This video that I watched with Salman Khan was really good. Salman is the founder of an online educational site called the Khan Academy. This website provides students and teachers all over the world with educational videos explaining things from basic math to the most difficult level of calculus and various other subjects also. Mr. Khan got started making these videos when he was tutoring his cousins. He would make videos for them and post them on Youtube. After looking at a lot of encouraging comments that he had received he thought he might be onto something and launched the Khan Academy.
The great thing about these videos is that the students can pause and replay any sections that they need to. They can work at their own pace and review videos as many times as they need to in order to understand that material. Many teachers have caught onto this website and are now utilizing it in their classrooms. Teachers said that they now give the online lectures as homework for students and then what used to be your traditional "homework" is done in the classroom. I think this is so awesome because how many times have we wanted our teachers assistance on our homework but haven't had that available. Now students do. Mr. Khan said it is a very humanizing experience and allows students and teachers more interaction and also interaction between peers.
Los Altos school district is now using the Khan Academy in place of the general math curriculum. The online academy gives students math problems and does not allow them to move onto the next level until they have completed 10 questions correctly in a row. Teachers can monitor students progress by looking at what they are stuck on; what problems they've had difficulty with, where they've paused the online lectures and what problems they have answered incorrectly. This allows teachers to better assist students.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Comic Strip Reflection
I recently had to create a comic strip for my educational technology class. The focus of my comic strip was on my area of concentration which is ESL (English as a Second Language). I used a really great site called Make Beliefs Comix. You do not have to sign in to use this site and best of all it is free!! Our ed. tech professor also provided us with lots of other great free sites to use to create our comics such as PikiKids, Comiqs, Be Funky and many more.
Online comic strip creation would be a great tool that you could use in your classroom. You could have your students use it to explain a new subject that you are studying, like a new math concept, history lesson or science project. If you are an art teacher you could spend time on comic strips and have students create their own. Also if you are an English or writing teacher you could use comic strips to help students practice writing a story or work on their persuasive writing skills by making the comic some sort of advertisement. Any way that you choose to use it, it is a great way for students to use their creativity and have a little fun at the same time!
Online comic strip creation would be a great tool that you could use in your classroom. You could have your students use it to explain a new subject that you are studying, like a new math concept, history lesson or science project. If you are an art teacher you could spend time on comic strips and have students create their own. Also if you are an English or writing teacher you could use comic strips to help students practice writing a story or work on their persuasive writing skills by making the comic some sort of advertisement. Any way that you choose to use it, it is a great way for students to use their creativity and have a little fun at the same time!
Podcast, Website & Blog Midterm Critiques
Part 1: Podcast
This past week we had the opportunity to critique two of our classmates websites and blogs. On each of our websites we had the chance to post a podcast that could have been done individually or with a partner concerning different online resources that we thought would be helpful/useful as future classroom teachers. Unfortunately only one of the classmates that I critiqued had posted a podcast so I will only be able to share from this. The first site discussed in their podcast was called Smithsonian Education for Students. This site allows students to search through different subject areas and also view artifacts at the same time. Each topic or area that they search through is centered around a specific museum such the American History Museum. Another cool resource that my classmate discussed is called Altapedia Online. This site gives students access to color maps that outline political and physical boundaries and gives information about that certain country such as religion, traditions, language, culture etc. Teachers can even access homework problems and additional resource links from the site. Lastly the podcast talked about Youtube which I thought was great! It is an obvious resource but I think it is one that is often overlooked and under-appreciated. Youtube gives you access to thousands of videos over anything you can possibly think of. It it not soley intertainment but also provides plenty of educational videos for teachers. Here is a link if you would like to listen to the podcast.
Part 2: Website/Blog
Looking at my classmates blogs and websites was a really great opportunity for me to view my classmates hard work and progress so far this semester. It was neat to see how other people put together their websites and the different forms of creativity and individuality that were expressed in each. The animotos on one of the my critiques websites were AWESOME! Here is a link to her website. They were very personal and I felt like they gave me a really good look into her life. If I was a student of hers and I checked out her website I would feel like I knew her a little more as a person versus just my teacher. There were also lots of pictures included of friends, family, things that she enjoys doing etc. These things held true for her blog also. After looking through her website I definitely want to take some more time to place a little bit more of myself in my website. The other website and blog I viewed were a great example to me of how to make a very professional website and blog. Their sites were a good mixture of personal and professional. You had the opportunity to get to know them a little better but also got a view of them as an educator. I would like to incorporate this same balance on both my website and blog.
