11 Tools Reflection

1.  One of my favorite tools were the digital storybooks.  I would probably do this as an ice breaker in my classroom.  I would request the students bring photos in from their summers and assist them in building their storybooks to be presented to the class.  I also liked the Wiki tool to be used as a classroom newsletter.

2.  This excites me for what's to come.  I am envisioning better staff development opportunities that will enhance our learning of these tools even more.

3.  I would pride myself on technology tools and the knowledge of what's out there, but it was great to learn about all of these great tools and how to apply them to education.  I think being able to connect with other educators will help us bounce ideas off of one another and there will be no reinventing the wheel.  I was suprised at all the new tools I didn't know about and still about how many ideas are still out there in the beta mode.  Good things to come!

Tool #11-Digital Citizenship

I would probably do a KWL chart to see what they know as far as the term digital citizenship.  I would define the terms and use some scenarios to discuss positive digital citizenship.  I would make sure we collaboratively came up with our classroom rules related to digital citizenship and then send a copy of those rules home to parents to make sure they could model their own rules related to digital citizenship.  Creating a classroom with good digitial citizenships will give students structure and guidelines that they can use growing up.

Tool #10-Are you down with the apps?

1. So many to choose from and so little time. Now and days they have an app for just about everything. As a student, I would use the Swipe Study app to make flash cards, the Capitals app to test your knowledge of the capitals, and Oops I did it again, spelling app.

2.  The Icanwrite App would be great for primary grades using sorts and making words.  This blends the use of technology with language arts instruction.  This will engage your most active learners.  There are math apps out there as well.  All the buzz with Sudoku, there are many different apps that would help students with their math facts.

Tool #9- Skyping it UP!!!

1. Jing would be good to use when students are researching a specific subject and they have found some material, pictures, clips that would be useful for their project. They could take a quick screen shot of what they need and then caption it.

2. Skype has definitely created a buzz over the past two years. It has helped people keep in touch globally. I would use this in my classroom when we were studying Ancient Greece or Egypt, we could find an American classroom in either of these countries and develop a "Skype" relationship. We could set up video chats to do a Q & A time as well as present to one another.

3. My experience with Skype has been on a personal level. My parents live in Virginia, my sister was living in India, and I was here in Houston. We were able to communicate on a regular basis for FREE. I also use this with my three best girlfriends from high school once every two months, one lives in San Francisco, one lives in Williamsburg, VA and one lives in Baltimore, MD. Skype has helped us stay in touch and share in each other's lives.

Tool #8- Video Resources

There are so many great videos out there.  We already use United Streaming and Discovery Channel videos.  This can be used for just about anything.  I particularly like how easy it is to use them.  The only dilemma is if the internet connection is slow the movies don't show as well.

The Story of Jamestown


The life cycle of a butterfly


Both of these videos would be used for primary grades. Science and Social Studies offer many options for video resources

Tool #7- Digital Storybooks

I used the Windows Photostory Program to build my digital storybook.  This was such a cool program, it is kind of a glorified powerpoint.  This would be great to use at the beginning of the year for students to show how they spent their summers.  You could really learn alot about them and it let's them be very creative.

Tool #6- Using Wikis

I think it would be beneficial for classrooms when gathering data.  It could be helpful in collaborative assignments for all grade levels.  They are easy to use and can be set up for most anything.  Teachers could utilize it to create newsletters and how to web pages.

Grade levels could utilize this for grade level data entry.  I would utilize it for a newsletter in my classroom.

Tool #5- Tagging and Social Bookmarking

1.  I have used Delicious in the past so I went with this site.  I have never really understand how it would benefit me, but it makes sense, rather than using favorites, especially if you have multiple computers.

2.  I searched using the keywords education and elementary education and found a couple good sites, I had never heard of  http://www.spellingcity.com/, http://www.mathplayground.com/, http://mywebspiration.com/, and http://www.teachertube.com/. 

Tool #4- Cool Google Tools

1.  Google Docs-  I have used this tool before and it does come in handy when you want to be able to access a document from anywhere.  If you keep your documents in Google docs, you know you will always have access.  Your storage is amount is pretty large so that helps as well.  As far as using this in the classroom, students could access study guides, meet deadlines, through this easy upload tool.

2. Google Reader- I like this tool, although, I don't have much time to sit and read other people's posts.  It would be interesting to use in a classroom and have students have their own blog page and you could monitor posts this way.

Tool #3- Image Generators

I have never used any of these image generator programs, what a great tool.  I'll be able to use these both professionally and personally.  In the classrooms, students could use them for projects in Science and Social Studies to display their habitats, or a specific country they are studying.


Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.


Creating a virtual poster would assist students in catagorizing things in math, whether geometry related or multiplication facts, this may help creating visuals.

Tool #2- Personal Learning Network

1. I think participating in a personal learning network would be beneficial to students and an entire classroom. Students could engage one another and ask questions.  This could also be helpful with staff as well, with book club discussions, generating ideas for intervention, etc.

2. It was interesting to hear why teacher's felt this was a good form of communication.  I like the idea that was shared about being able to expound on other people's comments, rather than posting small phrases, you could engage in a conversation with another individual.

3.I have made comments on Dancing Girl's Thoughts, Implementing Technology, Mom's Life Lessons: Lipstick and Earrings, To Middle School and Beyond, and We Are A Team.

Tool #1-Blogging

This is not too difficult, but I wish there were different icons for your avatar.  I totally see how this could be useful in the classroom.