iClickers

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iClickers are a great way to include the whole class in discussion. Whether it is determining if students want to have a 5 minute break or get out of class 5 minutes early, or answering a question based on last nights homework, students contribute to the discussion and share their opinion or answer through their iclicker.

An iclicker is a hand held remote that answers multiple choice questions determined by the teacher. The teacher can type in the question they want to ask and the multiple choice answers. The students then choose their answer and a graph is computed and shows up on the computer screen or projector.

This is a wonderful tool for the classroom! I have seen it used for pop quizzes or to take a vote in class. It is great because no one's name shows up on the screen. Therefore, students are more willing to give their opinion or answers whether they really know them or not. Teachers can get a more accurate reading on his or her class.

iClickers are generally bought by the school and the teachers rent them out for the classroom. Therefore, they generally are not used all the time. There are also websites that students can log onto and take polls through computers rather than iClickers.

This is a great technology to incorporate into the classroom!

Blogs, Wikis, and Websites, OH MY!

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Differences between blogs, wikis, and webpage sites–

Blogs: blogs are a great, informal way, of stating your opinion and sharing it with the entire web or a select amount of people. Blogs can be used for your own personal use (like a journal), a way of documenting progress of some sort and sharing it (diet and exercise plans), or a great way of updating family and friends of your adventures studying abroad. In the classroom, blogs can be used to discuss readings or topics with the whole class or a small group. Students can then comment on each others posts and reflect on what was discussed.

Wikis: To be honest, I do not see a point of a wiki. Wiki's can be used like a blog where a group of people can comment on a document, but blogs can do the same thing. Wikis are good for a classroom where students can contribute to an assignment of some kind. However, teachers need to monitor the wiki in case students try to change the wiki.

Websites: Websites are a great way to display information to a group. Teachers can make class websites where students can download assignments, parents can see what is going on in the classroom, etc... This is also great because no one else can change the information on the website. It is for their personal use. Websites can also provide external links to resources for parents and students and websites are always easy to locate compared to blogs and wikis.

Email

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I have a new found appreciation for emails, yet the same frustrations. I have recently noticed that my MSU email has not been 100% reliable. Good thing I have my msu account linked to my gmail account because that was the only way I figured out the problem. I don't know how long this has been going on (it still is not fixed) but thank goodness for gmail or else I would not be able to receive or send emails.

I rely fully on emailing. It is how I communicate with my sorority (mass groups), how I turn in homework and projects, and how I send pictures to my dad who is helping me out with my graduation announcements. I NEED emails in order for my day to run smoothly.

I have also noticed recently how helpful emailing is in the classroom. My CT just mentioned today how she sent out a mass email to the parents asking their input on an impromptu field trip she wants to do in 2 weeks. When I was in elementary school if my teacher wanted to get a hold of my mom or dad she had to send home a note or letter or call my house. Now, teachers can send out mass emails and know it is going directly to the parents. Parents can then respond directly back to the teacher. It saves paper and doesn't have to go through the child (who cannot always get the message to the parent..)

However, when email services are down what do we do then? We are lost without emails. They make everything easier. When they work, that is!

Smart boards

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One of the greatest inventions for teachers is The Smart board. A tool so versatile that a teacher could use it for every single lesson if he or she wanted to. The greatest thing is is that it is still so new that people are still finding new ways to use Smart boards.

For those who do not know what a Smart board is, it is an interactive whiteboard developed by SMART Technologies. Teachers can use it as a large interactive computer or an interactive whiteboard. Students are encouraged to come up and participate by touching the whiteboard as if it were a mouse for a computer or use its special markers to draw or write on it.

The greatest thing about it is there are so many free download-able Smart board activities and lessons that teachers can use in his or her classroom. Websites such as Smarttech, Smarter Smart board use, PowPak all offer very useful (and free!) activities, games and lessons that are easily accessible to use from the Smart board.

