I really want to teach students to use a library diigo account so they can have safe access to needed URL's and links without having to type the URL into the address bar. Also, I hope to spend more time teaching students how to conduct searches using Boolean terms. This knowledge will help them successfully access online databases and resources online and in our library catalog while helping them refine their research topics.
My participation in the 11 Tools really hasn't transformed my thinking about the learning that can take place using technology. I have long believed that technology will play a major role in the future education and employment of our students. Our biggest struggle will be making it equally available to all students and not just a select few. Having the tools in the classroom can help provide that equity and will happen as long as educators incorporate ways to enhance the learning in their classrooms using the various tools.
One unexpected outcome, and it shouldn't have been unexpected since I work with a great group of professionals, is how readily the majority of our staff took the initiative to learn all they could about the 2.0 tools and how they could use them in their classrooms to enhance the curriculum.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Tool 10
Digital Citizenship involves teaching students how to:
1. stay safe
2. be responsible when using the internet and cite works found
3. not bully or be bullied
I have taught grade level lessons using iSafe and BrainPop in previous years to present online safety and cyberbully. Responsible use of the internet resources has been taught using Tree Octopus and online databases found on the Library Resource Page during point of need lessons. This year I would like to spend more time teaching students how to look at URL's to determine the credibility and source as a way to help them to use their critical thinking skills when finding resources. The ability to understand the URL's could keep them from becoming victims of bogus websites and information. Since teachers will be helping to present and teach digital citizenship this should free me up to do more in depth teaching for those research skills they will need.
Our PTA has offered Internet Safety and Digital Citizenship in past years. To help them out again this year I've acquired print materials for them to hand out to parents.
1. stay safe
2. be responsible when using the internet and cite works found
3. not bully or be bullied
I have taught grade level lessons using iSafe and BrainPop in previous years to present online safety and cyberbully. Responsible use of the internet resources has been taught using Tree Octopus and online databases found on the Library Resource Page during point of need lessons. This year I would like to spend more time teaching students how to look at URL's to determine the credibility and source as a way to help them to use their critical thinking skills when finding resources. The ability to understand the URL's could keep them from becoming victims of bogus websites and information. Since teachers will be helping to present and teach digital citizenship this should free me up to do more in depth teaching for those research skills they will need.
Our PTA has offered Internet Safety and Digital Citizenship in past years. To help them out again this year I've acquired print materials for them to hand out to parents.
Tool 9
I have never been a teacher who allowed activities in my classroom for the sake of being cute or just for fun. Everything I did in the classroom had to have an authentic purpose in meeting the required standards being taught past, present, and future. Gardening was done to reinforce science standards not just to play in the dirt. We carried out conversations about what the seeds and plants needed to grow. We looked at the various kinds of roots and why some plants would have tap roots vs hairy roots. With the curriculum being packed with standards to be met we just don't have time for fluff! For this reason the technology we use in class must be helping us meet the curriculum and the standards being taught or we just aren't preparing our students for advancement and success. I could just hand students the iTouch/iPads and let them play anything they want or I can be a more responsible classroom teacher and prepare station cards showing the icon pictures of apps that can be used in conjunction with the standards the class is working on such as Soccer Math. To hold kids accountable I could have them write down the number sentences they solve in a journal. Not that I have to take a grade on every app they use but while I am working with small groups I do want to know that students are working and not playing at centers. This concept isn't new because we use to do things like that with paper and pencil.
I really find PhET to be a good interactive website for science and the teacher can select the content to be covered at the station by downloading particular modules. This could be helpful in revisiting experiments that students conducted earlier.
I went into Thinkfinity and selected primary sources since it can be hard for students to understand what constitutes a primary source. I found a piece on the Roosevelt Inaugural Medal of 1905 that the Smithsonian has in its possession.
I can't say that I found anything tonight that I would just give a blanket approval for because our curriculum dictates that we are selective and that is time consuming but necessary! Paper journals, Edmodo comments, blogging are tools teachers can use to hold students accountable for the work assigned at stations.
When it comes to the library there are apps for searching public library catalogs but we don't currently have an app for our school online catalog. That would be a great tool to have to teach students how to look up materials and how to conduct searches using boolean terms. Maybe someday when we get back to being librarians instead of technology instructors.