This past week we had the opportunity to critique two of our classmates websites and blogs. On each of our websites we had the chance to post a podcast that could have been done individually or with a partner concerning different online resources that we thought would be helpful/useful as future classroom teachers. Unfortunately only one of the classmates that I critiqued had posted a podcast so I will only be able to share from this. The first site discussed in their podcast was called Smithsonian Education for Students. This site allows students to search through different subject areas and also view artifacts at the same time. Each topic or area that they search through is centered around a specific museum such the American History Museum. Another cool resource that my classmate discussed is called Altapedia Online. This site gives students access to color maps that outline political and physical boundaries and gives information about that certain country such as religion, traditions, language, culture etc. Teachers can even access homework problems and additional resource links from the site. Lastly the podcast talked about Youtube which I thought was great! It is an obvious resource but I think it is one that is often overlooked and under-appreciated. Youtube gives you access to thousands of videos over anything you can possibly think of. It it not soley intertainment but also provides plenty of educational videos for teachers. Here is a link if you would like to listen to the podcast.
Part 2: Website/Blog
Looking at my classmates blogs and websites was a really great opportunity for me to view my classmates hard work and progress so far this semester. It was neat to see how other people put together their websites and the different forms of creativity and individuality that were expressed in each. The animotos on one of the my critiques websites were AWESOME! Here is a link to her website. They were very personal and I felt like they gave me a really good look into her life. If I was a student of hers and I checked out her website I would feel like I knew her a little more as a person versus just my teacher. There were also lots of pictures included of friends, family, things that she enjoys doing etc. These things held true for her blog also. After looking through her website I definitely want to take some more time to place a little bit more of myself in my website. The other website and blog I viewed were a great example to me of how to make a very professional website and blog. Their sites were a good mixture of personal and professional. You had the opportunity to get to know them a little better but also got a view of them as an educator. I would like to incorporate this same balance on both my website and blog.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Reflection #9: Podcast
For my ninth podcast I listened to the Tech Chick Tips. On their lastest episode they discussed a variety of new tools and websites that they have discovered that are beneficial for educators.
The first tool they discussed can be used by educators from K-12 and all the way up to PhD level teachers. The Tech Chicks announced that Wiki Spaces are now offering free spaces for educators all the way to PhD's. The educator account on Wiki Spaces has been free for K-12 teachers for quite a while giving out a total 980,000 free spaces. This month they made it available for all levels of educators. These spaces are a great collaboration tool that can be used for editing, sharing what you know and best of all it is free and private. It is also extremely simple to use. The Tech Chicks said that if you can type in a word processor than you can use Wiki Spaces.
The next resource that the Tech Chicks mentioned was a critique or description of four ways to give short presentations online. This is a free tool for teachers to use on Free Tech for Teachers. The four tools that commentator of the site discussed were Big Markers, Zip Cast, Scriblar, Markers and Join Me. The descriptions and tools given are for free. They allow you to create a little room where you can interact with students, other educators etc.
The other resource discussed was one call Type With Me. This tool is a quick way to collaborate on a word document. It is similar to Google Docs in that it allows you to create a document, share it with others and work on it at the same time. However, unlike Google Docs you do not need an e-mail to login. You simply are given a unique URL that you can share. Everyone working on the document types in a different color and the site allows you a chat options while you are working. The finished file can be exported as an html, text file, PDF, etc. The only downside to this tool is that iPad users cannot yet type on the document, they can chat and view the progress but cannot contribute.
The next resource that the Tech Chicks really like was one called Web O'Word. This site posts a new word everyday. Along with the word you are given a visual that helps explain the word, the word is used in context and various information about the word is provided. There are also crossword puzzles that combine all the different vocabulary words used. You can print off the crossword puzzles or you can use them interactively online. The Tech Chicks said that the collection of words are really good, they aren't just simple words.
