Thursday, August 14, 2014
Technology to Enhance Literacy
Throughout the MET program I have had the opportunity to take lots of great classes. Because of it's focus on enhancing literacy, 'Technology to Enhance Literacy' has been one of my favorites. There are so many ways to use technology to increase student learning, support research, encourage creativity, and engage students. I have absolutely loved learning more ways I can use the technology available to me to help beef up my literacy curriculum. If you'd like to read more about what I loved and why I loved it, feel read to read my reflection paper over NETS-T1!
Monday, August 11, 2014
Infographic
I created an info-graphic on tigers. During one of our units, our 4th graders do animal research projects ... and I think an info-graphic might be a great way for them to present some of their findings! I used Google docs and created my info-graphic as a drawing. It was easy, and fun. The kids are sure to love it.
Monday, July 28, 2014
Digital Story
I did my digital story on my Uncle Jim ... and the fact that he is one of my biggest heroes! =) Admittedly I was very ... weary ... at the idea of a digital story. BUT it was *way easier* than I had thought it would be! Now I am excited at the possibility of having my kids create their own digital stories.
Monday, July 21, 2014
Plagiarism and Cititations
Citations, plagiarism, and paraphrasing are key words in 4th grade. As we begin expecting the kids to write more and more and start expanding on their research abilities and non fiction writing skills, we have to talk to our kids about plagiarism and citations. Our librarian has been fantastic about helping us kick off discussions about plagiarism by showing the kids how bad it feels if someone copies your work or claims your work for their own. (She does a very simple lesson where she has the kids each write a shape poem and then takes one kids work and puts her own name on it ... simple, but effective). From there we talk to the kids about how to avoid "stealing" someone's work, or plagiarizing. We model citing sources for the kids and give them lots of support as they learn how to cite. We also help them figure out how to paraphrase ... which is really difficult for most kids!
We bring up these conversations any time we get the chance. We do a lot of modeled writing, and every time I write I think aloud with my kids ... "Is this my own words?" "How can I make sure it is my own words?" "What do I need to do to be sure I am not stealing this persons work?" "How can I give the original author credit?" etc.
Thinking aloud with my students does a couple of things ... first it models the correct way to cite sources and avoid plagiarism. However, it also shows my students that I have to think through these questions, too (which is oh so true!).
Plagiarism is tricky for kids to understand. Paraphrasing is really hard. And Citations are tricky (even for me!). There are some great videos on Brainpop that we like to use on plagiarism, citations, and paraphrasing. You can find them here.
We bring up these conversations any time we get the chance. We do a lot of modeled writing, and every time I write I think aloud with my kids ... "Is this my own words?" "How can I make sure it is my own words?" "What do I need to do to be sure I am not stealing this persons work?" "How can I give the original author credit?" etc.
Thinking aloud with my students does a couple of things ... first it models the correct way to cite sources and avoid plagiarism. However, it also shows my students that I have to think through these questions, too (which is oh so true!).
Plagiarism is tricky for kids to understand. Paraphrasing is really hard. And Citations are tricky (even for me!). There are some great videos on Brainpop that we like to use on plagiarism, citations, and paraphrasing. You can find them here.
What helpful hints do you have for helping kids understand plagiarism?
Monday, July 14, 2014
Weebly Website
I created my class website using Weebly.com during my first year teaching. Weebly was super easy to use and (so far) has had any tool I could imagine needing.
My website has already changed a lot over the last two years, and I'm sure will continue to do so as I learn better and better ways to incoporate technology into my room. Check it out at moreland4.weebly.com.
I primarily use my website as a way to make websites I want my students to use easily accessible for them. When we are working on a unit I am able to put links on my site that we will be referencing throughout the unit for easy finding. I also have a page of "fun" links my students can go to during any down time they have. At the end of each unit I also use the website for our performance events so that the students can easily navigate to the website they need. Though one is not up right now (as it is summer), I often use the blogging feature for my students to have book talks. Recently, I added a discussion board forum to my website making it more of a Ning. I am excited to use this with my students in the coming year!
On my website I do post some information for parents and I have a form that parents can use to contact me. I used to keep a personal blog on the site for our classroom that I used as an easily up-datable newsletter. However, I did not find that parents were reading the blog and I have never had anyone use the site to contact me (they all have my e-mail and school phone number and usually use those instead). So, using my website for contact with parents is definitely a "gap" I'd like to fill in with my website.
One thing on my website that does appeal to parents and other teachers is a book list. I have a list of books that we read (or that supplement) each unit that we do. I also have a link to my other website units4.weebly.com that serves as more of a "teacher page". On that site I have links to worksheets, activities, websites, tools, and books, we use for our units. This allows me and the teachers I work with (as well as potentially other teachers) to have easy access to some ideas we have found for our units.
