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This assignment was a great experience. Prior to this class, I followed a few blogs, all of which belonged to other teachers. By exploring the various blogs provided as options for this class, I now follow a wide variety of education blogs. While I don't see personal blogging in my future, I do thoroughly enjoy reading others. As an educator, lifelong learning is a very important characteristic. Following educational blogs is a great way to contribute to my learning!

The following list of blogs were assigned:

• Cool Cat Teacher Blog
• Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day
• Free Technology for Teachers
• A Media Specialist's Guide to the Internet

After reviewing the options for other educational blogs to follow, I chose:

• Alexander Russo's This Week in Education
• Try Curiosity! Information Literacy for Young Digital Citizens
• Teaching Blog Addict

Of all the blogs that I have recently been following, my favorite is Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day. This blog is filled with websites for teachers of EL students. As a 2nd year teacher at a school with several EL students in each class, I feel like one of my main weaknesses is in the area of EL support and resources. One of my favorite things about the websites on this blog is that the majority of them can also be used with non-EL students, therefore providing for my entire class!

While I have enjoyed reading several of the blog posts, my favorite recent post was entitled "The Best Advice for New Teachers." This post includes multiple links that would be beneficial to new teachers. Since I still consider myself "new," I am always looking for readings on this topic! It is encouraging to read about things that I experience, as I realize that it is normal and not just me going through this alone. I would definitely encourage any new teachers to refer to this blog, and more specifically to this post!

I can't wait to continue my blog reading experience. I know that many resources, ideas, and information will be at my fingertips!

Social Bookmarks

I chose to create a Delicious account for my social bookmarks. I am so excited about this tool and I cannot wait to use the great resources in my classroom! Of all of the resources, I am most excited about the various SMARTboard related sites. This is my first year to have a SMARTboard in my classroom, so I have spent a lot of time creating activities. By using sites like exchange.smarttech.com/, I can hopefully stop "recreating the wheel" on many things! I plan to continue bookmarking resources to my Delicious account, as well as spreading the word to my co-workers! I have listed the link to my page below...and I would love for you to share yours!

Katie's Delicious Account

Digital Citizenship

Being a good digital citizen is a very important part of using the Internet. There are certain guidelines, known as "netiquette," that should be followed when the Internet is used. The bottom line of these guidelines is to ensure that all communication is appropriate. Following these guidelines will help you to have a good digital reputation. For example, use appropriate language and emoticons in online communication. Typing in all capital letters may come across to a reader as yelling, and sarcasm is hard to detect in an online format. You should always keep the reader in mind when writing online. Never assume that they will take what you write just as you mean it.

While the Internet is obviously a wonderful thing, there are still predators that must be avoided. You should also be careful and protective of your privacy when using the Internet. Never list personal information on a site, and most definitely do not attempt to meet anyone in person (especially if you are alone) that you have first met online. Be sure to keep passwords private. Basically, be careful and be smart, and you will easily be a good digital citizen!

Integrating Web 2.0 Authoring Tools in the Classroom

After learning about various Web 2.0 Authoring Tools, I am very excited to begin incorporating them into my 1st grade classroom! My students are thrilled at the use of any technology, so I am sure that they will be equally as excited to try these new tools! I have chosen 3 of the tools to focus on for now, but will definitely integrate the others as well.

Blogs: To incorporate blogs into my classroom, I would love to create a class blog. I have recently started following many teacher and classroom blogs, so creating my own would be great! A class blog is a wonderful place to share projects and pictures from the classroom. We could also follow other class blogs and communicate with them through posts, videos, etc. Parents would also be excited to view the blog. I can't wait to create my class blog!

Wikis: Instead of having the typical classroom website, having a classroom wiki would be interesting. The class wiki would be great for viewing by other educators, parents, students, and the community. Student work could be displayed and kept for years to come. Because viewers have the option to contribute to or modify the content of a wiki, this would allow for collaboration with the viewers!

