Thursday, July 8, 2010
Google Docs
Google Docs is a web-based version of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. With Google docs, my students can create documents and then share them with whomever they please. By sharing their documents allows others (peers and myself) to edit if necessary.
Google documents:
Upload and convert Word documents
Format their documents
Invite others by email to share their documents
Edit documents online with others
Publish documents online to the world
Download documents to their desktop
Email their documents out as attachments.
Google Spreadsheets:
Import .xls, .csv, .txt and .ods formatted data
Export .xls, .csv, .txt and .ods formatted data and PDF and HTML files
Use formatting and formula editing so my students can calculate
Chat live with others who are editing their spreadsheet.
Google Presentations:
Share and edit presentations with anyone
Import and convert existing presentations
Download their presentations
Edit their presentations
Insert images and videos, and format their slides
Allow live viewing of presentations
Google documents:
Upload and convert Word documents
Format their documents
Invite others by email to share their documents
Edit documents online with others
Publish documents online to the world
Download documents to their desktop
Email their documents out as attachments.
Google Spreadsheets:
Import .xls, .csv, .txt and .ods formatted data
Export .xls, .csv, .txt and .ods formatted data and PDF and HTML files
Use formatting and formula editing so my students can calculate
Chat live with others who are editing their spreadsheet.
Google Presentations:
Share and edit presentations with anyone
Import and convert existing presentations
Download their presentations
Edit their presentations
Insert images and videos, and format their slides
Allow live viewing of presentations
Online Bookmarks
Social bookmarking is a convenient way for my students to store, organize, search, and manage bookmarks of web pages on the Internet. They are able save links to web pages that they may want to consider for future use and my students also have the option of sharing the links with others. These bookmarks are generally made public. However, the links can be saved privately, or shared only with specified people. Online Bookmarks are a great way for my students to keep their websites in order, keep their files organized, as well as having the ability to share their sites with virtually anyone.
Free bookmark portals:
1. iKeepbookmarks http://www.ikeepbookmarks.com
2. Diigo http://www.diigo.com
Free bookmark portals:
1. iKeepbookmarks http://www.ikeepbookmarks.com
2. Diigo http://www.diigo.com
Educational Websites
1. 6th grade earth science touches base with weather and how to better understand weather. One in particular is the greenhouse effect. This interactive and very useful site offers inventive ways to introduce students to both the greenhouse effect and global warming through internet research.
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/weather/
2. 6th grade social studies is centered on ancient history. This particular site offers anything from Egyptian facts, maps, photos, videos, and an interactive short quiz to test knowledge prior to starting the unit.
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/egypt-photos/#pyramids-giza-egypt_6699_600x450.jpg
3. This site offers innovative ways to correlate student literature with grammar through the use of poetry. Grammar is now fun and creative instead of boring and obsolete.
http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/polishing-preposition-skills-through-1100.html?tab=4#tabs
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/weather/
2. 6th grade social studies is centered on ancient history. This particular site offers anything from Egyptian facts, maps, photos, videos, and an interactive short quiz to test knowledge prior to starting the unit.
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/egypt-photos/#pyramids-giza-egypt_6699_600x450.jpg
3. This site offers innovative ways to correlate student literature with grammar through the use of poetry. Grammar is now fun and creative instead of boring and obsolete.
http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/polishing-preposition-skills-through-1100.html?tab=4#tabs
Podcasting and Blogs
Podcasting is online audio content with options to use imagery. Video podcasting is set up like a movie; complete with sound. Creating podcasts in the classroom has many educational benefits for teachers as well as for students. Students are able to design a product to share with a global audience. Knowing that there is a global audience gives students determination and inspiration to create a brilliant product. Putting together an audio recording is truly beneficial and is certainly a cross-curricular occurrence.
Podcasting can be used for:
1. Interviews
2. Music
3. Talk shows
4. Commentaries
5. Story time
Blogs
A blog is a website used frequently by my students to receive forms of commentary on their entries usually from their peers, as well as myself. Most entries consist of research and/or opinions on certain topics and ideas.
Podcasting can be used for:
1. Interviews
2. Music
3. Talk shows
4. Commentaries
5. Story time
Blogs
A blog is a website used frequently by my students to receive forms of commentary on their entries usually from their peers, as well as myself. Most entries consist of research and/or opinions on certain topics and ideas.
