Final Reflection

I have really enjoyed learning about some new tech tools that I can use with my students and their parents. 

I liked how easy using a blog was compared to updating a webpage all the time to share information with parents.  I also liked how it is interactive; this could also become a problem.  It could be fun to have polls on the blog for students.  Then, use the data from the polls in class to teach graphing, etc.  I think parents would like to be able to see pictures of what is happening in the classroom.  Right now I update my webpage about once every 2 weeks.  I feel one of the challenges with a Blog would be an expectation for more updates/information.

There are many other tools I thought I could also use in my classroom.  First, Digital story telling; I think at this stage I would be ready to create some class books with small groups or whole class.  Second, I would use Animoto to create videos to have running at parent-teacher communication hours and to show the class after field trips.  Third, I would use Tagxedo with my class.  I would start with creating some class projects moving towards individual projects by the spring.  The two big challenges I see in having students using these tools are first graders are just learning to write so these projects could end up being really hard to manage with one person running around, and second being able to get laptops for all students to use especially in the spring when first graders are ready to use the computers for writing.

Activity #4 and #5: Screencast and You Tube Channel

I set up my You Tube Channel weeks ago.  It was easy to set up.  I feel that I will use my channel to keep track of videos to use in my classroom.  I may also create some screencasts for key topics that students so students could rewatch the lesson at home.

The SMART slides were also ready weeks ago.   It took me a long time to finally record my screencast; this was outside of my comfort zone.   The screencast I created is for parents.  I have had many parents ask about the ways students learn to solve 2-digit addition problems in the classroom.  Parents can watch this overview of the three strategies so they can help their child with their homework. 

Activity #10: Animoto

I loved using Animoto.  It was so easy.  I could see putting together short videos for parent-teacher communication hours or of field trips to share with the class.  I may even think about paying for a subscription.  I think my kids at home will enjoy this video.



Make a video of your own at Animoto.

Activity 9: Fitness Assessment

Scenario 1: Collaboration = Harassment?
A student is using Google Drive as a writing and collaborative tool for peer reviewing. Juan and Jeremy have used the platform instead to exchange comments that involve name-calling and racial slurs. Jeremy’s parents object when his account is suspended claiming it will negatively impact his academic progress.

The students should meet with the building administration on this issue to determine a consequence for the students' behavior.  Our district has a policy about harassment within the technology policy.  The policy states that a student's account is a privledge and could be suspended.  I would recommend meeting with the students and parents to discuss alternate ways to peer review.  I would also recommend reviewing the district's technology policy at the beginning of the course with parents and students.

Scenario 7: Chernobyl Meltdown…
Ms. Jansen, a special ed. teacher, has been using screencasting in her class to post review screencasts of her lessons and study materials. These screencasts have been heavily used by students and she has received glowing emails from parents thanking her for going this extra distance. Ms. Jansen decides it’s time to have her students create their own screencasts. She struggles with how best to post and share their screencasts and decides to use a class YouTube account/channel. Because some students want to do screencasting from home, she provides students with the class YouTube username and password so they can upload their videos from home. Two disasters ensue: 1.) Students post more than just their screencasts including inappropriate random YouTube videos as well as change the privacy settings of the account. 2.) Students post video content of themselves and their peers and the teacher discovers that some of these students have “no photo” stipulations on file in the office. Before Ms. Jansen can even blink, these videos have been shared/linked to Facebook pages and have an assortment of inappropriate comments posted from outside users.

 Ms. Jansen should have kept her user name and password private.  I would recommend that Ms. Jansen  reset her password and her privacy settings so no additional videos can be posted.  Then, Ms. Jansen should speak with all parties that have a stake in this site starting with her building principal.  After coming up with a plan with her principal, she should clean up the site. In the future I think she should teach the students how to share videos with her that she can then add to her site.  This is more work for the teacher, but it will allow only videos that are attached to an assignment on the class YouTube account.

Activity 8: Google Forms

I created a Google Form to poll my team mates to see when we could get together for a summer gathering.  It was easy to create.  Hopefully, it is just as easy to use for my team members.  I liked how it was easy to add multiple questions and choose the response format.  There was also an option to let those that are being polled to suggest an alternative that you had not included which was helpful in this poll, but I can see where you would not always want that option on.

https://docs.google.com/a/moundsviewschools.org/forms/d/11my8j6UiBKXiQ2HVZJQvGyGKHz6Kcx0TPEVuQVE6pq4/viewform

Activity 8: Poll Everywhere

Creating a poll was very easy.  It would be hard for first graders to write posts on a blog, but they could do a quick poll.  I could see doing polls with parents also, but the google version might be better for collecting parent views.

Activity 7: Cloud Computing

Google Drive is great for sharing with your team members.  I chose to update our End of Year ABCs for May of 2014.  I changed the dates to match the new calendar, and I added our field trip to the Minnesota Zoo.  As a team we need to know to come up with a new activity for Q Day.  Google Docs is a great way for all of us to view and come up with corrections or suggestions for other activities.

Here is the link: End of Year ABCs