Melissa+Barta

Melissa Barta 1. List the name of your favorite Web 2.0 tool from today's class. Describe why you liked the tool and how you would use it in your class. My favorite Web 2.0 tool is Google Drive. I used it somewhat this past year to share documents with my sixth grade LA colleagues. Our goal this year is to get the majority of our units shared so we all have access. I really want to use it this year for all of my students' writing pieces. This would allow me to write comments on their papers and go somewhat paperless. The other great tools I want to add to my use of Google Drive is Doctopus and Goobric. I think that after the initial time spent setting it up for my classes, it will help me to use my time more efficiently. I totally agree! Good luck expanding the use of Google Drive! You will love it! 2. Regarding technology in your classroom, school and/or district, do you feel like you are keeping up? My goal in taking this class is to keep on track with Elmbrook technology. I feel that I am learning more, but I am not sure that I am on top of all the technology in my district. The district plan is to be a 1-1 district next school year. I want to be able to incorporate as much technology this year so that my students are used to i,t and so I feel comfortable using it to enhance learning in my classroom. Is it important? It is extremely important to be open to new technology and the uses it can have in the classroom. By learning about the new technology that is available I am able to find uses for it in my classroom and also look out for potential ways students might misuse technology in the classroom. What do you think your students are thinking about technology at home/at school? What are your thoughts? Technology is part of my students' every day lives. They are excited about it and not afraid to try out new technology. They were born into a digital age so they expect it in all areas of life. I think it can be good and bad. Technology can enhance learning and teaching; it provides a wealth of information and tools to speed up or deepen certain experiences. However, I believe that there has to be a balance in life and the classroom. While teaching, I want to use technology to enhance learning, but I also see the importance of developing personal relationships without technology. So true! 3. Do you have any questions about anything we did today? Please list them and/or bring them up in class. What do you think are the most useful tools in the classroom?

What do you want to be sure to learn during the rest of the course? I am very intrigued by the resources available on Badgerlink. I hope to learn how to use this resource in my classroom. From the little bit that I know, I also think that Animoto would be a great tool to use in the classroom. I would also like to learn more about You Tube for teachers.

I hope you got to see a little more about each of these in class: Badgerlink, Animoto and YouTube; so that you are interested enough to go back and investigate them much more on your own. Each is so powerful!

August 1, 2013  After taking this class, please reflect on what you, as the teacher, need to do to make sure that you and your students can successfully use the tools that you have chosen to incorporate into your class. Think about hardware, software, network, student skill set, teacher skill set, time, etc. In order to successfully use these tools in the classroom, I need the **time** to explore and try new technology. Oh, yes!!! Once I find tools that I want to use, I have to continue to learn more about them. Working with tech people at my school will also be important in incorporating new ideas in my classroom. I also have to be aware that it might not always work and the resources might not always be there. Access to computers and other technology in school can be limited at times. Certain programs may also be blocked at school. It is important to always have another plan in case technology for the day fails or is suspended. I have developed a good relationship with our tech people in our building. I do find that my students are usually aware of "new" technology that I introduce, or they can learn it more quickly than I can learn it. I have no problem learning from my students. One important lesson I have already learned from past students is to not be afraid to explore new technology. My main goal this year is to incorporate Google Docs so that all of my papers from them are digital. I can provide digital feedback. I also plan to do more exploring this summer on Badgerlink. In addition, I think I would like to use ANIMOTO to have the students introduce some aspect of their lives with pictures, captions and music. I think I will be able to tie it to their personal narrative. Another aspect in my technology growth would be to continue to take classes each summer to learn about advances and other opportunities to bring it to the classroom. It was great to have time to just explore without the other demands of teaching and family life. I learned several new pieces of technology that I can take into my classroom this year. And I have several more aspects that I will explore throughout the year! Thank you. I totally agree with your plans!! Good luck and have a great year! Chris

I have finished my reflection and have shared my Directory Technology Tools for the 21st Century.