Classrooms Going Digital!

I had never really thought about using photos in the classroom other than framed pictures or a class directory book. I love all of the ideas we have been getting this week.

Picnik is a great way for teacher to create classroom labels, name tags, and edit class pictures. It is also a good way for students to create projects from getting to know the school to field trip expeditions. There are several options that are not available unless you are a paying subscriber, which can be annoying and confusing for kids, but overall its a good source.

Gloggster is wonderful for designing an interactive scrapbook page. It can be for the students and include books read, math tips, or science investigations. For teachers, it can be an online newsletter for parents or a tip sheep for students.

Smilebox, is by far my favorite source. It can be used in so many ways for teachers and students. Its so easy to navigate, and well worth the expense of becoming a member. I can really see students enjoying using this site to document projects over poster board and glue any day!

Shape-Up REFLECTION

At first all of the different parts of this assignment were confusing, but when it was established that it was basically two different projects in one, it wasn't so bad. I had a lot of fun taking photos and could really see kids doing this in my class one day, probably for another topic than shapes.

I really liked that we got to choose which media outlet to present our pictures, even within SMILEBOX there are a ton of different options from scrapbook pages, to slide shows, to collages. I love SMILEBOX and it is really user friendly and fun. I know students will love using it too. I think that having students capture photos on a topic can be used in all subjects. If each child was to be responsible for being an "expert" on something, and then present it to the class, this would be an excellent way to do that.

I do not really like Picasa, my fiance has used if for his Journalism and Electronic Media classes, and it seems to be very confusing. Granted, the Google version of it is a little better, but I guess I just went in to it with some preconceived notions that it would be frustrating.

Shape-Up Elementary SMILE BOX

Slideshow created with Smilebox

Shape-UP Elementary - Look at the shapes we found in our classroom today!

PICASA

TO THE WEB!!

WebQuests are a great way to introduce technology into the classroom. I think that it is also engaging to get students thinking about using the web as a resource, but through structured searches. I can definitely  see myself using this in my own classroom one day. I think other teachers have created useful ones as well. One thing I was thinking about after looking at the Ancient Egypt Quest, is why does it have to be only made on the quest website? What about a Web Quest on the Wiki. Its free! and SO basically the same idea! I really love the idea of supervising students internet use purposes while still allowing them to explore and be independent!


** LOOK UP EXAMPLES and CREATE YOUR OWN at**
http://www.questgarden.com/19/40/3/070317101256/index.htm 

More than just Pictures on Picnik

Today in class we had to take a online photo editing website and adapt it to working with children in the classroom. At first I was thinking, "How can editing photos from my beach trip last summer help kids in my future classes?" But when I started playing around on the website, I began to think of endless possibilities. Not only will your students think that it is so cool to edit pictures during class, but it can be used for a variety of topics. Teachers can make name tags, class photos, and several others. Students can make photo books of field trips, create short stories, and more! This is a great site and I cannot wait to see the other groups Web 2.0 sites that I can use in the class.

Wikis

I am new to this "wiki" thing on the Internet. I must say that I do not see how it is better or different from the new google docs I learned about 2 classes ago. There are about ten students trying to work on the same one and it was a little frustrating. With google docs we can all work on it at the same time. It sounds better to me. I do, however, love the idea of using it in my classroom. The chances that all of my students will be attempting to work on it the same time are pretty slim, due to the fact that there is only a few computers in each classroom. I also like that you can make different pages, like for reading groups or projects, and only certain students can get on certain pages. As I sit in this class, I try to write things down as well as take mental notes. I hope that I remember half of the things I am learning to use in my class someday soon. If so, I will have very engaged and happy students!

BRAIN POP!

This website contains an abundance of interactive activities for students. For example, under the math tab, six different topics are provided to narrow down the type of math that wants to be focused on. Within each of those six categories are several games can be played to work on mathematical skills. This website is a wonderful source for all subjects, not just math. On the main page there is also a tab on the left side that says standards. Here, you can pick the state you are teaching in, the subject, and grade level and search. Results will show games that fit with grade level, subjects, and Tennessee standards.