Social Networking Tool: Skype
Ways the tool can be used in education/business.
1. Before/After reading a class novel, chat with the author via Skype.
2. Use Skype to talk with someone who specializes in a certain topic being studied.
3. Bring field trips to the classroom using Skype.
4. Incorporate or teach foreign languages using Skype.
5. Skype can be used as a tutor for students who may need extra help
6. Conduct interviews with teachers and/or students.
7. Have a guest lecturer.
8. Foreign culture lessons by viewing a festival, clothes, homes, schools, etc.
9. Form friendships around the world.
10. Class plays and projects can be shared with family, other classes, or other interesting people.
11. Connecting field trips with parents or other classrooms.
12. Teachers can use Skype for professional developments.
13. Distance learning by ‘bringing’ in specialized instructors to teach a lesson or experiment.
1. Before/After reading a class novel, chat with the author via Skype.
2. Use Skype to talk with someone who specializes in a certain topic being studied.
3. Bring field trips to the classroom using Skype.
4. Incorporate or teach foreign languages using Skype.
5. Skype can be used as a tutor for students who may need extra help
6. Conduct interviews with teachers and/or students.
7. Have a guest lecturer.
8. Foreign culture lessons by viewing a festival, clothes, homes, schools, etc.
9. Form friendships around the world.
10. Class plays and projects can be shared with family, other classes, or other interesting people.
11. Connecting field trips with parents or other classrooms.
12. Teachers can use Skype for professional developments.
13. Distance learning by ‘bringing’ in specialized instructors to teach a lesson or experiment.
Teaching Strategies
A. Hotlists
Linking specific sites that are geared toward learning is very valuable while researching any topic in the classroom. As a sixth grade teacher, my students are conducting some form of research on a regular basis. Allowing the students to ‘surf’ the web is important; however, to save time, I tend to create a list of specific URL’s on the promethean board for my students to search upon themselves. When using the computer lab, I tell my students to bookmark these sites as we will continue to explore them as time progresses.
B. Multimedia Scrapbook
I am particularly intrigued on the ability to download specific items onto virtually any project my students would be working on. Again, as a sixth grade teacher, my students tend to be very knowledgeable when it comes to downloading items and placing them strategically within their activities. Post-lesson projects and activities are a great way to incorporate scrapbooking multimedia. This allows the students to be created as well as more informed about the content that was taught.
C. Treasure Hunt
Treasure Hunts are valuable ways for students to become familiar with interactive lessons that soon will be taught. I am very thrilled with the idea of treasure hunts and have yet to incorporate them into different strategies of learning. 6th grade ancient history would be a great example for using web based treasure hunts. Exploring any of the ancient kingdoms prior to teaching the unit will provide excitement and curiosity among my students. I am now very inclined to incorporate treasure hunts on the web to help create enthusiasm within my students.
D. Subject Sampler
Subject Sampler is a great way for my students to debate global warming. I am using global warming as an example as part of the 6th grade standards is earth science involving weather and all its related topics. Global warming has become a hot topic and quite debatable regarding its authenticity. My students would be able to research other impressions and views to generate their own opinion with backup facts relating to the topic. I already have ideas in which to try out when school starts up again in the fall!
Linking specific sites that are geared toward learning is very valuable while researching any topic in the classroom. As a sixth grade teacher, my students are conducting some form of research on a regular basis. Allowing the students to ‘surf’ the web is important; however, to save time, I tend to create a list of specific URL’s on the promethean board for my students to search upon themselves. When using the computer lab, I tell my students to bookmark these sites as we will continue to explore them as time progresses.
B. Multimedia Scrapbook
I am particularly intrigued on the ability to download specific items onto virtually any project my students would be working on. Again, as a sixth grade teacher, my students tend to be very knowledgeable when it comes to downloading items and placing them strategically within their activities. Post-lesson projects and activities are a great way to incorporate scrapbooking multimedia. This allows the students to be created as well as more informed about the content that was taught.
