Let's+Tech+Story+~+Evelyn

Let's Tech Story

Here are the questions of the day: What are some new concepts that you learned this summer? Do you have any new links to share?

For me, this year has been a summer of new ideas. I had the opportunity to attend a workshop at Sacred Hearts Academy with other HMS colleagues. The experience of working with HMS and SHA teachers was very fulfilling. The two week training provided a time to tune our projects and to make new friends.

I also had an opportunity was to attend the Kagan workshop on Cooperative Learning on August 2 & 3. That was truly an amazing experience. The workshop was geared towards giving teachers tools that could be used right away in the classroom. I liked how the tools were easily adaptable to any subject or grade level. These tools are lifelong educational tools.

In addition to learning from the workshops, I have also done some of my own searching online. I have come across some neat websites and wanted to share them with you below: The sites below mainly focus on creative ways of drawing your ideas. Think creative whiteboard or graphic organizer - but online. The information can also be shared and you can collaborate with others to create a document. Imagine the possibilities! [|www.dabbleboard.com] [|www.scribblar.com] [|www.cosketch.com]

Please share what you learned this summer about technology or education.
 * Learned that there is a distinct difference between group work and cooperative learning. ~ Evelyn

Evelyn, thanks for posting the free graphic organizers. This is exactly what JoAnn talked about and best of all it's free. My own summer was filled to the brim with no real time for me. I went to Denver and began using Twitter, which is my favorite site to spend my time. the following week, I was at Punahou Tech and then back to work. I have found so many useful ways to do things I feel my head will literally burst if I try to store one more good idea.

Here is my favorite blog I read first thing in the morning before I start "Tweeting." [|www.freetech4teachers.com/]

Thanks for sharing the [|www.freetech4teachers.com] site. I really enjoyed watching the video titled, "Bloom's Taxonomy According to Pirates of the Carribean." When I stop to think about, I am amazed at the evolution of resources in the past 5 years. There is so much that teachers have available out there on the world wide web! I am still amazed that I can purchase a ticket to go anywhere in the world with just a few clicks of a mouse. ~ Evelyn
 * 8/7/2010

[|www.readprint.com]
 * 8/18/10 ~ Aloha Everyone! I came across a website that provides online books for students, teachers, and anyone who enjoys the classics. Have a great day!

[]
 * 8/29/10 ~ I just came across another helpful resource for Math. The site is easy to follow and it provides a breakdown of Math skills and activities for Grades K-8. Wishing everyone a wonderful week! Math Resource:

The first grade students have been having a great time with technology during Social Studies. We have been working on our Family Slideshows. Before the project, I set up eight different Gmail accounts that students could use to sign on. This was a crucial step in getting the eight [|www.animoto.com] accounts set up for the groups. Each student was responsible for writing about his/her family and submitting a family photo for the project. Before the students worked in groups, we had three class sessions to make our own class slideshow. With the students' input, we created a slideshow titled, "F is for Fish" and "C is for Cars." The students loved the transitions of the slideshow as well as the music selection.

Now that I have a better grip on the [|www.animoto.com] project, I am able to plan out the tech sessions mor effectively. I think the most exciting thing that I have observed with this project is how quickly and eagerly the students caught on to the process. To reinforce the theme of community in our classroom, I gave students an opportunity to be "Tech Experts." My tech experts showed other students how to sign on to the home page or how to press, "control, alt, delete." Each student also had a certain amount of time on the computer and a switch took place after a certain amount of time. This provided equal time for students to be on the computer, but it also decreased the amount of hands on the keyboard at one time. The first graders did a wonderful job or demonstrating their understanding of team work.