This tool allows students to interact with their lessons. Who wouldn't want to come up and use a huge interactive whiteboard? I enjoy using it every time I get a chance! Students will fight over use of the Smart board, therefore encouraging a healthy learning environment.

Any district, school, or teacher fortunate enough to have access to a Smart board should use it whenever given the chance.

Wiki

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Wiki's are a great thing. I think they can really be used in the classroom. I created a wiki for my CEP class and had to gear it towards my classroom. I chose to make a 'Safe Zone' wiki. This is where students can pretty much blog about their feelings in the classroom, ideas, or concerns. It is a 100% safe zone and for my eyes and the rest of the classes eyes only. I started out my wiki by writing to my 'class' about a lesson I had just done with them. I explained what the lesson was and how it was a huge success! (I explained the lesson so parents who go on the wiki know what I am talking about and have a little bit of background). The Safe Zone is a great way for me to express my gratitude on a good day and my frustration on a bad one. It is a place where I can praise my students but also address issues that may be better addressed through written words and where parents can see them as well.

For my students, I hope they use this as a space to do the same. I want them to write about a project they really enjoyed or a lesson they loved but also be able to write about something that bothered them or a lesson that they really didn't enjoy.

By creating The Safe Zone, students should feel that they have more of a voice. A place where they can share what they want when they originally felt they needed to keep it to themselves.

I have a few concerns with the wiki.
1) in all honesty, I would probably not use one in the classroom. I would not want students able to change what I say or put words in my mouth or the mouths of others.
2) I would have to trust my students 100% and keep a close eye on the wiki. I think I would feel much more comfortable using a normal webpage or blog for an assignment or something like The Safe Zone.

Spellcheck

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Spellcheck has made us ALL horrible spellers. Yes, it corrects our misspellings and helps us look like great spellers on paper, but the reality is, it has made us worse spellers outside of the computer.

Myself included, I rely on spellcheck more than I should. I even have it on my phone! It spellchecks my text messages.. Although it has helped me write papers faster and text with confidence, I am embarrassed when I have to write something handwritten. I find myself stumbling over words I should know how to spell (Is is effect or affect?)

Students are figuring out that they really don't have to know how to spell as long as they have spellcheck. I bet most students don't even know how to use a hardcover dictionary! How sad is that.

A valid argument is that spellcheck will ultimately help students spell correctly because they are seeing their misspellings get corrected. Is this true? I can honestly say that when I use spellcheck I don't really pay attention to the correct spelling because it is getting corrected for me.

Even as I type this the words I type too fast and mess up get underlined in red. Even if I know how to spell it, I still allow spellcheck to do it for me!

Spellcheck is easy and that is why we use it! But how much will us as teachers allow it in the classroom? How much 'difficulty' are we willing to sacrifice in order to produce better spellers?

Websites

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This week,we are to explore a new technology. Having already explored a wide variety, I have to say I had to do some research. What do teachers like to use? What has been proven to keep students engaged yet teach them new information? What I have found is that interactive websites seem to do the trick. Bringing up certain websites to show the kids something to go along with a lesson or taking them to the computer lab to do some self explorations could really enhance student's learning.

Some websites are meant to be used in the classroom! Refdesk.com has 'websites of the day' where you have a variety of interesting websites to show your classroom depending on the curriculum. This site also has features such as, 'Thought of the Day', 'Word of the Day', and current events. On the website, you can search topics specific to your state and city! This website was recommended by multiple teachers all over.

A lot of younger classrooms (kindergarten through 1st or 2nd) start out their day by discussing the weather. This website, wunderground.com, breaks down weather and shows pictures based on the country they search. This would be great to incorporate with a geography or social studies lesson. Anything that can bring a far away country closer to the classroom makes it more relatable and easily understood by students.

A puzzlemaker is also a great tool for teachers. Teachers can create crossword puzzles, word searches, mazes, etc... based on the unit or lesson. Making up fun, yet informative, activities using vocabulary words can increase students understandings of new words. This can also allow teachers to break away from using pre-made puzzles and activities and encourage teachers to create their own!

