Week 6

What mobile apps are available for your subject area? List and describe at least 4 apps that could be used on a smartphone, iPod, or iPad in the classroom. There are mobile apps for education sections in each of the subject area chapters in the Roblyer and Doering book.

Since I teach Kindergarten all subject areas are my subject areas.
Science: iPad NASA HD app would be awesome for my boys. They love space. This app shows a lot of real pictures that astronauts have taken. It also gives current information NASA's projects and the next launch.

Reading and Writing: 
Alpha Writer from Montessorium is an app for the iPad or iPhone where a child is able to learn how to write letters and spell phonetically while creating a story. It also stores their work so that the parent or teacher can keep track of how their child's handwriting changes and develops. 

Interactive Alphabet teaches children to recognize upper and lower case letters and their sounds. There is an automatic challenger every 15 seconds for students that need to be challenged. If your child does not need to be challenged then the app does not challenge that child. It is based off of the flashcards that the child gets correct.

Park Math by Duck Duck Moose is a great introduction math app that can be used on an iPad or iPhone. It has many different games that teaches children how to count up to 50 and how to add and subtract through story problems. 

Week 5

 Why is it important to be a good digital citizen? What value does a good digital reputation have?

It is important to be a good digital citizen because that is part of your 21st Century character. I think that the more or society moves towards social media the more important it is to be cautious about how you are represented on the internet. Things like using correct grammar and not saying mean things are ways to create a good digital reputation. Be yourself! 

Week 4

Describe 3 kinds of material generators that you have used or would like to use in your classroom. Be specific about how you would use the tools.

1. Worksheet and Puzzle Generators- Because I teach Kindergarten we try not to do very many "tests" than we have to. However, board members like to see some sort of written, paper-pencil, product to go with an assigned grade. Especially for students who are receiving IEPs, or students that are being considered for IEP testing. It is great to be able to tailor a worksheet or puzzle to my classroom's needs. 

2. Desktop Publishing Software- At my school every teacher sends home a weekly newsletter. Our newsletter tells of the goings-on in our classroom, things that are coming up, dates to remember, etc... Desktop Publishing Software would be a great way to make the weekly newsletter more appealing for parents to read. Especially since it could be organized in a consistent format parents would know exactly where to look for field trip and academic information.

3. Graphic Document Makers- To make certificates and awards for students at the end of teh school year for Kindergarten graduation. Not only will they get a "diploma" but also give awards to each student for a character trait that they have portrayed throughout the school year. It would be neat to allow them to make awards for someone else in the classroom.   

Week 3

Instructional software is a general term describing computer programs that are designed to deliver instruction or assist the teacher in delivering of instruction on a topic. The following five types of software are terms that software developers use interchangeably, so teachers must take note of what the software actually offers.

5 types of instructional software:

1.     Drill and Practice- this is a directed strategy. It allows learners to work problems/answer questions and get feedback on correctness. Drill and Practice

2.     Tutorial- this is also a directed type of strategy. This type acts like a human tutor providing all the information and instructional activities a learner needs to master a topic: information summaries, explanation, practice routines, feedback and assessment. Tutorial

3.     Simulation- this is a directed and constructivist type of strategy. Models real or imaginary systems to show how those systems or similar ones work or to demonstrate underlying concepts. Simulation

4.     Instructional Game- this is a directed and constructivist type of strategy. This type increases motivation by adding game rules to drills or simulations. Instructional Game

5.     Problem solving- this type is also directed and constructivist strategy. Problem solving does two things: first, it teaches directly the steps involved in solving problems. Second, it can also help learners acquire problem-solving skills by giving them opportunities to solve problems. Problem Solving

(Roblyer & Doering, 2013)

Refernece:

Roblyer, M.D., and Doering, A.H. (2013). Integrating educational technology into teaching. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Eduction, Inc.

Web 2.0- All of it!

Ok, sorry for all the posts. Did not realize that we needed to combine all four parts together. Here they all are!! I hope it all works!! I deleted all the other 50 posts with each individual parts :)

GLOGGING IT UP!!

Glogster-Plants

Plant Unit Lessons- Concept Map

Animoto

Plants

Here are my vokis! I tried to get them to post straight to my blog, but for some reason I could not get it to work.

Voki- Plants' Needs

Voki- Parts of a plant