Next Year Tech Plans

The tech class this week definitely forced me to use some new technology tools to be creative.  Many of the tools I had heard of but never tried.  I am usually focused on the content of my websites or plans so I was glad to try more with design.  It is great to use these sites for my own graphics and website communications.  Many of them the students would love to try some of them as well.  There are several factors to consider if I am planning on using these tools with students:

1. Is the site blocked for students?
2. If the site is available, is there a way for students to login to their own account?
3. Is there a cost associated with the tool?

My plans for next year are to continue working on a Google Earth webquest for library time, working on my Vermont webquest, and the animal adaptation webquest, explore having students create animoto videos either as a book project, or internet safety videos, continue working on my Only2Clicks bibliography of sites and tools, and sorting out where and when to teach my lesson plans.  I am working on an Xtranormal intro to the library video to add to an About page on my library site.  I also have another website where I am keeping track of library time activities. 

I also want to create screencasts using Jing of Google Apps how to's for things such as setting up your Google account, how to access your Google apps from home, and more.  I love that the videos live on screencast so I can easily them in my site.

Pains and Success this week

My pains and struggles this week have been the blocked sites and snafu's in the technology through the district.  I worked on my Animoto video at home because I wasn't able to preview it in the lab.  One thing I have thought of this week is that  I want to integrate more differentiated instruction strategies in my lesson plans.  One of the biggest issues when I teach technology to students is the different skill levels the students have and trying to make sure I am scaffolding for all students.  I still need to plan a schedule for the year with students.  I would like to use Weebly to create a portfolio of my lesson plans.  I plan to stick with Google sites for the actual units since it integrates easily with my documents, student documents, etc.  However the design elements in Google are very limited compared to the other Website builders that we tried.

My success this week has been trying new tools such as Animoto and Weebly.  Overall, my immediate plans are finish my wetland animals Webquest, add to the Vermont webquest, make a brief Google Earth webquest, work on my Portfolio page (weebly) and make a loose plan of the units for the year.   I also want to publish my animoto video (DCF books) and make an xtranormal video - I was thinking and introduction about me page. 

Thoughts on being an Edge-ucator

Tom March's article, The Edge-ucators Way is a very inspiring summary of the history of how we have approached education (in an industrial way) and why we need change.  He mentions that today in our new "WWW - Whatever, Whenever, and Wherever" society students are surrounded by media and social networks that are not always conducive to the best learning environment.  I  like how he mentions that students really do love to learn.  If we can show them how they can contribute to a community of learners and add meaning to their lives in a digital world then they will see the value of the web not only as entertainment and social networking, but as a motivator to learn.  When I am teaching I feel that if students are not engaged in my lessons then it is my fault as the teacher because I am not reaching their learning style, including enough interaction, or conveying to them that what they are learning has meaning and is connected to their lives.

1st Day Reflection

My learning goals are to plan my curriculum in a way that meets the different needs of my students at their different levels and comfort zones using technology.  I want my students who are advanced to spend some time teaching other students, however I feel that it is also important that I give them additional exercises and activities that will challenge them to learn more.  

In today's class I had a chance to explore new website builder tools.  I am very used to Google sites and noticed a huge difference in the new web builder sites. I like that the tools we looked at today give you much more contorl over the design of a website.  I think the websites overall are look more professional and cleaner.  However, what I love about using Google Sites is that all of my Google Apps, which students are now using to collaborate on documents and presentations, work seamlessly with my Google Sites.  I am also able to find widget that allow me to upload audio and video files for free.