1. Microsoft Word. I use Word each and every day.
2. Adobe Acrobat Reader.
3. PowerPoint
4. iPad - Good to use for small group times
5. Wikis
6. Blogs on education
7. Pinterest - Great for ideas for the classroom
8. Smart Board for my classroom
9. websites such as ALEX
10. Voice recordings
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Mobile Apps
I teach math and there are a lot of good apps that I frequently use in my math class to help my students have fun while they learn. One my students really enjoy is Math Puppy. This is a free game I have downloaded onto my iPad. What I like about this game is that it gives several games for students to play and allows them to play on various levels as well. Students have the option to play addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division games. It also has a Challenge section for those students that still need work on basic facts, but can take on some of the harder ones.
Math Ninja has students try and defeat robots that are attacking the ninjas house. After they have played the game and help to defend the Ninja house they must answer some math problems. This game allows addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. My students have really enjoyed this game.
Teacher's Assistant allows teachers to track student behavior and classroom habit and then email those lists to parents. I use this app to stay in touch with our Special Education teachers. There are some students that have a hard time at specific times of the day and this helps me keep notes and then directly email them to the Special Education teachers.
Hungry Fish is something I use for my students that have a difficult time seeing that for instance, 1+2 is the same as 1+1+1. In this game a sea coral releases bubbles with numbers in them. When the numbers in the bubble add up to the same number that is shown on the fish the student then feeds the bubble to the fish.
Math Ninja has students try and defeat robots that are attacking the ninjas house. After they have played the game and help to defend the Ninja house they must answer some math problems. This game allows addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. My students have really enjoyed this game.
Teacher's Assistant allows teachers to track student behavior and classroom habit and then email those lists to parents. I use this app to stay in touch with our Special Education teachers. There are some students that have a hard time at specific times of the day and this helps me keep notes and then directly email them to the Special Education teachers.
Hungry Fish is something I use for my students that have a difficult time seeing that for instance, 1+2 is the same as 1+1+1. In this game a sea coral releases bubbles with numbers in them. When the numbers in the bubble add up to the same number that is shown on the fish the student then feeds the bubble to the fish.
Being a Good Digital Citizen
It is important to be a good digital citizen because the people you are communicating with or chatting with are also people, even though they are on the other side of the computer. I believe at many times people become more brave and bold because they have a computer to hide behind and it keeps the things they say and do less personal since they cannot see the direct effect they have on someone. There are many goo things about technology, but many tiems it keeps people from interacting and although technology can give us instant gratification in way of answers, it can also hinder seeing how what is said and done effects other people.
If you have a good digital reputation, if you use proper grammar, are polite, and honest and courtious to others then you cna build up your reputation as a reliable and honest source. Many people sell items on ebay or etsy and buyers are able to rate the seller. If you are a seller and you are dishonest with your customers and do not treat them as if they were standing in your store then the rating you may get will be lower and may cause your sales to drop.
I believe that if people would follow the Golden Rule, at all times, rather it is in person or online, everyone involved would have a much more pleasant experience.
If you have a good digital reputation, if you use proper grammar, are polite, and honest and courtious to others then you cna build up your reputation as a reliable and honest source. Many people sell items on ebay or etsy and buyers are able to rate the seller. If you are a seller and you are dishonest with your customers and do not treat them as if they were standing in your store then the rating you may get will be lower and may cause your sales to drop.
I believe that if people would follow the Golden Rule, at all times, rather it is in person or online, everyone involved would have a much more pleasant experience.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Material Generators
I have used several of the material generators in my classroom. I have used Desktop Publishing, Webpage design, Worksheet and Puzzle generators, and PDF makers. I have not used Whiteboard activity software, Test and Rubric generators, IEP Generators, and Graphic document makers. I would like to learn to incorporate all of these into all of these tools into my classroom.
I have used Desktop Publishing in my classroom. When my class was studying explorers in Social Studies I had them make a brochure. They wrote the brochure as if they were the explorer and they were inviting people to come on their journey. They had to include information about their explorer, who they were, where they were from, and why they were exploring. They also had to include information about one of that explorers most famous journeys. The students included a map that marked where the journey started and where they ended. All of my students enjoyed using Publisher to create their brouchres and I will continue to use this activity in my classroom.
I have not used any thing to help me make my rubrics and test, I always make these up on my own. I use rubrics most often in Social Studies since most of that work is more hands on and I do not use our text books. Rubrics are easy to use because my students know what I am expecting of them and it is easy for me to grade. I would use a rubric builder or maker because it would be easier to generate the rubric and would not take up as much time and would probably be more effective.
