Geo Walk/IPad
Geo Walk is an app that explores facts about the world. It suits both adults and children curious about far away places, people, and living creatures and plants. The Geo Walk app has articles that are gathered into one place. Spin the globe to choose a place and read all about it. The application has 3 main categories to browse through: Places, Flora and Fauna, and People. All entries are provided with colorful pictures that can be viewed in a cover-flow or chosen object mode.
Storia/IPad
Storia is an interactive educational reading app that has eBooks that can be assigned automatically to a designated bookshelf, or manually to any other of your choice. I haven't used this yet, but I'm acquiring points to collect free e-books and am signing up to use this app on a classroom Ipad that I'm hoping to get through a grant. I really want to get a set of Kindles and use this app for book clubs.
Google Earth
With Google Earth you can take a virtual journey to any location in the world. You can explore 3D buildings, imagery, and terrain. Since part of the 4th grade science curriculum includes learning about space technology, we can use Google Earth to view images shared by NASA just hours ago in the Live from Mars layer or view 3D rover models and follow their tracks to see high-resolution 360-degree panoramas. This helps the students to make real-life connections to what they're learning about.
You Tube
I use You Tube all the time to show video demonstrations of concepts that we are discussing in class. It's useful to watch short lessons or mini lessons that given by other teachers. You can use YouTube videos to enrich your classroom lessons and initiate discussion. It's an excellent resource to use for front-loading activities when introducting new units of material.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Monday, November 19, 2012
Digital Citizenship
Having good digital citizenship means having appropriate, responsible behavior on the internet and also having an awareness of modern day technology. Most activity being done today whether its economically, educationally, and/or recreationally involves some type of technology. Consumers need to be aware of how to buy and sell goods over the internet, how to protect their identity on the internet, and how to use and access email. Text messaging, social networking, and computer based programs are also activities that modern day citizens need to be aware of.
I think teachers especially need to practice having good digital citizenship. I can remember when as a teacher, I had to call a parent back on the telephone when a parent had a question, write a hand-written letter, or wait for a formal parent conference to discuss student progress. Now, it's commonplace for me to receive a text message during the day from a parent asking a question, to converse with parents and students on Facebook, or to send daily emails about the latest need-to-know information. I perceive not learning about technology as being irresponsible as a teacher and as a citizen. Teachers need to prepare their students to compete in a technological society. In order to do that, they must have an awareness of technology themselves and the ever-changing advances in technology. It's difficult to keep up, but very important to do so. It's a new day for a new type of student. Having good digital citizenship also means having good digital etiquette. I think this is a gray area where the rules for this are still not clearly given. Of course, cyber bullying would be an example of what a good citizen would not participate in.
I think teachers especially need to practice having good digital citizenship. I can remember when as a teacher, I had to call a parent back on the telephone when a parent had a question, write a hand-written letter, or wait for a formal parent conference to discuss student progress. Now, it's commonplace for me to receive a text message during the day from a parent asking a question, to converse with parents and students on Facebook, or to send daily emails about the latest need-to-know information. I perceive not learning about technology as being irresponsible as a teacher and as a citizen. Teachers need to prepare their students to compete in a technological society. In order to do that, they must have an awareness of technology themselves and the ever-changing advances in technology. It's difficult to keep up, but very important to do so. It's a new day for a new type of student. Having good digital citizenship also means having good digital etiquette. I think this is a gray area where the rules for this are still not clearly given. Of course, cyber bullying would be an example of what a good citizen would not participate in.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Materials Generators
One material generator that I often use is EdHelper especially for reading instruction. Since I use a lot of chapter books for whole class books, literature bookclubs, and independent reading, I use Ed Helper to access already created vocabulary word lists and reading quizzes for specific books. I also use it for ideas for end of book activities and projects.
Superteacherworksheets is another website that I use frequently especially for math instruction. It's format is easy to use and it's free. Whenever I need extra practice worksheets for specific skills or even homework sheets, I use this worksheet generator.
Acccelerated Math by the Renaissance Learning program is a math curriculum generator that I use every week. I assign students a practice sheet on Monday, and they turn it in by Thursday. The answers to these practice sheets are put on scan tron cards which I put through a scanner. If they are struggling on a specific skill, the program alerts me. If they are mastering specific skills, I can assign them a test to take. It is basic skill drill type curriculum, but I've found that it provides much needed practice for my students.
Superteacherworksheets is another website that I use frequently especially for math instruction. It's format is easy to use and it's free. Whenever I need extra practice worksheets for specific skills or even homework sheets, I use this worksheet generator.