This past spring we tried the iTouches to make Edmodo comments and that seemed to work fine and is a lot less expensive to provide in classrooms than computers on a 1:1.
I really find PhET to be a good interactive website for science and the teacher can select the content to be covered at the station by downloading particular modules. This could be helpful in revisiting experiments that students conducted earlier.
I went into Thinkfinity and selected primary sources since it can be hard for students to understand what constitutes a primary source. I found a piece on the Roosevelt Inaugural Medal of 1905 that the Smithsonian has in its possession.
I can't say that I found anything tonight that I would just give a blanket approval for because our curriculum dictates that we are selective and that is time consuming but necessary! Paper journals, Edmodo comments, blogging are tools teachers can use to hold students accountable for the work assigned at stations.
When it comes to the library there are apps for searching public library catalogs but we don't currently have an app for our school online catalog. That would be a great tool to have to teach students how to look up materials and how to conduct searches using boolean terms. Maybe someday when we get back to being librarians instead of technology instructors.
This past spring we tried the iTouches to make Edmodo comments and that seemed to work fine and is a lot less expensive to provide in classrooms than computers on a 1:1.
Tool 8
My situation in the library is a bit different from what our teachers are going to experience this fall since I have had most of these tools in the library for some time. Over the past few years I have actively looked for ways to get the tools into the hands of our students. While the library tools are often used by classes as they are conducting research I have also helped facilitate podcast and video creations using the webcams and photo capabilities on the netbooks and MacBooks.
The iTouch/iPads do need some syncing with a teacher computer from time to time. One thing that I didn't expect is that once I had apps loaded the tools were really low maintenance and only needed to be updated periodically-not daily or even weekly! Actually I have spent more time making sure they are cleaned from time to time with a soft damp cloth or Clorox wipes.
The day to day management has been managed by my library helpers. At the beginning of the year I select 2-3 students I know I can trust and depend on to get out and put away equipment based on my instructions. Students love to help and having only a few trained in the beginning help control the situation until I feel confident that the tools are being taken care of the way I need. Then I can have those few train others. One teacher suggested picture cards showing what the station will look like if done correctly. I think I may try that next year, especially with the Wii tools.
One of our teachers shared with me that on the iTouch/iPads we can move seldom used icons over under another icon so that students won't see them. For elementary that could be very helpful since we can "clean" up the screen and declutter it of things that will only cause problems for our younger kiddos.
The district has had an Acceptable Use Policy in place for some time. It is very important for students and parents to understand their responsibilities when using the school technology. However, it is my understanding that this year will be the first time that families will have to opt out of the policy which should make things much easier when implementing the use of technology in the classroom and I look forward to that change.
The iTouch/iPads do need some syncing with a teacher computer from time to time. One thing that I didn't expect is that once I had apps loaded the tools were really low maintenance and only needed to be updated periodically-not daily or even weekly! Actually I have spent more time making sure they are cleaned from time to time with a soft damp cloth or Clorox wipes.
The day to day management has been managed by my library helpers. At the beginning of the year I select 2-3 students I know I can trust and depend on to get out and put away equipment based on my instructions. Students love to help and having only a few trained in the beginning help control the situation until I feel confident that the tools are being taken care of the way I need. Then I can have those few train others. One teacher suggested picture cards showing what the station will look like if done correctly. I think I may try that next year, especially with the Wii tools.
One of our teachers shared with me that on the iTouch/iPads we can move seldom used icons over under another icon so that students won't see them. For elementary that could be very helpful since we can "clean" up the screen and declutter it of things that will only cause problems for our younger kiddos.
The district has had an Acceptable Use Policy in place for some time. It is very important for students and parents to understand their responsibilities when using the school technology. However, it is my understanding that this year will be the first time that families will have to opt out of the policy which should make things much easier when implementing the use of technology in the classroom and I look forward to that change.
Tool 7
Online digital projects have energized my lessons and spiked student interest. One such project is the work I do with reluctant readers using a book from a high interest series, connecting with other student groups, and finally interviewing the author of the series.
Content Objective: To encourage readers to read for pleasure
Implement: Late fall after DRA's have been conducted and teachers have been able to compile a list of reluctant readers.