I would also like to use a Whiteboard activity software program so that I can use it to create Whiteboard lessons. I use my Whiteboard for math each and every day. I believe that if I could use it to create more games that the students can play it would help engage the students and get them more excited about learning. I would like to creat math games that students can drah items into a particular location and it would give them immediate feed back on if they answer was correct or not.
I hope that soon I can begin to incoroprate more of these into my classroom and will help the students become mroe excited about learning.
I have used Desktop Publishing in my classroom. When my class was studying explorers in Social Studies I had them make a brochure. They wrote the brochure as if they were the explorer and they were inviting people to come on their journey. They had to include information about their explorer, who they were, where they were from, and why they were exploring. They also had to include information about one of that explorers most famous journeys. The students included a map that marked where the journey started and where they ended. All of my students enjoyed using Publisher to create their brouchres and I will continue to use this activity in my classroom.
I have not used any thing to help me make my rubrics and test, I always make these up on my own. I use rubrics most often in Social Studies since most of that work is more hands on and I do not use our text books. Rubrics are easy to use because my students know what I am expecting of them and it is easy for me to grade. I would use a rubric builder or maker because it would be easier to generate the rubric and would not take up as much time and would probably be more effective.
I would also like to use a Whiteboard activity software program so that I can use it to create Whiteboard lessons. I use my Whiteboard for math each and every day. I believe that if I could use it to create more games that the students can play it would help engage the students and get them more excited about learning. I would like to creat math games that students can drah items into a particular location and it would give them immediate feed back on if they answer was correct or not.
I hope that soon I can begin to incoroprate more of these into my classroom and will help the students become mroe excited about learning.
Saturday, September 8, 2012
5 Types of Instructional Software
There are 5 types of instructional software. They are drill and practice, tutorial, simulation, instructional game, and problem solving. Instructional software has been around for about 50 years. They help children learn other than using a text book or listening to a lecture. Many times instructional software can engage a child and help them learn without the child knowing that they are learning. Because pencil and paper is not being used the child may view this way of learning as more fun, and therefore being more willing to participate and play the game. In this blog I will discuss and give examples of each of these 5 types of instructional software.
The first type is Drill and Practice. Drill and Practice software allow a child to work a problem and will give them instant feedback. Some items allow a child to can give a child an answer such as "Correct" if an answer was correct or "No" if the answer was innocrrect. Others may produce a graphic to let the child know if they were right or wrong. Sometimes an explination may be give if the child answered incorrectly.Drill and Practice can help students with their automaticity. This can especially be important in reading and for basic math facts. Students must know the basics so that they can use higher order thinking skills. There is a time and place for Drill and Practice. Students do not need to only learn by way of Drill and Practice. Examples of Drill and Practice are flash cards, chart fill-in-activities, and branch drilling. You can find an example of a Drill and Practice game here.
The second type is Tutorial. Tutorials are similar to a teachers lesson in class in that is gives the entire sequence on a particular topic. Tutorials are a true teaching methos because students should be able to learn the material without the help or support of any other materials. Tutorials are generally geared toward older learners that are able to read and guide themselves. Some tutorials may even include some Drill and Practice activities but do not soley rely on them. An example of a Tutorial can be found here.
The third type of instructional software is Simulations. A Simulation gives a computerized model of how a real system would work. There are two main types of simulations, those that teach about soemthing, and those that that teach you how to do something. Simulations that teach you about soemthing are then broken into two parts: Physical simulations and Iterative simulations. Simulations can allow a student to recreate an event or do it many times over, where in real life they would not be able to do that due to time, lack of materials or funding. Many times students do not have access to certain situations and a Simulation can allow a student to participate despite how dangerous an activity may be, and it can slow down time allowing the learner as much time needed as possible. You can find an example of a Simulation here.
The fourth type are Instructional Games. Instructional Games add an element of fun to learning. Because students think that games are more fun than the typical learning they get very excited and want to win at the games. Instructional Games have much appeal however some schools do not students to play games at school. This is because in some games it is hard to identify the educational value. Students will spend more time on Instructional Games and try harder than they would in the traditional setting. An example of an Instructional Game can be found here.