I know there are a lot more ways ... and possibly more effective ways ... I could be using my website. What are some ideas you have?
My website has already changed a lot over the last two years, and I'm sure will continue to do so as I learn better and better ways to incoporate technology into my room. Check it out at moreland4.weebly.com.
I primarily use my website as a way to make websites I want my students to use easily accessible for them. When we are working on a unit I am able to put links on my site that we will be referencing throughout the unit for easy finding. I also have a page of "fun" links my students can go to during any down time they have. At the end of each unit I also use the website for our performance events so that the students can easily navigate to the website they need. Though one is not up right now (as it is summer), I often use the blogging feature for my students to have book talks. Recently, I added a discussion board forum to my website making it more of a Ning. I am excited to use this with my students in the coming year!
On my website I do post some information for parents and I have a form that parents can use to contact me. I used to keep a personal blog on the site for our classroom that I used as an easily up-datable newsletter. However, I did not find that parents were reading the blog and I have never had anyone use the site to contact me (they all have my e-mail and school phone number and usually use those instead). So, using my website for contact with parents is definitely a "gap" I'd like to fill in with my website.
One thing on my website that does appeal to parents and other teachers is a book list. I have a list of books that we read (or that supplement) each unit that we do. I also have a link to my other website units4.weebly.com that serves as more of a "teacher page". On that site I have links to worksheets, activities, websites, tools, and books, we use for our units. This allows me and the teachers I work with (as well as potentially other teachers) to have easy access to some ideas we have found for our units.
I know there are a lot more ways ... and possibly more effective ways ... I could be using my website. What are some ideas you have?
Monday, July 7, 2014
Incorporating Literacy
Because I am an ELA teacher, incorporating literacy into everything is something I do on a daily basis. In fourth grade we teach using units ... and our units are awesome! Through the units we are able to integrate reading, writing, social studies, and science. Our units tend to alternate between science based like "Weather or Not" in which students learn about different types of weather while also learning how authors use weather to benefit books, and "Tales of the Heart" during which students learn about the human heart as well as the heart of stories and characters and Social Studies units like "Earth, Wind, and Sky" which focuses on Native Americans and Native American literature and "Literary Heroes" which focuses on heroes of the Revolutionary War as well as what it takes to be a hero.
Through our units we try to balance non fiction reading and research, fiction reading, personal writing, and content-specific writing.
One of the things we do at the end of our units that the kids really enjoy is our Performance Events. For our 3rd Unit "Animals are Characters Too!", we read lots of books about animals. We focus on things like personification and how authors portray animals in stories, and we also read and research all about animals. At the end of the unit we have students research two animals, choose the one they think would be best included into a (made up) wildlife refuge, and then write a persuasive letter to the wildlife refuge. This event is graded based on a rubric which has sections for their researcher (use of a graphic organizer), their writing, and their effort/use of time. You can check out our entire performance event here. The kids and I both love this assignment because it gets them using technology, researching (which they love!), learning all about science, reading, and writing. It integrates a lot of things and because they enjoy it they are focused and working hard!
Through our units we try to balance non fiction reading and research, fiction reading, personal writing, and content-specific writing.
One of the things we do at the end of our units that the kids really enjoy is our Performance Events. For our 3rd Unit "Animals are Characters Too!", we read lots of books about animals. We focus on things like personification and how authors portray animals in stories, and we also read and research all about animals. At the end of the unit we have students research two animals, choose the one they think would be best included into a (made up) wildlife refuge, and then write a persuasive letter to the wildlife refuge. This event is graded based on a rubric which has sections for their researcher (use of a graphic organizer), their writing, and their effort/use of time. You can check out our entire performance event here. The kids and I both love this assignment because it gets them using technology, researching (which they love!), learning all about science, reading, and writing. It integrates a lot of things and because they enjoy it they are focused and working hard!
Integration is a wonderful thing ... can't wait to see what it looks like in your classroom!
Monday, June 30, 2014
Wiki Reviews
While looking for Wikis to review, I was *amazed* at how many Wikis I was able to find that were being used in elementary classrooms ... and I love it!
The two wikis I chose to review were http://desbuffalo.wikispaces.com/ (Mrs. Koopman's classroom) and http://wikiwonderful.wikispaces.com/ (Mrs. Hopkin's classroom).
I liked that both of these wikis has explanation links explaining what a wiki is, how to edit pages, when to edit pages, and other "wiki rules". At the elementary level (wikiwonderful being a 2nd grade wiki), it is safe to assume this is one of the first times these students (and their parents) will have seen a wiki. By clearly posting the wiki rules and how to's, the teacher have save themselves time and headaches.