The first tool they discussed can be used by educators from K-12 and all the way up to PhD level teachers. The Tech Chicks announced that Wiki Spaces are now offering free spaces for educators all the way to PhD's. The educator account on Wiki Spaces has been free for K-12 teachers for quite a while giving out a total 980,000 free spaces. This month they made it available for all levels of educators. These spaces are a great collaboration tool that can be used for editing, sharing what you know and best of all it is free and private. It is also extremely simple to use. The Tech Chicks said that if you can type in a word processor than you can use Wiki Spaces.
The next resource that the Tech Chicks mentioned was a critique or description of four ways to give short presentations online. This is a free tool for teachers to use on Free Tech for Teachers. The four tools that commentator of the site discussed were Big Markers, Zip Cast, Scriblar, Markers and Join Me. The descriptions and tools given are for free. They allow you to create a little room where you can interact with students, other educators etc.
The other resource discussed was one call Type With Me. This tool is a quick way to collaborate on a word document. It is similar to Google Docs in that it allows you to create a document, share it with others and work on it at the same time. However, unlike Google Docs you do not need an e-mail to login. You simply are given a unique URL that you can share. Everyone working on the document types in a different color and the site allows you a chat options while you are working. The finished file can be exported as an html, text file, PDF, etc. The only downside to this tool is that iPad users cannot yet type on the document, they can chat and view the progress but cannot contribute.
The next resource that the Tech Chicks really like was one called Web O'Word. This site posts a new word everyday. Along with the word you are given a visual that helps explain the word, the word is used in context and various information about the word is provided. There are also crossword puzzles that combine all the different vocabulary words used. You can print off the crossword puzzles or you can use them interactively online. The Tech Chicks said that the collection of words are really good, they aren't just simple words.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Reflection #8: Podcast
The podcast that I listened to was Driving Questions with Kevin Honeycutt. In this podcast Kevin talked to two elementary school teachers about using the iPad in the classroom. One of the women interviewed was a para at the school and the other was a Title 1 teacher in the school.
Both teachers mentioned that they did have to take a little time to learn how to use the iPad themselves but that the students did not have any problems catching on. The para mentioned using the iPads with kindergartners and that they caught on right way with no problems. Both teachers mentioned that the kids LOVE the iPad's. They light up every time they get a chance to use them.
The Title 1 teacher said that she really liked to use the iPad's because it was a more one-on-one experience with the kids. This was especially important with students who have problems socially in the classroom, it is a way to connect with them. She mentioned that many of the apps are really engaging, one in particular that she uses is called spell board. This is a paid app that you can use with student to practice their vocabulary words. As the teacher you have many options from choosing to show the definition, or only parts of the words. You can also create quizzes for the kids to take. When they take the quiz they can draw out the vocabulary words with their finger and choose different colors to draw it in.
The para said that she likes to use the app called Fish. This app works on word sounds with the students. It is a good app to use for phonics or reading skills. The children have to fill in the missing letter or letters of a word. This is something she said the kids really enjoy and it is a great way to work with students one-on-one.
Kevin Honeycutt discussed how these teachers have made the iPads an actual part of their classroom. They are not just something that is used for enrichment activities or for free time but it has actually become a part of their lesson plans. He also mentioned a great site for teachers with iPads to check out that the is iear.org which stands for Education Apps Review. This site is a place for critiquing iPad apps and the great thing about it is that teachers are the ones commenting on these apps. So this would be a great resource to refer to before downloading any new apps on your iPad.
Both teachers mentioned that they did have to take a little time to learn how to use the iPad themselves but that the students did not have any problems catching on. The para mentioned using the iPads with kindergartners and that they caught on right way with no problems. Both teachers mentioned that the kids LOVE the iPad's. They light up every time they get a chance to use them.
The Title 1 teacher said that she really liked to use the iPad's because it was a more one-on-one experience with the kids. This was especially important with students who have problems socially in the classroom, it is a way to connect with them. She mentioned that many of the apps are really engaging, one in particular that she uses is called spell board. This is a paid app that you can use with student to practice their vocabulary words. As the teacher you have many options from choosing to show the definition, or only parts of the words. You can also create quizzes for the kids to take. When they take the quiz they can draw out the vocabulary words with their finger and choose different colors to draw it in.
