Well I made it to NECC! (National Educational Computing Conference) Usually riding the metro into DC for the day doesn’t bother me, but today with the tragedy on the Red Line last week, I have to admit I was a little on edge as I boarded my train. But I got here safely, checked in, registered for some Bring Your Own Laptop (BYOL) sessions, and got my bag of goodies.
The first thing I did was find a quiet table and start to devour the schedule. There is just so much to see and do in the next four days, that I’m finding myself moderately overwhelmed. This conference really is HUGE! The Program Guide itself is just shy of 200 pages!!!
I have decided to focus on Digital Storytelling, Digital Citizenship and Professional Development of Staff as my three big ideas, so most of my sessions I have selected speak to that focus. The session I’m most looking forward to is my BYOL session on Monday titled “Building a Digital Story in an Hour”. I figure if I can build a digital story in an hour, fifth graders can build one too right?
I hope I can soak it all up and gather some exciting new ideas, insight, and fun gadgets that can be used to improve my use of technology in my classroom along with the learning of my students. I’m sure by Wednesday afternoon I will be eager for the fall so I can start to integrate some of the new things I learned with my students.
Children in grades three through five participated in an Internet Safety and Cyberbullying workshop during technology classes this week. This workshop was a collaborative effort between Mrs. Clifford and Mrs. Trudden. Please take a moment to review the key topics that were covered and continue the discussion at home.
Topics covered were:
❀ Website and Ad Safety
❀ File Sharing
❀ Cell Phones (Texting)
❀ Email, MySpace, and Facebook
❀ Make Safe Online Choices
❀ Cyberbullying
❀ Warning Signs of Cyberbullying
❀ Real Life Consequences
Also, remind your child to always think about being a Technology PALS when they are evaluating their use of technology.
P – Protection (about your identity and reputation)
A – Appropriate (about inappropriate sites)
L – Legal (about plagiarism, copying software/music)
S – Safe & Responsible (about handling computers, software, equipment, backing up)
Some helpful links to reinforce these concepts can also be found on the following websites:
As I’ve noticed in the past few years field trips are becoming few and far between as a part of the education of elementary school students. When I began teaching ten years ago we went on six trips a year. We also had two in-house trips where someone came to us. These days it seems elementary students in my schools only go on one or two trips per year.
This begs the question of teachers: How are we able to still give students the experience for learning outside the classroom without leaving the classroom or school building? Answer: Technology!
During the past month I came across two items that spoke to the idea of Virtual Field Trips. It’s no wonder that with the cost of buses, fuel, admission prices going up these online tools are becoming more utilized.
Teachers who are interested in learning more about Virtual Field Trips and all that they can offer you in your classroom check out the following article from ISTE Learning and Leading by Kimberly Ketterer.
Parents! Keep in mind that Virtual Field Trips are not only for Teachers to use. They are a great way for you to incorporate them into your child’s time home from school or their summer vacation. If you are like me, you probably don’t have the extra money to fly to Chicago just to check out the Field Museum, but if you have access to a computer with an internet connection you can experience it online! Most libraries have computers that are available for just such an experience if you don’t have reliable internet at home. Remember to take headphones (walkman headphones are fine) with you though….some virtual trips have great sound files to listen or movies to watch.
Mrs. Smoke has put together a great list of some links to the best Virtual Field Trips for kids. What’s even better is that she has added grade level ranges to most of her suggestions. Check them out!
Don’t forget these other great interactive websites that also serve as great Virtual Trips to local points of interest!
I have finally been able to catch up on some much needed reading in some of my favorite blogs. I stumbled across a post on Dangerously Irrelevant about digital copies of books. With the invention of the Amazon Kindle and other Book Reading devices, they have changed the way we read books and gather information. Now, as an avid reader of books in their traditional form, I simply enjoy the feel of a hardback in my hands while I’m reading. I don’t know what it is but I love going into book stores, especially older ones with their shelves to the ceiling and huge wingback chairs to sit and lounge while getting lost in an author’s cast of characters. My favorite being Elliott Bay Books in Seattle.
Most recently, I considered getting a Kindle for use when I travel. Usually when I go on trips, I devour 2-3 books therefore taking up space in my carry on bags. When I saw the Kindle, I thought, “WOW! I can take my books with me in a more compact form.” But at $359 at Amazon.com, it’s a steep price tag for a few trips a year.
Now looks like the genius’ at Apple have designed an app that you can download for free that turns your iPhone/iPod Touch into your very own small version of a Kindle. This would allow me to pack as many books as I would like, and the option to purchase more during my travels, fitting in my pocket.
Thinking back to education, what use does this pose for the classroom? Instead of children lugging home textbooks in their backpacks, what if their textbooks were all on a device that can fit into their pocket? What if books were on a device that would allow us to change the text size larger or smaller to fit the needs of students with vision impairments? There is also a text to speech feature that can read your favorite books, newspapers, and magazines to you. The iPhone/iPod Touch also allow students to listen to podcasts and classroom lectures as well.
This poses some food for thought about the use of technology both in schools and outside it. Devices like the iPhone and the iPod Touch are paving the way for children as digital citizens in our world.
I wish everyone out there a very Happy and Safe Holiday season!
My winter break is proving to be a busy one already. Keep an eye on this blog for some changes in the New Year! More updates coming soon!
Looking for something fun to do over Break? Check out Xtranormal a web 2.0 program that allows you to make movies. If you can type you can make a movie! Kids, remember to ask your parents before you create an account. I learned about this site from Mr. Robb at Bellows Spring Elementary and enjoyed making the movie below.
Mrs. Chun’s First Graders integrated technology into one of their writing assignments. The assignment was based on the book Don’t Take Your Snake for a Stroll by Karin Ireland and David Catrow. Students used Pixie to create their own organized sentence following the pattern in the story. They illustrated their sentence and then we compiled them into a class movie. Check it out below!
To better view examples, choose Download to watch the QuickTime Movie in Full Screen view or select the Full Screen Button to view SlideShare presentations.
This post is for students in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade at PRES. Remember click the comments links at the bottom to post your comment. Include your First Name and Class. Do not add your last name. If you have trouble visit the Adding Comments page for more detailed directions. You do not need to add your email address. Parents, comments that include email addresses for security reasons will have the email protected from being viewed online.
It’s that TIME! TECH TIME is HERE!
Grab your typing fingers, computer skills, and trackpads and be ready to begin! I’m looking forward to working with you this year in Technology. Part of technology is going to be to learn new things and build upon the knowledge from last year. So I want to hear from you! Add your answers to the following 2 questions in a comment.
What did you like best about technology class last year?
What would you like to learn about in technology this year? If you don’t know what something is called, describe it. =)
This year is going to be a great year! I’m looking forward to working with you and I’ll see you on the first day of technology class!
I came across this great Olympic feature with Google maps as I was catching up on my Blog Reading. Google Maps has made a special map with Medal Counts, Events, and Stadiums. The Stadium tab is by far my favorite! You can click on a Stadium name and be taken there! Most stadiums have videos, photos, and additional information about the venue!
It truely is amazing how much technology has changed over the last decade. It has allowed so many viewers to experience the Olympic spirit from their own living rooms. Check it out!
