EDT674

=**Learning with Technology: Effective Strategies** =

**__Discussion Question 1 __**
//What do you know about using technology with students?//

I know that they love it! I am fairly well versed with technology as a whole, as my generation grew up with technology. Therefore, I implement as much technology as possible into my classroom. I have a SMARTBoard in my classroom, which I use on a daily basis in a variety of ways. It is an excellent compliment to my instruction and keeps the students engaged longer. I have also utilized mini-laptops with my class. I know, based on the courses I have already taken, that technology is a vital part of the education of today's learners. They will be required to effectively understand and utilize technology on a daily basis in order to function in the real world.

//What do you want to know about using technology with students?//

So far, the Masters in Technology program has provided me with some wonderful and practical ways to implement technology in my classroom. I would love for this to continue! I know that there are a plethora of technology-based websites, activities, and tools available to me as a teacher, and I would like to know what they are and how to use them effectively!

**__Discussion Question 2__ **
//Look at the Essential 21st Century Skills List - Select one skill and discuss how you already meet this skill via your current instruction.//

I currently meet the "self direction" 21st century skill in my classroom. My students participate in a literacy block called "The Daily 5." In "The Daily 5" is a daily literacy routine that requires independent practice of five basic literacy activities. The students build up their stamina, and are then able to independently identify what skills they need to work on, what materials they need to find and use, and then work on the activity without any teacher instruction. (This process takes a lot of modeling and instruction initially. However, once in place, it is a very independent work time in which students are responsible for their own learning)

//Select another Essential 21st Century Skill that you may NOT already touch upon and project how you might be able to meet that need in future instruction.//

I would like to work on implementing the "social responsibility" 21st century skill in my classroom. Although I do try and highlight the importance of social responsibility with my first graders, I do feel that I could do a better job of it. I think that one way I could do this as a class is to organize and carry-out a fundraiser/community service project in which students identify a problem/inequity in society, problem solve ways in which our classroom could help this particular problem, and then carry out a fundraiser/community service project aimed at solving this problem.



== ** __Discussion Question 3__ ** ==

//Find a TeacherTube/YouTube video that you could use for instructional purposes and copy and paste the address of the video for others to view. Explain how you would use this with your students.//

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This video teaches the the "two vowels" phonics rule through an animated video and a song. This would be particularly beneficial for my first grade students, as they are currently learning these rules and apply them daily in their independent reading. For my visual and auditory learners, this would be a good instructional tool as it would target their particular learning styles. I would use this as an introduction to the vowel rule, and then continue to use it on a frequent basis to reinforce their learning.

NOTE: Since there are so many videos to choose from, please avoid any repeats.

View two other students’ videos and add your comments as a subthread to their message.

==**__Discussion Question 4__ ** ==

To complete the KWHL- what have you learned from the readings, activities and discussions from this course about using technology with your students? Please reflect upon at least one other students' entry and add your comments as a subthread to their message.

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__**Activity 5: Rubric Creating **__
Writing Rubric for First Grade



__Activi ty 8: Excel Gradebook __
(Done with Vonnie Voight)

Excel Gradebook

Excel Column Chart

__<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Activity 16:** Excel Document: Mail Merge __




__<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Activity 19: Claymation __
media type="file" key="Dinosaur.mov" width="300" height="300"

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">To complete the KWHL- what have you learned from the readings, activities and discussions from this course about using technology with your students?

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">I have learned a lot from this course! While I already have a relatively strong grasp on technology on a whole, I have accumulated many ideas, resources, and activities from this class that I can use. I have definitely learned some interactive and creative ways to incorporate technology into my classroom. The activities were practical, and were easily implemented into my daily classroom instruction. The resources provided have been wonderful, and will continue to provide me with fun and exciting ways to use technology in the classroom. One thing I specifically enjoyed was the collaborative nature of the class. Learning about technology in this way, for me, was very beneficial as it is the way I would implement it in my classroom. I really enjoyed the Lego's collaboration (I will definitely be using this next year!), and the claymation project. They were both activities I can see myself using in my own classroom. Overall, I definitely learned a lot of fun, creative, and practical activities I can use in class!