Tech Tools for Elementary Teachers

Maegan E. Slaten

Why Use Technology?http://www2.ed.gov/pubs/EdReformStudies/EdTech/effectsstudents.html

• Technical Skills

• Motivation

• Engagement

• Puts students in an active role

• Increased self-esteem

• Accomplishment of more complex tasks

• Attention to audience

Tool 1:• http://www.livebinders.com

• Description: Literally a “3 – ring binder for the web” which allows you to collect websites, photos, documents, etc. into an easy to navigate “binder”.

• Usage in the Classroom:– Collect websites for students to use during the

computer center (especially great for younger students)

– Allow students to create a LiveBinder to collect information for projects

– Create digital portfolios for students– Create a customized “virtual textbook”

For my “Live Binder” for this presentation:• Go to http://www.livebinders.com• Search “msedtech26” (choose “Authors” from the

drop down)

Pros:• Free• Easy to use• Works on any

computer with internet connection

• Binders can be shared

• Can be public or private

Cons:• Must install a

“bookmarklet”• Runs on pop-ups• Must have internet

access• No customized links

for sharing

LiveBinders

Tool 2:

• http://www.readkiddoread.com

• Description: Categorized book lists that can help you foster a love for reading in your classroom by suggesting books for students.

• Usage in the Classroom:– Find books for students based on their

favorite hobbies, toys, movies, etc.– Use author interviews to help

introduce books– Use the provided lesson plans to help

you teach with popular children’s books

Pros:• Free• Easy to use (for

teachers and older students)

• Web-based (so it works on any computer)

• Lots of great resources

Cons:• Internet connection

required• Not user-friendly for

younger students

ReadKiddoRead

Tool 3:

• http://www.netsmartz.org

• Description: A website that teaches students about internet safety in a “kid-friendly” way

• Usage in the Classroom:– Share videos at the beginning of the year to

introduce the importance of internet safety to your students

– Print internet safety posters to hang in your classroom

– Students can play the games the throughout the year to reinforce safety skills

– Share the site with parents so that students can play at homeFor more internet safety sites:

http://ilearntechnology.com/?p=2941

Pros:• Free• Kid-friendly• Easy to use• Web-based• Lots of great

resources• Different sections

for different age groups

Cons:• Internet connection

required

Netsmartz

Tool 4:

• http://www.skype.com

• Description: A software application that allows users to make free voice and video calls over the internet.

• Usage in the Classroom:– Video chat with other students across the

state, country, or even world.– Chat with favorite authors

http://skypeanauthor.wetpaint.com/– Collaborate with other teachers– Correspond with students outside the

classroomFor more ideas:http://www.teachingdegree.org/2009/06/30/50-awesome-ways-to-use-skype-in-the-classroom/

Pros:• Free (from

computer to computer)

• Easy to use• Works on any

computer with internet connection

• Works on any operating system

Cons:• Fee to make calls to

phones• Software must be

downloaded• Must have internet

access• Users need

microphone and/or web cam

Skype

Tool 5:• http://www.google.com/intl/en/options/

• Description: A suite of software applications that can increase productivity, creativity, and collaboration amongst students and teachers.

• Usage in the Classroom:– Students can use Google Docs to create

and collaborate on documents.– Teachers can collect, read, and organize

blogs by other educators in Google Reader– Use Google Forms to create quizzes,

check-in questions, polls, etc

For more ideas and resources:http://www.google.com/educators/tools.html

Pros:• Free• Easy to use (for

older students/teachers)

• Web-based• Great collection of

tools• Encourages

creativity and collaboration

• Accessed from the same login

Cons:• Not as “kid-

friendly” for younger students

• Takes some time to learn

• Must have internet access

• Google account required

• Simultaneous editing can cause items to be overwritten

Google

Tool 6:

• http://www.sharendipity.com/

• Description: A web-based creativity suite where anyone can build and deploy engaging and interactive web applications.

• Usage in the Classroom:– You can create games for your students

based on their interests and needs.– Students can create their own games for

themselves or others– Use the already created games as part of

your computer center or as a whole-class activity on the interactive whiteboard

Pros:• Free• Customizable• Web-based• Tutorials provided

for easy setup• Builder is user-

friendly (for older students/teachers)

Cons:• Builder is not as

“kid-friendly” for younger students

• Takes some time to learn

• Must have internet access

Sharendipity

Tool 7:

• http://www.field-guides.com/vft/index.htm

• Description: A site that not only has virtual field trips for a variety of subjects and ages, but also has software that allows teachers to create their own virtual field trips.

• Usage in the Classroom:– Use the provided virtual field trips to “visit”

and experience places they might not normally get to visit.

