Even though it can sometimes feel like we are always on the edge or maybe will fall off a cliff if we try something new and somewhat unfamiliar in class, the only way to get to that comfort zone is to keep trying and practicing! I have definitely gone through stages in which I work to incorporate a new-to-me technology in my lesson plans and classroom or in which I shy away for fear of it not working. I have to remember that it's worth the effort and the occasional fall-flat lesson in order to be working with my students in their comfort zone and in the place where they will benefit the most: the world of technology...
The Google Collection:
Google Docs, Google Drawing, Google Presentation, Google Form, and Google Spreadsheet have been a wonderful addition to my teacher toolbag. I love that in the blink of an eye I can share something I have created with each student in my class. Additionally, if it is a template or form that they need to use, creating a copy only takes them a moment and sharing their copy with me so that I can help during the process and/or see the final product takes just another minute. Collaboration is also a just another couple of clicks as one student can start the project and add the members of his/her team so that all can access and edit. It's a user friendly tool that can be used for a million purposes and can be accessed and used on any computer that has an internet connection.
Also, I am eager to try more of the Google tools, including Google Hangout. I don't know much about this one, but I think it would be an awesome tool for collaboration outside of the classroom. I'm not sure how to use it (other than it would make my club's summer leadership meetings easier), but I imagine something will come up soon.
Edmodo:
Even though I haven't officially used Edmodo for class yet, I feel completely comfortable about implementing it's use in the Fall - in fact, I'm not just comfortable, I'm excited! This is such a great tool for extending communication and learning beyond the constraints of the time and space of the classroom. It's user friendly, easy to learn, and also can be accessed and used on any computer that has an internet connection. There is also a parent feature that will be fantastic for keeping the parents informed about the tool and projects related to it (as well as possibly about general class reminders), plus for their comfort level in the online tool being used for class.
So far I have already started groups for my Child Development class, Life Skills class, and Ophelia Club - I even have students who have joined the Ophelia Club group already! It's wonderful for the assignments, library, and calendar functions.
Webquests:
In general these are another web tool that I haven't used yet for my current classes - and I've never created my own. I love the concept of students self-pacing to discover the information that a webquest can guide them to. However, until I discovered a simple tool for making them during this class, I was intimidated by the thought of creating one from scratch. Also, unfortunately, it doesn't seem like there are many pre-made tools like this for my content area (maybe an unfair judgement, but typically the people who are teaching FCS are older and less inclined to be using updated technology in their lessons). So the discovery of Zunal WebQuest Maker is very exciting! I hope to make at least a few for this school year now that I have access to this tool.
Even though it can sometimes feel like we are always on the edge or maybe will fall off a cliff if we try something new and somewhat unfamiliar in class, the only way to get to that comfort zone is to keep trying and practicing! I have definitely gone through stages in which I work to incorporate a new-to-me technology in my lesson plans and classroom or in which I shy away for fear of it not working. I have to remember that it's worth the effort and the occasional fall-flat lesson in order to be working with my students in their comfort zone and in the place where they will benefit the most: the world of technology...
The Google Collection:
Google Docs, Google Drawing, Google Presentation, Google Form, and Google Spreadsheet have been a wonderful addition to my teacher toolbag. I love that in the blink of an eye I can share something I have created with each student in my class. Additionally, if it is a template or form that they need to use, creating a copy only takes them a moment and sharing their copy with me so that I can help during the process and/or see the final product takes just another minute. Collaboration is also a just another couple of clicks as one student can start the project and add the members of his/her team so that all can access and edit. It's a user friendly tool that can be used for a million purposes and can be accessed and used on any computer that has an internet connection.
Also, I am eager to try more of the Google tools, including Google Hangout. I don't know much about this one, but I think it would be an awesome tool for collaboration outside of the classroom. I'm not sure how to use it (other than it would make my club's summer leadership meetings easier), but I imagine something will come up soon.
Edmodo:
Even though I haven't officially used Edmodo for class yet, I feel completely comfortable about implementing it's use in the Fall - in fact, I'm not just comfortable, I'm excited! This is such a great tool for extending communication and learning beyond the constraints of the time and space of the classroom. It's user friendly, easy to learn, and also can be accessed and used on any computer that has an internet connection. There is also a parent feature that will be fantastic for keeping the parents informed about the tool and projects related to it (as well as possibly about general class reminders), plus for their comfort level in the online tool being used for class.
So far I have already started groups for my Child Development class, Life Skills class, and Ophelia Club - I even have students who have joined the Ophelia Club group already! It's wonderful for the assignments, library, and calendar functions.
Webquests:
In general these are another web tool that I haven't used yet for my current classes - and I've never created my own. I love the concept of students self-pacing to discover the information that a webquest can guide them to. However, until I discovered a simple tool for making them during this class, I was intimidated by the thought of creating one from scratch. Also, unfortunately, it doesn't seem like there are many pre-made tools like this for my content area (maybe an unfair judgement, but typically the people who are teaching FCS are older and less inclined to be using updated technology in their lessons). So the discovery of Zunal WebQuest Maker is very exciting! I hope to make at least a few for this school year now that I have access to this tool.