The wikiwonderful wiki had a page for everything from a place for students to write stories, to monthly themed poetry and book chats, to a page for their class pets, and links to several class projects the students were doing. The teacher also used this wiki as a class photo album of sorts with a page for each class activity (which I think is fun idea!). I love that on this wiki I could see lots of student work and evidence of student contribution. I found this wiki inspiring ... if a second grade teacher can do this with her second graders, then I need to get on it with my fourth graders!
The desbuffalo wiki seemed to be a wiki used more by the teacher for instruction. This wiki also had pages for everything - from writing and literature to simple machines and the Civil War. However, on this wiki I saw less evidence of student contribution, and more signs of the teacher using the wiki to give information. There were some links to message and discussion boards where students could contribute, but I didn't really see that the students were actively involved in the wiki itself. This is away to use a wiki that I really hadn't thought as much about. While I like having the student contribution more, I do think wikis would be a great way to give information as well -- and I may have to play with ways to combine the two ideas!
Overall I found both these wikis great examples to go through! It is wonderful to see the ways other teachers are using technology tools.
The two wikis I chose to review were http://desbuffalo.wikispaces.com/ (Mrs. Koopman's classroom) and http://wikiwonderful.wikispaces.com/ (Mrs. Hopkin's classroom).
I liked that both of these wikis has explanation links explaining what a wiki is, how to edit pages, when to edit pages, and other "wiki rules". At the elementary level (wikiwonderful being a 2nd grade wiki), it is safe to assume this is one of the first times these students (and their parents) will have seen a wiki. By clearly posting the wiki rules and how to's, the teacher have save themselves time and headaches.
The wikiwonderful wiki had a page for everything from a place for students to write stories, to monthly themed poetry and book chats, to a page for their class pets, and links to several class projects the students were doing. The teacher also used this wiki as a class photo album of sorts with a page for each class activity (which I think is fun idea!). I love that on this wiki I could see lots of student work and evidence of student contribution. I found this wiki inspiring ... if a second grade teacher can do this with her second graders, then I need to get on it with my fourth graders!
The desbuffalo wiki seemed to be a wiki used more by the teacher for instruction. This wiki also had pages for everything - from writing and literature to simple machines and the Civil War. However, on this wiki I saw less evidence of student contribution, and more signs of the teacher using the wiki to give information. There were some links to message and discussion boards where students could contribute, but I didn't really see that the students were actively involved in the wiki itself. This is away to use a wiki that I really hadn't thought as much about. While I like having the student contribution more, I do think wikis would be a great way to give information as well -- and I may have to play with ways to combine the two ideas!
Overall I found both these wikis great examples to go through! It is wonderful to see the ways other teachers are using technology tools.
If you are looking for a list of great sample wikis, here are two awesome lists that I found the wikis I reviewed on: http://wikiswork.wikispaces.com/Examples+of+Elementary+Classroom+Wikis and http://elementarywikis.pbworks.com/w/page/18744756/Examples%20of%20Elementary%20Wikis
Options
One of the absolutely awesome and yet completely overwhelming things about incorporating technology into my classroom is deciding what technology to use when and for what purpose.
There are just so many options!
One of the main questions I ask myself when I'm trying to decide what tool to use is "What do I want my students to accomplish by doing this?" Do I want them to gain experience with a new tool? Do I want them to collaborate and work on communication? Do I want them to be creative? Do I want them to show me what they learned? etc.
Not that those questions always narrow it down ... but it gets me off to start!
One tool I am excited about using with my kiddos this year is a Wiki (I plan on using wikispaces.com).
Every year my 4th graders do an animal research project. Over the years this has looked a couple different ways ... from a paper, to a diorama, to a persuasive letter ... next year I am thinking a Wiki may be a great solution!
Using a Wiki will get my kids working together. They can collaborate with their partner as well as other groups. It will encourage greatness as they see that their work is out there for the world to see (not just me and their parents!). Creativity will be built as they can include some multimedia - pictures, even a video, of their choice. They will get to learn a new tool (as they probably have not worked on a Wiki before), and they still will definitely be showing me what they learned!
I will use a rubric to grade each student's Wiki page - and I'm not sure *exactly* what that rubric will look like yet. But the effectiveness of the Wiki use will be easy to judge based on my kiddos success and their engagement throughout the project!
I think the kids will absolutely love this new adventure!
There are just so many options!
One of the main questions I ask myself when I'm trying to decide what tool to use is "What do I want my students to accomplish by doing this?" Do I want them to gain experience with a new tool? Do I want them to collaborate and work on communication? Do I want them to be creative? Do I want them to show me what they learned? etc.
Not that those questions always narrow it down ... but it gets me off to start!
One tool I am excited about using with my kiddos this year is a Wiki (I plan on using wikispaces.com).
Every year my 4th graders do an animal research project. Over the years this has looked a couple different ways ... from a paper, to a diorama, to a persuasive letter ... next year I am thinking a Wiki may be a great solution!
