Tool #9

1. Why do you think it is important to tie the technology to the objective?

I think that kids love technology. With a technological world we as teachers need to make our class rooms more technological so as to keep our lessons more appealing to the kids.

2. Why should we hold students accountable for the stations/centers?
I think that we should keep students accountable because they need to understand that although technology is readily available they still need to be responsible for their actions. They need to understand that when they use technological devices it reflects on them, the teacher and the school.

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3. Visit 2 of the applicable links to interactive websites for your content/grade level. Which sites did you like. How could you use them as stations? How can you hold the students accountable for their time in these stations?
There are so many apps out there that it will take time to incorporate them into classroom to  use. I will start introducing apps that I am comfortable with and then start to get feedback. I know the kids will come up with some very creative approaches with whatever apps they start using. I will hold the students accountable with the "check in " and "check out" method with the devices. I think that ThinkFinity and Mangahigh were both sites that I could see my kids using quite a bit.

4. List two to three apps you found for the iPod Touch/iPad that you can use in your classroom. What do you see that station looking like? How can you hold the students accountable for their time in these stations?
I found a few apps that would be very appropriate for my classroom. These apps are Skype, Poll Everywhere, Itrade (Stock Market App) and chron.com. All these could be incorporated into station learning dealing with current events for that day as well as helping students trace stocks. I could then poll the students on a number of topics in order to get some feedback on their viewpoints of various economic events of the day. I can hold the students accountable by having them complete a "ticket out" activity that will quiz them over all the apps used on the devices.
5.What about other ways to use the iPod Touch/iPad? Share another way you can see your students using the device as a station.
The iPads can be used just like actual computers. I feel that students will be able to develop more effective apps that their peers will enjoy. I could see students using the iPads to make flashcards and surf the Internet, as well as communicate with other classes around the world. Through the use of Skype and other apps, Students will really enjoy everything that the devices will allow them to do.