Technology Integration

Our students have become 21st century learners and have the world at their fingertips. As a teacher of those students it is my job to meet their needs by integrating the technology they will be using the rest of their lives. Technology should be use in the classroom because this is the place where students can safely make mistakes, learn how to effectively use technology to meet goals and to gain information. Technology can be used for collaboration, publication and so many other things.
 Through my experience in grad school, I was able to learn and try new technology tools in my classroom. Some have been very effective and I will continue to use them, and others didn't work for me this year. After I complete the program I will continue to implement new technology into my classroom. Something I have just started to play with is a flipped classroom structure. I'm hoping this structure will work for some of my lessons and I will continue to use it in the future. Learning about the SAMR model has helped me analyze technology and its effectiveness in the classroom. I will continue to use this model to choose tools that will be beneficial to my students.
I hope to continue to learn about new technology tools in different ways. An easy way to learn more is to observe and talk with other teachers. Through discussion in my building, watching blogs and following teachers on social media, I will have plenty of outlets for learning. I will also continue to use freetech4teachers.com since it is easy to use and has relevant information.

Tech Tool -Feb

This week I created a review assignment with Kahoot. This is a game like website where students answer questions that are up on the screen as fast as they can. They are awarded points for accuracy and speed. I created a game for our social studies unit on the New England Colonies. I included some facts we learned and new vocabulary we learned. Students played the game as a review for our test. Once I create the game students only need another device to get to the website and put in their game name. They loved the game and I didn't find too many that struggled with the speed.

Tech Tools- Feb 3-7

This week we were asked to try out Haiku Deck. After watching the tutorial I had a few ideas on how to implement this tool. I did not have time this week to have my students create one so I created one to show the students. I used the Haiku Deck to show pictures and short phrases about early American Colonial life. Based on the Haiku Deck they had to describe what life was like in Colonial times. I also made them explain their thinking and use examples from the Deck to "prove" their thinking. We are working on generalizations and inferencing so it fit perfectly with this skill.
I also used a new tech tool this week with one of my students. I saw on our tech spreadsheet an app called Dragon Dictation. This app allows you to talk into the microphone and the app types every word that you say. This is perfect for my students who is on an IEP for writing. Instead of writing his whole narrative story I had him speak into this app so it helps him write the rest of this story. He felt so much relief after I showed him this tool and was actually excited about a writing assignment for once this year. I haven't decided if I am going to have him write it out on paper after using the app or not but this will help him spell when he does have to write it out.

Persistence

Over the past few weeks I have definitely been challenged to stay persistent. It seems the busiest time of the year fell on these last few weeks. At school I had trainings, observations and meetings, oh yeah and teaching! Every moment that I wasn't doing those things I seemed to be doing grad work or making lists of all the things that need to get done. I've felt...OVERWHELMED! With persistence in mind I changed my outlook on a few of those things I was overwhelmed with. The think that kept me motivated was seeing the end in sight. I had a goal (either getting through observations, or grad work) and I knew that goal would be reached soon. I kept telling myself I can do this for a little while. I made my lists and stuck to my schedule- I used my snow days very purposefully and was able to get a lot accomplished and I was able to set smaller goals. I am so thankful to surround myself with people who understand and are positive because that has helped me stay positive as well. I will keep making my schedules and lists (because they keep me sane) and I know I will stay persistent with whatever comes at me next. Because I've been focused on this I didn't see myself getting too bogged down in the negative. I let myself think that for maybe a moment but then told myself to change my attitude. If I felt like I've hit my breaking point for the day I just went to bed (sometimes at 7:30) and started over the next day. Positive thinking will get me through!

Triumphs and Troubles

Triumph:
Over our 2 snow days off I made it a point to contact parents since it has been a while since I've sent them anything. I emailed or made contact with every parent in my classes. The response I got was great. They were very appreciative of the emails and update. One parent even sent an email to the principal telling them how appreciative they were with the contacts I've made. I will definitely keep up the parent contacts on a regular basis.

Trouble:
It seems to be that Sunday rolls around and I have at least 2 hours of grading to be done. It's been hard keeping up with grading on a timely manner this year even though that has been a goal of mine from day 1. Sometimes we correct things in class but I can't always do that. I want to give feedback and having 52 kids in math it's been hard to do that in a timely way.