Connected Learners

I feel that I am fairly connected. I have many tools I need to learn (and teach) connectively: the internet, blogs, SmartBoard, a personal i-pod... but I know that I still have lots to learn! There were a few terms like "wiki" and "podcast" from the video that I am unfamiliar with. I am looking forward to utilizing the tools I have, and some I don't, to grow in my own learning and become more connected.

I am definitely a "both" when it comes to teaching and learning in the 21st Century. Regardless of what you already know, it seems like there is always something new and interesting out there. You have to be willing to look for it, learn about it, talk about it, and work with it so you can teach it. Then, do it again and add too or build upon what you already have in your 21st Century "toolbox".

I support my 21st Century students by teaching them how to use laptops and play math games on the internet. Both my students and I utilize my SmartBoard for most lessons. I definitely see their attention spans last longer when I use a discoveryeducation video to support the target we are learning. My hope is that I will be able to continue supporting my 21st Century students in new ways using the tools we currently have, and also introducing new 21st Century tools to them so they can get "connected"!

Most Successful Lesson

What has been your most successful lesson where you have integrated technology so far? What made it successful? How would you modify it for the next time you use it? What are some other ways you are planning on integrating technology this year?

My most successful SmartBoard lesson so far has been a math lesson on "What's My Rule?" It was successful because of the level of student interest and participation. I created a function machine on the SmartBoard with a missing rule and some missing "in" and "out" numbers. The target was to use the given numbers in the "in"/"out" table to find the rule and the missing number. I also put a hundred chart on the page to allow students to flip over the numbers as they counted them. Each of my students had a chance to go up to the SmartBoard to solve part of the "What's My Rule?" problem. The students at their seats were also very engaged in the lesson -- they love seeing what will happen next on the SmartBoard! I would modify this lesson next year by grouping and locking my function machine. I forgot to, and when I erased the numbers in it, I erased part of my function machine and it was a nuisance to redraw the parts each time I erased. I am hoping to continue using my SmartBoard for math lessons, as the students are much more eager to participate and it makes active participation more fun for the students, and easier for me to implement. Another way I'd like to implement technology this year is to get the laptop cart in my room to do math games or other activities with my students. Since they love the SmartBoard so much, I bet that would be a big hit with them.

Best Smart Board Lesson

My best Smart Board lesson so far was a Health lesson. We were learning about germs and how to prevent spreading them. We started off by brainstorming a definition for germs and wrote our ideas on the Smart Board. Then we looked at a picture of a bathroom and pointed out all the items in a bathroom that can prevent germs from being spread (towel, soap, tissue, etc.). The kids had a great time using the Smart Board to circle objects that help stop the spread of germs.