In Class Portfolio

Bio Poem

Graphic Organizer

Lesson Cover Page

Lesson Plan

Student Activity and Teacher Example

Powerpoint Example

Rubric

Dialogue Poem

My Dialogue Poem with Robin

Too Dumb?

I think these approaches are taught.  If you notice, when focusing on digesting a complex text, taking a test, or reading, a classroom is always silent.  The teacher also makes sure of this, emphasizing the quiet for complete concentration.  However, whenever technology is introduced to the class, such as a movie or presentation, students are required to watch AND take notes.  We teach kids how to multitask at an early age.

In an inadvertent way, I also think these approaches are caught.  There is so much going on that we can get distracted very easily when trying to focus on something.  For example, as I read this article I had my phone nearby, the TV on, and had to urge to check Facebook every few minutes.  I think there is so much technology and social networking now that it makes us feel anxious when we aren't in touch, like when we are reading the "old school way".

Wordle

Wikipedia

Reading the Wikipedia article shocked me.  I remember the transition period when Wikipedia was "outed" for not being credible, and like many others, I swore off the site for a while.  However, in college I decided to use Wikipedia as an aid.  I always liked the site because it was easy to navigate and held tons of information, so I would make sure to check the cited sources to confirm accuracy.  I never relied on it academically as a credible source of information, but appreciated the simple layout when researching trivial facts.  

I would use Wikipedia in my classroom the same way I used it in college.  I would teach Wikipedia as a great source of quick information, but would also teach that each fact must be substantiated through credible sources.  Just because there is no “citation needed” mark at the end of a fact does not mean that the source is reliable.  As noted in discussion today, many times the links are dead or bias.  My students would learn to view Wikipedia through a critical eye and accept its flaws.  

I have changed my views on Wikipedia in years, and have come to view it as an acquaintance.  I wouldn’t call it a friend, because it is not completely reliable, but I would not call it a foe, because it can be of use.  I hope to convey to students the importance of checking sources, even if it is not on Wikipedia.  It is easy to find bias and errors in any source, and giving too much focus on one website can cause one to miss something on another.  

Annotated Website List

Teacher Resources

Enchanted Learning

• K-12
• All subject areas

This website has handouts, booklets, calendar pages, and graphic organizers for teachers and parents to use with children.  There are also different versions based on age and skills.  The handy box in the corner of the site counts down to the next holiday and links to fun activities according to month.  A subscription is required to download full page versions of text.  

School Supply Addict

• Elementary
• Handwriting

This website has links to online editors to create practice writing pages in either print or cursive.  There are also other links to download premade practice sheets.  A dollar symbol is used to indicate programs that cost money to operate.  


Student Interactive Learning

Harper Collins Children

• Elementary
• Reading

This website provides activities for popular children’s books that parents and educators can use with younger children.  Included are games, quizzes and coloring pages that will test student knowledge of reading.

Technology Rocks. Seriously.

• Elementary
• Math

This website has tons of interactive activities to practice digital and analog time.  Students will love the colorful graphics and music as they race to match each correct clock and display as quickly and accurately as possible.

Smart Apps for Kids

• Toddler-12 and Up
• Reading, Spelling, Puzzles

This website gives the names of free apps geared toward learning.  Students can practice their letters, spelling, and skill at jigsaw puzzles by downloading one of the many apps.  There are also links to apps that are “just for fun”, with no real educational benefit but entertaining nonetheless.  


Teacher Lesson Plan Sites

Lesson Plans Page

• Teachers
• All subjects PreK-12

This website shares lessons plans for teachers that were created by teachers.  Also included are seasonal lessons and the opportunity to publish your plans.  There are also several links to teacher blogs for more information.  

Microsoft Lesson Plans

• Teachers
• All subjects K-12

This website contains real-world applicable lesson plans for kids that also involve using Word, Excel, and Powerpoint.  Students will love making discoveries from lessons like “Track your Families Water Usage” and “Plan and Take a Road Trip Through your State”.  


Student Resources

Homework Spot

• K-12
• All subjects

This website is helpful when generating ideas for science fairs, finding out where to look for information, or learning how to write a paper.  It also contains interactive links to practice for the SATs or test your knowledge of a subject.  

Flashcard Exchange

• K-Adult
• All subjects

This website provides flashcards on a wide range of subjects, from learning colors to studying Starbucks drink ingredients.  Personalized flashcards can also be made to customize specific lessons.

Kid Info

• K-Adult
• All subjects

This website addresses every type of learner, although the title only references kids.  There are links for help on homework, search engines for kids, and entertaining sites to browse.  For adults, there are parenting tips, links to museums, and cooking help.  Every person can find something useful when discovering Kid Info.  

Technology Autobiography

My first experience with technology was our hunk of a lunk computer that sat in our guestroom.  I had very little interaction with it, but my parents used it for work.  I remember being fascinated with the blue screen and the relationship between typing and text on the screen.  I can also remember being scolded for sticking my little fingers in the floppy disk slot because computers were “very expensive to fix!”

Since then, a plethora of computers have entered and exited my house, as my family and I never could seem to find a keeper.  One of us was always clicking the wrong button or typing too hard on the keys.  I had always played around with certain games and such, but when my family got internet was the first time I actually become hooked on the computer.  AOL Instant Messenger, or AIM, changed my life in the 90s.  I loved making up screen names and being able to chat with my friends without actually having to move my lips.  I also began stalker tendencies with my obsessive urge to check everyone’s away message to find out what they were doing, or their profile to find out who their best friends were or who they were dating.  I miss the days of writing “Shoutout to all my girlz MF*AS*BS*DB*TM*” and seeing if my initials were in their profiles.  Thinking back, a lot of needless drama could have been avoided if AIM was never invented...  

At this time I was also rocking out hard with my CD player.  I remember packing for my eighth grade field trip and taking up valuable space in my backpack with the talents of Britney Spears, DMX, and some mixed CDs with the latest Jamn and Kiss hits.  As I watched my brother go on this trip 7 years later, all he had to do was sync his ipod and hit the road! The times sure had changed.  

Currently, I think I do a good job of keeping up with the latest fads.  I own a Macbook Pro, Iphone, Ipod, and a fancy flat screen tv.  I use Facebook, Twitter, and several email accounts.  I feel that I can hold my own when it comes to technology, but I also know there is a lot more that I can learn.  I hope to become more proficient in Mac programs, such as Pages, Numbers, and Keynote.  Although I originally resisted some technology, I hope to learn from my intolerance and become more willing to try things in the future.  I approach technology in my comfort zone, which makes me reluctant to try it.  I need to see others enjoying the technology first, then see how it applies to my life, before I commit.  I know times will never go back to AIM and CD players, but I ackowledge that things have become bigger and better and will continue to.