Using a Wiki will get my kids working together. They can collaborate with their partner as well as other groups. It will encourage greatness as they see that their work is out there for the world to see (not just me and their parents!). Creativity will be built as they can include some multimedia - pictures, even a video, of their choice. They will get to learn a new tool (as they probably have not worked on a Wiki before), and they still will definitely be showing me what they learned!
I will use a rubric to grade each student's Wiki page - and I'm not sure *exactly* what that rubric will look like yet. But the effectiveness of the Wiki use will be easy to judge based on my kiddos success and their engagement throughout the project!
I think the kids will absolutely love this new adventure!
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
And so we meet again....
...for a new class! As I progress through my Masters in Educational Technology, I am now taking EDET 573 - Technology to Enhance Literacy. As a 4th grade ELA teacher, nothing is nearer to my heart than literacy! I am so excited to jump in and find more ways to support literacy in my classroom. My students and I use my website a lot ... and this year I can't wait to use it more, for blogging, discussions boards, and other forms of collaboration. Check it out here!
While I absolutely love technology, I also love to read books and write on paper ... so I often have some incredibly mixed feelings - and find myself struggling to incorporate technology without doing simply for the sake of technology. I am excited to learn and practice more ways to use technology to truly enhance literacy!
As we jump into week 1 we started reading two books: Technology to teach literacy: a
resource for k-8 teachers and Literacy 2.0: Reading and writing in 21st century classrooms. I think both of these books promise to be interesting reads. First of all, I love that both books discussed Project Based Learning - this is something I have been researching and am very interested in! I loved reading more people talking about how great it is - and talking about how it fits with technology.
The readings also pointed out lots of important things ... three of my favorite ideas were:
1. 'Literacy' doesn't just mean reading a book and isn't just based on print texts. Redefining literacy is a big deal before moving forward in a technology centered world.
2. Technology use ups motivation, engagement, and problem solving ability. All three of these things are a huge part of what I strive for with my students every day. And frankly, when it comes to true engagement and motivation, why not take all the help we can get? If technology is motivating - then I want to be using it!
3. Students need us to help them learn how to use technology. Electronic communication will be a requirement in the digital world and work force our students are entering. In their future jobs they will be asked to use unknown technologies - some of which haven't even been thought of yet. Technology is important to their lives ... and I need to be helping them get prepared.
I am passionate about literacy. And, if I'm going to be addressing literacy in its entirety, then I certainly need to be using technology with my students!
While I absolutely love technology, I also love to read books and write on paper ... so I often have some incredibly mixed feelings - and find myself struggling to incorporate technology without doing simply for the sake of technology. I am excited to learn and practice more ways to use technology to truly enhance literacy!
As we jump into week 1 we started reading two books: Technology to teach literacy: a
resource for k-8 teachers and Literacy 2.0: Reading and writing in 21st century classrooms. I think both of these books promise to be interesting reads. First of all, I love that both books discussed Project Based Learning - this is something I have been researching and am very interested in! I loved reading more people talking about how great it is - and talking about how it fits with technology.
The readings also pointed out lots of important things ... three of my favorite ideas were:
1. 'Literacy' doesn't just mean reading a book and isn't just based on print texts. Redefining literacy is a big deal before moving forward in a technology centered world.
2. Technology use ups motivation, engagement, and problem solving ability. All three of these things are a huge part of what I strive for with my students every day. And frankly, when it comes to true engagement and motivation, why not take all the help we can get? If technology is motivating - then I want to be using it!
3. Students need us to help them learn how to use technology. Electronic communication will be a requirement in the digital world and work force our students are entering. In their future jobs they will be asked to use unknown technologies - some of which haven't even been thought of yet. Technology is important to their lives ... and I need to be helping them get prepared.
I am passionate about literacy. And, if I'm going to be addressing literacy in its entirety, then I certainly need to be using technology with my students!
Monday, April 14, 2014
Collaborative Tools
There are *countless* collaborative tools 'around' ... and, as you know, my current favorite PLN is Twitter. I won't drag on and on about why I love it, but if you want to reread my thoughts you can look here. I told you about some of my other favorite social media sites in this blog post. So, now that my current class is wrapping up, what will I continue to use?
**Twitter, of course! For myself as a PLN, it's the bomb-diggity. I don't see myself using Twitter with my students (although I will use it as another format of parent contact!). If you haven't added me yet - follow me at mkatie4.
***Twiducate will definitely be used in my classroom again - and more so - next year. My students have LOVED it - and I love it as an easy formative assessment and a great way for students to collaborate. Next year I'd love to look at adding classes other than my own so that my students can collaborate with a larger audience.
