In class we were all assigned to look at a specific piece of technology and create a presentation about it. This project included how and what the technology was, how we could use it in the classroom, an example product using this technology, information about how and where to get it and how much it costs, and information about the ease of use and learning curve. Once we finished, we had each presentation set up on a computer. This way, everyone in the class got a chance to learn about each technology someone else researched. This is what I learned:
What technologies I would use in my classroom:
1. Edistorm: this technology is great for expressing ideas in the form of online post-its, can control editing and who can access what information.
2. Quizlet: this is great for creating online flashcards, has a free version, and supports making many different types of flashcards.
3. Animoto: this is used to create movies with pictures, music, and text; can be great as a hook into a new topic or an anecdote.
4. Smart Board: love to use this is available, but is very costly. Same uses as white board or chalkboard, but includes many other features.
5. DoInk: this makes animations; can be used if students need to see a procedure and how to do something rather than just reading how to do something.
6. Poll Daddy: can create polls very quickly, and can be answered very quickly, also this is free!
What technologies I would be least likely to use in my classroom:
1. Math Board: I would love to use this because I found it very helpful and inventive, but this can only be used if an iPad is available.
2. Voki: this is also very cool and would be helpful for students who get nervous speaking in public, but it has a cost that many schools and teachers would not be able to afford.
3. Flixtime: the free version only allows the user to create a movie that lasts 60 seconds which is very limiting.
4. Slimber: also a cool technology, but the teacher cannot control who posts pictures which could lead to inappropriate pictures.
5. Photo Peach: this technology allows the user to create a slideshow of pictures with sound which can easily be done on PowerPoint for free.
6. Schwup: great idea, but it costs money, makes the user provide their bank account information, and is not able to be made private.
Instructional Strategies:
There are many instructional strategies that lend themselves to each new technology I learned about. Many of these strategies allow for student creativity, anonymous contribution, getting feedback from peers, and makes it possible for the student to use outside of school. Quizlet was one technology I found to be very usable and teacher friendly. This technology allows the user to create many different types of flashcards. A teacher could then make these flashcards for students to use when studying for a test or quiz. From here, the student can look at these flashcards individually or Quizlet has an option where you can get random flashcards as a game. I also thought Poll Daddy was a great technology to use, too. The teacher can get feedback very quickly and understand where their class may be at in a certain lesson and figure out how to proceed from there.
What I found fascinating:
I found many different things fascinating with all of these new technologies I had the opportunity to learn about. One example would be the app called Math Board for the iPad. This app simulates a chalkboard so that the students can be familiar with the setting. It then has many different functions the user can carry out such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, etc. It also has a variety of problems for different levels of difficulty. This is amazing because with these different levels, any student can use this app and be able to benefit from it.
