Tool # 11

Wow!! Finished 11 tools! Test is done!  This was a lot of information in a short amount of time.  I would love to revisit some of these tools again throughout the year so that I can try them out one at a time with the kids.  I used Google Docs in the Spring with my kids to write their reader's response and saw great success and excitement.  I will definitely use that again this year.  I would like to see about all the ways I can use the iPads in the classroom.  I think it would be great to use them in small group and stations!  It will be fun to watch what happens in the classroom this year with all the new ideas and technology.

Tool # 10

1. Discuss at least three things you would want to make sure your students understand about being good digital citizens. I think one big thing that kids should know how to do well is search for accurate information and understanding that not everything on the Internet is correct. I also think that it is important for kids to learn self management when they are on the computer, meaning, that if the teacher has asked them to do something specific on the computer that they stay on task and focused on doing what is being asked.

2. Share at least one of the resources mentioned above or on the Ed Tech website that you plan to use instructionally. I think that I would use Brain Pop because I am familiar with it and the kids love it. It's also easy to use.

3. Explain briefly how you would "teach" the idea of digital citizenship to your students. I think digital citizenship should probably be part of the "back to school" information that you share with them before they ever touch technology for the year.

Tool # 9

1. I think it is important to tie the technology to the objective because you need to have purpose for what the kids are doing and why they are doing it.
2. Why should we hold students accountable for the stations/centers? I have been wanting to get more involved in having stations in my fifth grade classroom, but the management of those centers is something I worry about. I think that it is very important to have accountability in the stations to keep kids focused on the tasks. With no accountability the kids have no way of showing you want they know or understand about what they have been doing. I also think that using some sort of measure can help assess informally.
3. What about other ways to use the iPod Touch/iPad? Share another way you can see your students using the device as a station. I think it would be great to use the iPad for Discovery Education videos or Brain Pop videos. You could have a groups watch a video on a subject you are studying and then have them work together to create a product to show you what they learned.