Podcasts: I can't wait to try podcasting in my classroom. I plan to work with my students to help them create and record podcasts related to different units of study. After completing AMSTI science lessons, I think it would be a great idea for students to reflect on the experience in a podcast. Another way that I would like to use a podcast is after reading various stories. There are many things that could be done for a reading based podcast. Creating podcasts allows for the students to have a global audience, which should encourage them to do their very best. By subscribing to other educational podcasts, the students could become more familiar with podcasting. I would love to try using podcasting in my listening station using iPods. The students could listen, discuss, and reflect on what they heard! Digital storytelling is another way that I am interested in using podcasting in my classroom.

I can't wait to let you know how these tools worked in my classroom!

Instructional Software

Instructional software is "applications software that is designed to assist with or deliver student instruction on a given topic," according to M.D. Roblyer. There are 5 main functions of instructional software. The functions are drill-and-practice, tutorial, simulation, instructional game, and problem-solving.

Drill and Practice: This function allows students to work our problems or answer questions. They are also able to get feedback on correctness. A great example of this function is Earobics by Cognitive Concepts, Inc. This site gives practice in phonological awareness and other reading readiness skills.

Tutorial: This function acts as a human tutor. It provides information and instructional activities that a student needs in order to master a skill or topic. Information summaries, explanation, practice routines, feedback, and assessment are all provided in tutorials. A great example of this function is Congress for Kids by Dirksen Congressional Center. This site provides instruction in various aspects of U.S. government.

Simulation: A simulation models real or imaginary systems to show how those systems or related ones work. It may also be used to demonstrate underlying concepts. An example of simulation software is Oregon Trail by The Learning Company. This simulation software provides a simulated trip in the Old West of the 1890s.

Instructional Game: This function is used to increase motivation. Game rules are added to drills or simulations to make them more engaging and fun for students. Arthur's Math Games by The Learning Company is a great example of an instructional game. Students can play these instructional games to practice various math skills.

Problem Solving: This function is used to teach directly through explanation or practice. Steps involved in solving problems are taught. It may also be used to assist students in acquiring problem-solving skills by allowing for opportunities to solve problems. Alien Rescue by The Alien Rescue Team is an example of the problem solving function. It provides a challenge activity to teach science inquiry.

Each type of instructional software would greatly benefit students if incorporated into the classroom. I can't wait to share some of these examples with my coworkers!

Web 2.0 & The Water Cycle

I really enjoyed completing the assignments for this week using Web 2.0 websites. The first site that I used was Glogster. On this site, I was able to make an interactive poster about the water cycle. All of the options available on Glogster make it very user friendly and fun to use. If I was excited about using it, then I just know my students will love it, too! Here is my project--can't wait to show it to my class on Monday! The Water Cycle--Glogster

I also used the website bubbl.us to create a concept map of the water cycle. This is a wonderful tool for students to use. I especially love that it could be incorporated into any subject, from science to writing! To view my concept map, just click on the image below!

The third website that I used for this assignment is Animoto. I used this site to create a short introductory video that I will use to begin my unit on the water cycle next week. The kids are sure to love it--I have already been creating videos on Animoto for them throughout this year! Animoto

For my "free choice," I chose to create 2 games using the website http://classtools.net/. The first game I created using the "Arcade Game Generator" was a matching game. You can view it here: Arcade Game Generator: Matching . The next game I created using Dustbin. It can be viewed here: Dustbin Game . This is a great site that I plan to use often to create games for my classroom. I can't wait for my kids to play the water cycle games on the SMARTboard next week!

I am so glad that I became familiar with all of these Web 2.0 sites. They will be very beneficial in my classroom!

Did You Know?

I was shown this video in an undergraduate education class at UNA. It has been updated with the correct facts so that it is current. Every time I see this video it gives me chills! The facts that are given are amazing and hard to even comprehend. Our world is changing at such a rapid pace--and as teachers we must be prepared!!

Questions:

1. How can we prepare our students for jobs that they will have that do not even exist at this time?

2. As teachers, how can we stay up-to-date with technology as it changes so rapidly?

3. How can we ensure that all students become technologically literate?

4. How do you use technology in your classroom to enhance student engagement?