Reflection on Summer Tech Challenge

I'm so glad I participated in the Summer Tech Challenge.  I am always game for a challenge!

The first challenge talked about the 10 Skills Modern Teachers Must Have.  Though I don't have all of these skills perfected, I am on my way.  I remember this article talked about slowing down.

"No need to try and revolutionize your classroom in one afternoon.  That's a recipe for failure."    

Each of the technology tools I explored in this challenge are tools I see my fourth graders using in the classroom.  Will I use all of these skills this year?  No, probably not.  But my eyes have been opened to the power of technology and the importance of understanding the digital learner.

I am also feeling more comfortable with Twitter (I'm no longer a Twitter-newbie:) and blogging.  Before this session started, I couldn't tell you what an embed code was.  Now I have my own family blog and adding to it almost daily!

I'm excited to try Glogster, Voki, and Go Animate in the classroom.  I see these tools as a way to add a little Vegas to my instruction!  If the tool helps to engage my learners, I'm interested!

Again, I proud to have completed the NPS Summer Tech Challenge. Thank you for all the kind comments.  I do hope to keep this blog updated this year, but I know how time flies once we are teaching. Check back for more teaching tidbits!  Signing off for now.  :) Meagan

Go Animate

I had a blast creating this video an GoAnimate!  

GoAnimate is a super easy video maker. What I love about GoAnimate, and all the other challenges on the Summer Tech Challenges, is the social networking capability.  With this tool, you have the capability to follow other video makers.  After looking at several videos and gaining lots of ideas, I created this silly video to start a discussion on classroom behaviors and expectations.

Classroom Expectations by Meagan Priebe on GoAnimate

In addition to spicing up lesson delivery, students can also use GoAnimiate.  I can see my students using this tool to create book talks, presentations, and other videos to show learning.

Have fun and GoAnimate!

LiveBinders

I'm starting to fall in love with LiveBinders!  Three-ring binders were my best friend... but you can only three-hole punch and clip and snap so often.  Now there is the perfect alternative... LIVEBINDERS!

LiveBinders replaces your old and dusty 3 ring binder for a new online storage device to organize anything and everything!

Here are a few ideas I found off the LiveBinder website:

• ePortfolios (students add collections of work to showcase in their binder)

• Substitute Packages (create a binder for your substitute to access... everything is located in one place!)

• Parent Packages (binder full of resources for parents to access)

• Teaching Tools (organize your curriculum)

Fourth Grade Resource

Currently, I have two LiveBinders in the creation phase.  The first binder I created is for my fourth graders and their parents.  It's a collection of resources (websites, videos, and documents) that will assist them in their learning.  I've enjoyed using the LiveBinderIt tool (so easy!!) to add websites and other resources for my fourth grade students!

Eventually, I'd like to share my teacher evaluation binder.  This binder will be a collection of all my teacher evaluation documents and evidence!

Google Presentation

PowerPoint VS. Google Presentation!?!

I've heard many compelling arguments for and against each of these presentation tools.  I haven't used either one enough to be an expert, but I believe each has it's benefits.

PowerPoint may be a more robust presentation program, but nothing can beat the collaboration that Google has to offer.  With Google Presentation, the presenter can publish the slides online.  With access to the URL, the other students can pose questions and post comments during the presentation.  Though I haven't done this with my fourth graders yet, I'm sure the students would be more engaged than sitting back listening with nothing better to do.

In addition, PowerPoint files easily convert into Google Presentation slides.  Here is an example of a Google Presentation I made for open house this year.

Voki

My school has used Voki for the past couple of years for our morning meetings.  Before that time, 200 elementary students would pile in the gym and we'd recite the pledge, school motto, read birthdays and other school announcements.  The morning meeting process was pretty quick and dirty, but lining up 200 students in a gym showing 1, 2, 3. (1-Voices off  2-Hands and feet still  3-Eyes on speaker) isn't always easy!  Not to mention after morning meeting time, my students would have to walk across the school to the second floor.  I don't like wasted time!

Then we decided to go digital and use the help of Voki.  Each day our administrator or secretary would record a morning meeting Voki.  The teachers loved it!  No more piling into the gym for morning meeting.  Every teacher could access the Voki from the school's website.  We teachers could now show the morning meeting Voki whenever it worked best for us.  Here is an example.

Another way I'd like to use Voki is to announce my weekly Panther Club Winners (similar to student of the week award)  I think the students would enjoy a Voki personally recognizing them!  I could even email the link to their parents!




Finally, I'd love for the students to use Voki.  If you haven't checked out the Voki Lesson Plan Page, it's a great place to start!

At the beginning of the year, I often have students create some sort of "All About Me" poster/presentation.  How cool would it be for students to each make a "All About Me" Voki?  I can already see a mini lesson on run-on sentences and fragments!  LOVE it!

Glogster

I can't believe I'm just now hearing about Glogster!

Glogster is a fantastic site that allows you to create interactive posters.  A "Glog" short for "graphics blog" is an excellent way for your students to reach the creation stage of Bloom's Taxonomy.

Be sure to check out the Glogpedia Library for thousands of example Glogs. I spent hours in Glogpedia just getting ideas before I created my first one.

It's nothing fancy... but here's my first attempt at a Glog!




I used Glogster to create directions for my classroom assignment.  I'm pretty excited to see what my students come up with for their Nebraska Glogs!  Check back later in the year to see my students' creations!

TED Talks

Have you heard of TED talks?  If not, it's a must-see website!

TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design.  The non-profit company was started back in 1984 and has grown through the use of social media.

Basically, it's a hub for inspiring videos that you can narrow by topic.

Even better for education is the TED-ED site - lessons worth sharing.  Check out this video for a tour on how to use TED-ED in your classroom.





I have found numerous videos on the TED Talks website.  Fourth graders' attention spans are extremely short, so I'd encourage short videos to encourage your students' thinking.  Most of the time, I'd use these videos to activate prior knowledge and build some background to the lesson.  But, with that said, there are some great instruction videos as well.  Check out this video of the 3 branches of government.




I don't know about your students, but my students would must rather watch a video about the 3 branches of government than simply read from their textbooks.  Once you view the video, the students could use clickers to answer the comprehension questions that follow the video.  I love the use of clickers to gauge lesson progression.  If the students know the material, move on to a project or use the "Think Deeper" questions.  If the students failed the comprehension quiz, provide additional instruction and resources.  Great for the flipped classroom!

TED Talks  - "ideas have the power to change attitudes, lives, and ultimately the world."