Acccelerated Math by the Renaissance Learning program is a math curriculum generator that I use every week. I assign students a practice sheet on Monday, and they turn it in by Thursday. The answers to these practice sheets are put on scan tron cards which I put through a scanner. If they are struggling on a specific skill, the program alerts me. If they are mastering specific skills, I can assign them a test to take. It is basic skill drill type curriculum, but I've found that it provides much needed practice for my students.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Five Instructional Types of Software
Five Instructional Types of Software
Instructional software- computer programs designed to perform teaching functions, to assist students with instruction on topics, and/or to enhance instructional activities.
1. Drill and Practice Software programs are designed to provide students with practice on specific skills. These programs provide direct feedback on correct and incorrect answers and can help students transfer newly learned skills into long-term memory. Some examples of these programs include flash card activities, branching drill (moving the student to increasingly more advanced skills), and feedback activities. One specific example is an addition math fact practice site used for practicing addition facts. http://www.mrmyers.org/Math_Mania/ttadd.html
2. Tutorial Software programs are designed to provide instruction as a self-contained instructional unit where students are able to learn about a topic without extra help or other materials.
Linear tutorials provide explanation of information, practice, and feedback. Branching tutorials offer more complex information based upon mastery of skills. Students need to read and comprehend fairly well and be able to work independently. One specific example is a multiplication and division "how-to" site designed to provide step-by-step help with multi-step problems. http://www.thinkingblocks.com/ThinkingBlocks_MD/TB_MD_Main.html
3. Simulation Software programs are computerized models of real or imaginary systems that are designed to teach how the system works. Students choose tasks and choose what order to do them in. Physical simulations allow students to manipulate processes shown on a screen. Iterative simulations speed up or slow down processes so that students can clearly see events unfold. Procedural simulations show sequences of steps to perform procedures. Situational simulations provide hypothetical situations where students must respond. One specific example would be for students learning about space technology, they could explore outer space while manning their own space flight operation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVoV7UR6eEs
4. Instructional Software programs are designed to increase motivation through fun entertaining, competitive games. Teachers use these software games along with other classroom instructional activities to hold student's attention. Instructional games use drills and/or simulations along with game rules. One specific example would be learning rounding in math through a game. http://www.softschools.com/mathg.jsp
5. Problem-Solving Software programs are designed to teach problem-solving skills. It also provides opportunities to practice solving various kinds of content area problems. The programs provide challenging, interesting links to developing problem-solving skills or abilities. One specific example would be a space exploration webquest.
http://www.teacherwebquest.com/NF/MUN/ISS/h3.stm
Instructional software- computer programs designed to perform teaching functions, to assist students with instruction on topics, and/or to enhance instructional activities.
1. Drill and Practice Software programs are designed to provide students with practice on specific skills. These programs provide direct feedback on correct and incorrect answers and can help students transfer newly learned skills into long-term memory. Some examples of these programs include flash card activities, branching drill (moving the student to increasingly more advanced skills), and feedback activities. One specific example is an addition math fact practice site used for practicing addition facts. http://www.mrmyers.org/Math_Mania/ttadd.html
2. Tutorial Software programs are designed to provide instruction as a self-contained instructional unit where students are able to learn about a topic without extra help or other materials.
Linear tutorials provide explanation of information, practice, and feedback. Branching tutorials offer more complex information based upon mastery of skills. Students need to read and comprehend fairly well and be able to work independently. One specific example is a multiplication and division "how-to" site designed to provide step-by-step help with multi-step problems. http://www.thinkingblocks.com/ThinkingBlocks_MD/TB_MD_Main.html
3. Simulation Software programs are computerized models of real or imaginary systems that are designed to teach how the system works. Students choose tasks and choose what order to do them in. Physical simulations allow students to manipulate processes shown on a screen. Iterative simulations speed up or slow down processes so that students can clearly see events unfold. Procedural simulations show sequences of steps to perform procedures. Situational simulations provide hypothetical situations where students must respond. One specific example would be for students learning about space technology, they could explore outer space while manning their own space flight operation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVoV7UR6eEs
4. Instructional Software programs are designed to increase motivation through fun entertaining, competitive games. Teachers use these software games along with other classroom instructional activities to hold student's attention. Instructional games use drills and/or simulations along with game rules. One specific example would be learning rounding in math through a game. http://www.softschools.com/mathg.jsp
5. Problem-Solving Software programs are designed to teach problem-solving skills. It also provides opportunities to practice solving various kinds of content area problems. The programs provide challenging, interesting links to developing problem-solving skills or abilities. One specific example would be a space exploration webquest.
http://www.teacherwebquest.com/NF/MUN/ISS/h3.stm
Friday, November 2, 2012
Should computer games be played in school?