****Pinterest. Long ago I lost count of how many times I've said "I found it on Pinterest!". Whenever I have an idea but need help pulling it off, OR if I am feeling less than creative ... this site is an awesome way to find great lesson plans and project ideas. Often it links to Teachers Pay Teachers activities, which is another site I LOVE.
*****Wikispaces. Next year I'd love to have my kids create a Wiki. I haven't played much with this yet ... but I think knowing something they created would be on the web forever is just plain awesome.
******Blogger. This is the site that excites me and terrifies me the most. At the beginning of the year I love to jump into writing by having my kids journal ... so, now that we are 1:1 I am excited to have my kids blog! I have always had a blog on my webpage that we used for "book talks", but I think letting each kiddo create their own blog is a fantastic idea. I think it would encourage creativity and bring some of the kids out of their shell ... not to mention encouraging collaboration! However, I am nervous about how to really keep track of/manage what each kiddo types all the time to ensure they are using it appropriately. I'm still working out the logistics/management of it -- but I think it'll be great.
*******Google Drive. Whether I'm commenting on my kiddos writings or they are creating and sharing presentations, I love all that Google Drive has to offer. It has been huge for collaboration in my room, and I'm excited to get better and better at using it.
I don't have all the logistics figured. I haven't quite wrapped my mind around some of the management issues that are liable to arise. And every now and then I have mild panic attacks about trying to teach these tools so that they are truly useful and not a distraction ... not to mention teaching (and watching for) good digital citizenship.
BUT the bottom line is that technology is worth it. It is going to up the anti in my room. It is boosting creativity. It is increasing engagement. It's enhancing our learning. It's deepening our understanding. It's encouraging collaboration. It's doing good things. I'm loving it ... and so are my kids!
**Twitter, of course! For myself as a PLN, it's the bomb-diggity. I don't see myself using Twitter with my students (although I will use it as another format of parent contact!). If you haven't added me yet - follow me at mkatie4.
***Twiducate will definitely be used in my classroom again - and more so - next year. My students have LOVED it - and I love it as an easy formative assessment and a great way for students to collaborate. Next year I'd love to look at adding classes other than my own so that my students can collaborate with a larger audience.
****Pinterest. Long ago I lost count of how many times I've said "I found it on Pinterest!". Whenever I have an idea but need help pulling it off, OR if I am feeling less than creative ... this site is an awesome way to find great lesson plans and project ideas. Often it links to Teachers Pay Teachers activities, which is another site I LOVE.
*****Wikispaces. Next year I'd love to have my kids create a Wiki. I haven't played much with this yet ... but I think knowing something they created would be on the web forever is just plain awesome.
******Blogger. This is the site that excites me and terrifies me the most. At the beginning of the year I love to jump into writing by having my kids journal ... so, now that we are 1:1 I am excited to have my kids blog! I have always had a blog on my webpage that we used for "book talks", but I think letting each kiddo create their own blog is a fantastic idea. I think it would encourage creativity and bring some of the kids out of their shell ... not to mention encouraging collaboration! However, I am nervous about how to really keep track of/manage what each kiddo types all the time to ensure they are using it appropriately. I'm still working out the logistics/management of it -- but I think it'll be great.
*******Google Drive. Whether I'm commenting on my kiddos writings or they are creating and sharing presentations, I love all that Google Drive has to offer. It has been huge for collaboration in my room, and I'm excited to get better and better at using it.
I don't have all the logistics figured. I haven't quite wrapped my mind around some of the management issues that are liable to arise. And every now and then I have mild panic attacks about trying to teach these tools so that they are truly useful and not a distraction ... not to mention teaching (and watching for) good digital citizenship.
BUT the bottom line is that technology is worth it. It is going to up the anti in my room. It is boosting creativity. It is increasing engagement. It's enhancing our learning. It's deepening our understanding. It's encouraging collaboration. It's doing good things. I'm loving it ... and so are my kids!
How are YOU using technology?
Any brilliant management tips to share?
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Social Media
The use of social media - websites that do more than just give you information, but rather interact with you and let you interact with others - is ever increasing. There are so many different sites you can use ... so here are a few of my favorites!
*Twitter - I've already told you I am a Twitter-holic. I love the ease and speed of perusing my "feed" and clicking on articles and information that interest me. After I sat in on my first Twitter Chat I gained a whole new host of people to follow and be followed by and found an awesome community of people willing and ready to share brilliant ideas. I love it. If I have questions, am in need of resources or ideas, or have have something I want to share, this is the perfect place to it. Personalized PDC. What's better than that?
**Pinterest - If ever I am drained of creativity ... or have an idea and need help pulling it off ... or need to see someone else's ideas of how to accomplish something ... Pinterest is the place I go. Whether I'm searching "Revolutionary War" or "Benjamin Franklin" in search of fun projects and approaches to teaching new curriculum or looking for "ways to reach English Language Learners" (seriously, that brought up an ENTIRE host of resources here!), Pinterest never lets me down. I feel absolutely no need to recreate the wheel ... people are creative, and I LOVE that they make their ideas available to me though this site!
