Monday, February 17, 2014

More Online WhiteBoard Tools

A few weeks ago, I wrote about a cool tool called PixiClip. I thought I would add a couple more to my blog that I will be showing my teachers at one of my schools.

Again, these online whiteboard tools are an awesome way to make thinking visible in your classroom.


Awwapp.com is a simple browser-based application and is super easy to use. Go to their site and simply click "start drawing." You can invite others to collaborate on your drawing by sending them the link. AwwApp works across platforms on laptops, Chromebook, Android tablet, and iPad. You can even use it on your classroom website by adding the plug-in.



Sketchlot is another free collaborative online whiteboard that works on any device with a web browser. Sketchlot was designed with schools in mind and allow teachers to create an account and then add their list of students. Each student is then given their own password to join a drawing shared by the teacher. Teachers have the capability to share to one student or to all of their students at the same time. Students can also create sketches and share back to the teacher and their classmates. With a little code copying and pasting, you can embed your sketches on your website.

Check these out as you make thinking visible in your classroom.

Friday, February 7, 2014

Technology Coaching

This year, we are spending as much time in the classrooms with our teachers modeling lessons, co-teaching lessons, and helping implement true technology integration as we can. Usually, this all starts out with us sitting down with our teachers during the entire planning process. But a couple of weeks ago, I was approached by one of my second grade teachers that really doesn't believe second grade is a place for student use of technology. She had been tasked with a technology project from the administration and wanted to do something different from the others. She had already determined what tools she wanted to use, so she asked me simply to be there to help the process.

So, we scheduled the days and times that I was to meet with her class and show them how to take their research and writing and turn it into an electronic presentation in form of an ebook.

Day 1 arrives, I bop into the room to find that students are already on their devices and trying to get the program to work. The teacher is a little frazzled because it has started out not quite as she planned (further emphasizing her belief that second graders should not be expected to do these types of projects). I jump in and get everybody on the right track and they log in successfully to their accounts. Victory #1.

Next step is to quickly show them the ins and outs of the program. Meanwhile, I can feel the tension pouring from this teacher because at first the students want to explore and have lots of questions. She wants them to just work on the project because it has to get completed. "I told you second graders are just too young for this kind of stuff!" I reassure her and ask her just to give us a few minutes. Sure enough, the students began putting their book together. Victory #2

Their project is a nonfiction piece so the topics break easily into the pages. By the end of our time together on Day 1, the teacher had relaxed a little and most of the students have finished their typing.

Day 2, I am waiting as the class arrives. The log in process goes very smoothly and I can sense a little amazement from the teacher. Today our focus is on adding images that are appropriate for the text from the day before. Of course, the students are a natural at finding their images in this program, adding them to their menu for selection and getting them on the page. They are doing this with very little help from us. Occasionally there is a little glitch with text boxes stacking on top of each other and students not quite getting how to get rid of them, but I can see that the teacher is OK with the problem once I show her how to help them fix it. Victory #3

Next, we moved on to how to add scenes to their books and the teacher actually says, "Now that is cool." Student immediately add scenes and then images to build the scenes for their text. Before long, we have a student that has finished. So I make sure that everything is saved and ask them to preview their work. As the teacher sees the program actually show the work as an ebook, she gets so excited that she hugs me and says "Thank you! I couldn't have done this without you!" Victory #4

But you know what, now she can. She can test the waters without me there using this program for another project. I am keeping my fingers crossed that she trusts herself and her students enough to try.


Thursday, February 6, 2014

Blog Challenge: Day 20 Website You Can't Live Without

Final Blog Challenge!: What is a website that you cannot live without? Tell about your favorite features and how you use it in your teaching and learning.

I don't really think of this as a "website" per-say, but I would have to say it would be very difficult to do without my Google Apps account! I use it every. single. day. Of course, with Google Apps, you get Gmail, Drive, Calendar, Sites, Blogger, and access to lots of Drive compatible apps like HelloSign.

I take advantage of as many features as I can to keep myself organized and on track. My documents are housed in Drive, so I don't have to worry about not having access to the materials that I need. I use the calendar to keep up with everything (meetings, PLCs, teaching schedule, and to do lists). I have my emailed organized by using filters and labels. Of course, I can't talk about Google Apps without mentioning the benefits of the collaboration piece, whether it is Chat, docs collaboration, or a Google Hangout. I love my Google Apps account.

If you are a GCS employee, then think about signing up for the Instructional Technology Facilitators' 30 hour online Moodle Course on Google Apps. I think you will learn a lot and also tap into the many possibilities of this wonderful tool.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Blog Challenge: Day 19 Favorite Tech Tool


Blog Challenge: We are sure that you have some favorite tech tools and gadgets. Choose your favorite (or two) and tell about it. Don't forget to include ideas of how it can be used as a teacher time saver or as an instructional tool

My favorite tech tool is my iPad. I love the iPad because of its size, portability, availability of apps, and ease of use. I can consume information and I can easily create content, all from the same device. I recently did a presentation for one of my schools that have iPads as teacher devices to hook them on the device too.



Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Blog Challenge: Day 18 "White Socks Only"

Blog Challenge: Tell about a favorite book to share or teach. Provide at least one example of an extension or cross curricular lesson.

In White Socks Only by Evelyn Coleman an African American grandmother tells her grandchild a story about a time when she faced discrimination. She drank water from a fountain which was for "whites only." She misunderstood thinking that the sign meant she must take off her shoes and be only in her white socks. This action begins changes for the town and its residents. This would be an excellent story to use during February's Black History Month. You can find it on Storyline Online

There are many cross curricular activities that you could do with this book from science (how long does it take to fry an egg on a sidewalk) to social studies (research an historical person and create a timeline of their life). I want to give you ideas based on Common Core Reading Anchor Standard 1 "Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text." We are also going to tie in a technology integration piece. 

After reading and discussing the book, students go back to the text to learn more about the characters. They do a character analysis and cite information from the story to support their ideas. Using VoiceThread, students add their thoughts and evidence. They also can go back and comment on their peer's ideas. Click here for an example from a session with elementary teachers. By using VoiceThread, you could also go outside your classroom walls and have others add their comments as well. You could partner with another class in this endeavor.







Monday, February 3, 2014

Blog Challenge: Day 17: Professional Social Media

Blog Challenge: Share all of your professional social media contact information and links. How do you engage in social media for professional learning?

In most professions, you must stay current. Can you imagine going to a doctor that doesn't keep up with the changes in practice and medicine? Me either, and in my mind, I wouldn't want to be in a classroom that the teacher doesn't stay current either. I believe that staying current is a requirement in my position. How can I help teachers integrate technology effectively if I don't know the current research, how to use the latest devices, know how to find the right applications, and blend pedagogy with technology?

So I rely on my PLN to help. I encourage you to do the same. You don't have to be on social media 24/7 to gain knowledge and insight. Dip your toe in the stream when you can, follow people that will challenge you/teach you, and read blogs of the leaders in your field. In addition to this blog, my contact information can be found by clicking the links below.

https://twitter.com/tthomassen



http://www.linkedin.com/pub/teresa-thomassen/13/910/b97








http://www.pinterest.com/tthomassen/















https://plus.google.com/118300047358151821514/posts