After 11 Tools: Reflections

1. What are your favorite tools you now have in your personal technology toolbox? Briefly describe a particular activity that you will plan for your students using at least one of these new tools.
One of my favorite tools is making a video using your pictures. I can now take my students’ pictures and make a story with them, so they can see how amazing it is to be able to use the computer and do wonderful learning things.
Another tool is the google docs. I have known many people that cant afford to buy software, and google docs will allow them to make documents and practice the skills.


2. How have you transfomed your thinking about the learning that will take place in your classroom?
Well, technology gives us more options on how to differentiate instruction, and it also allow students to use different intelligences to gain, retain and practice the information and skills they need to learn. All these tools have open a variety of doors to make lessons much more interactive and live to students.

3. Were there any unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
Yes, on how many free resources there are and that we can use. I just hope companies can find a way to make profit, because I have seen free services from websites before, and after a few years of not having any profits on a particular service, they discontinue it. Thanks to all those companies who are making an impact in education.

Tool 11: Digital Citizenship

Teacher responsibility and modeling – It is important that a teacher models what they teach. In case of digital citizenship, the teacher has to act upon the principles that he/she has taught.

Personal information – It is imperative that all students understand the importance of safe keeping their personal information and what consequences could they have if they are not. Personal information does not make us who we are, but it does identify us in our society and community. If anyone takes control of our personal information, they could damage our reputation or even commit crimes or bulling.
Students should learn that passwords are personal and that each of us should respect our friends privacy when entering them.

Etiquette – How to conduct yourself and the procedures to participate in online communities. Teaching principles will make the students know the parameters upon which they are expected to behave and how they expect others to show respect. In these electronic times, etiquette is not only personally, but also electronically. People will respect you as long as you respect them.
Express your opinion but leave it open for others to express themselves.

In PreK I will tell my students that in order to be good digital citizens, they need to learn to be good citizens, good friends, good with each other. To respect each other and listen to what others have to say.

Tool 10: Exploring Mobile Technology And Apps

Who would ever think that something like the i-phone, i-pod or i-pad would exist. Students can really interact with what they are learning.

Some of the educational apps that I revewed are:
ABC Phonics Animals Free Lite - This type of softwares will allow the students to learn in a fun way. To spend time using different options while having a huge letter name and sound impact.

The ABA Flash Cards will also allow the students to have a visual of the object, animal or fruit, while being able to see how it is written. They will be able to interact with the topics that they like and gain vocabulary and spelling.

Tool 9: Sharing Information Through Jing & Skype

The more tools I make, the more amazed I am of the things that internet can offer and I didnt know. I did know about skype but I didnt know about the Jing.

1. It is great to have a software like jing because you can actually make screens and make a video with them. This allows us to make a step by step presentation of a particular topic or area. This is the type of softwares that can actually help educators make better lessons and allow the students to be able to watch the presentations over and over if they need to. Plus, having a visual is much more helpful and gives a great impact.

2. Skype is really amazing because you can call and video call anyone that has an account with them, no matter where they are in the world. This will allow students from all nations to be able to interact with other cultures and learn from them. The world is becoming smaller and smaller with technology. I just hope that people keep on spending time with other people personally and not just through computers.

Tools 8 - Video Resources

It is very useful to be able to have videos of the topics we are teaching, because this allows the students to have a better understanding of the topic. As an example, I am teaching the ocean theme for summer school, and I was able to show my students a video of an octopus and a dolphin.
This tool will enhance our teaching.
Here they are:
1. Octopus.


2. Dolphins

Tool 7: Digital Storytelling

Wow! Technology is amazing! It was a great experience to make my first video. I used my cat's pics to present him in my blog. I will be able to make good videos for my students and enhance my lessons.
I will also make some videos with my Pre K students so they can be aware of the technology.

I tried to upload the video but it doesnt do it. I will try again tomorrow.
I do have the video since I was able to save it and then watch it in my laptop.

Tool 6: Wikis

It is awesome that a Wiki can allow you to have one same document for everyone to work in. As they said in the video, instead of emailing everyone, everyone can get on the document and edit it.
We can use the wiki in my classroom to show students that we can all use the computer to create a list out of our brainstorming for ideas, or topics that they want to learn from.
For the Pre-K teachers it can allow us to work together to create one document without having to be in the same location at the same time. Or to sign up for duties when we have a particular activity.

Tool 5: Tagging and Social Bookmarking

These are the 2 websites that I found and bookmarked in my Diigo:
1. http://www.teachertube.com/
2. http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page

In order to find this hot links, I used the educational and video tags.

This bookmarking tool will be useful as it will allow me to keep track of the websites that I consider have the best information about PreK topics and strategies.

Tools 4

1. This is the link to my first Google Doc that I make! Sharing with who ever wants to read it :)
https://docs.google.com/document/edit?id=11tdc27JO8Nvou7xmHqAjhawPYUz4fb26578CxE-Cn-E&hl=en&authkey=CPrDxZQO

Well, it then game this one:
http://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=11tdc27JO8Nvou7xmHqAjhawPYUz4fb26578CxE-Cn-E

I also shared it with Ms. Cecilia Puche!

2. The Blogs that I subscribed to are:
Ms. Ray's blog
ENGLISH WITH ROSA
Mrs. Yollis' Classroom Blog
Free Technology for Teachers
American Presidents Blog

3. The Goggle docs and reader will allow me to create documents on the go where ever I am and I have a good idea! and will also keep me up to date with the information that I am interested in. My students will benefit by being able to use the word procesor and see that they can also use the computer to write.

Tool 3 Image Generators & Mashups

It was fun to do tools 3. This will allow me to make fun presentations for my students, and will allow the students to make their own creations while having fun. They will have an additional benefit, since their creativity will develop to higher levels!

These are the pics I created and they have the websites where they were made:

:)

Tools 2 Building Community & Comments

1. Through using the PLN Sbisd blog system, we will be able to share strategies between teachers which will allow us to have additional tools to differentiate instruction and give to the students the necessary tools for success.
It is also important for educators to know and be able to use the technology that students are already interacting with at home.

2. From the commenting advise I think it is important to allow space for others to comment in a particular topic.

3. Comments in 5 blogs:
Mrs. Yollis' Classroom Blog
In “ENGLISH WITH ROSA” at PENPALS FROM MANCHESTER.
In “ENGLISH WITH ROSA” at HANDA´S SURPRISE.
In Mrs. Yollis' Classroom Blog at June 15 ~ School is Out!
3 New Ways to find Free Technologies for tgeachers.

Tool 1 Blog Set-up & Registration

It was interesting to create my first blog and the Voki. This is an amazing technology.
This will allow us to learn about what other teachers do in their classrooms and learn more strategies.