Module 8 - The Future, $10,000!

In the future, I would definitely love to see more money spent on technology, as I am sure everyone would love! If there is so much research supporting how important technology is to our students futures, we need more help to bring it into our schools. This would be by allowing every student to have a laptop or handheld. You can't have any complaints about equity when everyone is on the same playing field. As far as new innovations, I am really interested in seeing the thin, flat OLEDs come to life. That would be so cool for every student to have at their desk. There would be no more need for folders, backpacks, books....everything will be right there, rolled out in front of them!

If I had $10,000 for my school to use on technology...I would first buy one set of wireless laptops. So many students spend more time wandering around the school looking for a computer to type on during writing time, that it would be nice to have some portable computers available too. I would get a Promethean board for every classroom AND pay for the training to use it!!! I might even pay for reps from the company to spend a week or two with our staff in order to get them more comfortable in designing lessons. If I still had more money, I would get class sets of handhelds, at least for grades 3-5. They are so useful, and we only have one class set, so a few more would be nice!!

Module 7 - Assistive Technology & Support Software

Well, in previous Blogs I have mentioned 2 pieces of AT that I use, the AlphaSmart and the software Write OutLoud. I am glad the book talked about Write OutLoud, because it seemed like an interesting program to many of you. I went to a great workshop last year called UDL (Universal Design of Learning) through Oakland Schools, and I thought it was so cool to see so many of the same things I learned mentioned this week. This is where I received Write OutLoud, AlphaSmarts, and more info on Kidspiration. One of the other tools I received was a talking dictionary. There are many kinds, but the link for the one we received is http://www.franklin.com/estore/dictionary/KID-1240/. Spelling is such a sensitive subject these days at the elementary level, and kids are always very embarassed when they are bad spellers. These dictionaries are great because all types of learners can use them. Poor spellers can type in a word and it will give them suggestions of what word they were trying to spell. Great spellers can advance their vocabulary by looking up more challenging words. This is also a great tool for kids to use when they read. I always have kids getting up to use them while they read because they can find definitions. Luckily, the sound can be turned down and they are headphone-friendly :)

I like to use the site www.puzzlemaker.com to create all kinds of puzzles for kids. I use many different math sheet generators to create timed tests I give throughout the year. Some examples are www.aplusmath.com, www.edhelper.com, and http://themathworksheetsite.com/.

Happy 4th of July everyone!!

Module 4 - Multimedia

Sorry I am a few days late...that's what happens when you have out of town guests staying at your house and it's the crazy last week of school :)

I use powerpoint a lot, however since I teach 3rd grade, I don't generally use it as a teaching tool. I use it more to create presentations that highlight the students' work, picture slideshows to post on the web for parents to see, and make presentations for school assemblies. I have also used it for Jeopardy games that I have found on the internet, I have not created my own yet either! My students just learned PowerPoint a couple months ago, so they are excited and ready to utilize this program in 4th and 5th grade for reports and other work.

For other types of multimedia, I use UnitedStreaming a lot to show videos relating to my lessons. It helps the younger kids get a better understanding of the topic when they can see it presented in a different way. On another note, I went to a presentation about the Promethean board, same idea as a Smartboard, but way way cooler! I was in awe of how many different functions and multimedia you can use it for. It puts the Smartboard to shame, and just has amazing capabilities. I'd be curious to know if any of you have seen/heard/used one before!! I heard a rumor that our district is looking into them for our classrooms, so I am pretty excited about that! It would just be a great way to distribute all of this multimedia at once!

I don't really use a scanner, I haven't found too many reasons to. I use the digital camera a TON, we are lucky and have one per grade level, and I work at a small school, so I basically can get my hands on one whenever I need it. I just enjoy taking pictures of the kids working, especially in groups or partners, since collaborative work is so important. We use the pictures for our scrapbooks, my slideshows, and to glue onto our work. I also put them up in the hall next to their work if it is applicable.