Overall, interactive websites can support and enhance lessons. They are useful for both teachers and students! It also doesn't hurt that websites are free (for the most part) and easily accessible.

Where do you draw the line?

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I am sitting in my class on this Tuesday morning and notice that 90% of the class has their laptop open and out in front of them (myself included). A computer is somewhat necessary in a college level class. Just 30 minutes ago my professor sent us all a link to the website she was explaining. I was able to access it immediately and follow along with her lesson. People without his or her computer were not as lucky. However, as I peak at what is going on the computers I notice that almost no one is taking notes or looking at the website that we are discussing. Facebook, email, and Perez Hilton flood their desktops. I am guilty of writing this blog during my class, but I wanted to write it while it is fresh in my mind.

We all benefit from having our computers in class. Taking notes is easier, we can bring up articles on the web, documents we have previously written and emails reminders we have saved so we can bring it up on a moments notice. But what do lose? We lose face time in class. Our noses are buried in our computers that we find it is not as necessary to listen fully. If we get bored we have something in front of us we can pull up for a quick mean of entertainment!

Where do TEACHERS draw the line? Should my professor walk around the room and monitor each one of the laptops that are out to make sure we are on task? That seems a bit ridiculous. However, it might work. But who has the time for that? That also breaks away from the lesson. As an elementary teacher he or she should probably monitor more than a college professor should. Any time elementary students have to do work on their own computers the computer time should be closely monitored either by walking around and making sure students are on task or providing specific instructions for the computer use so students do not have time to stray from the lesson.

Where should we draw the line as teachers? Technology is so useful in the classroom, but what should be done if students misuse it?

Scrapblog

In one of my TE classes, I had to create a presentation on a type of literacy using a technology that I had never used before. I chose to do my presentation on emotional literacy. Emotional literacy is when a person is in tune with his or her emotions and is able to pick up on other people's emotions. Being emotionally literate helps with controlling one's anger, can easily help other people and generally get along with others. It is also proven to reduce violence in school and help students focus better in class.

I had a tough time coming up with a new technology to use. I had done a lot in my CEP class but wanted to try something new. After doing some research I found a website where you can make 'scrapblogs'. Scrapblogs are (you can guess by the name) a blend between scrapbooks and blogs. You can create a scrapbook online with different templates, stickers, and pictures and post it on the web or print it out for your own use.

I had a great time making my scrapblog! It was easy and really fun to play around with. This is a great tool to use in the classrooms (if resources allow). Students can create fun projects on anything! It is also a great tool to use at home to make personal scrapbooks and photo albums.

Here is my finished scrapblog! Enjoy :)

My Presentation

What Did We Do Before Technology?

The past few days I have asked myself this one question, "What did I do before... cell phones, computers, email, etc...?" I left home the other day without my cell phone. We all know how that feels! I felt so naked and disconnected. However, I survived. Except it made me wonder how I functioned before I owned a cell phone. Cell phones are ultimately for emergencies. What if the one time I needed it for an emergency was the one time I left home without it! What would I have done? Pay phones are completely non-existent anymore so that option is out. Email is another tool I do not know what I would do without. Email makes it easy to get in contact with someone fast and completely one sided. I like it because I can get all my thoughts out at once. You can also proofread and edit before you send it! So what did we do before email? Phone calls. It is a shame that fewer and fewer phone calls are being made nowadays. We can thanks text messaging and email for that! Text messaging is another bit of technology I don't know what I would do without. I would probably have to wait until after meetings/classes and other events where talking is not allowed to get in contact with someone. So think about that next time you pull out your cell phone to text or the next time you check your email. Ask yourself, what did I do before? It will make you think about how big of a role technology plays in our lives.

Google Docs

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This week in my teaching with technology class we were introduced to Google Docs. This is an application used to upload any documents and by doing so you are able to open that document on any computer. You can also invite specific people to view or edit your document.