The fifth and final type of Instructional Software is Problem Solving. While many instructional software programs are made to help foster problem solving, Problem Solving is designed to only help students learn how to solve problems. Most all Problem Solving software focuses on math, however there are some that focus on topics such as recalling information, predicting outcomes, and observing. Problem Solving software can help students in that they promote visualization in mathematics and problem solving, improve interest and motivation, and prevent inert knowledge. An example of Problem Solving website can be found here.
The first type is Drill and Practice. Drill and Practice software allow a child to work a problem and will give them instant feedback. Some items allow a child to can give a child an answer such as "Correct" if an answer was correct or "No" if the answer was innocrrect. Others may produce a graphic to let the child know if they were right or wrong. Sometimes an explination may be give if the child answered incorrectly.Drill and Practice can help students with their automaticity. This can especially be important in reading and for basic math facts. Students must know the basics so that they can use higher order thinking skills. There is a time and place for Drill and Practice. Students do not need to only learn by way of Drill and Practice. Examples of Drill and Practice are flash cards, chart fill-in-activities, and branch drilling. You can find an example of a Drill and Practice game here.
The second type is Tutorial. Tutorials are similar to a teachers lesson in class in that is gives the entire sequence on a particular topic. Tutorials are a true teaching methos because students should be able to learn the material without the help or support of any other materials. Tutorials are generally geared toward older learners that are able to read and guide themselves. Some tutorials may even include some Drill and Practice activities but do not soley rely on them. An example of a Tutorial can be found here.
The third type of instructional software is Simulations. A Simulation gives a computerized model of how a real system would work. There are two main types of simulations, those that teach about soemthing, and those that that teach you how to do something. Simulations that teach you about soemthing are then broken into two parts: Physical simulations and Iterative simulations. Simulations can allow a student to recreate an event or do it many times over, where in real life they would not be able to do that due to time, lack of materials or funding. Many times students do not have access to certain situations and a Simulation can allow a student to participate despite how dangerous an activity may be, and it can slow down time allowing the learner as much time needed as possible. You can find an example of a Simulation here.
The fourth type are Instructional Games. Instructional Games add an element of fun to learning. Because students think that games are more fun than the typical learning they get very excited and want to win at the games. Instructional Games have much appeal however some schools do not students to play games at school. This is because in some games it is hard to identify the educational value. Students will spend more time on Instructional Games and try harder than they would in the traditional setting. An example of an Instructional Game can be found here.
The fifth and final type of Instructional Software is Problem Solving. While many instructional software programs are made to help foster problem solving, Problem Solving is designed to only help students learn how to solve problems. Most all Problem Solving software focuses on math, however there are some that focus on topics such as recalling information, predicting outcomes, and observing. Problem Solving software can help students in that they promote visualization in mathematics and problem solving, improve interest and motivation, and prevent inert knowledge. An example of Problem Solving website can be found here.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Web 2.0 Assignment
Glogster: I liked Glogster once I got the hang of it. I like that it has so many apps that you can include on the page. On Blogger you have to search for them and download them, and at times that can take forever. Even though you are limited in the functions that are given for you to choose from I liked that they were easy to access. I think that the format is very user friendly once you get the hang of it. I believe that even some of my third graders could use it with little to no help once they have been given proper instruction. I will be using Glogster again for personal reasons, http://www.tikatok.com/view/book/my-summer-adventure-482or for my classroom.
Animoto: Animoto was difficult for me to use to some degree. I had a hard time finding pictures that would relate well to my topic. I chose a topic that I am currently teaching, and that is the Math Common Core Standard 10 for third grade. Other than that I thought that Animoto was very interesting and simple to use. I liked that there were already templates and songs to choose from. This made to process so much easier than I initally thought it might be. I think that this would be a good thing to use for students at the end of the year so that they can make their own videos about the school year.
My free choice was Tikatok. This is actually an app that allows children to make their own books using their own pictures or drawings that they have saved on the computer. I was amazed at how easy this was. It is something that I will introduce to my 7 year old, and with a little guidance he will be able to do it on his own. I created a book using some of the pictures I had taken on my family vacation this past summer. I think this is an excellent way for students to become authors and help preserve memories. This is something I will be using again soon.
Animoto: Animoto was difficult for me to use to some degree. I had a hard time finding pictures that would relate well to my topic. I chose a topic that I am currently teaching, and that is the Math Common Core Standard 10 for third grade. Other than that I thought that Animoto was very interesting and simple to use. I liked that there were already templates and songs to choose from. This made to process so much easier than I initally thought it might be. I think that this would be a good thing to use for students at the end of the year so that they can make their own videos about the school year.