***Nings - This one is new to me as of today. But I like it already. I joined a Ning for Elementary teachers ... http://elementarytechteachers.ning.com/. On this site I can chat with other teachers, read their blogs, watch and share videos, and participate in forum discussions. A great deal of the current discussions on the site revolve around educational technology -- which I think is fantastic! I think this will be a fabulous resource for find new ideas, asking questions, discussing education trends, and learning from other teachers. I never get tired of hearing what other teachers have tried and loved - and this is another great way for me to do that.
****Facebook - I mostly use Facebook for personal socialization. I do think it is a great way for schools to get information out to parents/community members. I follow the pages of many educational companies and a lot of my friends happen to be teachers, so my news feed often contains educational blurbs and ideas. It is another great way to stay connected, share ideas, and keep up with people.
I know there are countless more social media sites available. I have a Google+ account ... and I use it some ... but I just haven't quite figured out how to make the best use of it yet. Maybe tackling that will be the next step.
I love being connected with people. I love hearing others ideas. I love seeing the things they try and do. And that's why I love social media.
*Twitter - I've already told you I am a Twitter-holic. I love the ease and speed of perusing my "feed" and clicking on articles and information that interest me. After I sat in on my first Twitter Chat I gained a whole new host of people to follow and be followed by and found an awesome community of people willing and ready to share brilliant ideas. I love it. If I have questions, am in need of resources or ideas, or have have something I want to share, this is the perfect place to it. Personalized PDC. What's better than that?
**Pinterest - If ever I am drained of creativity ... or have an idea and need help pulling it off ... or need to see someone else's ideas of how to accomplish something ... Pinterest is the place I go. Whether I'm searching "Revolutionary War" or "Benjamin Franklin" in search of fun projects and approaches to teaching new curriculum or looking for "ways to reach English Language Learners" (seriously, that brought up an ENTIRE host of resources here!), Pinterest never lets me down. I feel absolutely no need to recreate the wheel ... people are creative, and I LOVE that they make their ideas available to me though this site!
***Nings - This one is new to me as of today. But I like it already. I joined a Ning for Elementary teachers ... http://elementarytechteachers.ning.com/. On this site I can chat with other teachers, read their blogs, watch and share videos, and participate in forum discussions. A great deal of the current discussions on the site revolve around educational technology -- which I think is fantastic! I think this will be a fabulous resource for find new ideas, asking questions, discussing education trends, and learning from other teachers. I never get tired of hearing what other teachers have tried and loved - and this is another great way for me to do that.
****Facebook - I mostly use Facebook for personal socialization. I do think it is a great way for schools to get information out to parents/community members. I follow the pages of many educational companies and a lot of my friends happen to be teachers, so my news feed often contains educational blurbs and ideas. It is another great way to stay connected, share ideas, and keep up with people.
I know there are countless more social media sites available. I have a Google+ account ... and I use it some ... but I just haven't quite figured out how to make the best use of it yet. Maybe tackling that will be the next step.
I love being connected with people. I love hearing others ideas. I love seeing the things they try and do. And that's why I love social media.
Monday, March 24, 2014
#TwitterChat
I just spent an hour with my phone dinging crazily with notifications about the awesome ideas popping up on my computer screen. Technology overload? Close. But in the best way possible.
That's right ... I just sat in on my first Twitter chat. And what a chat it was!
A random Google search helped me find a chat group #4thchat. And tonight I joined in.
It was fast paced. Overwhelmingly so at first. Tweets flyin' like crazy. All about 4th grade and this weeks topics of choice, holidays and celebrations.
So much PD. So many great ideas. And such a feel of community!
I followed people. People followed me. I'm building a PLC.
And if you haven't started yet ... you should!
That's right ... I just sat in on my first Twitter chat. And what a chat it was!
A random Google search helped me find a chat group #4thchat. And tonight I joined in.
It was fast paced. Overwhelmingly so at first. Tweets flyin' like crazy. All about 4th grade and this weeks topics of choice, holidays and celebrations.
So much PD. So many great ideas. And such a feel of community!
I followed people. People followed me. I'm building a PLC.
And if you haven't started yet ... you should!
#4thchat Monday nights from 7-8 PM.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Becoming Networked
Last week I did something amazing. Based on a recommendation from an awesome colleague (read Victoria's blog here), I checked out Twiducate. And then I did something even more amazing ... I introduced my kiddos to it. And, though it is not quite like Twitter, it is close enough that my kids have decided we should call our posts "tweets" ... and they are thrilled.
