11 Tools Reflection

Information overload!

Favorites: Wordl, Bubblr

This was the first time that I've ever attempted to create a blog. I've read through some in the past but never posted anything.
Setting up my Diigo account and having someplace to organize blogs I'm interested in has made it easier for me to keep up with them. I don't have to do much but click on a link and I'm right there in the blog.

While it took a lot of time because these tools/skills were so new, I can see the benefit of being digitally skilled. After literacy and fluency is developed, these skills could ease an educator's workload. Venturing out into the digital world would be a lot less scary.

Tool # 10 Apps

I have downloaded lots of word game Apps, Scrabble, the Set Game. They entertain me while I'm waiting in a line somewhere- a chance to exercise my brain.

These are some of the Apps that I would enjoy with students:
KenKen- I do this puzzle on Sundays in the Chronicle, fun way to reinforce math facts and problem solving.
PlanetsQ- great pictures
Dictionary.com- why carry around a huge book!
Dragon Dictation- kids love to hear themselves
Write Now Lite and Simple Note- just previewed them but I do want to download them to use for classroom observations or anytime I need to take notes

The amount of free apps is unbelievable. There are so many to choose from- good to use in a center or two.

The Apps would be great to use in a class for the after school program since we'll have the technology.

Tool #11 Digital Citizenship

After working with the 11 tools, I feel like a visitor to the digital world, not even close to being a citizen. What skills I do have and use are really not very advanced compared to the level they could be.

It really was like attempting to learn a new language- so many new terms!
Teaching students to become digitally literate and digitally fluent is crucial to their success in the digital world we live in. Multilingual now includes the digital piece.

Critical skills include finding and accessing resources, determining which ones are accurate and trustworthy. Internet safety is comparable to science lab safety- we've got to teach students how to be safe. Students need to know how to access the Internet if it's not available to them at home.

Students need to learn the legal implications of living in the digital world, including being an offender or a victim.

During our administrative workshop last week, there was lots of discussion about technology use. Case law just isn't fast enough to keep up with what's happening in order to create legal policy. SBISD's employee handbook and Student Code of Conduct
has had to change to address this.

Tool # 9 Screencasts

I haven't attempted to create something in Jing, but after watching the video on its website, I'm wondering if it could be used during staff development. Skype looks like the techno version of penpals, real time sharing with another class in another part of the world.
Now back to tool #7 and #8!!!

Tool #8 Videos

Yippee- got one to show up. This is from SchoolTube- the only site I've had success with.


Great way to share information with others- might save someone some searching time on a video site.

Tool #7 Digital Storytelling

Latest update- my story is posted and can be viewed when you're not logged into the SBISD server.


Thanks to Alirio who opened the blog at home and saw my creation- still need to add sound though.

Tool #6 Wikis

I really like the fact that you can create your own Wikis. What a great way for teachers to share ideas with each other. There are many people on our campus that have a wealth of knowledge that would be helpful to others. Often, we don't have the time to sit down and share this knowledge. A Wiki could be accessed at any time.

I've looked at the Spring Branch Wiki Server and want to know more about creating a Wiki. When I looked at the Wiki website, it indicated that there was a cost for a subscription.

Tool #5

This tool did take some time. I tend to get distracted looking up and viewing websites.

I found this website using Delicious using classroom discipline as the tag. http://www.honorlevel.com/x47.xml This is a website that includes some helpful hints for classroom management. The website also gives information about techniques that "backfire" when used by teachers.

I've set up an account in Diigo and here's the link I've bookmarked: http://www.rti4success.org/.

Tool #4

I sent a previously created document and then created an Excel document in Google Docs. I had to download the current version of Chrome because the existing browser didn't support Google Docs. I like the templates available for Excel- I'd never used the a template already created before.

I subscribed to 6 blogs- didn't realize they'd take up so much space. It certainly will make it easier to get to something I'm following.

As you can see, I chose interests outside of work!

Tool #3- Image generators

Again, so many choices!

Wordle
Students could make their own graphic organizers in a different format. It could also be used as a comprehension tool so that students can demonstrate key concepts on a particular topic.



bubblr
This could be used during a writing assignment as a supplement to a composition.
Click on the title in pink to see the entire bubblr!

Tool #2

Building an online education community will allow us to share our expertise. Many of us are "experts and masters" in certain areas. We don't always need to go outside of the school for staff development.
I think the tips on how to encourage people to comment on blogs was helpful. I also envision that I could spend hours reading blogs and commenting as I would be inclined to comment.

Tool # 1

Wow- tougher to do than I thought it would be. I think I've got it or at least it looks like it's correct. I know the more familiar I am with this process, the easier it will be for me. I like the idea of having a place where we can post our thoughts and share ideas and then be able to read what colleagues have to say.