Can Students Use Wikipedia?

Wikipedia is a very useful resource. The information on it is not always accurate (although it usually is), but the site is an easy way to become familiar with a subject. Most pages begin with an easy-to-follow summary of the subjest. If a student is just beginning their research this could help[ immensly. Wikipedia can also offer other, more credible, resources. Here is a page describing the forces behind and the history of the Theory of Plate Tectonic.

SmartBoard NETS

THere are clear advantages to using SmartBoards in the classroom. As I said previoulsy SmartBoard Demonstration our group was able to demonstrate how this technology can be used to make ideas more concrete. We were able to use the boards to model an atom. Other groups showed that the boards could be used to clarify directions during an activity, such as a disection. The use of these boards meets ISTE standard 2. When creating a lesson employing a Smartboard a teacher is designing and developing digital-age learning experiences.

Microblogging- 21st Century Skills

Creating a microblog on a social networking site helps students develop several competencies from the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. They learn to utilize the social networks to connect with other and share information. Its a simple step to go from sharing interesting facts about one's self through a social network to using the network to collaborate with others. Microblogging will also give the students an appreciation of the differences of others and diversity.

Digital Storytelling NETS

Students participating in the creation of a digital story are practicing multiple teaching standards. By using technology creatively to develop their story they meet standard 1. When they collaborate by continuing of critiquing each others stories they meet standard two. These students are experiencing first hand how technology facilitates the exchange of information and ideas.

Will My Students Use Wikipedia?

I will encourage my students to use Wikipedia. I understand that not everything on the site is 100% accurate, but Wikipedia provides well organized information and will make finding and sorting through resources easier. I will not allow them to use Wikipedia as a source in a bibliography but I will encourage my future students to use the site to locate credible sources.

Think Aloud

Magazine Cover

We used PowerPoint to create magazine covers with pictures of ourselves and information about the classes we will be teaching.

Wordle

PhotoStory Final Draft

Photo Story Rough Draft

NETS Skype

Our teacher has partnered our class with a fifth-grade class to allow us to practice the use of technology in education. Earlier this week, she posted a list of questions from the other class. Each person was assigned a question to research. In class today, we used Skype to webcam with the fifth-grade class to communicate our answers to them. This assignment met ISTE standard 1 by using technology to facilitate student learning. It also met standard 3 as it allowed us to communicate relevant information and ideas to students.

NETS Google Doc Survey

In class, we used Google Docs to create surveys that could be answered by the other student. We each put two questions on our surveys covering many different topics (music, sports, school). My survey asked about literary preferences. We then used the results to construct a graph which we posted to our blogs. This activity demonstrated ISTE standard 3 by allowing us to collaborate with our peers to collect and analyze information.

Google Form Results

NETS Facebook Group

On our fourth day of class we were instructed to join a group on Facebook.com. The group, Web 2.0 and Schools, was created by the instructor to facilitate discussion about the use of technology in the classroom. During the class period we were instructed to read and comment on two things she had posted on the groups wall, an article about informal language online and a video about technologies effects on our generation. The informal language article became important when she told us that we could use less formal language on the Facebook group, as we were all probably used to doing. In out responses to her posts we would be able to use texting shorthand and sarcasm. This assignment met ISTE standard 3 by allowing me to demonstrate fluency in new technology and collaborate with my peers.

NETS Classroom 2.0

As part of the technology course we were instructed to join a webpage known as classroom 2.0. This is a networking site devoted to implementing web 2.0 technology in the classroom. In joining this site I met ISTE standard 3 by demonstrating fluency in networking technology, and by seting up an account with which I will communicate information and collaberatw with peers.

Never Underestimate a Child

“Never underestimate a child”

It was one line in the “about me” section on an acquaintance’s MySpace page, but that thought has stuck with me. Every time I work with children I am reminded of that line as it is proven true. Whether it's the creativity I see on stage in children’s theatre, the hard work and imagination of the campers at Tri-county 4H Camp, or the excitement and the wonder expressed by the student’s in my mother’s first grade classroom, I have learned to expect the unexpected from children.

Students are growing up in a world that is constantly changing. New technologies and new ways to use them are created every day. I have constructed this blog for my Instructional Technology class, but I hope I can use it to learn and share more about technology and how it can be implemented in the classroom.