11 tools reflections

I didn't have any unexpected outcomes but my thinking was transformed. I feel that I know about most of the 11 tools but do not use all of them. This training has inspired me to use more of these creative tools! The internet is our new library, mail box, telephone, tv, newspaper, art gallery and etc. so in education we must incorporate internet tools into our lesson plans. My favorite tools are the amazing google tools which I use but plan to expand, digital stories, video resources, and skype. I envision using digital stories for presentations. This will replace the usual power point presentation my students create.

tool 11

First and most important to me is to teach safety online. Online bullying and predators are an ongoing threat to our students. I attended isafe training and have incorporated the guidelines from their training in my monitoring of my students online. Even if you think you will not make a difference, always offer advice about websites, facebook postings, etc. As an adult in their life we have a responsibility to make sure they are being safe online both at school and away from school.
The second area of concern is that students use valid sources in their research. The majority of the time the student will just accept the first entry from a google search as fact. Is there an app to verify that a source is giving correct information? Some one please design that app and teachers will have one less obstacle to using internet resources!
My third area of concern is to teach how to make appropriate, valuable comments while following the school policy on internet use.

tool 8, part 2

I love showing short videos to my students. I found 2 great videos on teacher tube that I added to my blog. "Pay attention" is an awesome video to help teachers understand the perspective of our students. "We didn't start the fire" is a series of labeled photos to go along with billy Joel's song of the same name. The video is a cool introduction to the 60's through the 80's. Each photo could be expanded upon to understand what was happening in that time period. And, I love it that someone went to the trouble to get photos of each person/thing mentioned in the song! incredible!

tool 10

Of the 50 free apps listed I liked learn chess and read me stories the best. The chess tutorial was rated well and I think learning to play chess is important. The read me stories app delivers a talking story book a day. If young people had that app they could get so much more reading time exposure while having to go with parents for groceries/errands.
Glow coloring looks very creative.
itouch or ipads in the classroom would facilitate group assignments and research projects.

tool 9

Jing looks like a nice way to save screen shots and I already have a skype account. Both would be helpful for students' projects. I skype with my family but I prefer ichat on the macbook, when the mac is in the house!

tool 8

I love the insightful videos on teacher tube. Here are 2 of my favorite, pay attention and we didn't start the fire.

tool 7

it was fun to create a photostory but it took a long time!