Interesting Posts from Free Technology for Teachers Blog

 I revisited Free Technology for Teachers blog and I found a post about a free application called Clarisketch . It can be found in google chrome. This application is useful for teachers to create instructional videos for their flipped classroom. They can add drawings to pictures and also voice while sketching. Teachers can use it to explain math problem and also student can create short stories about their pictures. I guess I will try Clarisketch to find out more about it.

I found another interesting post about Your Life On Earth . It is a feature on the BBC's Earth website. It shows you how the world has changed during your lifetime. You have to enter your birthdate and it will show you things like how have you changed, how much the world's population has grown, how many new species have been discovered, and how many earthquakes and volcanic eruptions have occurred since you were born. I tried it and I discovered new information and surprising facts. I think students could use it in science where they learn  about world, species and environment. 

I really enjoy Richard Byrne’s posts. They are filled with creative, new and valuable ideas and tools for everyone.

Personal Reflections

From the beginning of this course, I was really interested to learn more about integrating technology in the classroom. I was really excited to understand how technology could be used professionally and effectively for better understanding of the materials as well as how educators could connect to with students whose world is filled with technology. 

At this point in the course, I have gained an appreciation for the way technology can significantly assist and improve teaching in the classroom, no matter the grade.  The various programs and methods that can be employed in the classroom is limitless. I am enjoying learning how to do the various things. On a personal level, an important point that I learned in this class is how to keep myself safe while I am using the internet by being careful and selective about my information that I would post. Learning about copyright issues is the most valuable part for me. 

Finding the time needed to dedicate to learning and practicing with the many programs and continuously educating myself is the biggest challenge. Doing a quality job needs time and patience and I am trying my best.

I am thankful that we spend the time in the classroom learning about the programs and beginning to practice using the programs before going out to utilize on our own.  That is very helpful as it is the starting point that gets us moving. I am hoping to continue practicing and improving on what we’ve learned so far and I am looking forward to the coming lessons in the course.

Inquiry Based Learning

Inquiry based learning is a great way to keep students engaged and thinking critically. I think it would be a good idea if I try to use the student's interests and sense of wonder to guide their learning. Because when students have a motivation for learning, they will learn faster and easier. Inquiry relates to learning in all areas of study and is an opportunity for students to have more active experiences and less paper and pencil tasks. 

Although I am not yet a teacher, in my opinion, science seemed to be the perfect subject for hands-on learning. It encourages inquiry-based learning through student reading books, research, generated questions and discussions, and communication. Students construct knowledge with one another by asking questions and explaining their understandings. 

Investigation is a brilliant way to spark scientific inquiry. For example, students could identify, research, and report what they have learned about a mysterious bug found on the playground or the can research ocean animals or even dinosaurs. They can write journal entries as well. In this science/language arts lesson, students will develop goals for inquiry. They will also improve content area reading, writing and research skills.

Manipulating a Digital Image Using Photoshop Elements

I used three pictures:
First, a photo of my daughter ( Najla).

Second, a picture of wings.Retrieved from http://glitzglambodyart.com/product/dress-up-and-costumes/butterfly-wing-fairy-wing-costume-for-girls-rainbow-2

License: Permission obtained from the owner.

Third, candy land background. Retrieved from http://pixgood.com/candyland-backgrounds.html

License: The website states that all images should be freeware in this link http://pixgood.com/contact.html

Finally, Najla in candy land.

How I can use this image in my classroom?

Getting started when beginning a writing piece is where most of the students struggle. One way to help students get started is through picture writing prompts. 

Through pictures, students generate ideas for writing. I can I ask my students to look at the picture and imagine what would happen if they had wings and flew to candy land ?

With this cute picture, my students can practice generating ideas, creative writing, handwriting, spelling, building sentences, and most importantly, they'll exercise their imagination. They will use the picture for inspiration to make a beautiful story.

Supporting Inquiry with Primary Sources

Website

Link to my website Amal's Creativity Tech
Welcome!

Concept Map of The Universal Design for Learning

Week 1

1- Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne

As a future teacher, it is important to know what education technology resources are available, what is new, what is free and interesting. I think the best way is to turn to teachers blogs to find out what is useful. 

 Free Technology for teachers by Richard Byrne is a fabulous blog. I believe that it will help me to be current about educational technology. 

It is a five time winner of the Edublogs Award for Best Resource Sharing Blog. The purpose of this site is to share information about free resources that teachers can use in their classrooms. Byrne’s work is focused on sharing free web-based resources that teachers can use to enhance their students’ learning experiences.

In addition to blog posts that keep teachers up-to-date on the latest news in educational technology, it contains links to Google Tutorials, free downloads, lists of essential educator resources.

I can’t wait to try some of these tools in my future classroom, because I agree with Byrne’s words “I believe that when used correctly, technology has the power to improve student engagement and student achievement. I also believe that technology gives teachers the ability to form powerful, global, professional learning communities.”

2- Teddy Bears Blogging by B. Sherry

I found this article to be interesting and with innovative ideas. I think It is not enough to teach students how to read books and write on paper but they need more than that to prepare them for their 21st century lives.

 The Teddy Bear Project is a smart way to introduce second graders to writing. Blogging is a good tool to practice writing for an audience, and to get some typing practice through sharing the expression of real events and thoughts.

The blog site seemed to be well organized and presented, and this is very important to make this project a successful one. It is a great way for teaching internet safety, and responsibility. Close monitoring of the blog was an important idea, especially with elementary students. The idea of having comment moderation was great. It is a big motivation to the students that parents can review and comment on their writing.

As I am interested in teaching ESL students, I can use this project to help ESL students to improve their English skills by listening, reading, and writing comments on language study and culture. Using Blogs offers a new and creative ways of expression that will increase student’s motivation in selecting topics of high interest to them.

3- Learning Standards

2.12 The student will write stories, letters, and simple explanations.
a) Generate ideas before writing.
b) Organize writing to include a beginning, middle, and end for narrative and expository writing.
c) Expand writing to include descriptive detail.

2.14 The student will use available technology for reading and writing.

With second graders, it's important to focus on ideas in order to get them motivated. Exposing students to wordless picture books will help them to develop their writing skills. Also, drawing a picture can help kids understand the importance of using detail and description in their writing besides the fact that kids love to draw. In addition, kids need to share their writing with others. That will make them feel proud.