After 11 Tools: Reflection

1. Some of the tools I enjoyed exploring and would like to use in the classroom are the blogs, wordle, digital bulletin board, digital stories, and the mobile technology and apps. I may try my original idea of creating a Homework Help Blog where students can ask for help and also help one another. I also like Seda Dawson's idea of asking students to each post a summary of what was learned that day or to respond to a question/prompt to encourage writing in math. I would also like to use wordle to display vocabulary words in the classroom. I would have students responsible for certain chapters or sections and create a word cloud of the vocabulary words. I like the digital bulletin board and digital stories to use as projects to assess the students' knowledge of the content taught. As for the mobile technology and apps, I would actually like to use the free apps I looked at in Tool #10. Would I need an Itouch to do that? I can see myself using the apps as either a time filler for those students who move quicker than other students or as a learning center.

2. I have definitely been thinking more about incorporating technology in the classroom besides the use of my Activboard and projector, especially in a math class. I like the idea of getting away from the "old school" book, paper, pencil and calculator as the only piece of technology in the classroom and going to the "new school" of laptops, netbooks, Itouches, and internet. I would love to see my students take ownership of their education and become self determined learners able to use other tools than the textbook and teacher to support their learning.

3. Participating in the T3 grant, I was feeling a little overwhelmed by the thought of trying to "streamline" the use of technology in my classroom. After going through the 11 Tools and becoming more familiar with web 2.0 technologies, I am unexpectedly feeling excited and optimistic about incorporating technology into my classroom and look forward to trying new things.

Tool #11

Three things I would want my students to understand about digital citizenship are digital etiquette, digital literacy, and digital law.

Digital etiquette - If I plan to use a blog or expect my students to create their own blogs and interact with me and one another, I would like for them to understand that there is an expectation of appropriate behavior online as there is in my actual classroom. I would like for my students to know how to leave comments that express their opinions but are also constructive and meaningful.

Digital literacy -I would also like for my students to know how and when to use digital technology appropriately and safely. They should know how to obtain information and distinguish between credible and non credible sources. They should know which type of media would be the best to use for certain purposes. I would like for my students to know more than "Google".

Digital law - I would like my students to also be ethical in their use of digital technology knowing between right and wrong. Students understand that taking someone else's written words as their own is wrong but do they understand that it is also wrong even when they are posted on a blog or anywhere on the internet? Do they understand why it is wrong to download and share copyrighted music without paying for it?

I can't expect my students to be good digital citizens without being one myself. I would teach my students to be good digital citizens through modeling. I would use mini lessons to teach those who have not had experience with digital technology and then to also remind those who have had experience. These mini lessons would be given before the use of the digital media.

Tool #10

1. These are some of the free apps I reviewed in the list of the "Top 50 Free Educational Apps".

Math Drills Lite: a great app for students to practice basic math operations
BrainPOP Featured Movie – BrainPOP®: teachers are already using brainpop but would also be good to be able to use it individually by students
Algebra: High School and College Math Practice Problems – Allen Resources, Inc.: good app for extra help and practice in algebra, also looks like it would help in test taking strategies specifically in algebra and other math subjects
Basic Math – Explorer Technologies: another app for practicing basic math operations

2. Didn't get a chance to play around with an itouch, iphone, or ipad.

3. Having these mobile devices and apps in the classroom would really take care of getting rid of wasted downtime. It would be great for those students that seem to "get everyting" and finish their work early. Give them one of the devices and have them continue practicing skills but in a fun and interesting way!

Tool #9

1. I wonder if I could use Screencast to record work that I do on my Activboard. I could see myself either taking screenshots or a video of myself working through a math problem on the Activboard, maybe even recording my voice explaining what I am doing, and then uploading it or posting it on my homework help blog for the students to refer back to while doing their homework at home.

This would have been great for my students to include in their digital story project at the end of this past school year. The students could have done exactly what I would do in the classroom of showing how they would solve a problem, especially when I emphasize showing their work.

2. I like the idea of reaching the world. I would love for my students here in the US to be able to communicate with students from other parts of the world about math. They could discuss how they solve certain types of math problems and maybe even talk about how math in itself is viewed by students in different parts of the world. The one thing I would have to consider is time difference! But it can be done here in the US as well!

3. I have been using Skype for the past 5 years to communicate with my family. We are spread out all over the place in different cities here in the US and also in Asia! It's a great way to continue a long distance relationship for free! You are able to have a face to face conversation without physically being in the same room. There is also a tool on Skype that allows you to do the same thing that Screencast does but in real time. I have used the "Share Screen" tool on Skype to show my parents (in Asia) how to do things on the computer. Using this tool, they see exactly what I am doing and seeing on my screen as it happens.

Tool #8

This was actually found by our Math SIS on TeacherTube that I used in class to show my students an example of a digital story created using math content. The students were going to be creating their own and I wanted them to see examples of good work and this was one of them. It was very entertaining for the students as well! :)



I went back to TeacherTube and did a search on "math in the movies" and found this clip of Abbot and Costello. This would be an example of how math is found and used even outside of the classroom. The clip shows "how to get multiplication and division wrong." This would be an interesting way to show common mathematical mistakes and have students explain why it is wrong and how to do it correctly. I could also see showing the clip and asking the students to explain what multiplication and division means in terms of adding and grouping and why they are the inverse operation of one another.