We uploaded our resumes to Google Docs and invited certain colleagues to edit them. This way, people can view my resume and make changes to it themselves. Then, I can log onto Google Docs and see what changes my colleagues have made. This saves me from emailing my resume to all these people and looking at their changes separately. This way, there is one document and all my colleagues can make changes to that one document. It saves me time and effort!

I think Google Docs would be a great application to incorporate into the classroom. Students can upload their stories or other documents and invite the class or a certain group of students to view/edit their work. This would be a great way to peer edit other students writing. When they are done and their work has been edited and revised, they can invite me to view their work and grade it. This way, paper is saved and there is one document for each student that has been revised by their peers.

Another feature of Google Docs that can be useful in the classroom is students without computers at home can upload a document they created at school and open it on other computers at a friends house or at the library. It is not only saved on the computer they created it on. It can be accessed anywhere.

Kids Today

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I babysit for a family with 3 kids. The oldest just turned 9 years old. She is set on getting an iPhone when she is 10 and her own computer when she is 12. Although her parents have said no, she is determined that this is the case. When did children become so focused on technology? When did technology become something for kids? I believe that although technology is useful and can be used by children, it is mainly for adults.

Kids do not need computers, cell phones, or iPods. We all grew up without them and we turned out okay! I didn't have a computer in my house until I was about 12 or 13 years old and I certainly didn't have one of my own until I came to college. Even if I was allowed to use the computer it was only for about a half hour a day and I was closely monitored. I think I only played computer games anyways.

Children seem to have this pre-set notion that when you get to be a certain age, they get certain things. When you're 16 you get a car, when you're 13 you get a cell phone, etc... Is it the parents who are putting these ideas in kids heads or is it the media? I personally think it is both but the media has a bigger part in the issue. TV shows show kids having cell phones and laptop computers all to themselves. What about the dangerous doors that technology opens up? Does the media portray those? Of course not.

I understand that cell phones are there for safety. I got a cell phone when I started high school. However, I was only allowed to use it or take it with me when I went out with friends. It was not meant to be used for fun, it was to be used when I needed to be picked up somewhere or if I was in some kind of trouble where I would need it to place an emergency call. Nowadays, every phone has internet access and messaging applications. Anyone can access the internet or talk to just about anyone. Just the other day I saw a 5th grader coming out of school and immediately pulling out..get this.. a BLACKBERRY!! What 10 year old needs a blackberry?! I just kept thinking.. what kind of trouble could she get into with that? There is barely any way to monitor what she does with it. Is she getting onto Facebook or Myspace whenever she wants? Is she Googling things she shouldn't be Googling?

The internet is a wonderful thing and technology is so important. I just hate seeing it used improperly or in the hands of the wrong person. Kids don't understand it yet and until they do, it should not be so easily accessible.

Google Earth

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One of the newer resources I find to be very valuable in the classroom is Google Earth. Google Earth allows people to search a particular address and see an actual photo of that area. Although Google Earth is 6 years old (it was created and adopted by Google in 2004) it is still a 'newer' technology and people are still trying to incorporate it more and more into everyday life.

I personally find Google Earth to be a very resourceful tool for the classroom. In field, the classroom I am in has a large laminated poster size Google Earth image of East Lansing. It was brought in and hung up for their social studies unit where they learned about locations. The students learned about North, South, East, and West and how to read a map. They learned how to find places if you know the crossroads or what it is near in relation to other things. My CT put this poster up on their wall and the students had to find where their school was. As a class they drew a red circle around it so they could easily find it. Throughout the day, the students were asked to go up and find where their house is. I was up at the map and I had to help them figure out how they could find their house. Some students found their house in relation to the school. Others would find crossroads or larger landmarks. Once they found their street they were able to count the houses or look for certain things to find their house. When they found it, they put a thumbtack on it. By the end of the day, every student had found their house and the map of East Lansing was filled with thumbtacks. Students thought this was the greatest thing! Not only could they find their house on their own, but they could actually an image of their house. They could also see other students who lived by them and see where other houses were in relation to theirs.

