Mr Nevels sandbox

This a blog site that I had forgotten about that was created 5 years ago pretty funny.

Learning the Tech.

I think that learning the technology almost takes to much time. But I did find a good quote in the book we are using that was, "Its not technology that is causing a lack in critical thinking it's the lack of understanding of how to use the technology well.

First Time Blogger.

Can I get a holler, No not really that's OK. I'm not a big tech geek anyway, especially with communications with conjunction to technology but I will some different things.

Using Screencast in the Classroom

I absolutely hate missing school! It seems as though every time I miss a day, my students lose a day of instruction because they are able to convince a substitute that they don't understand what they are supposed to be doing. While I was creating my Screencast for this course, I thought it would be a perfect way to make sure the excuse "I don't understand" couldn't be used in the classroom. If I leave particular assignments that could cause confusion, I would be able to create a Screencast explaining to students exactly what is expected of them. Students would have to ability to go back and watch the Screencast in case there was any confusion with the assignment. I definitely plan on using this as a beneficial tool especially for when I have to miss a day of school!

Technology in the Classroom

This class has truly been a beneficial course. Recently, my school has adopted a new reading program which requires the use of technology. I believe that using my classroom blog will be helpful for both students and parents in my classroom as far as learning how to use the technology associated with Reading Wonders. While creating my blog, I was able to link YouTube videos that describe each aspect of our new reading program which parents can use to help them understand the various tools their children have access to. I have always heard that implementing technology in the classroom is a wonderful way to get students interested. However, my idea of "implementing technology" was showing videos through YouTube and playing interactive games on the SmartBoard. I am now confident using a blog to keep all parents and students in my classroom connected!

Using podcast as a Studycast

     Scavenging through Mrcoley.com I came across where Mr. Coley created a studycast for his students.   This was very exciting for me. As a teacher I have had many students that have specific 504 plans.  In the plans parents request for direct or explicit information as to "what will be on the test".  In many cases or at least in my school, students do not have access to their own textbook to take home.  I found myself making notes, providing study guides, copying pages and spending extra time trying to adhere to the 504 plan.  I can see where creating a studycast for students and parents, going over every detail from the weeks lesson, and providing key information through a podcast for all students to take advantage of would be helpful and creative not only for students with special needs , but for the regular ed students too.  Parents and students would know what was taught that week and what to expect on the test.  I look forward to learning more about podcasts/studycasts and implementing these tools in my classroom.

I never really considered myself old school until taking this technology class.  I realize just how far behind the times I really am.  I have to admit that these assignments of creating screencasts, podcasts, and creating my own blog have been a huge learning experience for me.  I find myself frustrated, but once I figure it out and get the "ah ha" moment, I know I have learned something that can be very inspiring and fun to my students.  It is a great way for students to complete assignments or tasks and be proud of their work besides pencil paper.  I am eager to learn more, implement what I've learned in this class, and also look forward to seeing just how much my students already know about this type technology.

Jing as a powerful presentation and teaching tool.

As I got to know how to use Jing through the assignment, I realized what a powerful and useful tool for me and my students to make presentations to share with one another on application strategies and presenting assignments such as Advertising Campaigns. Also it will be an asset to put the presentations up on our class website for parents to see what their child is learning. Overall I see great benefits with Jing!

Podcasts and Webquests

I can definitely see using web quests and pod quests in the classroom setting. I am a firm believer that if you can teach it, you understand it. The way in which Mr. Coley uses podcasts within his classroom is a great method to create audio study guides and review tools. I may actually use his podcast on planets in my own classroom for a station when we teach about space.  The podcast has useful information that my students need to know, without going too in-depth and over their heads for 3rd graders. I think having them hear the information from a student perspective would be a nice change instead of just hearing from me! I could then have them create their own to place on our class website.
As far as the web quest, I can see how this too could really expand a student's grasp on a topic and provide them with a great tool. I still have to create my web quest, so I have only started to dive into it, but I am interested in seeing exactly how it works, functions and therefore will transition into a classroom.

Using Jing as a Teacher

Using technology is very important in today's school setting. However, it is often very scary for me because I don't know enough about it to feel comfortable teaching someone else how to use it. Learning how to use Jing has opened my mind to new ideas. I can see how you would use Jing to help students follow directions and you wouldn't have to hover over them the whole time. However, I also thought about all the work teachers do together and how we teach one another new tools everyday. I think Jing would be a great tool to use to help other teachers become more comfortable and learn about many different technologies to use in the classroom. For example at Corbin we use Blackboard for snow day work. Blackboard is new to many teachers and they struggle learning how to use it. Often times teachers will ask me how to use blackboard. Learning about Jing I can now create a video tutorial on how to properly set up classrooms on blackboard and how to load assignments or links to blackboard. Jing will allow me to help teachers I work with without having to go classroom to classroom showing them how to set it up. I could simply send them the videos that Jing has allowed me to create showing them how to properly use blackboard.