– Use the software to create your own virtual field trip

– Allow students to design their own virtual field trip using the software

For other virtual field trip options:http://www.simplek12.com/virtualfieldtrips

Pros:• Free (to use the

already created field trips)

• Field trips are well-made

• Sorted by age and subject

• Free trial for builder software

Cons:• There is a fee to

download the full version of the software ($25 for single-computer license)

• Must have internet access

Tramline

Tool 8:

• http://www.learning.com/easytech/

• Description: A full interactive technology literacy curriculum that teaches students technology skills while practicing skills from the core subjects.

• Usage in the Classroom:– Students can practice technology skills while

reinforcing skills from math, reading, science, and social studies

– Allows students to work at their own pace and provides scores for each of the exercises so you can see how they are doing.

Pros:• Web-based• Self-paced lessons• Sorted by age and

subject• Age appropriate

activities• Integrated into core

subjects• Appropriate for

students in K-8

Cons:• It is not free ($15

per student)• Must have internet

access

Learning.com EasyTech Curriculum

Tool 9:

• http://www.brainpop.com

• Description: A group of educational websites with hundreds of short Flash-based movies and activities for students in grades K-12 covering a variety of subjects.

• Usage in the Classroom:– You can show the videos and do the activities

as a class using an interactive whiteboard.– Students can view the videos and do the

activities as a computer center– You can use the accompanying lesson plans to

help you plan your lessons using the BrainPop resources.

– Use BrainPopESL to help English Language Learners work on their vocabulary

Pros:• Web-based• Age appropriate

movies and activities

• Sorted by age and subject

• Separate site for younger learners (BrainPop Jr. for K-3)

• Integrated into core subjects

Cons:• It is not free (but

there are free trials)• Must have internet

access• Must have Flash

installed

Brain Pop/Brain Pop Jr.

Tool 10:• http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/teach.jsp

• Description: A site that has NUMEROUS resources for teachers and students such as lesson plans, printables, articles, educational videos, interactive whiteboard lessons, computer games, book wizards, interactive e-books, and even a classroom webpage builder.

• Usage in the Classroom:– You can show the videos and do the activities

as a class using an interactive whiteboard.– Students can view the videos and do the

activities as a computer center– You can use the accompanying lesson plans

and resources to help you plan lessons.

Pros:• Web-based• Age appropriate

activities• Sorted by age and

subject• Integrated into core

subjects• Research-based

resources for teachers

• Most of the content is free

Cons:• Some content

requires paid subscription

• Must have internet access

• Site can be a bit overwhelming so it takes some time to learn all of the resources

Scholastic

How do I find MORE tools to use in the classroom?

Through a PLN (Personal Learning Network)

Setting up a PLN Using Twitter and Delicious• Twitter – A micro-blogging tool that can be

used to share and receive information and resourceshttp://www.twitter.com

• Delicious – A “social-bookmarking” site that allows you to collect favorite websites, tag them, add notes, and access them from any computer.http://www.delicious.com

These two tools can help you develop a PLN:• Receive ideas, tips, and tricks from people

you follow on Twitter.• Collect your newly found resources and ideas

with your delicious account.

How does this work?

Let me show you MY PLN

(where I found most of the tools presented today)

Steps to Setting Up YOUR PLN1. Go to http://www.twitter.com2. Click on “Sign Up”

Steps to Setting Up YOUR PLN3. Fill in your information. Be

sure to choose a professional user name since other educators will be seeing this.

Steps to Setting Up YOUR PLN4. Login to your newly created

account using your user name and password.

Steps to Setting Up YOUR PLN5. Type

http://www.twitter.com/msedtech to navigate to my Twitter page

Steps to Setting Up YOUR PLN

6. Click the follow button

to follow me

OR Browse through the people I follow and decide which ones you would

like to follow.

Steps to Setting Up YOUR PLN

7. Keep expanding your network

Use Twitter’s Suggestions

OR Follow friends your friends follow

Steps to Setting Up YOUR PLN

8. Organize your resources9. Go to www.delicious.com10. Click “Join Now”

Steps to Setting Up YOUR PLN11. Login using your Yahoo ID (if

you have one). If not, click “Sign Up” and fill out your information.

Steps to Setting Up YOUR PLN11. Once you’re logged in, you

can add people to your network.

Suggestions:• UATIM – UA’s Technology in Motion• Mes285 – Me• StevenAnderson – An EdTech

Educator

Steps to Setting Up YOUR PLN12. ON YOUR PERSONAL COMPUTER,

install your preferred buttons/bookmarklets by clicking on “Tools” at the bottom of any page and following the instructions listed for your browser.

Steps to Setting Up YOUR PLN12. Gather and organize your resources

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but

the lighting of a fire.”

-William Butler Yeats

Thanks for having me!

If you have any questions, please feel

free to contact me.