New Applications

This week we took a look at a lot of different applications.  Below is the list with short descritptions of what we looked at:

Tools to investigate and critique this week:

• Adobe Buzzword Docs Word Processor - you will need to sign up.  You actually gain access to Acrobat.com which is on office-like suite of online apps. 
• 280Slides A Presenter Tool
• Google for Educators  - critique the site and at least one of the applications
• Google Forms  - a data gathering and analysis tool
• Google Sites  - a simple tool for creating a website
• Survey Monkey is a tool for gathering and analyzing data.
• http://www.pikikids.com/ or http://toondoo.com These are cartooning applications.  
• Xtranormal.com is an excellent tool for making cartoon videos. 
• Poll Everywhere  a survey tool with an interesting twist
• tokbox   audio and/or video communication in realtime
  

Overall, I love learning about new tools to use in the classroom, especially ones where we get to take a look at them and all give our input.  Each one of us teaches or works in a different field, so having different viewpoints on these applications can be very helpful.  We all get to share our different perspectives and show how we see the use of it in our classroom.  This way, we get to see potential for new incorporation of applications or maybe enhancing how we use it now!!

Throughout the program so far, we've had a lot of really great resources and I love seeing how other teachers implement them in their classroom.

NoodleTools

This week we took a look at a number of different websites, but the one that interested me the most was NoodleTools.  I compared the site to being, "as good as the Packers winning the Super Bowl."  Learning about the site was so great because it really does open up so much more to what the World Wide Web has to offer.  So many times we stick to the search engines we know, but then wonder why we can't find what we're looking for.  It also opened my eyes to other search sites out there.

This is a tool that I have passed on to my coworkers to use in their classrooms.  Many seemed very excited to help our search "challenged" students get pointed in the right direction.

Internet Learning Resources

This week was our first week in another new class and our topic of discussion was Internet Learning Resources. When first asked what an Internet Learning Resource is, my mind geared toward sites where you go and get information regarding different topics.  After reading a few articles, I realized that I was focusing too much on the first two words:  Internet and Learning.  Though I was looking at the word resource, I wasn't looking at what a resource truly is.

When I looked at the article about different Web 2.0 tools, I realized that I use an Internet Learning Resource on a daily basis with my students.  The site I use is MyBigCampus and I use this to collaborate with my students, share different resources and provide feedback on assignments.  This site not only allows to students to be more engaged, but allows us all to be connected on a different level.

As the weeks progress, I look forward to learning more about how to use the Internet as a resource not only for myself, but for my students as well.  I also look forward to gaining some different resources to use in the classroom.

Wrapping it All Up

As we've wrapped everything from our third class in the program, I can't help but look back and think of everything I've learned so far.  It amazes me that in such a short amount of time, I've had the opportunity to connect with great people in our cohort and to enhance my teachings.

This class especially has allowed me to explore new applications to use in the classroom and to look at my overall teaching.  After we read the required text for class, I have done a lot of altering to my lessons to make sure that the technology I'm using is not taking away from my overall goals.

I also really appreciated learning about software evaluations.  It is something I have never been exposed to before, but as a technology teacher I feel that it is important to know.  Knowing what goes into choosing different software makes a lot more sense now.  It definitely isn't just going to the store and picking it from the shelf.

Now, as we move forward if different classes, I look forward to continuing to grow in my teachings and explore new applications.  Only time will tell what more exciting and beneficial things we will learn.