookmarks on all of my computers, organized into folders and subfolders by topic. This is a bit of a challenge when you take into account my home laptop, my fiance’s laptop (which is regularly in my possession), my home desktop, my school laptop, my tablet and my school smart cart…not to mention my smart phone….all of which have become overrun with saved webpages. I thought I solved the problem when I discovered that the Google Chrome browser can create a shared bookmark section if you login on all of your devices. But, at school there was no way to coordinate those links with parents or coworkers unless I was emailing links back and forth. I am so excited that Delicious can do everything that I want and need it to do. I have already transferred over many of my save bookmarks. If you want to, check it out here!

I think that Delicious will come in handy for my kindergarten students when we start doing animal research projects. I can post a few good links up on the sight, and parents can log in and see my links and add their own. It will be a running list of resources and ideas that we can all contribute on. I think Delicious would, similarly, get even more use in upper grades that are more research based.

Before now, Instructional Technology in my classroom referred to the programs and devices that were already installed and in place that I could utilize to expand my students thinking. I agree with the book definition focusing on the design of instruction and the use of media for instructional purposes. For the first time, I am beginning to think of more student created means of utilizing technology: blogs, bookmark managers, wiki sites, all of these great ways to implement technology in a way that can be customized to each student’s individual learning path. I’m excited that I have all of these resources now to implement with my students.

I found it so interesting that the definition of technology has changed so much over the years. It is not surprising that it will continue to change and new technologies develop. I am hoping that I can find ways to continue to use all of the resources  available with my kindergarteners and that there will be more technology available for them to use as well. 

Using Wiki's in Kindergarten

Last week when the assignment was to make a blog I thought, “Oh this will be easy.” As I already confessed, I’m already a bit of a blog junkie…although I’m not great at the follow through. This week, however, I felt completely the opposite as I read the assignment. Not only do I have no experience with wiki’s, it is a term I barely know or have heard. As I read through the plan for the week, I thought “oh man, this is going to be struggle.” I am happy to report that I survived making my first wiki, and that it wasn’t as difficult as I thought it would be.  Here it is, if you would like to see it!: my wiki.

            The videos helped, a lot! I am not sure I could have successfully done it without them. Especially the video, Wikis in plain English. What I find interesting about this video is that it made the most sense to me, but did not utilize any actual screen shots of a wiki site. I also found the video, Wikis in the Classroom, very interesting but had a difficult time thinking about how I would utilize wikis for kindergartners while viewing it. I see how useful it might be in an upper grade, but kindergarten is a bit more challenging, technologically speaking. My kindergartners are not so independent and clicking between links on the navigation pane would be difficult for them.

            I found the readings, both the article by Tim O’Reilly, What is Web 2.0: Design Patterns and Business Models for the Next Generation of Software and the Wikipedia entry, Wikis, to be equally difficult and interesting. I had to read through them each…a few times…before I understood what they were saying. I was feeling a bit like Charlie Brown when his teacher was speaking, the technical jargon was sounding a bit like “wah wah, wah wah wah” to me. I think the problem, for me, is that a lot of common technology terms are not common knowledge for me. Perpetual beta, scripting language, SQL, these are the terms that I had a hard time with, they aren’t everyday language for me. Sometimes I think I need things in 5-year-old speak (I am a kindergarten teacher after all.) None-the-less, I persevered and understood to the best of my ability what was being taught. What I found the most interesting about the O’Reilly article is what he calls “harnessing the collective intelligence” or utilizing the long tail not just the head, making sure to engage every user or the entire web. I never noticed before how interactive the internet is, and how every click on a website gets saved for future data.

          As I read this, I began thinking of my own wedding planning, and how I cannot open facebook, gmail, or other webpages without finding “suggested sites” such as David’ Bridal, Nordstroms, or “Paper Divas” listed on every banner. The internet is learning, too well, what my recent search history has been and it is adapting to my needs. (It’s scary how much I wedding plan apparently!)

          As a kindergarten teacher, I was most inspired by some of my own searching through wikis. I stumbled across this page, and thought, “What a great resource for a kindergarten teacher.” I constantly have parents asking about extension and enrichment activities, ways they can practice at home and asking “what was that activity you did yesterday? My son/daughter wants to try it at home!” I would love a place to compile that information and have it available for parents to access at home. Possibly, even, with a lot of practice, my kindergartners could chose activities from large navigation icons to use during centers or other times during the day. It could also be easily differentiated for learners working on specific skills at a certain level of difficulty.  

        I think wikis, very definitely, could have a purposeful place in my early childhood classroom. 

Documenting Student Learning through Blogs and RSS feeds

Ok, confession time…I have always wanted to be a “blogger.” In fact, as I was logging into Blogger to create this very blog, I found abandoned remnants of blogs past: a wedding blog I created to track my wedding planning, a blog I created as a camp director, a personal blog of my time spent living in Minnesota, and still others. I start them with every attempt to keep them up, and then forget all about them, or probably more accurately, get too busy. So, honestly, having the excuse to create a blog was exciting for me. I was happy to have (yet another) excuse to create a blog (with every intention of writing in it!)

