Today's Meet

Today's Meet

UEN:

Science 6th Grade

3.1.b. Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or gaseous).

EdTech (3-5):

Standard 5
Use technology tools (e.g., multimedia authoring, presentation, web tools, digital cameras, scanners) for individual and collaborative writing, communication, and publishing activities to create knowledge products for audiences inside and outside the classroom.

ISTE:

Global Collaborator

Students use digital tools to broaden their perspectives and enrich their learning by collaborating with others and working effectively in teams locally and globally.

Reflection:

Today's Meet is a simple tool that I can use with my students to connect with them inside and outside the traditional classroom for group discussions on topics we are studying. This is a great tool to use in a "flipped classroom," where a topic is introduced and studied online, and then reinforced with activities and projects during school hours. This could also be a fun way to study for an upcoming exam, as students can hop on and discuss topics together. I like that the public can also join in. This is an exciting way to connect with others globally and develop new insights through discussion. Using Today's Meet puts global collaboration is at my students' fingertips. 

EDpuzzle

UEN:
Elementary Library Media (K-5)
Differentiate between literary (fiction) and informational (non-fiction) text.


EdTech:
Standard 5
Use technology tools (e.g., multimedia authoring, presentation, web tools, digital cameras, scanners) for individual and collaborative writing, communication, and publishing activities to create knowledge products for audiences inside and outside the classroom.

ISTE:
Standard 5
Use technology tools (e.g., multimedia authoring, presentation, web tools, digital cameras, scanners) for individual and collaborative writing, communication, and publishing activities to create knowledge products for audiences inside and outside the classroom.



Reflection:

EDpuzzle was a fun tool to play around and become familiar with. I was hesitant about this tool, because it seemed intimidating shortening videos, pausing and adding in questions, but it was very simple to learn and create these clips. I liked how easy it was to choose a video to use, as it accessed videos from the internet right there in the first step. Because it was so simple, I see myself using EDpuzzle in the classroom where my students can create short assessment questions to cover different topics they are watching videos of. Also, they can make their own video presentations and supplement them with these assessments in their presentations. This is a fun way to assess and see if the students are grasping a concept. It could easily be used in a presentation with the group working together as a whole to answer the questions in a large group setting, as well. I really enjoyed this tool.

Google Slides

UEN:
2nd Grade Integrated Core
1.c. Relate behaviors that can help prevent disease (e.g., hand washing, good nutrition, fitness, universal precautions).

 EdTech (3-5):
Standard 6
Use telecommunications efficiently and effectively to access remote information and communicate with others in support of direct and independent learning and for pursuit of personal interests. (4)

ISTE:
Empowered Learner
Students leverage technology to take an active role in choosing, achieving and demonstrating competency in their learning goals, informed by the learning sciences.


Reflection:
 

I really enjoyed working with Google Slides. I felt it was less complex than Power Point, so an awesome choice for students to learn the Power Point basics and be able to create great slide show presentations. I can see myself using Google Slides because it is so easy to access. Anyone with a Google account can quickly pull up their projects they are working on from any computer. A student can work on their assignment from home or at school, easily. As an assessment tool in the classroom, I can see creating slides with questions on them that the students can answer on their own. This would take some of the testing anxiety away when I move away from a traditional test passed out on a paper. Seeing questions and pictures on a colorful, non-intimidating (and even humorous) format can alleviate some testing anxiety. I really like what Google Slides has to offer.

Google Forms

UEN:
Social Studies 3rd grade
2.a  Describe the major world ecosystems (i.e. desert, plain, tropic, tundra, grassland, mountain, forest, wetland).

EdTech:
Standard 5
Use technology tools (e.g., multimedia authoring, presentation, web tools, digital cameras, scanners) for individual and collaborative writing, communication, and publishing activities to create knowledge products for audiences inside and outside the classroom.


ISTE:
Creative Communicator
Students communicate clearly and express themselves creatively for a variety of purposes using the platforms, tools, styles, formats and digital media appropriate to their goals.

