Thing 7

For my first video, I chose from the google video search "What Is Science" from Youtube.com. This video is actually for secondary students;however the pictures are astounding! The music is alittle weird for me, but students will love it. The video is short but very interesting. I know it will make my science introduction much more worthwhile.


My second video was from PBS--many to choose from! I loved all the animals that I watched from mammals to reptiles. This is what I am going to do after the hectic week of August 24th: work with my grade level team to coordinate the videos and the topics of study for grade 3 and include these items to our lesson plans and road maps. There are many times that we have topics that are too abstract for our students to comprehend, but with these sources, I have a plethora of things to use!

I will also plan with my librarian to include these videos as part of my library time or when my students are assigned a short science topic,

Thing #6

I did a google search on scholar and found several journals(articles) that were detailing the many features and ways to use the iTouch.

Ways to Use iTouch
1. Teachers can download a specific activity, for example, a research project on a historical figure. Step by step instructions can be given for students to do: abstract page(that lists purpose, statement of the problems, delimitations, and summary/recommendations/), review of the selected literature, summary and recommendations.

2. Teachers can also have a guided format for students to use when working on book reports, book reviews, and comparing/contrasting books or authors.

3. Teachers can also download a series of directions to follow like a scavenger hunt to learn about the different areas of the library. This can include the fiction, nonficture, and so forth. This is a great way to have the students work as a team and learn about the library.

4. Teachers can create or download on specific skills in a particular subject like reading, math, social studies, or science for a group of students to use in the library. For me, GT students can be given independent projects to work on at their own pace.

4.

Thing #5

As for Facebook, I was abit more skeptical to use earlier this June, but with the 3 day staff development course CCP, I had to join! Now, I am more comfortable and at peace with using Facebook. Found one of my cousins waiting to talk to me there.

For the classroom, I am glad there is Facebook. With CCP, there will be plenty of times that Facebook will be used to share ideas, as I will be implementing CCP. If I need extra resources, help, or more guidance, I can get first hand knowledge via Facebook. Students or former students can communicate with me if needed at anytime. Facebook can also be utilized when groups of students need to discuss a particular assigned topic. Moreover, if students are having trouble during an assigned topic, the teacher can offer guidance, as well as, make recommendations.

As for twitter, this tool can be used also for teachers that need updates on staff developments or during inclement weather.

Backchanneling will be most helpful for me because during the school year. Let me explain. Usually around TAKS time, I am tutoring students, and staff meetings are held. Many times I do not receive all of the items that were discussed at staff meetings, which leave me feeling yuk! Sure I get some of the items that were discussed during the meeting, but I feel there are important issues that were left out. Since I am a detail person, I feel a mere here are major points aren't going to do it for me---here is where Backchanneling can be a real blessing!

Thing #4

Using teaching/learning videos in the classroom can be an introductory tool for presenting a unit or can be utilized as a center for students to reinforce objectives that were covered. Imagine not having to toil for hours to find that magical way of presenting a new unit or an objective.

At the beginning of the year, I know that teachers need to have work stations available for students to use throughout the day. This tool would be a wonderful work station for students to see, hear, and understand concepts that were not mastered.

As far as uploading students' work, I know this tool can open a new world! Instead of assigning the usual book review or character study, students can create their projects and share with other students.(this certainly beats grading stacks of papers!)I think that sharing these videos with other students can bring the enthusiasm back to the classrom.

Library2Play 2: Thing #3

Skype is a great tool to use to complete team planning road maps! Every teacher knows that team planning is essential to sharing ideas and completing the nine weeks road maps for each subject. There are many times during the year that these road maps need to be turned in to the administrator, and the team has had to plan too quickly.

Skype can help ease the pressure by offering time to discuss, share ideas, and get feedback from team members when the element of time is crucial. Skype can also be utilized when those agenda items have not been discussed. This is also a great tool to use with ACP Interns and their mentors for feedback and/or planning.

Remember IKE? Skype would have been an excellent tool to contact each other! I know that I had my computer with me during Ike as I made my journey to my sister's house in Austin. Moreover, I could have contacted other family members all over the country.

As a side note: teachers can use Skype during the school day to communicate with students who are researching in the library(if the Skype is available), or think about having meetings with parents to share about your classroom, TAKS prep, and other important information.