Tool #7-Digital Storytelling

Creating this video was actually fun! I used slides from a power point presentation that I created for a lesson. I saved the slides to .png format and downloaded them to the photostory program. It was easier than I anticipated. This is going to be a great tool to use in the classroom!

Tool #11-Digital Citizenship

With all the new use of technology in the classroom, comes added responsibilities as well. Teachers must now incorporate these new responsibilities in their lessons. First of all, students must learn that the new Digital Technology are to be used for learning purposes in the classroom. The use of technology is a "privilege". Students must be aware of the consequences if this privilege is exploited. Secondly, students must also learn that this technology is to be considered a "resource" and must not plagierize. In addition, students must learn to be respectful when communicating with the use of technology. They must learn to respect the opinions of others as well.

I plan on teaching these responsibilites and other rules by incorporating them in my lessons. They will be a part of my introduction and closing as well. I will also post these rules in my classroom to serve as a reminder.

Tool #10-Exploring Mobile Technology and Apps

My favorite application was Hangman for the iPhone. As a Language Arts teacher, I would incorporate this in my small group rotations to build on their vocabulary and improve their spelling skills. The students would have great fun learning while I work with the small reading groups.

I have played with an iPhone in the past and there were many WOW moments. It was amazing how anything and everything was at my fingertips. These phones allow for repeated learning opportunities!

Tool #9-Jing

Jing is a great tool for sharing information amongst teachers and students. Teachers now have the capability to add visuals to an online conversation in a quick and efficient manner. Teachers may also assist students online by using visuals when necessary.

Downloading Jing was a very easy process. I simply clicked on the word Jing in my Tool #9 page and it took me directly to it. I watched a very short video on how to use Jing. Next, I clicked on the Install button and the program took over. However, my system did require that I download additional software in order for Jing to operate correctly.

It was easy to download and appears just as easy to use. I can't wait to try it!

Tool #8 - Video Resources

These are two videos that the students enjoy very much in the classroom. The first link directs you to the PBS Electric Company video about the use of quotation marks. The second video teaches the fifty states in a rhyme. Both videos can be found on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bea_2ANKJ5o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpZIOFrdyeY

Tool #6-Creating wikis to store and share information

Well, I don't know if these tools are getting easier or I'm just becoming more comfortable with the program, however, I viewed sample wikis and breezed through setting one up of my own. You can check it out at http://ridgecrest5.wikispaces.com/Wiki+fun%21

Wikis have many great uses in the classroom. Besides the obvious of open discussions amongst colleagues and students, we can use it to brainstorm ideas for story maps and writing activites. The students can help one another with vocabulary activities. The possibilities are endless!

This is also a great tool to connect departmentalized teachers and students. Teachers can share ideas and view what is going on in one another's classrooms. Meanwhile, students from different homerooms, schools, cities, and countries can share information. This is very exciting!

Tool #5-Tagging Information

I explored the two Social Networking sites we were given, Delicious and Diigo. I decided to join Delicious because it is the more basic of the two. I will probably join Diigo once I become comfortable with Social Networking. As for now, I believe that Delicious meets my needs.

I tagged a few websites that I use frequently during the school year. These Tags are already listed in my Favorites, so they were easy to Bookmark. Three of these sites are as follows.

http://translation2.paralink.com/ http://readinglady.com/index.php?&MMN_position=1:1 http://www.firstschoolyears.com/literacy/word/other/prefixes/worksheets/Prefixes%20Worksheet%20(1).pdf

Social Networking is going to be very beneficial in the classroom. I am a firm believer that sharing our knowledge and resources promotes growth in our career. I look forward to learning from my colleagues. Also, we can open applicable resources to our students to teach them to become independent and solve challenging problems on their own.

Tool #4-Google Tools

1. Create one document in Google Docs and share it with at least one other person in your PLN.

Google Doc
I sent my daughters the following request with a form for their vote. Of course they think that I lost my mind asking about Thanksgiving in June!

