Tool #11

1. What are your favorite tools you now have in your personal technology toolbox? Briefly describe a particular activity that you will plan for your students using at least one of these new tools.

Some of my favorite tools include Wordle; Animoto ; Poll Everywhere, Skype, and Edmoto. I plan to use Stock Market Apps to carry out my stock market game.

I want to get where all students are comfortable using the devices and understand how to use technology effectively. 

2. How have you transformed your thinking about the learning that will take place in your classroom? How has your vision for your classroom changed? Are you going to need to make any changes to your classroom to accommodate the 21st Century learner?

I believe that the same learning will take place, just in a different manner. I believe technology will just facilitate the learning process. It will be a transition for me to let the students use this technology in place of the traditional teaching that I am used to. I will have to give up normal class time to teach kids technology. .

3. Were there any unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?

I learned a lot about different tools to help the learning process. I feel that technology is something I will need to begin incorporating more into my curriculum. Hopefully I will be able to create an environment that will allow the students to take control of their learning. 

Tool #10

1. Discuss at least three things you would want to make sure your students understand about being good digital citizens.

One: Understand the right way to use the devices.

Two: Safely navigate around the unfiltered world of technology. There are so many things out there that are not appropriate for students.

Three: Understand what is an appropriate app or source of technology for them to use.

2. Share at least one of the resources mentioned above or on the Ed Tech website that you plan to use instructionally.

I will show the one minute video on digital citizenship. I want them to understand how much freedom they will be given and what the right and wrong ways are to use that freedom.

3. Explain briefly how you would "teach" the idea of digital citizenship to your students.

I would teach the idea of digital citizenship just as I teach my students how to act in the classroom. They will be given the expectations and know their boundaries. They would be reminded that with all of this freedom comes a ton of responsibilities.

4. Explain briefly how you plan to share the idea of digital citizenship with your parents.

I will share the same idea of digital citizenship with the parents just as I have with my classroom. I will present the information to my parents at Back to School Night as well as send a letter home with my students. I think that it is very important that the parents understand what is expected from their child in terms of digital citizenship.

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. 

Tool #5

Wordle could be helpful for students when learning new vocabulary.



Animoto could be incorporated into the classroom to generate interest for students before a new unit. My example is below:


My Animoto Video

Tool #8

1. After watching the videos/tutorials, list two to three things you learned about the device(s) that will be in your classroom this fall.
- I learned that I am completely responsible for all of the activity that goes on with all devices.
- I learned how the devices work and what the best practices are to keep them charged and ready to go all the time.
- I learned about all of the various apps that can be downloaded on the Ipads.
2. How do you plan to manage the device(s) in your classroom? Do you have ideas/suggestions that others may find useful?
I plan to keep a close eye on each student that uses the devices. I plan to have the students "check out" the devices as well as "check in" the devices. I believe that I will be able to monitor how they use them just as I monitor any behavior in my classroom. It will require me to gain more knowledge as to how the devices work, but it should be very enlightening along the way.

Tool #7

1. Skype:
Each of my classes will be paired with another Economics class at MHS and Skype to complete the project.

2. Project on Edmodo:

1. Content objective - Students will demonstrate the effects of the American Banking System by answering questions which I post on Edmodo about different Banking Laws throughout US History. .
2. When you plan to implement - I plan to implement this project at the beginning of the 6th six weeks.
3. What tool(s) you plan to use - I plan to use Edmodo.
4. A brief description of the project (plan - two or three sentences) - "What affect did laws throughout history have on the US Banking System.?" Students will research the various events of US Banking System and develop an understanding of the effects the system have on our current system and around the world.

Tool #6

Poll Everywhere could serve as a quick, easy way to begin discussion on topics such as types of economics systems. Below is my Poll Everywhere :

Create interactive meetings at Poll Everywhere

Blogger can help get ideas from colleagues.  I think it could be something good for the students to be able to get immediate feedback from one another.