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!

How are YOU using technology?

Any brilliant management tips to share?