Thing 28: Anything Goes Google

I explored a few google tools.  I have never used google spreadsheets, so I am glad I was informed how I could use it in the classroom.  I really liked that fact that you could take information from google spreadsheets and import it to Quizlet.  Students love quizlet, but I think it would be a good idea to have them create the spreadsheet and the form to get more practice of vocabulary.  Also, I loved that you can make games for students to play within the app.  This will make review activities more engaging. I think that they can even play in groups and quiz each other.  I was amazed on how many thing you can do with google spreadsheets that is not just data and number based like I previously viewed it. 

Another tool, I really looked into was google Forms. I will definitely be using this to assess my students.  It can be used as a quick exit ticket or an assessment for the end of a topic of unit.  I loved that you were able to put pictures for the questions, but what I did not like was that you could only have one picture.  Teaching ENL students they definitely need more than one picture, but maybe there is a way around it.  In google forms you can also choose the type of question. This will be helpful for differentiation. The only thing with the long answer, they cannot get direct feedback because it will mark the answer wrong if they don't answer it word for word. It will save a lot of time for multiple choice grading though.  It is great that students can see correct answers immediately after to help fix misconceptions a student may have.  There are some negative to this tool, but I also see many benefits.

There were many other tools that I looked at in google that I will try and use with my classes to make them more digital based.

Thing 7: Presentation Tools

https://www.beautiful.ai/deck/-LdBPCmfXt8LLj5GhNda/Summary

I did not realize how many options there were for students and even teachers to present information.  I looked into Exposure and Beautiful. Al in depth and browsed in the other tools given.  I love how pictures are within in the website that you choose from.  Also, I liked for one of the websites that it adjusted colors and layouts for you as you create the presentation.  Beauiful.al had many templates to choose from so the teacher or students don't have to spend as much time creating the layout and can focus on the content. 

I think that these tools can be used in various ways.  Students can use it to present cumulative information that they have learned and they can use it for one topic and explain it in depth. It is helpful that if students do not want to talk in front of the class, they can record themselves prior and give an engaging presentation.  These tools would be great to use individually and independently because they can share and others can provide input.  It is helpful for the teacher to also have all work in one place to see growth or other things they are looking for in a student. In addition to the tools that will be great for students to use to present infromation, the websites for students to find images that they won't need copy rights for. is helpful.  I plan on giving these websites to students when they are preparing a presentation.

I will try and use many of these tools with my students and see which one is the most student friendly to use. 

Thing 6: Digital Storytelling

https://www.storybird.com/class/d39bc8e2b3fe7039c1bf2bf39b2ae1a6-----I created assignments within storybird and I also made my own poem but had difficulty figuring out a way to share it. 

I explored storybird, adobe spark, and Animoto.  All of these seemed like great tools that can be used in the classroom.  Storybird seemed very similar to a google classroom with pre-made lesson ands you have the ability to assign lessons to students through google classroom.  Also, use of a lot of visuals were used in Storybird making it more students friendly.  I love that students have choice to make poems or long stories and the pictures are right there for you. It would be great to use as a summative assessment to show their writing skills. 

Also, I loved how adobe spark and animoto had many options for students to do as well.  Students can portray their knowledge through pictures and words.  I plan on using these as group activities to teach other students about a topic. It is a huge plus that the picture are embed in the website that the students can use, but they can also upload some of their own.  These activities are very engaging and the students will love doing their work on the computer.

Thing 4: Twitter, Facebook, & Personal Learning Networks

There were many helpful learning tools on twitter.  When I searched the hashtags, it was nice to have a lot of information about specific things right in front of you and you don't have to click around from one website to another.  I also loved that people shared ideas within the certain topic and gave their insight.  Another benefit of it is that there are various "levels" of people sharing the ideas and information (it is open to everyone).  I am always hesitant in signing up for more social media, but I think Twitter would benefit me the most.  It will give an insight on teaching and just people in general that can help my teaching.  If students can get access to it, it would be a nice tool for them to search a topic and find various sources. Also, it would be neat to do an assignment hash tagging a topic and having everyones ideas in one area.  There are many things that I think you can do with twitter in the classroom, along with giving useful information for teachers to use in their teaching practices.  

Thing 2: Student Blogging & Writing

·         Discuss the resources you explored in this lesson.

I read the three things that were a must, along with empowering students through blogging, making the most out of blogging, and prompts.  These resources were extremely helpful to look at.  Many great aspects of blogging were pointed out.  One thing that spoke to me was that students focus so much on how long essays have to be when turning them in, but blogging takes that away and they care more about the writing they publish online. Therefore, they create their best work. They know their work is important because other people other than their teachers will see it. These resources expressed that all students seem to blossom with the use of technology and the collaboration between each other. 

In addition many of the resources, explained how to explicitly teach and model blogging to get the most of it.  All students should start with the same concept and practice before they are assigned to different assignments.  Also, it will provide opportunity to go over rules and expectations about blogging and why it beneficial to the students.  I love that there were many examples of how teachers introduced blogging to the students.  Many of the writing prompts provided were also very helpful to get ideas of how blogging can be used in the classroom. 

·         Do you see value in the use of blogging with your students?

I do see a value for teachers to use blogging with their students.  I think it is helpful for data and student work to be in one spot.  Also, I think it is helpful for when teachers have conferences with their students.  The teachers can talk about their growth throughout time by using their blogs.  Teachers can also use this as an assessment for their students’ knowledge.

In addition, it helps teachers and students collaborate in a quiet way.  They can collaborate in and out of school and learn from other students throughout their blogging.  I think it is easier, engaging way for students to share and gain new knowledge. It will be develop various skills and learn content.  Also, it gives students who might not have as much confidence with what they are learning to explore other blogs and a conversation they observe might help be the lightbulb for the student.  There are plenty of benefits of blogging for teachers and students. Definitely worth using!

·         How might you use blogs to enhance or transform a student writing project?

I would use blogging for my students’ portfolio.  Since I work with students with disabilities, I would have them use blogging for assignments, then open up the blog to help practice some writing skills that will help them be successful in the classroom and reach their goals.  The blogging could be what my resource room time with my students focus on or use it to complete assignments.  I think this would provide great data for my CSE meetings and help create more effective goals for the following year.  These blogs will be great teaching moments for my students.  They seem to be more confident with using technology, so I think it will help get the most out of my students.

·         Other thoughts about student blogging?

I love the idea of using blogging in the classroom. I think it will bring out the strengths of many students and allow them to grow tremendously as learners.  My frustration might be is getting my co-teachers to use it in their classroom and take advantage of this amazing tool.  I also wonder if it will be as helpful to ENL students who is in their first year learning English.

Hello! I am Carolyn Kovac and I work at Rochester International Academy as a special education teacher.  I am taking this course to help me implement more engaging lessons for my students.  I have students that are learning english while struggling with a learning disability so I want to learn about new tools that could potentially help them learn.  Also, I want to be able to provide tools to the teachers that I work with for the students in the general education classrooms.  I think this class will help me become a better educator this year and years to come.