I've shared Thanksgiving Celebration
Message from https://owa.springbranchisd.com/owa/redir.aspx?C=2ba77b391c1141fb86fd939dcf8e35fd&URL=mailto%3aMartha.Lopez2%40springbranchisd.com: Hi girls,
Aunt Sylvia and I are trying to decide where we want to celebrate Thanksgiving this year. Please place your vote and send back to me. Thanks.
Mom

2. Set up your Google reader and subscribe to at least five 11 Tools blogs that you will be following.

Google Reader
I subscribed to Houston News, Weather, Latest News Stories and Blogs, NYT, and The Guardian World News. Also, I am also following the posts of 7 colleagues.
Houston Chronicle
http://www.google.com/reader/view/feed/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chron.com%2Frss%2Fchronicle%2Findex.rss?hl=en
NYT
http://www.google.com/reader/view/feed/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2Fservices%2Fxml%2Frss%2Fnyt%2FHomePage.xml?hl=en
Houston News and Weather
http://www.google.com/reader/view/feed/http%3A%2F%2Fabclocal.go.com%2Fktrk%2Fxml%3Fid%3D3224679?hl=en
Click 2 Houston Local News
http://www.google.com/reader/view/feed/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.click2houston.com%2Fnews%2Ftopstory.rss?hl=en
Teacher Lingo
http://www.google.com/reader/view/feed/http%3A%2F%2Fteacherlingo.com%2Fblogs%
3. Briefly discuss how you think these 2 Google tools will aid you in your particular classroom or benefit your students in their learning process.

Google Doc will make communicating with our colleagues and students so much more effecient. It will provide us with immediate feedback and allows us to share with anyone we choose to. Google Reader is also allows us to use our resources much more effeciently. It also allows us to share our resources.

Tool #3

ADDING AN IMAGE

June 17, 2010


Dear diary,



Today I spent most of the afternoon trying to figure out how to add an image to my post. Finally, after several hours, I found the obvious button!


Ms. Lopez

This is a fun tool for students to keep a journal! Students can add an image to illustrate a journal entry that they wish to share with the class.

*************************************************************************************

WORDLE

Positive Personality Adjectives

This is a great way to teach Vocabulary Words!

Tool #2

Tool #2

1. What are your thoughts about building an online education community and participating in a PLN?

Class blogs can serve as a hub that brings together a community of learners. They can be used to inform students of class requirements, post handouts, notices, and homework assignments, or act as a question and answer board. They provide a space where teachers and students can collaborate to further develop writing or other skills with immediate feedback. Students can receive tutoring from both their teachers and peers. They also allow for online mentoring.

2. What point stood out to you from the commenting advice?

The 10 Tips To Get More Comments was quite an eye opener. However, the suggesting of having a Comment Policy sounds like a GREAT idea! I was concerned about setting up some boundaries in the comments that are posted. I like the idea of setting up our own personal set of rules on our Blog for feedback.

3. What five blogs did you select for your comments?

Suarez, Rafael, Menjivar, Guadalupe, Delgado, Nancy, Alaniz, Sylvia, Pennix, Tiera

Tool #1-Technology in the classroom

How many of you remember the tv sitcom Home Improvement? SBISD is marking
progress as it launches their own interpretation of Tim Allen's tv show, Tool Time. Teachers are engaging in an online professional development course entitled 11 Tools for the 21st Century Learner that allows teachers to become familiar with setting up a Blog. Teachers will be using Blogs along with new technology in their classrooms.

The teacher is no longer the only source of information in the classroom. Students now have an active role in the learning process with the use of technology. They are processing information, making choices, and executing skills. Blogging encourages students to work cooperatively and to provide peer tutoring.

Setting up a Blog for the first time can be time consuming. I found myself crossing my fingers while hitting buttons more often than I care to admit. It took me a series of steps and a series of days to create a title, add an avatar, and publishing my first post. However, each step got a little easier with each day. Fortunately, it usually takes my students a fraction of the time that it takes me to master a computer skill!

On to Tool #2!!!