1. Technology is the way to the future with texting, tweets, facebooking, linkened, ect. With as much as we use and rely on our technology how can we not expect the youth to not only follow us but trump our usage? With this being said, every student, regardless of their availability outside of school, needs to be well versed and have access to modern technology for learning. It is no longer a worksheet or a book; it is a Nook and a website.
2. Students need to be held accountable for center usage and learning because we can not be there directly in each center every time. Sometimes centers do not meet the educational needs of the students because it is not on level or has been in circulation too long. Having the students turn in work from center time helps to ensure the centers are effective.
3. I like and have set up accounts at Tutpup and Studyladder. These can be used on the computers to help the students with their skills and to reinforce the skills. I will be able to see their progress to ensure they are effectively using them during center time.
4. As far as apps for the Itouch...not gonna lie, I looked at other peoples blogs for ideas. I am still learning how to search for apps that are free. I see a lot I like, but most of them seem to cost money. Not sure how that will work in the classroom. Are we allocated a budget for apps or is it out of pocket? I will hold the students accountable with a form they will need to fill out or draw about what they have learned.
5. As for other ways to use. Many students need behavior charts and incentives. This could work as an excellent tool for children to "work" for.
Good idea about using the ipod touch as incentive for good behavior.
ReplyDeleteThis section was the most exciting to me as I think about setting up our new library. Even our name has changed to "Learning Commons" this year.
ReplyDeleteI plan to set up 2 special sections for student use-- a "Book Nook" for reading books on our 6 new nooks from the grant, and a lounging area with all of our ipads and itouches,&laptops called "the iZONE". I also have some ideas about reworking all of the apps on our devices to make them easier to use for small groups or classes to come use them for specific purposes before, during, and after school. So let me know if you have any specific apps or websites you would like to be available for your students to use in our new "Learning Commons". It is going to be an exciting year exploring and using new technology!