My free choice was Tikatok. This is actually an app that allows children to make their own books using their own pictures or drawings that they have saved on the computer. I was amazed at how easy this was. It is something that I will introduce to my 7 year old, and with a little guidance he will be able to do it on his own. I created a book using some of the pictures I had taken on my family vacation this past summer. I think this is an excellent way for students to become authors and help preserve memories. This is something I will be using again soon.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Gaming in Schools
I first became a fan of games for academic purposes when my son was very young. I heard about a website called StarFall that would help teach basic phonics, letter naming, and emerging reader skills. I looked into the website, did some research on it, then allowed my son to play it. He loved it right away. He was able to learn letter naming, basic blends, and letter sounds much earlier than I had anticipated. I believe this was because he learned through playing a computer game and not through rote memorization. After this, I became a fan of compter games to increase learning.
I use computer games in my classroom many times a week. I only have 2 student computers, but all students get time on them throughout the week as well as in the computer lab. What I like most about the games is how interactive and fun it can be for the student. Instead of working on a worksheet they are feeling a competivite edge in trying to get the most points, or beat the timer, whatever the case may be for each individual game, but they can only do that if they get the answer or problem correct. I find that students ask to play the games because it intrests them. Students never ask to complete a worksheet.
I use computer games in math and social studies. This past year, after talking about how the early American settlers had to build forts, I found a game that would allow the children to "build" a fort on the computer. This engaged the students in the lesson. They would try and "build" the fort in as little days as possible. None of them could do it as fast as the early American settlers could and this made them have a new appreciation and understanding about the hard work that was put into fort building.
I will continue to use computer games to help my students learn, and I think that all teachers should try and incorporate them into their daily routine. We are teaching a generation that is very technology savvy, so it only makes sense to build on what they know by meeting them where they are.
I use computer games in my classroom many times a week. I only have 2 student computers, but all students get time on them throughout the week as well as in the computer lab. What I like most about the games is how interactive and fun it can be for the student. Instead of working on a worksheet they are feeling a competivite edge in trying to get the most points, or beat the timer, whatever the case may be for each individual game, but they can only do that if they get the answer or problem correct. I find that students ask to play the games because it intrests them. Students never ask to complete a worksheet.
I use computer games in math and social studies. This past year, after talking about how the early American settlers had to build forts, I found a game that would allow the children to "build" a fort on the computer. This engaged the students in the lesson. They would try and "build" the fort in as little days as possible. None of them could do it as fast as the early American settlers could and this made them have a new appreciation and understanding about the hard work that was put into fort building.
I will continue to use computer games to help my students learn, and I think that all teachers should try and incorporate them into their daily routine. We are teaching a generation that is very technology savvy, so it only makes sense to build on what they know by meeting them where they are.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Welcome
Hello and welcome to my blog. I will tell you more about myself since the discussion introduction was brief. I just began by 5th year teaching 3rd grade at Lynn Fanning Elementary School. I teach at a school of 700+ students in northern Madison County in Alabama. The school that I teach in is also the school where I attended elementary school. I love that I was able to come back to LFES and work. I graduated from Athens State University with a BS in Early Childhood Education. I am working on my masters in Early Childhood Education at the University of West Alabama.
When I am not doing things that are school or work related I am usually spending time with my family. I have a 7 year old son that is involved in sports (baseball and basketball) so we spend a lot of time at our local rec center, as well as taking him to various birthday parties, friends houses to play, and church events. I have a sweet niece that is 11 months old that I love to keep and spend time with. My family owns a farm and in the fall we typically 60,000 people come visit us. We do field trips and are open for families on weekday afternoons and Saturdays. I sell Willow House home decor items. We do house parties and I usually have a party once or twice a week. All of this keeps my free time limited, but if I do have time for myself I like to visit the lake or eat dinner with friends.
When I am not doing things that are school or work related I am usually spending time with my family. I have a 7 year old son that is involved in sports (baseball and basketball) so we spend a lot of time at our local rec center, as well as taking him to various birthday parties, friends houses to play, and church events. I have a sweet niece that is 11 months old that I love to keep and spend time with. My family owns a farm and in the fall we typically 60,000 people come visit us. We do field trips and are open for families on weekday afternoons and Saturdays. I sell Willow House home decor items. We do house parties and I usually have a party once or twice a week. All of this keeps my free time limited, but if I do have time for myself I like to visit the lake or eat dinner with friends.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)