The para said that she likes to use the app called Fish. This app works on word sounds with the students. It is a good app to use for phonics or reading skills. The children have to fill in the missing letter or letters of a word. This is something she said the kids really enjoy and it is a great way to work with students one-on-one.
Kevin Honeycutt discussed how these teachers have made the iPads an actual part of their classroom. They are not just something that is used for enrichment activities or for free time but it has actually become a part of their lesson plans. He also mentioned a great site for teachers with iPads to check out that the is iear.org which stands for Education Apps Review. This site is a place for critiquing iPad apps and the great thing about it is that teachers are the ones commenting on these apps. So this would be a great resource to refer to before downloading any new apps on your iPad.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Reflection #7: Podcast
I listened to the Tech Chick Tips podcast and on this episode they discussed random finds that they had discovered, there was not set topic for this podcast.
The first thing that they talked about was a site called Min.us . The idea or concept behind this site is "share simply." The creators want you the user to be able to share information in the easiest way possible. On this site you can upload images, documents, you can post links etc. The format that the site uses is an cover-flow format. This allows you to download and edit any information that you see. You can also place this information right on your desktop and best of all it is free! A few great ways to use this in the classroom would be posting stuff for a project that your students are working on and they can download this information. Your students could also upload assignments for you to access.
The next information that was discussed all pertained to Youtube. The first tool the Tech Chicks mentioned was called Embed Plus. On this site you can paste in the URL of a video of your choice and from there you can decide when you want the video to start and stop, you can also add in chapter markers and annotations. The annotations that you add will appear in a text box on the screen as the video is playing. When you are done the kids can view the video without being directly on Youtube.
The next Youtube feature discussed is call Tube Chop. This tool allows you to edit small sections of what you want to show. This would be great for videos you want to show students that might have extra information that they don't need to know. The next site that is similar to this is call Quietube. This site gives you the option to first of all bookmark the link but you can also go through and eliminate the comments attached with the video. When you are done all your students will see is the video. The comments and advertisements will not show up.
smories stories for kids read by kids
The first thing that they talked about was a site called Min.us . The idea or concept behind this site is "share simply." The creators want you the user to be able to share information in the easiest way possible. On this site you can upload images, documents, you can post links etc. The format that the site uses is an cover-flow format. This allows you to download and edit any information that you see. You can also place this information right on your desktop and best of all it is free! A few great ways to use this in the classroom would be posting stuff for a project that your students are working on and they can download this information. Your students could also upload assignments for you to access.
The next information that was discussed all pertained to Youtube. The first tool the Tech Chicks mentioned was called Embed Plus. On this site you can paste in the URL of a video of your choice and from there you can decide when you want the video to start and stop, you can also add in chapter markers and annotations. The annotations that you add will appear in a text box on the screen as the video is playing. When you are done the kids can view the video without being directly on Youtube.
The next Youtube feature discussed is call Tube Chop. This tool allows you to edit small sections of what you want to show. This would be great for videos you want to show students that might have extra information that they don't need to know. The next site that is similar to this is call Quietube. This site gives you the option to first of all bookmark the link but you can also go through and eliminate the comments attached with the video. When you are done all your students will see is the video. The comments and advertisements will not show up.
smories stories for kids read by kids
Fun With Text Reflection
For my educational technology class we had the opportunity to use as site called Wordle. On this site you can create what are called "word clouds." These are simply a configuration of any words that you choose. They can be made using words describing yourself such as nice, funny, outgoing etc. or you can paste in famous speeches or quotes that you like. After you place the words in, Wordle creates a word cloud for you. You can edit this word cloud by changing the shape and configuration of the words, you can change the color and the size of the words also. Once you have created your Wordle you can post it on your blog, website, where ever you choose. Here is an example of an Wordle.