Do you have to be "creditable" to be "reliable"?

After doing a website review for my technology course this summer, I began to wonder. . . Does the extent of a "creditable" website determine its reliability? As a future teacher, it is important to provide my students with the best possible resources to extend their learning to the greatest ability. I have pulled wonderful lesson plan ideas and activities off of no name sites on the big World Wide Web. I think that it is important to keep in mind what is the best for students when it comes to learning, but the most creditable isn't always the most reliable for results. Sometimes the most educated and scholarly information is boring. There is a happy medium. If my students were doing a research project online, I want them to use creditable sites to get accurate information. But if they are gaining extra practice on multiplication with fractions, I want the game that is the most exciting and engaging for them. If I find that game on a personal blog or site with a lot of broken links I am still going to use it. I honestly doubt that I will use a long credibility check list when determining the web pages my students can use. I will talk with them about doing research and getting accurate and credible information, but for everyday class use, if it works for a student as they practice a skill or if they need an exciting activity or game, I say roll with it!

Questions? Comments? Concerns?

   How do I feel about a summer technology course? What do I expect to learn from it? Well despite the fact that I have to spend 8 hours a week in a cold room on the bottom floor of the Eduction Building during the hottest part of a summer day, I am actually looking forward to learning a lot from this class. Being the school nerd that I am, I am used to working my summers away in a classroom. I have not had a summer break since I entered college. This class, however, was something that I wanted to take this semester. Technology changes everyday and as soon as you buy the newest gadget. . . something is smaller, faster, and better is being put on the shelf. For this reason I waited to take this class till the last part of my undergraduate hours. I wanted to be the most updated as I possibly could when I entered the classroom as an intern this coming fall.

   I am usually a techy  individual. I can sit down with some device and figure out how to use it after fidgeting with it for a while. I have to admit though, smart boards sort of scare me. There are endless possibilities and I feel as though I wont do my class justice unless I utilize them all, which I think is impossible to do. I hope to learn about how to use smart boards in this class, or at least be introduced to some amazing activities that can be done on them. I also think that learning does not have to be boring and anything that involves technology in a classroom will be engaging for students. I am hoping to learn an abundance of resources and ideas to incorporate this fall when I student teach and when I have my own class.

Welcome To My Crazy Hectic Summer!

My name is Shonna Whitaker and I am from Knoxville, Tennessee. I am finishing up my undergraduate degree in Child and Family Studies this summer, as well as taking Graduate courses for my master in Elementary Education. In the fall I will be student teaching for a 5th grade class at Brickey Elementary, I cannot wait! I have always known that I was going to be a teacher. I love the way that children see the world and I want to have a positive impact on their lives as someone who truly cares. When I was a little girl, I used to go to the teacher supply store and buy stickers, workbooks, and grade-books. I was always playing school and giving the people around me grades for things.

I have had numerous experiences working with children. I began babysitting when I was twelve, and I always volunteered to help with the kids during church functions. In college, I got a job at The Boys and Girls Club Halls/Powell, where I still work at today. I love my job and have so much fun playing games, coloring, and watching Disney movies! I have also taught Sunday School for the 3 and 4 year olds for the last three years at my church. My academic career has also given me several experiences working with children. I began in the ECE department, so I spent two semesters at the Early Learning Center working with a Pre-K and under classes. I visited Head Start for some volunteer hours. I also did a community practicum at the Family Justice Center, which involved families more that children themselves. Last semester I was able to spend some time with a 5th grade class at Beaumont Elementary and a 2nd grade class at Rocky Hill. I loved both of the places, but I think that I will enjoy teaching the older grades more than the younger.

I do not have a lot of free time these days. I am switching jobs from the Boys and Girls Club to 21ST Mortgage due to availability of hours during my internship, I am taking 11 hours this summer in classes, and I just got engaged May 1st.  I plan on getting married November 12 of this year, so I am planning like a mad woman. My best friend just graduated from Maryville this May and is also engaged, so we are brides and maid of honors this summer! When I have down time, I love watching movies and laying in the sun. I also love hanging out with my other best friend, my niece who is seven years old! Welcome to my crazy hectic summer!