Twiducate is basically a posting board for my classroom. Its a place my kids and I can share ideas and thoughts and questions. It's a place they can prove they can show me (and their classmates) what they are learning (like last week when they were asked to make a post describing the Dust Bowl using a simile). It's a brilliant way for me to get a formative assessment. It's very teacher controlled ... the kids have to have my class code and a password to access our class. I get an e-mail every time something is posted (for now the chat feature is disabled because I don't get e-mails about chats) so I can keep an eye on things.
And it's fun. Right now they are super excited to just communicate with their classmates. I also have the option to add other classes so that we can communicate with them. Talk about great collaboration. (Shameless plug ... if you start using Twiducate, add my class!) I have, for now, asked my classes to only post when and what I ask them to ... we are still learning about the social media side of things, so I am not quite "turning them loose" yet.
But look at us ... 37 nine and ten year old kids and one still slightly nervous teacher ... becoming a networked classroom. Whoa.
I've read articles (like this one). I've done research (such as this). And, lets be honest, the benefits of being a networked classroom are numerous and obvious. It's a great way to engage kids. It's a great way to connect kids. It's 'world-flattening'. It's preparing kids for their future jobs (all of which aren't even created yet!). For my kiddos (4th graders) it's a great way to teach them digital citizenship skills such as etiquette and safety in a secure environment.
Sometimes I get scared. Letting go of control is hard. What if I don't teach them enough about cyber bulling and internet safety? So, when my kids asked "Hey! Can we get on this at home?!" I quickly responded "Not yet. Let's figure it out together, here at school, first." That's part of the reason ... the other part? It's just plain ole' still scary to turn my 4th graders loose with the internet. But I'm getting there.
When I read articles such as this one "Pros and Cons of Social Media in the Classroom" it is so clear that the pros outweigh the cons. So, here I am, trying to make my class a networked classroom. I'm taking it slowly and handing out lots of internet safety speeches. And, I think they are listening and learning (hopefully not only the content I'm teaching but also life long skills). And I know they are loving every minute of it.
And when a kid looks at you and says "Mrs. Moreland! This is so ... so, modern!" Well, that makes it aall worth it.
Twiducate is basically a posting board for my classroom. Its a place my kids and I can share ideas and thoughts and questions. It's a place they can prove they can show me (and their classmates) what they are learning (like last week when they were asked to make a post describing the Dust Bowl using a simile). It's a brilliant way for me to get a formative assessment. It's very teacher controlled ... the kids have to have my class code and a password to access our class. I get an e-mail every time something is posted (for now the chat feature is disabled because I don't get e-mails about chats) so I can keep an eye on things.
And it's fun. Right now they are super excited to just communicate with their classmates. I also have the option to add other classes so that we can communicate with them. Talk about great collaboration. (Shameless plug ... if you start using Twiducate, add my class!) I have, for now, asked my classes to only post when and what I ask them to ... we are still learning about the social media side of things, so I am not quite "turning them loose" yet.
But look at us ... 37 nine and ten year old kids and one still slightly nervous teacher ... becoming a networked classroom. Whoa.
I've read articles (like this one). I've done research (such as this). And, lets be honest, the benefits of being a networked classroom are numerous and obvious. It's a great way to engage kids. It's a great way to connect kids. It's 'world-flattening'. It's preparing kids for their future jobs (all of which aren't even created yet!). For my kiddos (4th graders) it's a great way to teach them digital citizenship skills such as etiquette and safety in a secure environment.
Sometimes I get scared. Letting go of control is hard. What if I don't teach them enough about cyber bulling and internet safety? So, when my kids asked "Hey! Can we get on this at home?!" I quickly responded "Not yet. Let's figure it out together, here at school, first." That's part of the reason ... the other part? It's just plain ole' still scary to turn my 4th graders loose with the internet. But I'm getting there.
When I read articles such as this one "Pros and Cons of Social Media in the Classroom" it is so clear that the pros outweigh the cons. So, here I am, trying to make my class a networked classroom. I'm taking it slowly and handing out lots of internet safety speeches. And, I think they are listening and learning (hopefully not only the content I'm teaching but also life long skills). And I know they are loving every minute of it.
And when a kid looks at you and says "Mrs. Moreland! This is so ... so, modern!" Well, that makes it aall worth it.
How are YOU transitioning your room to a networked classroom?
What other great sites should I check out?
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Tweet Tweet
It's official ... I am a Twitter addict. With TweetDeck on my computers at work and home and the Twitter App on my phone, I check Twitter countless times a day ... it takes just a second to browse through my feed, clicking on articles I want to check - whether to read now, or bookmark for later.
I didn't warm up to Twitter right away. I had an account for over a year before I started falling in love with it. In fact, at first, I really didn't like it. I am a Blogger at heart (I'm sure you could say something about the fact that I like to be wordy ... which you can't be in a Tweet...). I had people telling me it was great for professional development and collaboration ... but I couldn't see past the random tweets of weather and other such "small talk" to get any great professional benefit.