C. Treasure Hunt
Treasure Hunts are valuable ways for students to become familiar with interactive lessons that soon will be taught. I am very thrilled with the idea of treasure hunts and have yet to incorporate them into different strategies of learning. 6th grade ancient history would be a great example for using web based treasure hunts. Exploring any of the ancient kingdoms prior to teaching the unit will provide excitement and curiosity among my students. I am now very inclined to incorporate treasure hunts on the web to help create enthusiasm within my students.
D. Subject Sampler
Subject Sampler is a great way for my students to debate global warming. I am using global warming as an example as part of the 6th grade standards is earth science involving weather and all its related topics. Global warming has become a hot topic and quite debatable regarding its authenticity. My students would be able to research other impressions and views to generate their own opinion with backup facts relating to the topic. I already have ideas in which to try out when school starts up again in the fall!
Ever Changing Technology
Throughout time, education is ever changing. Today, 21st century schools and educational facilities implement core academic subject matter, but schools now need to implement the necessary skills, knowledge, and expertise needed for students to succeed in work, as well as, in life. These skills consist of life and career skills, learning and innovation skills, and information, media, and technology skills.
Educators are ever evolving to meet the needs of all students to ensure success within the classroom. While the students are now “in charge” of their own learning, educators need to also be aware of the necessary life and career skills students must acquire to navigate through life’s hardships. Educators now have a responsibility to steer students to be leaders within their environment. To do this, students need to learn flexibility, to take initiative, work effectively with others, to be held accountable in certain situations, and lastly, to be responsible!
The second skill educators need to facilitate within the classroom is the learning and innovation skills. Educators are now putting forth additional focus on critical thinking, working creatively with others, proper communication, and problem solving. By focusing on these essential key components for the learning and innovative skills will ensure students to be accustomed to a more complex life and work environment in the 21st century.
Lastly, educators need to focus on information, media, and technology skills. Students need to understand how to effectively access information efficiently from a wide variety of sources and to apply this information in an ethical manner. Analyzing media is construed with the understanding of appropriate creation tools. Students and educators now need to grasp media expression and interpretations within a diverse environment. To apply effective technology, educators and students treat technology as an effective classroom tool. Today’s technology is used to research necessary information, organize that information, evaluate the findings, and to communicate the results. Digital technology is also integrated into today’s classrooms and everyday life through the use of computers, PDA’s (Personal Digital Assistant), media players, GPS’s, and so on.
Because education is ever changing, educators and students need to be well prepared within the 21st century. Although the implementation of core academic subject matter is essential for ongoing success for the future of our students, schools also need to implement the necessary skills, knowledge, and expertise needed for students to succeed in work, as well as, in life. These skills consist of life and career skills, learning and innovation skills, and information, media, and technology skills.
Educators are ever evolving to meet the needs of all students to ensure success within the classroom. While the students are now “in charge” of their own learning, educators need to also be aware of the necessary life and career skills students must acquire to navigate through life’s hardships. Educators now have a responsibility to steer students to be leaders within their environment. To do this, students need to learn flexibility, to take initiative, work effectively with others, to be held accountable in certain situations, and lastly, to be responsible!
The second skill educators need to facilitate within the classroom is the learning and innovation skills. Educators are now putting forth additional focus on critical thinking, working creatively with others, proper communication, and problem solving. By focusing on these essential key components for the learning and innovative skills will ensure students to be accustomed to a more complex life and work environment in the 21st century.
Lastly, educators need to focus on information, media, and technology skills. Students need to understand how to effectively access information efficiently from a wide variety of sources and to apply this information in an ethical manner. Analyzing media is construed with the understanding of appropriate creation tools. Students and educators now need to grasp media expression and interpretations within a diverse environment. To apply effective technology, educators and students treat technology as an effective classroom tool. Today’s technology is used to research necessary information, organize that information, evaluate the findings, and to communicate the results. Digital technology is also integrated into today’s classrooms and everyday life through the use of computers, PDA’s (Personal Digital Assistant), media players, GPS’s, and so on.
Because education is ever changing, educators and students need to be well prepared within the 21st century. Although the implementation of core academic subject matter is essential for ongoing success for the future of our students, schools also need to implement the necessary skills, knowledge, and expertise needed for students to succeed in work, as well as, in life. These skills consist of life and career skills, learning and innovation skills, and information, media, and technology skills.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)