This activity was a perfect example of how Google Earth can be used in the classroom. Students can actually see a photograph of their houses and the area they live in rather than looking on a regular map. This gives students a more realistic view of where they live and students need that. Maps are pretty abstract to students. Even as an adult I have a tough time reading maps. Google Earth can give a more realistic approach to an abstract idea.

Technology is a luxury

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Technology needs to be integrated into teaching. However, what about schools that cannot afford expensive technology?

Although technology is great and should be incorporated into lessons whenever teachers are able to, I think we need to correct ourselves when we say technology 'should' be incorporated and say technology 'can' be incorporated into lessons. When we say 'should' or 'need' it comes off as if schools with limited technology are not getting a proper education. Technology enhances learning but it does not define learning. We learned just fine before technology became readily available.

Teachers who use email and class websites need to check with their class before deciding that computers will be a necessary way of communicating. As teachers, we need to remember that not every household has a computer or email account. We need to especially remember this if we are working in a lower income area.

My issue is we need to stop talking about how important technology is to teaching and rephrase it by saying that technology is very useful, but it is not a necessity when it comes to teaching and learning.

Twitter

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I have had a twitter account for a few weeks now and although I do not use it as often as I like or should, I do see it's strengths and weaknesses when it comes to teaching.

Twitter can be very useful for teachers. I can see myself using Twitter to gain knowledge from fellow teachers and education professionals. Lesson plan ideas, school news, and interesting facts and opinions can be shared through twitter. Some of my family members who are teachers have been using Facebook as a way to communicate with each other about their excitement as they await new Smart Boards in their classroom. They share ideas, tips, and issues they come across and help each other with this new technology. Although Facebook is a quick and easy way to get in touch with family and friends, Twitter can be used just as easily.

Although Twitter can be utilized by teachers, I do not see how Twitter can benefit students (other than indirectly through teachers). How do you incorporate Twitter into a lesson? The only thing I can think of is using it for homework help once the students are at home and away from their classmates. Twitter could be used to post homework questions or interesting finds and ideas. However, then you come across problems such as not every student has a computer at home. Also, age comes into the picture. How old does one need to be to create a Twitter account? Do you utilize Twitter in a 2nd grade classroom? I am one to think that isn't the best idea. I believe the internet to be a great, yet scary place for children. I don't think students should have internet access unless they are being supervised. I also think Twitter is confusing even for myself! I cannot see elementary aged students understanding how to use Twitter very easily.

So, although Twitter is a great tool for teachers to connect and bounce ideas off of each other, it is another issue when connecting students to Twitter. I think there are better technological tools to use such as controlled blog/discussion areas where students are monitored and no one can see/use the blogging area without a teacher's acceptance. Twitter can be an excellent tool but perhaps only for adults.

When technology fails you...

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As much as I love technology and think it is an absolute must to have in the classroom, I can't help but hate it equally as much. When technology fails us, it is as if the world is coming to an end. When my phone stops working or I can't receive any emails my whole day is ruined! As much as we utilize technology it will fail us twice as often.
Just last week I was in one of my method teaching classes and the Internet just stopped working halfway through the class. Perhaps it was because I could no longer facebook chat, but the whole class just shut down! We all acted as though we just could not go on with class or continue lecture. When did our lives come to this? When did it start revolving around technology?
Here at MSU we use a website called ANGEL. ANGEL is where our professors can post lecture notes and homework assignments. It is also a site where we can upload papers, projects, and post on discussion boards. It is a great tool and is used quite often in the majority of my classes. However, when the ANGEL site is down all hell breaks loose! We can no longer download the readings assigned for class or upload our 20 page papers we have worked weeks on. When ANGEL is down everyone panics and it seems as though class cannot go on.
So why do we rely on technology so much when it can 'break down' anytime? Aside from the convenience and the organization ANGEL brings MSU students and staff, why not turn in hard copies or assign readings from the $200 textbook we had to buy?
When did we decide, as a campus community, to put all our eggs is one technologically constructed basket?