Tool #7

This is a digital story I created using iMovie through the T3 training. It is a sample of what I would expect my students to create. It was an interesting and fun experience! I first created a storyboard showing scene by scene what I had planned for the entire video. Then I wrote a script for the voice over. I spent a day creating the pieces in the video and then also recording the video. Knowing that I would be doing a voice over, I had to keep the script in mind as I did the video recording. This was difficult because I was worried that I either made the video clips too long or too short. Later when I put everything together on iMovie, I found that it wasn't a big issue because of all the editing tools available to me. I enjoyed choosing the background music, sound effects, and video effects.

I actually was able to assign a digital story project at the end of this past school year. Given a function word problem, my students had to identify the type of function and explain how they solved the problem. They were required to include a picture of a graph of the function. Everything else was left open as far as how they wanted to present their problem. I think they did well for their first time applying a digital story to math (I can see it being much easier with LA or SS). I had groups do a movie with students acting, some chose to do animation, some used paper props similar to mine, and one group did clay animation! Some chose to use voice overs, others chose to just show text. Most of the groups added music but the one thing I didn't think about that I will definitely be more conscious of the next time is copyright issues. The students had a great time creating their digital stories and I plan on doing more next school year!

Tool #6

I learned about wikis for the first time at a T3 training. I'm still trying to figure out how I would use them in my classroom. I can see how it would be a great way for students working on group projects to work together in and out of the classroom. If each member of the group had a different part to work on, they could easily have one place to put all of their work together rather than having each part in a different place and then waiting to get together back in the classroom to put it all together.

Specifically for a math class, I thought I would use it as a homework help forum where students can help one another on homework problems. I also thought about posting an extension/challenge problem where again students can work together to solve the problem and possibly earn extra credit points.

Wikis would be great for team planning - setting up a calendar of special events, when and what particular units are going to be taught (integrating purposes), or just letting each other know when major projects or tests will be given.

With my teaching partner, a wiki could be set up for planning units and lesson plans allowing the both of us to contribute or make changes where necessary.

For the entire department, a wiki may be created to aid in vertical planning of concepts where each grade level submits the extent to which they cover the particular concept.

Tool #5

Math.com - World of Math Online is a great website for teachers, parents, and students. It is a resource for teachers to find lessons, worksheets, and standards for grade level or subject. Parents and students can use this website as a resource as well with homework help and suggestions for tutorials.

Tags: education, algebra, lessons, homework, tutorial

Mathalicious is another great resource for math teachers to find lessons and activities. I especially like the real-world application problems.

Tags: education, algebra, lessons, grade8, real-world application

Social bookmarking could be useful in my classroom during group projects that require research. Research will not be limited to during class time and by one student on a computer at a time but rather can extend outside of the classroom and by the entire group. Group members can share their resources with one another and may also be shared with other groups as well.

Tool #4

1. This is the google document I created for my family to fill out. This is a great way to keep track of everyone's information in one place rather than keeping up with everyone's individual emails and info. I love how it transfers everyone's information into one spreadsheet.

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dFZMX2cwZTZQQXRyZUd2MTNGSlJVR2c6MQ

2. On Google Reader I have subscribed to:
Blithe Blog
Anya's Annotations
Wegs Online
E1even Too1s
Amy's House

3. Google Docs are a great way for teachers to collaborate with one another especially your teaching partner when creating lesson plans, assignments, tests, quizzes, etc. As for students, in a math class, students can use this to work in groups on a project. This would allow them to work with one another easily outside of the classroom. I can also see my students creating surveys and collecting data the way I did with my family. All of their information would then be transferred into a spreadsheet and they can also create graphs and such.

Google Reader is a good way to keep updated with the blogs that you visit frequently. I can see this being used in the classroom if I have each one of my students create their own math blogs and require them to add new posts. I can quickly keep track of those who post to their blogs and those that don't.

Tool #3

Glogster - Digital Bulletin Boards

This thing is awesome! This is an example of what I would like for my students to be able to create maybe as a project to show their knowledge of content learned.




Wordle

Creative way to display vocabulary words! I could have students create wordles of the vocabulary words from each chapter or section and display them in the classroom.

Tool #2

1. Building an online education community is a great way for a teacher to help students take ownership of their learning by interacting in a blog with one another through comments. The teacher acts as a facilitator by creating and monitoring a blog posing problems and questions while the students have the opportunity to become the expert as they share their ideas. Many times I have experienced trying to explain a concept in many different ways possible and still not be able to get through to a student. Then another student in the class will try and all of a sudden it makes sense!

2. I am totally a "lurker" when it comes to commenting on blogs. I'm the type of person who likes to sit back and listen to (or read about) what people have to say. I get caught up in what others have said and think that I may not have anything else meaningful to say. I definitely plan to make my blog a safe place for students to share their thoughts. I found the tips on commenting very useful. I especially like the ideas of teaching students how to comment and setting boundaries (comment policy). I also plan to interact with my commenters by trying to respond to their comments because I find that I am more likely to continue to share my thoughts if I feel that they are valued or at least heard.

3. Haven't posted a comment yet. Still "lurking"! :p

Ok, so now I have posted a comment on the following 3 blogs (2 more to go):
Bloogers
With Blog All Things Are Possible
Amy's House

So here are the last 2 that I have commented on:
Dawson Daily
Shelly's Tool Kit

Tool #1

This is the first time I am using a blog. The set up process has not been too difficult. I enjoyed creating my avatar, however, it would have been nice to have Asian faces to choose from instead of having to mess around with the shade of my skin. I think I got close enough. :)

As far as using a blog in the classroom, as a math teacher I can see myself using it as a homework help session not only from me but students in the class as well giving each other help. I could also use it as an enrichment tool posting a challenging problem and allowing the students to give their ideas as to how they would solve the problem.