Tool #11: Reflection

1. My favorite tool that I added to my tool box was the digital storytelling. I plan on using this often in the classroom. The program PhotoStory was very user friendly. I think it would be a fun and easy program to use with the students in creating stories on a variety of topics we are working on. The students could help create class stories and then present them to their classmates.

2. After completing the toolbox I see that some of these tools will transform the learning process in my classroom. Not only will it add great educational resources but bring excitement to learning as well. The tools such as the itouch/ipad will bring a great new and fun way to reinforce topics that we are working on in the classroom. (Ex: letter identification, number recognition, etc.)

3. The one unexpected outcome from this program is that I was actually able to create and complete my toolbox! There were moments where I did not know if I was going to complete or even figure out some of the tools. But it turned out to be a success and has introduced me to some new ideas and tools I plan on using in the classroom.

Tool #11

For teaching my students how to be good digital citizens I would model and demonstrate how to appropriately use the computers, other forms of technology, and the Internet.

• I would teach my Pre-K students how to properly use the computer, mouse, keyboard, etc. These are not toys and should be treated with respect.
• I would teach my students how to use the approved and appropriate websites when using them independently.
• I would also teach how not all Internet information is appropriate and valid. That is why during the students computer/technology independent time they should stay on the list of approved sites. If they were to accidentally access another website they should exit the program or ask for assistance.

Tool #10

A few of the educational apps that I reviewed were Alphabet Tracing, Read me Stories, and Shape Builder LITE. The Alphabet Tracing app would help students improve their fine motor skills as well as letter identification. Read me Stories would be a great literacy tool for students to use as part of the literacy centers. The last app I reviewed was the Shape Builder and this could be used to improve thinking skills as well as fine motor skills. It is a fun educational app that the students arrange shapes to complete a puzzle. It could be a fun addition to either literacy centers or math centers. The itouch or ipad could be a great educational resource for technology, literacy, and math. I think that our Pre-K students would enjoy this as part of their center time!

Tool #9

I think that the screencast could be of use in the classroom often for a visual aide for students. Doing a screen capture can help focus and point out a variety of learning opportunities. There are several tools to help elaborate the screen capture as well such as text boxes and arrows. It a great way to caputre and moment and go into depth to explain.

Skype could be a fun learning tool as well for our age group. After doing an author study unit it would be fun to try and schdule a skpe session for the students and the author of study. They could also have the opportunities to communicate with students from other schools, cities, states, or even a different country.

Tool # 8

Five Little Monkeys

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QO2gN9NLc2I

I found two videos from YouTube.com. The first video is of the alphabet song which teaches the letter and the sound. The second video is of the song Five Little Monkeys. I use both of these songs in my classroom every year. It will be nice to have a video to go along with the songs!

Tool #7

I found this to be a fun tool to use. I do think that our little ones are a bit young to create their own stories but would enjoy helping create a class story. The one I created is about primary colors but you can create a story about anything! The students would love to have their voices recorded for the story.

Tool #6

The Wiki program will be of great asset to our team building and planning. There is a wealth of knowledge through this program that would benefit our pre-k students. It is a plus that all this information is easily assessable in one area for viewing, learning and sharing.

Tool #5

I found the delicious website to be very helpful in searching for new websites. The two websites I found were a great resource that I plan on using in my classroom. The first one gives great ideas on ways to use and organize math manipulatives for math centers and math tubs. The second website is useful information for reading and writing in Pre-K. I think that this information could be beneficial for both myself and parents of our Pre-K students.

http://prekinders.com/math-center/

http://www.readingrockets.org/article/22762

Tool #4

I found the Google Docs and Reader to both be very helpful and easy to use. It's a great way for teachers to collaborate and share ideas. They will both benefit during assessment time as well as road map collaborating as a time saving tool. Google Reader will enhance our teaching skills by being a quick hands on tool for multiple subject matter relating to pre-k as we are able to request our subcriptions. I look forward to this enhancing our educational experience.

Tool #3

I chose both of these images to provide a welcoming environment to my students and parents. I got both of the pictures from the website signgenerator.com. Once I found the pictures I wanted to use I typed a welcome message and saved to my desktop and uploaded from the photo icon on the toolbar.

Tool #2

Creating an online educational community will help teachers, parents, and students keep open communication and be up to date with the latest educational information. It is important to be respectful of other's ideas and thoughts and to add to the conversation with addtional toughts and ideas. Below are the 5 blogs that I reviewed:
Always Learning
Two Cents Worth
Web Logg-ed
Cool Cat Teacher Blog
Blue Skunk

Tool #1

This was a bit tricky dealing with all of the different websites and setting up different accounts. But once all of that was taken care of it was taken care of it was easy to navigate.