All one hundred and two of the web based tools are useful in their own way. Each tool allows for a new type of learning experience and allows the user to explore what there is own the web. Many of the tools were new to me and there were a bunch that I have seen or used before. There are many tools that I am now hooked on and cannot wait to use them in my own classroom. These tools will allow me to enhance my students' learning. This includes the way they learn and how the material is taught. The five web based tools that are new to me are Voice Thread, SuperKids, Teaching Channel, Testmoz, and GeoGebra. Each of these tools look to be great resources for teachers and students.
First off, Voice Thread is an online communication tool that can be used via computer or phone. It can be used in the classroom and for professional development. This tool holds videos, documents, and voices within a slideshow format. Voice Thread allows teachers and students to record there voice through the slide show. That way when others are reading the text or looking at the pictures, there is a voice going right along with it. This makes the slideshow or text more interesting and engaging. The information then comes to life and it allows you to communicate with people all around the world. I believe this would be a useful tool in and out of the classroom. Teachers can post readings online and students can hear the teacher read the text or leave comments along with the text. Students can then leave comments back with their voice. This almost gives the feel of an actually conversation and makes the online learning more realistic. I would use this tool in my own classroom to engage students in their learning and to ensure that they are reading by leaving comments back. This is a great resource and it is one that will will be experimenting with in the future.
The second tool that I found was SuperKids. This is a great form of education software for parents and teachers. This tool is full of learning resources including; worksheets, games, videos, and updates on what is new in the world of education. I think that this is a practical tool to use at home to help supplement what the students are learning in school. It is a way parents can get involved in their child's education. There is daily education news as well as product support. I definitely think this tool would be beneficial in my classroom and it is one that I would recommend to parents.
The third tool is the Teaching Channel. This web based tool is manly for teachers and educators. The Teaching Channel provides teachers with endless amounts of information on the world of education. There are articles and readings on common core, math, language arts, and even lesson plan ideas. This tool also has a question and answer section that is provided, where teachers can ask other teachers questions and get other opinions and answers in a short amount of time. I think that this tool is like a teachers right hand. There is always new information being posted and new ideas and resources being shared. I really like that there are lesson plan ideas for teachers. This is because there are some days where you are stuck for an idea and having this resource at your finger tips saves time and unwanted stress. Teachers can also read the newsletter for more information on how to become the most influential teacher and maintain the best classroom environment. I plan to use this tool in my classroom and to share new ideas that come my way.
The fourth tool is called Testmoz. This tool is an online test generator that can easily be used by teachers and educators. Testmoz allows teachers to create their own test by using this tool and teachers can even use the tool for grading. This site gives teachers four types of questioning options and helps them to create and set up a testing format. I think this tool would help teachers to save a lot of time and it is an easy way to store tests and look them up again. My concerns with this tool is that there are only four options of questioning. All students do not test the same way so this might not produce the most appropriate test. My other concern is that if you allow this tool to grade the tests, it might not grade the test as the teacher would. I think that Testmoz would be beneficial depending on the type of test that is needed. I will have to create tests and then grade them to see how well the tool works. I look forward to learning more about this tool and reading about the different ways I can use it in my classroom.
The last web based tool is called GeoGebra. This is an online software that helps to teach science and math. GeoGebra is an excellent resource for teachers to recommend to students who might need extra support on material at home. There is an endless amount of information on this page, that goes from elementary school to college. GeoGebra is filled with worksheets, videos, and explanations of anything to do with math and science. It gives an in-depth explanation of the information and gives students tips for success when using this tool. My one concern with this tool with helping students learn is that the online way to teaching the material my be different from the way the student learned the material in school. This can lead to confusion and more problems. As a teacher, I would make sure to look up the sections of this site first before telling the students what to use on it. I do think this is a great support tool and can be beneficial when used appropriately. I would use this tool in my classroom and would recommend it to parents and students.
Overall, I think that the one hundred and two web based tools are an excellent resource for teachers and educators. Each resource has its on benefits and can enhance teacher and student learning with the correct guidance and support.
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Excel
Microsoft Excel is a beneficial teaching resource. Although, I find it to be the most difficult out of all the tools in Microsoft office. I am still learning how to integrate this tool into my teaching and classroom environment. There are many ways to use Excel in the classroom. Teachers can create grade books using excel. They can make timelines, work puzzles, graphs, charts, and much more.
Teachers can lead by example and show students how to use excel and then the students can create projects with this tool. For example, students can collect data during science class and then put the data into a table and then create a graph or a chart. All of this can be done using excel. It will allow students to learn a new way to collect and present their data.
Creating an Excel table for Mail Merge seems like a beneficial tool. The tutorial seemed to give a step by step procedure that helps when creating a mail merge. This would be a great technology source in and out of the classroom. I look forward to learning more about Excel and how I can use it in my teaching and learning.
I think that Excel is something I still need to further explore. After reading the tutorials I feel more comfortable with the basic applications of Excel. There are so many resources out there to help teachers when using these types of tools. Creating a timeline allowed me to use my skills and knowledge of Excel and create something that I know I would not have been able in the past. Excel will be used in my teaching and will be something that helps to enhance my student's learning.
Teachers can lead by example and show students how to use excel and then the students can create projects with this tool. For example, students can collect data during science class and then put the data into a table and then create a graph or a chart. All of this can be done using excel. It will allow students to learn a new way to collect and present their data.
Creating an Excel table for Mail Merge seems like a beneficial tool. The tutorial seemed to give a step by step procedure that helps when creating a mail merge. This would be a great technology source in and out of the classroom. I look forward to learning more about Excel and how I can use it in my teaching and learning.