As a classroom teacher, I have found that using computer games for reinforcing concepts taught in class can be beneficial. Students find the games to be engaging and challenging. Elementary students seem to be especially "wired" for learning with technology games. They are useful when planning differentiated instruction or scaffolded instruction as many of the games are tailored to the ability level of the student as they play the game to acheive higher levels of skills.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Wk. 2 Glogster, Concept Map
http://lcorson.edu.glogster.com/edit/animal-research-project/
https://voicethread.com/share/3627179/
I'm finished, but not without reservations. I enjoyed completing the concept map, and I found that I had very little trouble with the construction of it, but the Glogster assignment was very difficult for me. First of all, everytime I tried to log back into my account it wouldn't let me. I had to recreate a new password each time I wanted to log in. The editing format was a bit confusing because the tutorials were done on a slightly different version than the one I was using. That might not seem like an issue to most folks, but for me (who is pretty much technology illiterate) I had real trouble with it. I do see where I can use the Glogster for my classroom use. Not only could I create engaging assignments for the students to use, but my students can also use it as an alternative to a powerpoint presentation. Making the the movie in Animoto was fun, but I'm not sure that I've uploaded it to where it will work properly when someone clicks on the play button. It worked at home, but not at my school. Maybe that is an issue with the computers? I liked Voicethread, but I want to have more time to learn it better so that my students can apply their voices to a presentation.
https://voicethread.com/share/3627179/
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Week 1- Introduction
Hello Everyone,
My name is Laurie Corson. I am 47 and currently living in North Alabama with my husband of 30 years and my youngest child (son) who is a senior this school year. I have two grown married daughters ages 28 and 30. I also have three grandchildren - 2 boys ages 10 and 6 and 1 girl who is 3. We are expecting another grandchild in April, but we don't know what it's going to be yet! I am a native of Gulf Coast Mississippi, but moved to N. AL after Hurricane Katrina. My husband's family is from the Hartselle/Decatur area. I work at an elementary magnet school where I've taught fourth grade for the past 7 years. Previously, I have taught 3rd/4th grade multi-age and 3rd grade. I really love where I work. I have desired to earn my masters twice before but certain life changing events such as having a son and going through a hurricane have hindered me from getting it done. But you know you they say that three times is a charm, so I'm very glad to be going back to school. This is my first online class and my first class towards achieving that goal. I'm a little nervous about the technology part. Sometimes, I feel like a dinosaur as I still use things like manila folders and file cabinets, but this year I did start my own classroom blogspot. I also use a Mobi, Elmo, and other types of technology to teach with. This year we are getting a class set of IPads, so I'm very excited about using those! I know as a teacher, it is extremely important to keep up with new technology, but sometimes I feel that it's all moving so fast that I can't keep up! I can't wait to learn everything I can from this class and am eager to learn from all of you as well. I wish you all the best.
My name is Laurie Corson. I am 47 and currently living in North Alabama with my husband of 30 years and my youngest child (son) who is a senior this school year. I have two grown married daughters ages 28 and 30. I also have three grandchildren - 2 boys ages 10 and 6 and 1 girl who is 3. We are expecting another grandchild in April, but we don't know what it's going to be yet! I am a native of Gulf Coast Mississippi, but moved to N. AL after Hurricane Katrina. My husband's family is from the Hartselle/Decatur area. I work at an elementary magnet school where I've taught fourth grade for the past 7 years. Previously, I have taught 3rd/4th grade multi-age and 3rd grade. I really love where I work. I have desired to earn my masters twice before but certain life changing events such as having a son and going through a hurricane have hindered me from getting it done. But you know you they say that three times is a charm, so I'm very glad to be going back to school. This is my first online class and my first class towards achieving that goal. I'm a little nervous about the technology part. Sometimes, I feel like a dinosaur as I still use things like manila folders and file cabinets, but this year I did start my own classroom blogspot. I also use a Mobi, Elmo, and other types of technology to teach with. This year we are getting a class set of IPads, so I'm very excited about using those! I know as a teacher, it is extremely important to keep up with new technology, but sometimes I feel that it's all moving so fast that I can't keep up! I can't wait to learn everything I can from this class and am eager to learn from all of you as well. I wish you all the best.
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