Googledocs Quizes

One of the things I found this week that I will definitely use is the Googledocs form for quizzes. Five of us all working together on it figured out how to use it, at a basic level of course. I’m sure it has more features than any of us are aware, but we’ll find those in time. I like what I’ve discovered so far. I was able to set up a quiz with different answer options, send it to Mardi and Susan, and get responses. The only snag I see is the ability to set up the whole class with gmail. I want to do that for other things too, but I’ve never attempted something like this. My first conversation with my principal will be about setting up a class website and email accounts for students.

Welcome Avatar

I had fun creating this avatar. I’m already thinking ahead to the first day of school and how I can use this. I have been teaching for 27 years, and every first day of school is the same. Well, some things do vary, but one thing always happens, and it cracks me up. I greet them (and sometimes parents) at the door, welcome them, give them their name badge, and ask them to read the board. They are to find their desk, set their things down (but don’t unpack yet), and go say hello to their old and new friends, look around the room, make themselves at home. Sounds simple, and some do it, but only for a minute. When the bell rings and I come in from the hall, they are all sitting quietly in their seats. You would think they’d be all chatty and excited, but no. They’re quiet, shy, and looking very scared. Is it me? Do they not read the note? I don’t know. I just know it happens every year, and only on the first day. After that, they’re chatty enough. This year I’ll have an avatar welcoming them instead of the note on the board. Throughout the day, I can have different avatars prepared to tell about all of those other things you need to tell the class on that first day. Less talking for me, more interesting for them.

Technology Standard 1 B

Technology Standard 1 B : Students demonstrate creative thinking and problem solving skills to develop and innovate products and processes using digital technology. Students will create original work as a means of personal or group expression. As a 4th/5th grade teacher, this is where I begin with my students. There will be time to get to the other standards, but I think they will not be as valuable to the learner if they don’t know what to do with new technologies as they explore them. I feel students first need the ability to create and express what they have learned. Otherwise, they will not be able to use the other technologies in a practical manner. The base of this standard is to ‘demonstrate creative thinking’. I stress to my class that if you know it, then show it. Kids at this age are looking for new ways to communicate their ideas. This is where technology steps in. There’s an app for that…

GoogleDocs and GoogleChat

To teach collaborative writing, I like GoogleDocs. I like the real time changes and immediate sharing of ideas. I can easily see this as a format to teach writing and editing skills, then used as a tool for peer editing. This one is on the web, but can be very secure. Only people you invite can share and collaborate on your story. I want to know more about setting up a class with gmail so they can communicate with each other, and without being bombarded with other Google ‘stuff’ that keeps popping up.

I also checked out GoogleChat. I think I like this one, too. They can chat 1-1 or in small groups. They can ask me a question if I’m on, but the concern the text raised is the need to not be on all of the time, unless you like working around the clock. If I were to set this up for my class, it would be strictly for classwork (not about who sat by whom on the bus) and there will be no text speak. I’d like to be able to have access at any time to their conversations. A little controlling, I know. Any thoughts?

PhotoStory 3

I decided to set up PhotoStory3 for presenting content in a narrative slide show. I can see it is a lot like Powerpoint. I don’t know if Powerpoint allows you do download or record your own music, but PhotoStory does. I kept on hitting a roadblock to add music to my first story, but I’ll find a way in, or find someone who can help me get there. I think my class could have a ball with this. We have easy access to digital cameras, and this editing process is a piece of cake. I can see them creating a story board, real or imaginative. Then instead of a video, take still pictures of their project and caption those. True, this is not out on the www, but I tried Google’s Picasa first, and one click on ‘explore’ and it was completely inappropriate for kids. Anyone can post anything there. Not a secure sight.

Technology Standard 6A

Technology Standard 6 A, Students utilize technology concepts and tools to learn. Students will select, use, and troubleshoot tools efficiently.

I think I’m a good example to my students in this area. If I have to troubleshoot, I am very transparent about it. I solicit their ideas, even if I know I’m on the right track. I don’t solve everything that comes up. I can’t. I certainly don’t have all the answers, but that’s what this standard is all about. You won’t know it all because knowledge of technology is infinite. It keeps changing. It is up to me as their teacher to make them aware of this changing technology as best as I can, and to not fear it. Maybe that’s why everyone in my building comes to me with their tech challenges. I don’t always know what I’m doing, but together, maybe we can figure it out together. (It also helps to have the district tech expert on speed dial.)

Homework 3 - Tool Implementation

I chose to implement (or attempt to implement) the social bookmarking site Delicious.com. I started very basic, with one stack for Math Resources. I'd like to sit by someone who knows more about it so I can see what it can really do. I hope to better keep track of my own resources as well as share them with students, parents, and my teaching partners. We have new math and language arts curriculum this year which both come with several online components. I think this could be a great way to get parents on board with all of it.
As exciting and useful as this resource may be, I need to remember that not all students and parents will have access to it. How can I expect the same from the haves as the have-nots? I don't think anyone can really answer that question.

Homework 2 - Response to Standards

State Standard 2.A. is something that excites and scares me at the same time. I think I need to be brave enough to “Use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, across the global community, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others. To interact and collaborate with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media.”

I feel like an old dog and this is a new trick, to me anyway. Now I have to teach this trick? The most collaborating we’ve done is on a site called ‘Storybird’, where kids can write a story and ask classmates to join in and write it with them or leave comments. It’s safe enough because only they can read and comment with each other in their own class. I’m a little more than protective over my kids, and I’m not sure that even I feel safe out there in the ‘global community’. I have to use it and trust it before I can let my kids out into it. They are much braver about all of this than I am, I’m sure, but what they learn is ultimately my responsibility.

Homework 1 - Preface

I wish I knew Fred. A Fred that could help me through the jungle of tech tools, tools that keep changing. A Fred that has experience and knowledge of all of the tools out there and could direct me to the right one, and even show me specifically how to use it! It's easy to go into sensory overload with so many options, but one thing I need to keep in mind is my needs. My needs. What tool do I really need? Not what tool would be really cool that I could share and impress others with my tech savvy, but something that I really need. Let the need for a specific tool drive me to my choice. I do that at Home Depot, and I'm not ashamed to say that I am more confident in their tool section than I am here.

Oh! There it is! I found it, and I am posting my first ever blog. I'm going to learn a lot in this class, and I really hope I don't get too overwhelmed.