Technology observations

This semester I am working in a 2nd grade classroom in the East Lansing school district. I go twice a week for 2 hours each time. Although the school is located in an area where money is not as scarce as it is in other districts, they do not seem to use the technology they are quite fortunate to have as much as I would think they would. A Smart Board, which so many teachers would be THRILLED to have in their possession, collects dust in the library. A whole computer lab goes (for the most part) untouched. These materials that could be utilized during day-to-day lessons go overlooked and set aside.
Technological items that are specific to the classroom I work in are used quite often. Although the extent of the technology present in the classroom is an Elmo overhead projector, TV and a single computer. Each resource is used almost every time I have been in the classroom. I myself have used the Elmo during my occasional lessons. It has been great when the class is working on a worksheet of some kind. They can work on it individually but their attention can be called up to the Elmo where we can come together as a class and work on a particularly tricky problem or two.
So, although higher technology is present in the school, it does not seem to be utilized by the individual classrooms. Why is this? Are teachers fearful of leaving their classroom to teach a lesson in the computer lab? Are teachers afraid of the Smart Board or other aspects of higher technology?
Whatever the case may be, teachers should be using the technology they are fortunate enough to have in their school for their benefit and the benefit of their students.

Teaching in Urban Schools

I came across a blog that I found particularly interesting. (http://educationalissues.suite101.com/article.cfm/preparation_for_teaching_in_urban_schools) It talked about the different types of teacher training that is provided to students/people who want to teach: 1) early entry and 2) college recommending. Early entry is when you enter full time teaching before getting certified (i.e. Teach for America) and college recommending is when you have an internship prior to full time teaching. What I found interesting about this blog was the fact that it make you realize that yes, Teach for America is a great organization that gives a lot of areas who struggle to find teachers the teachers they need, they are not as qualified and able to teach in such areas than those who have had teaching courses and pre-teaching internships. Urban schools are much harder to teach in than others. They lack funding so therefore do not always have the supplies or materials needed, they are more diverse, more likely to have health issues, etc... The fact that most of the teachers who teach in urban schools most likely got there through early entry training and therefore lack the experience and knowledge needed to teach these students. We need more teachers who had college recommending training to not fear urban schools and teach in those areas. That is why I am going to do my fifth year internship in inner city Chicago. I am very excited. I try not to be nervous or fearful because that is the typical emotion students like me feel when they think about teaching in urban school districts. The fact is, we can't be scared. If this 'fear' of teaching outside our comfort zone or the 'fear' of teaching where it may be a little more of a challenge goes away more people that are able and qualified to teach to these students will. These students deserve the best too. I believe that the Teach for America program is great. Perhaps that program should consider more college recommending training before allowing them to lead teach in these areas but also, more qualified teachers need to step up and teach in urban schools.

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Technology in the classroom

I don't consider myself completely technologically savvy, but I also don't consider myself to be technologically incompetent either. I am in between. I can follow directions, I can catch on quickly, and (for the most part) I am able to complete the task again in the future.
Some technological tools I think are important for teachers to be comfortable with using are PowerPoint presentations, speadsheets, email, projectors, Smart Boards, and DVD/TVs. I am sure there are a great number of equally useful technological tools that I am leaving out, but I feel that these are the most important for teachers. PowerPoint presentations are a great way to present information within a classroom. It is also very useful to post online or send via email to a student who may have been sick that day and missed the lesson. Teachers also need to be competent in using email and using it well. This is key to coming in contact with parents, other staff members and even students. Smart Boards are becoming more and more common within schools. It is important that teachers becoming familiar with this tool and use it to their advantage.
I listed these tools because these are all the tools that I feel competent and comfortable using. I am interested to find out more technological tools to use within the classroom and become familiar and comfortable using those as well.
I hope to become more familiar with blogging during this experience! I think this could also be a great tool to use within the classroom.