Person vs. Technology

Technology is something that is growing on me. I will admit that I often get frustrated trying to use new technological equipment because I am not a very tech savy person. Because of my lack of technological experience, I often find myself frustrated and overwhelmed. For example, it took me twenty minutes to figure out how to post a blog. I'm not kidding.  I will say that although I am very overwhelmed right now I do feel that this class will benefit me greatly because technology is not going away, and I am going to have to overcome this fear of unknown territory. I feel that JING is going to be a great tool to use in my classroom. The step by step directions will benefit the students that need the visual learning at a slower pace. As I am working in the program, I am finding that it is actually exciting to see what all I can bring to my students. I am looking forward to learning all the tools that come with the class. My students in my Language Arts class will be impressed because they know how horrible I am with anything that involves technology. At least they will never forgot the concept "person vs. technology" because they see it every day with me.

Jing in the Classroom

I really enjoyed learning how to use Jing.  It was neat to be able to video and talk through what you were doing.  I know for me as a teacher, I have a  hard time taking off days and feeling like my students are missing out on valuable class time and learning.  If I could use Jing in the classroom I could record me teaching the math lesson and walk them through a lesson on a powerpoint.  It would be different than having me right there teaching the lesson, but they wouldn't miss valuable class time.  In a tested grade that is really important to stay on track and not lose class time. We are very lucky at our school to have a class set of devices.   I am looking forward to learning about how to use more technology and utilizing my devices more.

Technology

I am looking forward to discovering new ways to incorporate technology into my classroom. One of the forms of technology I used is called IXL. It is a math website that is differentiated base on each individual student. This website will have a student sign in and choose any topic listed under their grade content. From there they will begin working on lessons and quizzes, based on how they do with those lessons and quizzes it will provide them with remediation or reward them with a game. This is a great tool to use if you have different learning levels in your class. IXL can be used to supplement the content to satisfy the needs of each student. The link to this website is, https://www.ixl.com

Using Jing in my classroom

Learning how to use Jing has been one of the most fascinating parts of this class. It is simple to use and I can easily see how I could apply it to my classroom. We often use stations in our 3rd grade and with our devices, I could easily use Jing to give directions for students in each station, without having to actually be next to the students. Since it allows me to show students how to use a particular software or website, students can begin their work without having to wait for me to make my way around to each station. We are limited on our ability to download to our classroom devices however, so that would have to be something I would have to look into. It certainly opens up new possibilities though!

Using JING

As a teacher in my first 5 years I am constantly trying to think of new ways to make sure all of my students are constantly up to date with their assignments and feel comfortable with the material. I believe I could use JING as a resource for review of material. I plan on creating review powerpoints with the material we are currently learning and using the JING app to record my voice while going through the ppt. I feel as if my students would much rather use this as a review vs. studying notes or reading their textbooks. Plus, I could highlight the key concepts I really want them to grasp. Once I create my blog, I plan on inserting my "JING reviews" on my blog for my students to access.

-Tabitha Wooten

New to Blogging

I am completely new to the whole blogging experience. This would be my first time stepping foot into this realm. I am excited to engage in a completely online learning experience that is this class. Thus far, I have learned various types of ways to communicate and learn via Internet. I am looking forward to gaining an in-depth understanding of these various ways and simultaneously putting them to use!

Read/Write Web

This course had been very educational for a tech savvy teacher who loves to use technology with her students! I have learned so many great new resources to use with my students and also created ON MY OWN, some very valuable WebQuest, Powerpoints, Jing Videos, and a blog that I have already started to use in my music classes.

So thankful for the opportunity to take a class that has truly added value and some more creative strategies for teaching for my students!

GradeCam

GradeCam Video

We use GradeCam at my school and it is AMAZING!!! It saves so much time on the one thing that all teachers hate.....GRADING PAPERS!!!

This technology is so simple to use and for those of you who also use Infinite Campus, it is so simple to import students to GradeCam and to export grades from GradeCam to your Gradebook!!

Seriously......get your district to purchase this for your schools. I can not sing it's praises enough!!!

All you need is a document camera, Ipad, or smartphone to scan and grade test, quizzes, flashbacks, the possibilities are as has your creativity can take you!

Jessica Dunn

Music Teacher

Bell Central School Center