Wordles can be used in the classroom in various ways. You could have your students create Wordles about themselves at the beginning of the year. They could share these with the class and then you could post them around the room and place the students picture by them. Also if you had a class website you could put them on there. Students could also make a Wordle with vocabulary words that they are learning or put together a World about an historical event or famous speech that they might be learning about.
Wordles can be used in the classroom in various ways. You could have your students create Wordles about themselves at the beginning of the year. They could share these with the class and then you could post them around the room and place the students picture by them. Also if you had a class website you could put them on there. Students could also make a Wordle with vocabulary words that they are learning or put together a World about an historical event or famous speech that they might be learning about.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Classroom 2.0 Reflection
Classroom 2.0 is a cool community of educators that can openly discuss and share ideas and questions that they have. At the bottom of the homepage there are various groups available for educators to join. These groups range from grade level groups to content area groups. Within these groups teachers can share ideas and bounce ideas off of each other. There are different forums open on the Classroom 2.0 website that support a wide range of discussions about technology that is safe for students and ideas that teachers have tried in the classroom. Also if you join the site there is a live chat option that allows you to chat directly with educators from around the world.
This site would be great for a new teacher because it is a huge support community available right on your computer. There are lots of ideas that you can learn from teachers who have been teaching for years. Not only can you discuss ideas you have but also any questions that you might have about anything from classroom organization to classroom management can be posted to this community of educators. It can help new teachers to see different ways to use technology in the classroom from actual teachers that have tried it. Classroom 2.0 is an amazing community to be a part of as you are gaining experience in the classroom
How could be useful as a new teacher.
This site would be great for a new teacher because it is a huge support community available right on your computer. There are lots of ideas that you can learn from teachers who have been teaching for years. Not only can you discuss ideas you have but also any questions that you might have about anything from classroom organization to classroom management can be posted to this community of educators. It can help new teachers to see different ways to use technology in the classroom from actual teachers that have tried it. Classroom 2.0 is an amazing community to be a part of as you are gaining experience in the classroom
How could be useful as a new teacher.
Edu Teacher Reflection
The Edu Teacher site is a really personal site that provides teachers with tons of links to resources that can be incorporated into the classroom. The site provides you with webisodes that basically show you different ways that technology can be included in your classroom. Some of the webisodes that they have available were even created by teachers themselves which I think is part of the reason this site seems so personal towards educators.
One of the resources that I really enjoyed on the site was the section that provided you with links to resources. The section of the site allows you click on a content area or a grade level and then provides you with lots of online resources. These resources might include educational games for your students or tools for you the teacher to use. Either way it gives you lots of choices from just basic content area to more specific such as ESL students, professional development, music and even specialized search engines.
Another section of the website referred to as the conference section has videos available to you concerning different education technology conferences or professional development sessions. This portion of the site would be a really great if you wanted to inform your self on new technology resources that are out there for teachers. Also if you wanted to find new and different ways to incorporate technology into your classroom this would be a great place to educate yourself.
One of the resources that I really enjoyed on the site was the section that provided you with links to resources. The section of the site allows you click on a content area or a grade level and then provides you with lots of online resources. These resources might include educational games for your students or tools for you the teacher to use. Either way it gives you lots of choices from just basic content area to more specific such as ESL students, professional development, music and even specialized search engines.
Another section of the website referred to as the conference section has videos available to you concerning different education technology conferences or professional development sessions. This portion of the site would be a really great if you wanted to inform your self on new technology resources that are out there for teachers. Also if you wanted to find new and different ways to incorporate technology into your classroom this would be a great place to educate yourself.
Kan-Ed Reflection
After searching through the Kan-ed website I discovered so many helpful tools that teachers can easily implement into their classrooms. There are links available on the site that can be used by teachers and there are links on the site that students can also utilize. Everything available on the Kan-ed website relates back to the Kansas curriculum meaning that all the tools you find will be things that you as a Kansas teacher can use without worrying whether or not standards are being met.
Some of the sites that I discovered that would be very useful for teachers would first be KERC which stands for Kansas Educational Resource Center. This site allows you to choose a grade level and content area. From there you may choose a standard within that content area. The site then directs you to a page where the benchmarks and indicators are listed. For each of these there are links that lead you to sites with already made up lesson plans and links that can direct you toward other resources such as worksheets etc. This site would be a great resource to use if you want to really switch up your lessons, try something new or just get your creative juices flowing. The only thing that is a bit of a downer for this site is that pre-service teachers such as myself cannot rely too much on sites such as these yet since we must create our own lessons.