Thank you, Wendy, for introducing me to [|www.animoto.com]. It's a wonderful resource! - 11/05/10

[|1-9 Animoto Project] Room 1-9 Animoto Project - C is for Cars! *All images for the slideshow were attained from Google Images. I think the next time around, I will use images from Microsoft Images (a great tip I got from the Windows 7 training last week :) The students worked on this project as a warm up to their family project for Social Studies. Be sure to look out for the post of Room 1-10's revised slideshow of "F is for Fish." Enjoy! 11/09/10
 * Scott, Thanks for all your help with posting the link. I appreciate your time.

__Plimoth Plantation Live Webcast - November 16, 2010__ It was a very exciting day for first grade today! We had the opportunity to participate in a live webcast from Plimoth Plantation in Massachusetts. The event started at 8:00 a.m. I stumbled upon the website last week and decided to sign up both first grade classes for the webcast. I found out today that 60,000 schools participated in the webcast event! The first grade enjoyed learned more about the life and times of the Pilgrims and Wampanoag Native Americans. They also wrote about what they learned, as a post-webcast activity. I loved everything about the event. One particular highlight was a student's response when I asked, "What did you learn from the webcast?" The reply was, "I learned that people had accents." What a great use of words and demonstration of understanding! The students were especially interested in the homes of the Pilgrims and how the kitchen, bedroom, gathering area/dining area, and fireplace were in one room.

Scholastic and Plimoth Plantation sponsored the webcast. I am truly grateful for technology and the opportunity to share more about another part of the United States with our students. I look forward to future webcasts! If you are interested in learning more about the webcast and other Thanksgiving sources, you may check out the following links:
 * @http://www.scholastic.com/scholastic_thanksgiving/letters_signup.asp**


 * []**

- Evelyn 11/16/10
 * [|www.plimoth.org]**

Came across a great website that is full of mathematics resources! Thought I would post it here on the wiki in case anyone was interested. [] ~ 1/3/11 Evelyn, Got the this from Richard today too, isn't he amazing!

I just wanted to share Tip #18 from the book, __501 Tips for Teachers__ by Robert D. Ramsey, Ed. D. ~ "Do whatever it takes to connect kids with computers. Arrange for loaners or checkout units if necessary. Every student -- not just wealthy or middle-class students -- needs access to technology." ~ 1/30/11

I came across a very interesting article from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. The article allows educators to take a closer look at Mathematics instruction on a global level: [] After reading the article, it made me revise and reconsider how fractions are integrated into the current first grade curriculum. I agree with the author's quote when he states, " Understanding how other countries introduce and develop instruction on fractions can offer us guidance...." ~ 2/8/11

I am currently implementing the use of iTouches in the classroom as a writing tool. interactive learning tool, and assessment tool. It has been quite an exciting way to educate. The students have responded well to the use of the iTouch. I am learning along the way, but I find that it is exciting to learn with the children. I think one of my exciting moments is when I figured out (on Friday) how to record on the iTouch. Instead of giving the student just a written test, I had the student verbally tell me/record the answer before writing it down. I will never forget the child's face as he played back the recording. The child said with a smile much enthusiasm, "Mrs. Heckman, it recorded you too!" What I love about the exprience is that the children have an opportunity to record and playback their learning experiences. The iTouch is a new adventure for me, but I am open to the possibilities...which are endless. I want to thank JoAnn and Tina for the ideas and technical support! ~ 4/10/11

I just stumbled upon this PBS resource for Earth Day/Sustainability education, titled, "Earth Days." The information is geared for the upper levels, but the resource is helpful and inspirational. The site also provides a teacher resource guide! The video clip/trailer is thought-provoking and makes one think about the history of Earth Day and the future of our world. To go to the teacher's page, please click on the following link: [] ~ 4/10/11

I came across this link this week and thought I would post it, in case anyone is interested. The article highlights the higher order thinking/technology skills in relation to Bloom's Taxonomy. [] ~ 4/18/11

Tip #181 from the book, __501 Tips for Teachers__ by Robert D. Ramsey, Ed. D. ~ "Give students many choices. Making choices sharpens their teeth for biting off bigger decisions later on."