Tools: The Nathanial Fludd series by R. L. Lafever and Skype
Description: Weekly book club meetings will be conducted with a group of 6-10 students. Students will be given a book to use each week as we read together. After the first two weeks we will conduct an online Skype event with another school within the district. Students will conduct periodic meetings with their "book club buddies" and as a group will come up with questions to ask the author in a culminating Skype event with the author. The schools can either meet together to Skype with the author or conduct individual sessions.
Book Buddies: I have a few librarian friends who are willing to conduct book buddies with our school. Books chosen will determine what schools will participate on particular books.
Content Objective: To encourage readers to read for pleasure
Implement: Late fall after DRA's have been conducted and teachers have been able to compile a list of reluctant readers.
Tools: The Nathanial Fludd series by R. L. Lafever and Skype
Description: Weekly book club meetings will be conducted with a group of 6-10 students. Students will be given a book to use each week as we read together. After the first two weeks we will conduct an online Skype event with another school within the district. Students will conduct periodic meetings with their "book club buddies" and as a group will come up with questions to ask the author in a culminating Skype event with the author. The schools can either meet together to Skype with the author or conduct individual sessions.
Book Buddies: I have a few librarian friends who are willing to conduct book buddies with our school. Books chosen will determine what schools will participate on particular books.
Tool 6
Edmodo is by far one of my favorite 2.0 tools for building collaboration and accountability into lessons. Elementary students, being too young for Facebook, find this fascinating so you don't have to work very hard to pull them into the lesson with this tool. While middle/high school students won't find this tool a new idea they will get pulled in using iTouch/iPads provided by the teacher or student owned. Students love using new technology and don't find them intimidating like their teachers often do. I recently used Edmodo with a group of teachers during Summer U and they too found it interesting. An added bonus is the ability to make assignments, take grades, control who participates, and monitor comments.
I have used Delicious for my personal use as well as with students and teachers when I don't want them to have to type in urls or when I want to make it easy for them to find particular links. However, I've found a new "love it" 2.0 tool! Just like Delicious it is a bookmark keeper that allows the user to access their bookmarks from any computer. Gone are the days of getting home and finding out that the website, blog, or link you need isn't on your home computer but on your work computer. The added bonus to Diigo is that you can highlight text and add sticky notes to mark special information you don't want to forget or overlook. This would be great for student use when they are collecting information for research projects. Another advantage is it is all in the clouds and eliminates lost research notes and folders.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Tool 5
Recently I had a chance to see Xtranormal used to create a video and thought I'd like to try using it too for upcoming trainings on plagiarism. This video would make a good "set" to a lesson. The video will open the discussion about what constitutes plagiarism and will allow me to discover what students think they are responsible for when it comes to copyright materials.
Another tool I have loved using with students for vocabulary are word clouds. Since I have never used ABCya! I thought I'd see how kid friendly that 2.0 tool could be and I was pleasantly surprised. After entering the key vocabulary I then randomized until I found one I liked. Then unlike other similar tools this one makes saving it for publishing a snap! This one would be ideal with primary students because of how easy it was to use.
Another tool I have loved using with students for vocabulary are word clouds. Since I have never used ABCya! I thought I'd see how kid friendly that 2.0 tool could be and I was pleasantly surprised. After entering the key vocabulary I then randomized until I found one I liked. Then unlike other similar tools this one makes saving it for publishing a snap! This one would be ideal with primary students because of how easy it was to use.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Tool 11
Yes, I know I haven't completed tools 5-10 yet (I've been too busy helping staff, teaching summer school, and cataloging while I've been off contract.) but I have had so many people not able to log into Atomic Learning I felt I should put a short post in before I get there. If you try logging in from the Atomic Learning page you get when clicking on the iTouch icon screen it will NOT let you login if you use the "LOGIN" in the upper right corner of the screen! You have to read half way down the page to find this link: https://www.atomiclearning.com/login/springbranchisd
That link should allow you to get where you need to go using your school login and password. Some would say we should read the directions better and some would say that the district should fix the link so it is more obvious. Either way this should help any "lost" souls since a call to the Atomic Learning help desk will not.
