Thing 2 Connecting and Communicating

Build Your PLN Thing 2

The always on nature of professional learning on Twitter enhances modern PD by giving teachers the option to locate and follow those with the information they want. As a first grade teacher I am now able to look up a list of educators and check out what they are doing and get ideas for my own classroom. Many times I have seen links for conferences and or reviews of conferences or PD’s others have actually gone to. It is nice to read what others have to say about the things they have done and it helps me decide where I want to go. I follow teachers that I have seen at MACUL and have gained lots of great information when it comes to using technology.

I don’t really have a lot of concerns about Twitter. I just think that I need to use it more in order to become more comfortable with the format and how to do it. I admit that I am not on it enough and need to try it out more. When I am on it I find that it is a useful tool in education for both teachers and as time goes on for students as well.

Video Calling: Google Hangout

• I think video calling would help a great deal in my classroom. On a daily basis it seems I have a teacher call me with some type of computer or iPad problem. Using video calling they could actually show me the problem. Most teachers call and try to explain what is wrong but for me a visual is best. I could also see us using it as a way to conference over a student or even for a staff meeting. Our staff is small and this would be a great way to communicate from the classroom and not have to worry about what room we are going to travel to.

•  Video calling with students is a great idea! Even better I could use it with parents in a one to one conversation when they have questions over homework.

 

•   Google Hang Out is a great tool when it comes to keeping in touch with your family! I have a brother in Florida and a sister who lives in Leslie. I can talk to both of them at the same time and they think it is great!

Thing 1- iPad Basics

Customizing the home screen allows easy access for teacher and student. Teachers have a better sense of where apps are and where students can go to find them. I teach first graders and telling them a specific location on the ipad makes a big difference. Using a folder to place all math apps together not only keeps the home screen clean but hepls my students find the app quicker. Teachers can show students how to do this in the classroom and then they can take it home to use on their own devices. As an elementary teacher I have always believed in the KISS method and using folders definitely  uses this method.

Pedagogy

Learn

http://youtu.be/X79rBrFaENg

“Quincy 5^th Graders Learn Through Wetland Project” This video has several great examples of the levels in SAMR and Bloom's Digital Taxonomy.

 .38 Substitution-Students use the iPad instead of graph paper to graph the forms for an outdoor structure.  Bloom’s Analysing- using the graph paper to construct. This could also be a form of Augmentation because students could easily manipulate the iPad and clear and reuse the graph paper thus giving functional improvement

Modification: .59 Students use the iPad for writing which include photos and pictures of items they wish to sell in order to make money for their project.  Bloom’s Applying loading pictures and sharing what they have done through writing and advertising.

Redefinition: .24 At the beginning of the video students are making a video to advertise the project they are doing.  Bloom’s Creating-using the video to show what they have been doing and plan to do.

21 Things for ipad

Well getting ready to learn more things about the ipad. Then I will take it back to my first grade class.

Update

Well this year I am teaching first grade. What a difference from third. I did not let it stop me from using technology. I am now using laptops and ipads in my classroom. My students are busy with math, reading, writing, and storytelling using technology.

My first graders do their spelling test on line using Spellingcity.com and we do our weekly testing on our Pearson site pearsonsuccessnet.com. I am amazed everyday by the ability they have to succeed with technology.

I continue to look for new ways to use technology in my class no matter what age level I am teaching.

Symbaloo is my newest addition. It is a great tool for organizing what I want my students to do. I also found out how to create my own avitar using Voki! Too cool? Check this out http://www.voki.com/ . Web 2.0 is a wonderful resource. I listened to a recent webinar on Symbaloo and this was included. So keep looking for new tools and don't think your students are too young to use technology. My first graders are turning into real techno geeks!!!