Reflection:

I have never created a Google Form before, but it was easy to figure out. Within a few minutes, I was able to create a simple, professional-looking quiz that my students can take before I teach the unit. This will be very helpful to know what students already understand about a topic so I can focus on what they do not understand yet. I can also use this tool to communicate with parents. I've recently filled one of these forms out for my own children's classrooms to rate their teachers. I didn't know how easy they were to create until now. It is a great tool to collect data. This is also a fun tool I want to expose my students to so they can easily make their own quizzes for the class to take after book report presentations, etc. 

Google Doc

Brushing Chart

UEN:
K-2 Integrated Core: 1st Grade
Standard 1a.
Practice appropriate personal hygiene (e.g. bathe, wash hands, clean clothes).

EdTech:
Standard 8
Use technology resources (e.g. calculators, data collection probes, educational software) for problem-solving, self-directed learning, and extended learning activities.

ISTE:
Empowered Learner
Students leverage technology to take an active role in choosing, achieving and demonstrating competency in their learning goals, informed by the learning sciences.

Reflection:

Google Docs is one of the most basic tools used now days. It is great for teacher teams to collaborate and build upon documents together. Google Docs would be a great tool to use when a team is coming up with a grade level syllabus they each will use. I can see myself using it for creating field trip reminders, quick notes I want to go home  with students that day, and then sharing them with my team. It can also be a tool used to communicate with parents if I want them to add their name to parent helper lists so all can see who has signed up. Also, its a helpful way to share with the principal or other mentor if I have different groups I am keeping track of. Giving them viewing or editing access is a great feature. In the classroom, students will love how easy it is to collaborate on a project. They can easily work on their own assigned portions of a group project, or all help edit a project. I will use Google Docs in the classroom a lot.

Tiki-Toki Timeline

Beethoven's Life

UEN:
Fine Arts
Standard 6.M.CO.3:
Experience and explore music which connects us to history, culture, heritage, and community; identify connections between a music genre and cultural or historical contexts; and explore and explain how musical works are influenced by a composer’s heritage and experiences.


EdTech:
Standard 5
Use technology tools (e.g., multimedia authoring, presentation, web tools, digital cameras, scanners) for individual and collaborative writing, communication, and publishing activities to create knowledge products for audiences inside and outside the classroom.


ISTE:
Creativity and innovation
Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.

Reflection:

I created a Tiki-Toki timeline to introduce the life and accomplishments of Ludwig van Beethoven to my students. Tiki-Toki was simple to use. I was able to figure everything out by playing around on it, and it offers a 2D and 3D view (which I thought was pretty neat.) I like how it is capable of incorporating media options into the presentation. I was able to add a video of Beethoven's most famous work, Ode to Joy, for my students to listen and recognize. I also included several images of Beethoven growing up, and people who were key to his success. This is a great tool to use to show the big picture and individual fragments. In the classroom, I will use Tiki-Toki to introduce historical events, author highlights, and anything that can be displayed in a timeline form. I think students would have fun creating Tiki-Toki's for presentations, as well.

Animoto

UEN:
Science 2nd grade
Standard 2.1.c
Sort rocks based upon color, hardness, texture, layering, particle size and type (i.e. igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary).


EdTech 3-5:
Standard 8
Use technology resources (e.g., calculators, data collection probes, videos, educational software) for problem-solving, self-directed learning, and extended learning activities. (5, 6)



ISTE:
Empowered Learner: Students leverage technology to take an active role in choosing, achieving and demonstrating competency in their learning goals, informed by the learning sciences.

Reflection:

I loved working with the Animoto tool! When I first saw the tool, I was very intimidated by it, but quickly found out it is very simple to use and it creates some great video clips. I love that there are so many song options to choose from to add some fun vibes and feel to the videos. I tried to match the song with the type of content I was creating. Because of how simple Animoto is to use, I would definitely have my students use Animoto to create presentations and teach each other. These videos could also be shown before a pre-assessment or post assessment. I think it would be a big hit with students because it incorporates song, video,  audio, and content all in one. I can see using Animoto several times throughout the school year.