Earth shattering data: it turns out, if you want to use Twitter for collaboration and professional development, you have to 'follow' people that you want to collaborate with and learn from. Who knew? ha! That's where articles such as this came in handy for me. I found out there are people who have already done all the leg work for me and are ready to give me great ideas about which Tweeters are worth my time to follow. I started using Twitter to to collaborate with people who were interested in the same things as me ... educational politics, educational technology, elementary education, and of course the local sports scores. I found articles such as this one (seriously one of my favorites) that helped me figure out #hashtags and find ways to get connected with more educators. And I fell. In. Love.
Twitter is the most convenient way for me to get educational updates and news. I love that in one place I can find articles about educational politics and technology and random creative teaching ideas ... I can read them, I can scan them, I can skip them, I can bookmark them for later ... so many possibilities! It's quick, its easy. It's time efficient. It's perfect.
I still don't have Twitter figured out. My use of #hashtags is minimal because I'm usually not quite sure which ones would be appropriate. And I'm still working on putting my own thoughts and information out there (I have a habit of reading and not sharing back...). But I'm working on it. And I'm finding that the more I figure out, the more I love.
Right now, I'm only using Twitter for myself. It's my own personal professional development. Though I've heard and read so many inspiring things about bringing Twitter into the classroom ... I just haven't figured out the practicality of putting social media into the hands of my 9 and 10 year old's. Trust me, I'm mulling it over ... but the management side of social media is still a bit unnerving to me. So, for now, my favorite way to use Twitter is to grow myself!
 | |
| I dare say I click on this lovely button more times a day than I click on my Facebook app ... which is saying something! |
Earth shattering data: it turns out, if you want to use Twitter for collaboration and professional development, you have to 'follow' people that you want to collaborate with and learn from. Who knew? ha! That's where articles such as this came in handy for me. I found out there are people who have already done all the leg work for me and are ready to give me great ideas about which Tweeters are worth my time to follow. I started using Twitter to to collaborate with people who were interested in the same things as me ... educational politics, educational technology, elementary education, and of course the local sports scores. I found articles such as this one (seriously one of my favorites) that helped me figure out #hashtags and find ways to get connected with more educators. And I fell. In. Love.
Twitter is the most convenient way for me to get educational updates and news. I love that in one place I can find articles about educational politics and technology and random creative teaching ideas ... I can read them, I can scan them, I can skip them, I can bookmark them for later ... so many possibilities! It's quick, its easy. It's time efficient. It's perfect.
I still don't have Twitter figured out. My use of #hashtags is minimal because I'm usually not quite sure which ones would be appropriate. And I'm still working on putting my own thoughts and information out there (I have a habit of reading and not sharing back...). But I'm working on it. And I'm finding that the more I figure out, the more I love.
Right now, I'm only using Twitter for myself. It's my own personal professional development. Though I've heard and read so many inspiring things about bringing Twitter into the classroom ... I just haven't figured out the practicality of putting social media into the hands of my 9 and 10 year old's. Trust me, I'm mulling it over ... but the management side of social media is still a bit unnerving to me. So, for now, my favorite way to use Twitter is to grow myself!
What's your favorite way to use Twitter?
Who are your favorite people to follow?
Are you using it in your classroom? Encourage me!
Monday, March 10, 2014
Professional Learning Networks
Whether it's coming up with and sharing new ideas, seeking help and ideas, or simply searching for resources, collaboration is key in the education world ... and that's why PLN's (Professional Learning Networks) are so important.
One of my favorite PLN's is blogger. I blog on my personal account about life in general, and I love following other blogs both for my personal interests and my education interests. So many wonderful ideas can be found in other people's blogs ... so much insight can be shared ... and so much can be realized by typing one yourself! I also think blogging is a great introduction to PLN's in the classroom. You can set so many controls on them that it is a "safe" way to introduce students into the world of online collaboration.
For personal connections I love Facebook as much as the next person ... I use it to keep up with family and friends around the world. However, for professional/educational connections I am falling quickly in love with Twitter. I love seeing what other people are thinking about, looking at, and researching! I love that twitter gives me the ability to glance through things quickly and bookmark them for later when I have time to really read. Here is "The Teacher's Guide to Twitter" ... an article I love.
There are many, many PLN's out there in the wide web world ... the trick is find ones that you like! For me, the next step is implementing them in my classroom more. Anything I love this much for myself is definitely worth incorporating into my classroom for my students more and more! This article, "5 Personal Learning Networks for Educators" has a list of PLN's that I will be checking out - for both myself and my students - soon!
What is your favorite PLN to use yourself?
What is your favorite PLN to use with your students?
What is your favorite PLN to use with your students?
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