The Final Post...

Well here we are and it is 12/12/12. We have done activities in second grade that use the number 12. I'd say we had a F.I.S.H. day. It was awesome. So onto my final post...

3 things I didn't know about or hadn't used... (There are way more than 3)
1. Dragon Dictation... This is a tool I use to translate newsletters from English to Spanish. Or if I have a quick note to send home, I can translate it as well. I don't have a child in my class who is fluent only in another language, but I might next year or the next and this app will help me to communicate with them more effectively.

2. Symbaloo... I set up a Symbaloo page for my kids so that they only need to click on one button to access web sites we use. The only draw back is that the computer that most of my kids use is so slow that it will "get stuck" and not process. If we use it on the laptop then it works fine. I like this because it is easy to add new "buttons" for the children. They even find them if I haven't told them they were there.

3. bubbl.us  I love this site for my students organizing their information. I will continue using it during the year and my kids are beginning to change the colors and size of the bubbles on their own. I think we may use it for a pre-writing activity next time.

I could go on and on, but I'll keep moving. ;)

2 things I have questions about as a teacher or how an administrator would use or comments on how I've used a technology

1. In my research I read a PowerPoint article about using Google Docs in classroom instruction. This is something I truly would like to learn more about in order to use in my classroom, to assist others to use in their classroom, and have the knowledge about it and how to use it if I were an administrator. I think there are many possibilities and options for usage on many levels. I however only know how to fill out someone else's form, not how to create anything myself for my students or others to use. So I guess my question is, "How exactly can I use Google Docs? What kinds of documents can I make? How exactly do I do that?"

2. I still have questions about podcasting. I think podcasting is something I'm just a chicken about. I have little questions about it like what kind should we do, what role should the kids have, what software should we use... I've attended your training and went through an indepth training where I created my own, but I think I'm just a chicken. I think I'm afraid we'll do something and it won't work....

1 thing I'll use as an administrator

I definitely think I'd use my I-pad as an administrator. It is portable, password secure, has capabilities to take notes, take pictures, video, etc. etc. etc. it is like a personal filing cabinet, desk drawer, notebook, resource file, all in one. I think if anybody took away the I-pad they are letting me use now I'd just cry. (Teacher note: I loaded the AR app today. I will have some kids tomorrow that think that is the most awesome thing in the world. And we wrote the 12 days of Christmas today- My teacher gave to me. I took pictures of each of the pages and hopefully in my spare time I'll make us a litte video of our song.)

Thanks for a great class Vicky- I learned a lot, and thanks to my classmates- I learn so much from you also,
Until January,
Happy 12/12/12

Ginger

Wrapping Up

This semester has been fast and slow all at the same time. It doesn't feel like we've been in "school" that long this year, but then it seems like August was forever ago.

This class has allowed me to become more knowledgeable about many aspects of technology in the educational setting.

I...

• am more comfortable with blogging. 
• am amazed by aurasma and am trying to figure out a way to use it in my room
• have taught my kids how to use bubbl
• have started using scrible and am going to set my older child up an account for research reasons
• have more information to use if I should become an administrator and as a classroom teacher
• am looking forward to learning more about podcasting
• understand the importance of cyber etiquette and safety and will encourage that in my school
• am learning about the integration of technology in my classroom, in instruction, and at the school level

Happy Thursday!
Go Tigers!

Ginger

Football Fridays

This year I have made an effort to take my younger son to as many of the high school football games as possible. You see, he is passionate about football. He knows many of the boys who play on the high school team and this makes him love watching MCHS even more. He made a "lucky" football that he takes with us to each game.

Well I am excited to say we are still playing football at MCHS. On Friday night we went to Brooks High School for the third round game. I had T all bundled up in his hunting coveralls to keep him toasty warm. The people at Brooks were welcoming. The boys on both teams used good sportsmanship, which is nice for a mama. After a hard fought game, MCHS was victorious! I have to say I am so proud of those boys and our fans. Our side of the stands was full.

Anyway, on Friday night we'll be playing Oneonta. We'll be taking our lucky football, our coveralls, and loud voices to cheer on the tigers!

Go Tigers!

Ginger

BYOD and Mobile Learning

I think that BYOD is built on trust and a system that will support all of the devices. Children bring their phones with them everyday to school and use them (GASP) even when they know that they are supposed to be put away. So why not allow them to use them for productive reasons. They sign an acceptable use policy at the beginning of each school year. The use of their own devices at school could be a part of that policy.

If my child has an I-pod or and I-pad or other tablet then he/ she has access to an app for almost any purpose. If we are using Ed-modo, e-mail, or other group setting then assignments can be easily submitted.

Education is no longer about memorization. Yes, there are still things we need to memorize. But how much farther we can take our learners if we move them up the Bloom's ladder of thinking. Using these devices at school lends itself to higher order thinking opportunities. 

Sure you found the information... NOW WHAT? :) 

I found this article on Mobile Learning. It is pretty interesting. 
http://www.fastcodesign.com/1669896/10-ways-that-mobile-learning-will-revolutionize-education

Ginger 

I Am Thankful

As Thanksgiving draws near I am overwhelmed by all that I am thankful. God has blessed me in all ways. As I think back over my life even when in trials and tribulations God was always with me. He continues to be with me today. I am thankful. I am also thankful for...

• my husband
• my boys
• my parents
• my sister
• my in-laws
• my nieces
• my nephew
• a way to get to work
• shelter and a place to lay my head
• food on my table each day
• clothes to wear
• cute shoes
• friends
• family
• students
• health
• pecan pie and pound cake :)
• my mama's dressing
• time with those I love
• memories

The list goes on and on. I hope each of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Ginger

Digital Citizenship

With technology comes responsibility.

When Jamie Vollmer spoke to the BLT group at the Jackson Center, he mentioned all of the added responsibilities that teachers have beyond teaching their core content. Digital Citizenship is one of these things. Is it important? Absolutely. Do children need to understand their role in the use of technology, being ethical users, and avoiding online "stranger" danger? Yes.

We would hope that parents would be emphasizing this at home. Like Stephanie said tonight, as parents we should know our children's user names and passwords for all of their accounts. However, there are some children who do not have computer access at home or other factors that keep parents from explaining ethical and safe behaviors online.

To help teach digital citizenship to my second graders I use the I-safe resources, NetSmartz Kids, and other lessons.

Teaching digital citizenship is almost a character education trait. It needs to be a part of who we are, our character. Making good decisions even when no one is looking.

Happy Tuesday!
Ginger

P.S. I enjoyed all of the presentations tonight. I learned so much from each of you.

Using IPads with Students That Have Special Needs

Children don't realize they are using different levels of thinking when they are using the I-Pad. In the short time that I have had one in my classroom, students are using the apps, problem solving, and we are moving toward creating through the available apps we have.

Earlier this year I read an article about using an I-Pad with a child who had Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. We disucssed this in a previous class, but I am posting this to share.

http://isolutionsforautism.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/A-breakthrough-for-Josh.pdf

I think utilizing the technology we have available to meet the needs of our students is important. Searching for apps to work with students who have different abilities and needs allows us to differentiate and meet their needs. Which in turn allows us to be more effective teachers, and our students to be more productive as well.

Ginger