Module 3 - Databases and Spreadsheets

I am excited to have learned something new this week! I have never used a database software before. I have seen the programs on the computer, opened them, and gave up after a few seconds of not having a clue of where to start or what it was. In elementary school, I think that the uses of a database are more limited in terms of student use. It would have to be very simple, because entering all of the data is labor intensive, even for some of the older students. I think as a teacher, I could use it more for lesson planning, picture book titles that I use for lessons, or storing other information. The biggest example we read about was personal records, and since our office has all of that, I just want to know how I might be able to import it without redoing the whole thing! I hate re-inventing the wheel :)

I use Excel a lot, but not for a grade book. I don't grade with percentages and weights in 3rd grade, so I feel like it would not be necessary to keep my grades in a spreadsheet. I use Excel to make organized lists and tables, because I love the sorting feature that I can't use on Word (at least I don't think there is a sorting feature on Word!) I would love to be more comfortable in the equations and calculations that Excel can do, because when I try it for my personal use, it is hard to get it to work. I have my own business, so I attempt to do my bookkeeping on Excel.

Module 2 - WP and DTP

I use Microsoft Word on a daily basis. As all of you do I'm sure, I create worksheets, notes to parents, newsletters, and more. In my classroom, we use Microsoft Word. I teach 3rd grade which is the transition year of typing. Our technology teacher uses Type to Learn so the students can learn the proper way to type. Because they don't learn this until the middle of the school year, I don't have the kids type too much until the end of the year. I do use the Alphasmart which I mentioned last week, and also the software Write OutLoud. I really like OutLoud for the kids who are struggling writers. By listening to their writing read back to them, they can hear the fluency errors that they cannot catch on their own. It is also a good way for students with a short attention span to stay interested in their work!
We also have Microsoft Publisher on all of our computers. I see this as a great tool to create projects across all curriculums. You can make a brochure on a country or animal, you can create signs for a science fair project board, or students can be more involved in creating classroom newsletters. I have found that the students who use Publisher really enjoy browsing through all of the templates to find one they like. There is so much to offer that it just takes time to become familiar with all of the templates and styles that are there. As a teacher, I don't use this program very often, but I have become more familiar and comfortable with it lately which makes it more appealing to use!

Module 1 - Input/Output Devices

Input Devices I use:

• Flatbed Scanner - I use to help prepare lessons by inserting scanned pictures into a document or worksheet that I create
• Digital Camera - I use the camera on a regular basis. Photos capture the excitement of learning in our classroom, and I share the pictures on the web for my parents to see what we have been doing. I also share the pictures with the students for their scrapbook that we make as a keepsake of 3rd grade. I use the photos in assembly PowerPoints and slideshows as well.
• AlphaSmart - this is a portable computer (keyboard and small screen) for students to type on. I use this primarily with my reluctant writers to help spark their interest in writing since they loathe the paper and pencil method.
• Keyboard and Mouse - obvious input devices that I use more than I wish to throughout the day!

Output Devices I use:

• Printers - the printer in my classroom or other networked printers in my building
• Video Scan Converter - I show many video clips and other documents from my computer that are seen on the TV screen because of this converter.
• Overhead Projector - Obvious device used almost daily
• Elmo camera - I use this frequently to write notes and demonstrate lessons so the kids can get a better look.
• SMARTBoard - I used the Smartboard for a few months last year. It was such a cool experience for me and the students! I did not have the board or the projector mounted so it was a temporary thing, and I wish I could have had it for longer to learn more about all of its functions.

What I wish I could do/learn:

I really, really want to get the SMARTBoard back in my room! If it was hooked up more permanently, it would have been a great asset to teaching. Unfortunately, the projector sat on a desk and the board was on wheels, so it was moved and bumped a lot, and just wasn't used to it's fullest capabilities. My school also has one class set of PDA's and I would love to learn more about them. I have learned the basics, but am curious as to what else they can do and how students can use them more.