TOOL #11

It is like What Happens In Vegas, Stays In Vegas. Students need to be taught that anything they type into a computer, stays in the computer. Be nice and think before you hit ENTER. We are responsible for teaching and reinforcing good digital citizenship every class everyday. This is true for what constitutes plagarism. Not everything on the internet is true. Backing up sources is still the best way to conduct research. Being a good digital citizen means practicing respect and professionalism every time you use a digital device.

REFLECTION: Google docs will be a new way for me to give quizzes this year. I like blogging and Google Earth the best. All of the digital tools are great ways to promote problem solving and creative thinking.

TOOL #10

The free apps that I think look useful are NASA and Advanced Vocabulary Genius by Brainscape. We go to NASA frequently for our science curriculum, so the students are familiar with the site. It makes it so quick and easy when it is an app. The Brainscape looks awesome because I find that vocabulary is really hard for a lot of the kids. This would be a great tutorial. iTouch is here and it's wonderful that it is part of our digital classroom. The students will use them weekly if not daily to find information and complete class assignments and projects.

TOOL #9 Jing and Skype

Jing is great because you can capture and label static images. Screencast allows you to make a movie with several images. Saring visuals is fun!
Skype is a free way to connect with people from all over the globe. The students and I can share labs and other fun classroom activities with schools in other states or countries. Who needs a long-distance calling plan anymore?!

TOOL #8 Video Resources

I picked a hurricane video from National Geographic because I have shown it in the past, and it has been interesting and informative for the students. The second video I chose was from NASA. It, too, is a video on hurricane formation. This video shows satellite imagery of Hurricane Alex. Both videos are under three minutes long and impart quick, visual information on the kids.

TOOL #7

I am in the process of making my first imovie about lab safety. It was an interesting procedure. I must say it was easier than I thought it would be on a Macbook. I need to adjust some of my pictures. If you don't save them in the right size, they will be blurry in the movie. You live, you learn! I will finish my masterpiece when I return from my vacation on July 29th.

TOOL #6

Wikis are a fun, useful idea. I like the fact that it promotes group work, and groups can look at each others' wiki and add comments. It's easy for me to add comments, also.

TOOL #5

The students all have Facebook, so tagging won't be a problem for most of them. I've registered with Delicious, and I am looking for sites to bookmark that cover our curriculum for the first six weeks. I already found the lab safety test online, so this will save so much paper and time. No more running to the copier after school!

7/20/2010 - Cheryl Wegsheid has been such a big help with the 11 Tools. She showed me the ins-and-outs of Delicious this morning, and filled me in on the wonders of Diigo. Thanks Cheryl!!


www.heumann.org/u1/lab_safety.html
http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/solar-system