I think that Excel is something I still need to further explore. After reading the tutorials I feel more comfortable with the basic applications of Excel. There are so many resources out there to help teachers when using these types of tools. Creating a timeline allowed me to use my skills and knowledge of Excel and create something that I know I would not have been able in the past. Excel will be used in my teaching and will be something that helps to enhance my student's learning.
Friday, September 12, 2014
Microsoft Word
After reading the word tutorial I feel that I have a better understanding of what word has to offer. The tutorial allowed me to get an in-depth look into all that word has in its program. One tool that I thought was interesting was the hyperlink tool. I think that this tool would be useful when creating a web quest or an interactive document for students to follow. Having the hyperlink allows students to click the link rather than having to search the web.
Another tool that I found to be useful is the text box tool. This tool can be used when students are creating a document and want to add text into the document; especially if they want to write over a picture. The comment tool is another useful tool when editing student work and allowing students to peer edit student writing. I have used the comment tool in the past when editing my friend's papers. This tool allows my friends to read my corrections and then choose whether to keep them or delete them.
Some of the new tools that I learned about through reading the word tutorial include; restricting editing, translate, and citations. I was unaware that any of these features existed. Restricting editing would be useful when sharing a document with students and not wanting them to interfere with the document and not get distracted by trying to add to or take away from it. The translate tool would also be helpful when writing letters or papers. This allows you to ensure that the writing makes sense and translates properly. Lastly, the citations tool would be extremely helpful when writing research papers or completing research projects in school. This tool allows you to cite your research and ensure that it is done correctly.
The mail merge support page was very informational. I learned how to create a mail merge and all of what that entails. I believe that mail merge would be useful for all teachers; especially when a teacher has a larger class and needs to send out letters to parents or faculty. I think that mail merge will take some time for me to get used to but it is definitely something that I will use in my own classroom.
Overall, I believe that word has a lot to offer and can be used everyday in the classroom; for most activities. Students as well as teachers can use word and the tools that are out there. I think that the tutorial will help both students and teachers to become more comfortable when using word.
Another tool that I found to be useful is the text box tool. This tool can be used when students are creating a document and want to add text into the document; especially if they want to write over a picture. The comment tool is another useful tool when editing student work and allowing students to peer edit student writing. I have used the comment tool in the past when editing my friend's papers. This tool allows my friends to read my corrections and then choose whether to keep them or delete them.
Some of the new tools that I learned about through reading the word tutorial include; restricting editing, translate, and citations. I was unaware that any of these features existed. Restricting editing would be useful when sharing a document with students and not wanting them to interfere with the document and not get distracted by trying to add to or take away from it. The translate tool would also be helpful when writing letters or papers. This allows you to ensure that the writing makes sense and translates properly. Lastly, the citations tool would be extremely helpful when writing research papers or completing research projects in school. This tool allows you to cite your research and ensure that it is done correctly.
The mail merge support page was very informational. I learned how to create a mail merge and all of what that entails. I believe that mail merge would be useful for all teachers; especially when a teacher has a larger class and needs to send out letters to parents or faculty. I think that mail merge will take some time for me to get used to but it is definitely something that I will use in my own classroom.
Overall, I believe that word has a lot to offer and can be used everyday in the classroom; for most activities. Students as well as teachers can use word and the tools that are out there. I think that the tutorial will help both students and teachers to become more comfortable when using word.
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Google Apps
After exploring through the Google apps websites, I can see the advantages to using Google apps. I was amazed to see that there is a whole page dedicated to Google for Education. When collaborating with fellow teachers I have used Google docs and Google drive before. Although, I never realized how much more was offered. I think that all the collaboration apps are completely necessary when working with other teachers and staff. Especially, when creating the best lessons for students.
The most interesting part of the Google for Education site was the Flubaroo. This app allows you to complete grades and student performance and then share it with fellow Administration or whom ever needs to see the material. Also, Oppia sounds like a great tool for teachers and students when giving out assignments and giving immediate feedback. This app can be used in a classroom where tablets are a big part of learning. It can also be used where the teacher sends out an assignment and can give the students feedback without wasting paper or having to worry about the student losing the assignment.
One tool that stuck out to me was the Google Accessibility tool. This tool can be used in the classroom for students who may have poor vision and/or may be hard of hearing. Having an app like this will benefit a student's learning and allow them to make further progress in the classroom. I was surprised to see that there are apps like this out there. I think that it is a great method of support and can be used in the classroom.
Lastly, the Google apps support page has absolutely every tool and tip to allow success when using Google apps. This website answers so many questions and explains how to use Google everyday and in the classroom. I plan to further explore Google apps and see the many ways that I can use it and engage students learning with it.
The most interesting part of the Google for Education site was the Flubaroo. This app allows you to complete grades and student performance and then share it with fellow Administration or whom ever needs to see the material. Also, Oppia sounds like a great tool for teachers and students when giving out assignments and giving immediate feedback. This app can be used in a classroom where tablets are a big part of learning. It can also be used where the teacher sends out an assignment and can give the students feedback without wasting paper or having to worry about the student losing the assignment.
One tool that stuck out to me was the Google Accessibility tool. This tool can be used in the classroom for students who may have poor vision and/or may be hard of hearing. Having an app like this will benefit a student's learning and allow them to make further progress in the classroom. I was surprised to see that there are apps like this out there. I think that it is a great method of support and can be used in the classroom.
Lastly, the Google apps support page has absolutely every tool and tip to allow success when using Google apps. This website answers so many questions and explains how to use Google everyday and in the classroom. I plan to further explore Google apps and see the many ways that I can use it and engage students learning with it.
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