Module #11 - Reflections

I am so humbled by all the new learning experiences our students will have. I love knowing that they will be provided with ways to connect with the "outside" world. I'm amazed that we can be sitting in our classrooms here in Houston, and and the same time collaborating with students in other parts of the world. I am a huge believer in oneness, and I love the concept that we really are each other's neighbors. The 11 tools will certainly help to make this a reality.

My favorite tools are all of them, but in particular I enthralled with Jing and Skype. I will be planning stimulating Social Studies lessons. Using the Tool #6, Tool #3 are ways that I will start.
I intend to take baby steps at first, but as the year progress I expect that there will be a great deal more involvement. ( Imagine the ways we can use the tools as centers, as research projects, as individualized learning projects!)

I am now pleased to have had this learning experience. I approached the 11 toos with a great deal of trepidation, and I now feel as though I've come alive!!

Here's looking forward to an exceptional school year.

Finally, I have to thank Karen Justl and Vaughn Braun for all of their support!

Module #5 - Social Bookmarking

Social Bookmarking

This is new for me. I am trying to understand it better. I can see the benefit of it already!
Please visit my two bookmarks and blog me your thoughts about them!

National Writing Project
http://mrssmoke.com/2010-2011-Year-Without-9213932

Module#9

Wow! I continue to be amazed at the opportunities for extending children's learning. I am absolutely and completely amazed at the possibilities offered by using Jing and Skype.
I believe that students' sustainability for reading will be increased by using Jing. It adds pictures to what they are writing. And as the saying goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words". I continue to think about how these new technology tools will enhance the language acquisition of our students who do not speak English as their dominant language. As well, I think that when students are using Skype, it brings that "being there" experience to the classroom, and that is a crucial component of brain based learning. Skype brings the world into the classroom, and conversely allows children to go outside of the classroom to enhance their learning. I love this whole notion of connectivity that Skype brings. I have so much planning to do to get ready for all of this! This is exciting!

Module #8



http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition24/sign_in_space.html



http://www.schooltube.com/video/6ec755e67a83edfd2a53/Global-Wildlife-Field-Trip

I think providing video resources will enable students to have that "being there" experience, which is so compatible with brain compatible learning. It will make learning more visual and more real. I think students' interests will be peaked, and therefore they are apt to retain more of what they are learning.

I chose these two videos because of NASA being so interesting to all students. I think the astronaut using sign language is another form of second language learning. I have a strong passion for animals and nature, so I think watching children interact with their natural environment will be exciting for students to see.

Your Brain and Moblie Technology Apps - Module #10

I continue to be amazed at all the possibilities for enhancing student learning. Using moblie technology apps will help students extend what they learned in the classroom to their own communities, and to the world and beyond. These learning experiences will stimulate brain growth and neural connections. For example, the "World Continues- All in One" app helps students learn about countries, continents, capitals, flags of other countries, landforms, and of course different cultures. It's like students having their very own moblie National Geographic. Students can reach out and learn about other civilizations using this app.

Additionally, I think Math Magic and Free Equations will be very helpful for stimulating interest in math computations. These are very incredible "hooks" to be used for learning. I am anxious to see how it plays out in the classroom. I feel that I need to learn more about the apps as they apply to Language Arts and Social Studies, and I have enrolled the in district course being offered this week.

Wikis and Brain Development - Module#6

I am a strong advocate for brain compatible classrooms, and creating learning experiences where dendritic growth occurs on an on-going basis. It is simply amazing to think of what actually happens in the brains of children as they are provided with stimulating learning experiences. Using wikis will certainly be an approach to hands-on, creatiave learning. Students can comment on each others thoughts, create continuing stories, use writers workshop to read and write about their own thoughts, as well as their classmates' thoughts. I think this will inspire students to become more avid readers and writers. There is such huge potential for brain growth and cognitive development.

I am particularly interested to see how using wikis will impact the language acquisition of second language learners. They might be shy and inhibited at first, but once they are able to see the interrelatedness of ideas, the dendritic connections will "explode", and their learning will increase! I think using wikis will make for a more enriched classroom.

Image Generators and Mash-ups

I can see using this tool as a way to build vocabulary and as a way to allow learners to create images to enhance their writing. This will be an excellent tool for second language learners, as they will be enabled to use pictures to describe their thoughts. Cooperative learning groups can benefit from this tool because children will be able to exchange and share ideas. They can use interpersonal as well as intrapersonal skills to do this tool. Here we go!!

Reflections from Module #2

Building a PLN will be absolutely outstanding for our students because it opens so many doors and opportunities for their learning! Having a PLN will increase their natural propensity for learning, and increase their natural curiosity. It is amazing how the "information river" continues to flow. Though a bit nervous, I am so excited for what this will do for our students! I am also already thinking of the many ways to adapt my teaching to fit the PLN. I am still selecting the blogs I will be using.

Teaching in today's society is both rewarding and challenging. It is so wonderful to know that technology will increase our students' learning as we move forward in the 21st century.

School is starting soon. I cannot believe how fast the summer is going. So much is happening. The oil explosion, the economy, just life itself. But we are going to make it, guys!

Good morning, Ridgecrest!! Hope you are all having a wonderful sumsmer!!
On to learning more about blogging!!