Now, with all of my extensive blog “creating” experience, I never actually got far enough into blogging to create RSS feeds or really follow anyone else’s. It was something I had heard about, but did not fully appreciate…I can just look up whatever website I want to check in on, right?... That misguided opinion changed after creating one. I love it! It was so much easier, and is so much more convenient of a way to follow information. It is like my facebook wall, but with actual information! I’m hooked. (if it is anything like facebook, I will now check in several times a day!)

While creating my blog and RSS feed, I was thinking about The Cone of Experience. I think that blogs fit into the top 5 bands. Depending on what information is being supplied, of course, but blogs allow teachers to showcase verbal symbals (words), visual symbols (pictures), recordings (audio), motion pictures (video) and educational television (youtube clips, etc).

In terms of imaginative ways to use blogs and RSS feeds in the classroom, I would love to create a blog of my students reading their writers workshop stories aloud, with scanned drawings to accompany their audio. What a great way to “publish” their work. The ultimate writer’s workshop sharing celebration! RSS feeds takes a little more thinking about, but I love the idea of creating a page where parents can follow each other’s blogs and share parenting strategies and help them to develop a community of parents that supports their students. So much of kindergarten is focused on creating a community of learners, why not support parents in doing the same thing?

There are so many ways I can envision using blogs and RSS feeds as communication with colleagues and parents. If I worked with older students, I would use them as ways to communicate with my students as well. (While I’m a proponent of technology in the classroom….5 might be a little young for creating a social media footprint.) I use A LOT of photographs in my newsletters to parents. I love documenting my students’ work (and progress!) through photography. In kindergarten, so much growth happens during the year I have them as students, and it is exciting for parents to share in their child’s school day. Creating those newsletters, however, is time consuming and because of the number of photos I include, they sometimes have difficulty sending through email. I love the idea of creating a classroom blog to showcase student work. It also allows for using audio and video components that my publisher newsletter does not allow. If Postman asked, I would tell him that blogs and RSS feeds solve the problem of delivering big newsletter files to the parents of my students, and allows for an even better means of communicating with them on a regular basis.

My brain keeps spinning with new ways to utilize this technology! I feel so inspired to keep blogging…maybe this time I really will keep this up! J

Importance of Technology in the Classroom

What a contrast in opinions and attitudes towards the use of technology! As I began reading the Reigeluth article, I must say, I had a very positive response. I found myself highlighting, and making many notes in the margins of points I liked and agreed with.

As a kindergarten teacher, I whole heartedly agree that it is extremely important to meet the needs of each student. Reigeluth states, “Different children learn at different rates and have different learning needs, we can no longer to afford to hold time constant and allow achievement to vary.” This statement struck home to me. Kids learn differently. They come to school with different experiences, with different attitudes and with different needs. These needs must be addressed for students to be successful. It can no longer be assumed that one lesson fits all. Differentiation is paramount, in terms of both difficulty of material, and how the material is being presented.

Reigeluth continues on to discuss assessments. He believes that the form of assessments should shift to become more of a checklist, an “inventory of attainments” as he calls it. As a student meets that standard, he or she can check it off. This is where my experiences as a kindergarten teacher may separate me from other teachers. I could see this working in my classroom. My goals are such that I could see a system of “knows it” or “does not’t know it yet” working for my students. I also do not care if they learn their letters before learning their numbers as long as they know them all by the end of the year. For my kindergartners, I find myself presenting material in many different ways, over and over again, to ensure that it makes sense for all of my students in every context.

In contrast, while reading the Postman article, I found myself not making many notes or agreeing at all. His pessimistic view of technology, and really, the future of education as a whole, was disheartening to me. He states that technology is only useful if there is a direct problem that is being addressed or solved. In the case of education, Postman believes that technology is not helpful in addressing the purpose of school, which are “social and moral nature and have nothing to do with dazzling new technologies.” He warns that “school is to teach children how to behave in groups.”

I do not believe that integrating technology into the classroom disregards establishing teamwork, communication or cooperation. In fact, Reigeluth says it best when he says “Technology is important, but it would be a mistake to look only to technology. Fellow learners can be powerful agents of learning. It is often said that the best way to learn something is to teach it. Peer-assisted learning and collaborative learning can take many forms, but they all facilitate the social construction of knowledge.”

In short, how I view education is child-centered learning and inquiry based methods where each student has the opportunity to learn for his or her peers. Is there a place for technology in my classroom? Absolutely. Does that mean that my students sit in front of a screen all day long? No way. There is a balance. In my classroom technology fills in where experience cannot. I cannot feasibly take my students to the ocean to learn about ocean animals, but I can have an expert show (and tell them) on a video, so that they can have that experience. Although this does not replace actual inquiry, it supplements my students’ learning in meaningful ways.

Welcome!

This blog was created for EDT5410. I look forward to working with all of you this semester!