Another site that I found in Kan-ed is called Kid InfoBits. This is a great tool to use with your kids when they are doing any sort of research or information finding. The site provides you with tons of topics to choose from such as math, science, history, historical figures, geography, geology. etc. From there the site provides the students with online articles concerning the topic they are researching. All the information they need is given to them right on the website. In a way it is like a virtual library for all content areas. The articles even list the reading difficulty level for the child, but all are geared toward elementary aged children.
The next site I found that I thought was really great for students was Kan-ed Live Tutor. This site is really for any age of student. It provides tutoring assistance for K-12 and also for college students. There a live online tutors available to help students from 2pm-12am everyday. They even have a proof reading and writing tips center available. I believe this is a great tool if students need help in a pinch. The only thing I do not like about this site is that teachers might push students to use this more than to ask the teacher for assistance. So it would be a good tool when students need immediate help but should not be something they have to use all of the time.
Another site that I discovered wasThinkfinity. This site also provides teachers with a lot of free lesson plans that will line up with state standards. Much like KERC, Thinkfinity offers resource links for teachers also that provide worksheets, videos, interactive games etc. On this site you can look at different lessons and see what standards the lessons align with or you can search for the standard and then find the lessons that align with them. This ability gives you a lot of flexibility especially if you are unsure about which standard or lesson you want to use.
I really enjoyed exploring the Kan-ed site. I think there are so many resources and tools available for teachers that would be very useful. Teachers can utilize this themselves or can utilize it for their students. I believe the only downside to this site is that if you end up teaching in another state this site would not be as useful because it is geared toward Kansas teachers and Kansas curriculum standards.
Some of the sites that I discovered that would be very useful for teachers would first be KERC which stands for Kansas Educational Resource Center. This site allows you to choose a grade level and content area. From there you may choose a standard within that content area. The site then directs you to a page where the benchmarks and indicators are listed. For each of these there are links that lead you to sites with already made up lesson plans and links that can direct you toward other resources such as worksheets etc. This site would be a great resource to use if you want to really switch up your lessons, try something new or just get your creative juices flowing. The only thing that is a bit of a downer for this site is that pre-service teachers such as myself cannot rely too much on sites such as these yet since we must create our own lessons.
Another site that I found in Kan-ed is called Kid InfoBits. This is a great tool to use with your kids when they are doing any sort of research or information finding. The site provides you with tons of topics to choose from such as math, science, history, historical figures, geography, geology. etc. From there the site provides the students with online articles concerning the topic they are researching. All the information they need is given to them right on the website. In a way it is like a virtual library for all content areas. The articles even list the reading difficulty level for the child, but all are geared toward elementary aged children.
The next site I found that I thought was really great for students was Kan-ed Live Tutor. This site is really for any age of student. It provides tutoring assistance for K-12 and also for college students. There a live online tutors available to help students from 2pm-12am everyday. They even have a proof reading and writing tips center available. I believe this is a great tool if students need help in a pinch. The only thing I do not like about this site is that teachers might push students to use this more than to ask the teacher for assistance. So it would be a good tool when students need immediate help but should not be something they have to use all of the time.
Another site that I discovered wasThinkfinity. This site also provides teachers with a lot of free lesson plans that will line up with state standards. Much like KERC, Thinkfinity offers resource links for teachers also that provide worksheets, videos, interactive games etc. On this site you can look at different lessons and see what standards the lessons align with or you can search for the standard and then find the lessons that align with them. This ability gives you a lot of flexibility especially if you are unsure about which standard or lesson you want to use.
I really enjoyed exploring the Kan-ed site. I think there are so many resources and tools available for teachers that would be very useful. Teachers can utilize this themselves or can utilize it for their students. I believe the only downside to this site is that if you end up teaching in another state this site would not be as useful because it is geared toward Kansas teachers and Kansas curriculum standards.
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