That link should allow you to get where you need to go using your school login and password. Some would say we should read the directions better and some would say that the district should fix the link so it is more obvious. Either way this should help any "lost" souls since a call to the Atomic Learning help desk will not.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Tool 4
Our little PLN is growing by leaps and bounds. I'm so proud of our teachers because they are beginning to reach out and help each other locate, create, and embed when a few weeks ago they were terrified at the thought of doing 11 tools. Today's class saw conversation turn from being overwhelmed by the many 2.0 tools to how, as their librarian, I was there to help support them and help their students be prosumers. Really cool stuff! I've used Google Docs to collaborate with other librarians and district staff but I haven't had much of a chance at school since so few people on campus were familiar with the 2.0 tool available through the district. Now that others are learning about it in 11 Tools I'm excited about the possiblities to collaborate and communicate with our great staff.
I've used Google forms to survey the staff regarding our school publication called the Flashlight. I wanted to see if the majority of the staff felt it was worth continuing. Since I just finished publishing this year's copy you can see that the responses received were positive.
Next year I hope to allow students and staff to complete even more surveys since the tool won't be so new and unfamiliar around our campus.
I've used Google forms to survey the staff regarding our school publication called the Flashlight. I wanted to see if the majority of the staff felt it was worth continuing. Since I just finished publishing this year's copy you can see that the responses received were positive.
Next year I hope to allow students and staff to complete even more surveys since the tool won't be so new and unfamiliar around our campus.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Tool 3
Finding and using online resources can be a daunting task. Not because things are hard to find but because there is so much to choose from. I have begun to access and use many online resources when I need to learn something new. Some of my favorites are YouTube, TeacherTube, and Atomic Learning. Going to so many different internet sources can be a challenge when you want to keep the locations a click away. A tool I have used for several years is call delicious.com. It is a way to bookmark websites and blog links that allows you to use those links from any computer with internet access. Gone are the days when you have your favorites on one computer and need the links while using another computer. I've even created an account for our school library to add links I need to share with staff and students.
Over the years copyright laws have been in a state of flux. For awhile educators were told that students shouldn't use any pictures, videos or music without giving proper citations. While I do agree that we must teach our students to give credit where credit is due I think having an expectation of complete citations from our primary students is beyond developmentally appropriate. So I am really pleased in the current definition that allows students to use these materials under Fair Use as long as their projects are contained inside the "walls" of the school and do not include someones complete copyrighted works.
I have tried using Picasa from the district Google site. However, it never loads correctly for me and the only thing I can figure out is my multiple Google accounts interfere with it opening correctly. I have used various image storage tools to find and use pictures. In fact I even made a post on ARK's Instructional Blog about teaching students how to do an advanced image search since it seems most teachers tell them to go to Google to find images. Along that note I have been able to use Google to do a Picasa Web Album search along with the advanced search perimeter of "labeled for reuse". The picture below is an example of one I found and decided to use.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Tool 2
We had another good turn out after school today to work on Tool 2 and to help beginners get started. All in all I think things went well. Something I really enjoyed watching was peer helping peer. I work with the greatest professionals around! Building Personal Learning Networks or PLN's as mentioned in Tool 2 was evident as I watched attendees reading through blog comments and then adding comments on fellow teacher's blogs. While some of our teachers are beyond the immediate school community everyone has to start somewhere and I for one am proud of the efforts I witnessed. One thing I have found it commenting on someone's blog can be intimadating when the person is someone you look to for help and advice. When I visit blogs by Librarian in Black or i Teach Technology I still find it hard to leave a comment. With that said I will continue to grow and I will continue to grow my PLN!
Friday, May 13, 2011
Tool 1
What an adventure we had in the library at our first after school help session. If you missed it there will be another one next Friday, May 20th right after school. There were nine of us gathered around the library computer bank, helping each other learn about browsers, Google Chrome, shortcuts, links, tags/labels, blogs, Voki's and html code.
If you visit https://sites.google.com/a/springbranchisd.com/11tools2011/home/terrace-elementary you can click on the hotlinks to visit the blogs teachers have already built. The Voki's are great too so make sure you click on the arrows and hear their welcomes.
While this wasn't my first time to do this it is always good to put yourself back into the position of learner and revisit past learning. Along the way I always seem to learn something new. I guess that is why they call it life-long learning!
If you visit https://sites.google.com/a/springbranchisd.com/11tools2011/home/terrace-elementary you can click on the hotlinks to visit the blogs teachers have already built. The Voki's are great too so make sure you click on the arrows and hear their welcomes.
While this wasn't my first time to do this it is always good to put yourself back into the position of learner and revisit past learning. Along the way I always seem to learn something new. I guess that is why they call it life-long learning!
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