Flip Chart Tutorials

The first flip chart tutorial I watch was converting a Smart Notebook file to a flip chart.  I really like this because I used many different smart notebook files in my previous district and I am so glad I have a way to convert and use them in my current classroom.  I am so glad I can use them again!!

Second video was searching Promethean plant for flip charts.  I have been searching for flip charts on certain topics and not always having luck.  The tips in the video will help me to narrow down my search and find useful flip carts to help expand my lessons. 

Last video was editing an existing flip chart.  Wow I could have used this a couple of weeks ago when I was trying to edit a flip chart I was trying to use for science.  I did not realize this was so simple.  Now I know and will definitely use this in the future. 

BYOD

I just watched the video on BYOD.  I do like the idea of BYOD but I am still unsure at times about incorporating into my everyday instruction.  I would like to incorporate it more and more I just need to be more confident and let go.  The students at Carson MS seemed very comfortable with using the technology at school.  Several were using BYOD to take notes or to create flashcards.  I do agree that the technology definitely causes student engagement to increase.  We are starting an investigation in science and I think I will have the students bring in their devices for the next few weeks and use them during class.  They can use them for research, videos, create data tables and graphs etc.  I will be anxious to see how it all works out. 

Promethean Planet Hunt

I downloaded a flip chart on the Water Cycle.  It was a great resource I was able to use to introduce the Water Cycle.  It had the basic definitions for each part of the cycle.  I had the students create a foldable as we were going through each slide.  The flip chart had short videos incorporated and it also connect us to Study Jams through Scholastic.  The students were engaged the entire time.  There was also a short quiz which was a great formative assessment.  All in all in worked out really well with all 4 science classes.  I will be looking for more. 

Writing Re-Launched: Teaching with Digital Tools

Writing is such a difficult task for so many students.  I always hear I don't know what to write about.  I don't like to write.  I like the idea of using technology to help spark those students imaginations. 

As teachers you still need to teach the basic steps of writing but then what.  You still have those students who hate to write.  From videos to storyboards kids are given opportunities to express their thoughts in other ways then just writing them down on a piece of paper. 

Blogs and wikis are giving the students opportunities to collaborate with their writing.  All of these new ideas and strategies are giving students the confidence they need to be better writers.  It is alleviating some of the pressure students are feeling about having to write paper/pencil.  This is just another way as educators we are preparing students for the future. 

An Idea Whose Time Has Come

I agree that BYOT can work.  I feel that you initially need parents on board so that they will allow the student to bring the device in.  In the classroom you need to discuss and come up with the expectations of what it will look like in the classroom when devices are being used.  Students need to be a part of this and have some ownership of it.  Give the students opportunities to practice using the device in class with short easy tasks.  Have a central location for websites that you know you will want them to use often.  I think that BYOT does require more planning and anticipating any problems that might arise.  As the article stated students are using devices on a regular basis at home and I feel they should be able to transition to using them in school on a more regular basis.

Blog

Reflection I think is key in trying to improve anything you are doing.  Exercise, eating better, relationships, parenting, teaching.  These are some of the things we are told to reflect on in order to make sure what we are doing is working for us and we are continuing to improve.  As a teacher I have always reflected on the different things I have done in the classroom to see what went well and what could be improved.  For me I have always just reflected to myself and not written anything down.  I do at this point wish I would have kept a journal or started a blog to see how I have grown and changed as an educator and also how I have stayed the same.  I think reflection is such a big part of learning and something we should have our students doing on a more regular basis.  I always try to remind my students if they did not do well on a test or a project did not turn out how they wanted to stop reflect.  Could they have studied differently or more.  Did they put enough into the project.  Sometimes I feel students will learn more from their own reflection of a situation then they do from us.  Reflecting is something that I do naturally and I like the idea of putting it down in words.

Video Reflection

The video let me know that I can still be a good teacher and not use technology but that I am not really doing my job.  I agree I need to demonstrate to my students that I am also a life long learner.  Technology is ever changing and we need to do our best to incorporate technology in our daily lessons.  Unfortunately the MAP test is still driving our instruction and it is hard at times to incorporation the technology into all the MAP prep.  There has to be a good compromise.  Technology is important and needs to be incorporated it is just hard to find the time to do everything.

Unconference - Moodle

I went to the Moodle course and learned a lot.  I think the Moodle is a great tool to keep your subject areas organized.  I would like to start creating my Moodle and begin using it with my science classes.  I know it will be a work in progress and I need not get overwhelmed with the finished project because it really is never finished.  It will be a great place to organize website by topic.  She showed us how she blogs with her students during social studies.  This is an accountability piece and also keeps the students engaged.  I plan on trying this in the near future.