Reflections

I enjoyed making a digital story, its like magic.  You simply take some pictures, import them, add them to the program, type the text, and finish.  The program does it all after this.  Wow!
My students will probably get a kick from using Word it Out, specially if they can display the product in our room or in our hall.
I will carve out some time from our daily schedule to incorporate technology into our lesson and/or centers.  What surprised me the most is how easy some of these applications were easy to use, such as; Word it Out and Photo Story.   

#11 - Digital Citizenship

We as teachers need to model proper behaviors when accessing the Internet.
1.  Information on-line is another source of reference and not all information on it is appropriate.
2.  The Internet is another world and an informed decision on how to safely be part of it is essential.
3.  I should not assume that all of my students will use their "Best" conduct when using the Internet.  I must Monitor - Monitor - Monitor

#10 iPod touch

Free iTouch applications
I reviewed two great apps; Google Earth and iTalk.  GEarth is already very popular with students and a its good visual aid to locate Houston on the map of the world.  On iTalk they can record their voice to include in their digital story the students created with Photo Story.
Last year at my school, I had the opportunity to use an iPod touch.  It was great.  My students were excited and eager to use the math applications and others.  I like Pop Math Basic Math and Lemonade.

#9 Jing and Skype

Students can use jing to capture images that they will share or use in a story they are creating.

I can use skype with my students to talk with other 1st/2nd/3rd grade classrooms in the district.  We can share what we have learned in Social Studies and/or Science.

#8 Useful videos

Children's: addition and Addition Rock





Addition Rock

#7 Storytelling - My short story

Students can use this software to create a digital short story as a classroom. They can select from any topic, specially in Social Studies for review or a project.

#6 Wiki-wikee!

Students can use wikis to write their reviews on the book that their bookclub is reading. They can also work on a story together. They will collaborate and add/edit story; like in -http://www.teachersfirst.com/content/wiki/wikiideas2.cfm.

Vocabulary can be collected and updated continously on a wiki, specially non-fiction material. My teammates, grade level teachers from across the district and I can work together on a project.

#5- Take your Bookmarks with you - Diigo

Social bookmarking allows me to keep track of bookmarks that I consider useful and relevant to my PLN. In addition, the e-highlighting feature makes it easy to return to a website and read only the section I considered important. Again, i can share everything; my bookmarks, post-its, my groups, and annotations with my colleagues.

Two websites

www.owl.english.purdue.edu

www.pw.org

Tool #4 Google Docs and Google Reader

Google Docs and Reader

Forget your important files at home no more. Google docs is an on-line word processing interface that also stores your files on-line. Share them with your friends and coworkers.

Google Reader makes it easy to keep track of your favorite websites. If you are interested in news or any sites, you can subscribe to them with the GReader. Google has just made it easier. Again.

I am tracking:
Becoming a 21st Century Learner
Live 2 Learn & Learn 2 Live
K-Bil Tiger Cubs
Mrs. Hoover's First Grade School
Rodriguez' Reviews

Word Generators

I can use image generators to create a word cloud by brainstorming for words about a book we will read or have read. This can be a whole or small group activity.

My Thoughts on PLN

1. What are your thoughts about building an online education community and participating in a PLN?
Participating in a PLN helps us learn more from ourselves; professionally and personally.  We can also learn from each other by commenting on posts and/or expressing our opinions on our blogs.  

2. What point stood out to you from the commenting advice?  That something simple as an invitation is number 1 on increasing the participation rate on commenting blogs.

3. What five blogs did you select for your comments? (you may need to come back and add this information later by editing this post.)

Hoover, Stacy
Williams, Kelsey
Chen, Clara
Rodriguez, Erika
Prewitt, Selma
Williams, Tracy

Creating J avatar

My first published avatar.  I did it on the second try.  The first one I created was too small and I couldn't change the size.  Maybe this is how Dr. Frankenstein felt after his second attempt.

JdM