ReadWorks

If you are a Kindergarten through eighth grade English Language Arts teacher, you need to go check out ReadWorks.org. ReadWorks is a free reading comprehension website that provides research based materials. All you have to do is create an account and then you are good to go! I love to use this site in my Special Education Classroom. Because my students are not performing at grade level, I am able to search reading comprehension units based on their ability level to help close their academic gap. ReadWorks is broken down into four different categories. The categories are Skill & Strategy Units, Comprehension Units, Novel Study Units, and Reading Passages.

Go on over to ReadWorks,org, create an account and explore. Let me know what you think of this great resource!

EDTECH 537 Poll Results

On Sunday, August 9, 2015, I posted a poll on my blog asking my readers to let me know which LMS (learning management system) they used in their classroom. I only had 5 readers take my poll and 4 of them use Google Classroom while 1 uses Moodle. One of my readers commented stating that she used SchoolLoop but entered Google since I did not have an option for the LMS she uses. So, based on my results, Google Classroom seems to be the go to LMS for the classroom.
                                  

EDTECH 537: Final Post - Reflection

As I write my final post for EDTECH 537, I have thought long and hard about what I wanted to write. I must have developed writers block or something. Then, I
 noticed that many of my classmates wrote reflections on their experience with EDTECH 537 Blogging in the Classroom and I thought that was a great idea. So, for my last post for EDTECH 537 but not my last post in the blogging world, I am going to reflect on my Blogging in the Classroom experience.

When I first signed up for EDTECH 537, I knew I was going to learn about blogging, but I didn't realize I would take this much away from just one class. I have learned how to use my own blog, blog in a classroom, and microblog. I enjoy surfing the web for new information and have came across blogs and never really understood them until taking this course. I now know what the buzz is all about and I'm glad. I love to share  resources that I find and I plan on continuing to use my blog to share with other teachers. As far as blogging in the classroom goes, I am very excited to get back to my students after my maternity level to start blogging in the classroom. I am going to start off slow and then let them run with it. I will be using the Russell Street School blog and what I learned in EDTECH 537 as guides. In addition to my own blog and classroom blogs, I learned how to use Twitter. I have had a Twitter account since 2009, but I never really understood it until this course. Now, I believe I am becoming better at Tweeting and I have even participated in Twitter Chats. I am learning a lot and developing my own PLN.

Overall, this course was a great learning experience and I am glad that I decided to take this course this summer verses next summer. Now, I can get the ball rolling with blogging and connecting with other educators.

EDTECH 537: iPad 1:1 Discussion

I just recently found out that the high school in my district will be implementing an iPad one-to-one initiative during the 2015-2016 school year. I think that it is great that our little town is moving in the right direction during the 21st century. However, I would have wanted to have a Chromebook one-to-one school, but I teach at the middle school and have no say with what goes on at the high school. My understanding is that the teachers were the ones that decided what they wanted.

This week, our technology coordinator mailed letters out to the parents of the high school students letting them know that the high school would be implementing a one-to-one iPad initiative for the 2015-2016 school year. The letter stated that parents had to sign the acceptable use form and pay a $50.00 maintenance fee for the iPad. The parents were also informed that students could only download stipulated apps and software and that no personal apps were to be installed on the iPad. In addition, if the student loses or breaks the iPad, then the parent would be responsible for the cost of the replacement of the iPad.

Many parents are irate over the fact that they have to pay a maintenance fee and replacement cost if the iPad is lost or stolen. The students are not allowed to bring their own iPad because the school will not be able to monitor personal iPads. So, I am curious how other schools are implementing 1:1 programs in their schools.

For those that implement a 1:1 iPad program in your school, do parents have to pay a maintenance fee? If so, how much? If they do not have to pay a maintenance fee, do parents have to pay anything? For those that have Chromebooks instead of iPads in your 1:1 program, is there a fee?

EDTECH 537: Poll - LMS

There are many different Learning Management Systems (LMS) available for teachers to use in their classrooms. At the middle school where I teach, there are a few teachers using Google Classroom, one teacher using Moodle, one teacher using Edmodo, and one teacher using Schoology. I hope to see more teachers utilizing the free learning management systems available during the 2015-2016 school year. I am curious which LMS is the most popular one among my blogging community. If you could please take a second to answer my poll, I would appreciate it.

EDTECH 537: Video - Quizizz

If you use Kahoot! or Poll Everywhere, you might want to check out this new multiplayer classroom activity! It is known as Quizizz. Quizizz is a free resources that allows you to create quizzes for your classroom or use the millions of questions other educators have shared. It works on any device, so if your school is a BYOD school, this will be great for you. You can make your quizzes public or private. Check out the video to get a quick overview of how it works. There are more videos on YouTube that demonstrate the process of playing a game and creating your own quiz.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this new classroom activity!

EDTECH 537: Audio - Windows 10

I have reserved my copy of Windows 10, but I have yet to download it. I am currently running Windows 8. I spoke with my technology coordinator and he suggested that I reserve my copy of Windows 10. So, I went ahead and got it but have yet to download it. I am nervous to download since it is so new. I like to wait to download updates until they get the bugs out. However, I was informed that Windows 10 was much better than Windows 8. I found that this podcast interesting. I will warn you that there is some language that is dropped throughout the podcast.

Has anyone downloaded Windows 10? If so, what are the pros/cons? I would love to hear what others think before I download it.

EDTECH 537 Image: Schoology

Have you heard of the learning management system (LMS) known as Schoology? I had not heard of it until last school year. I was co-teaching with the 7th grade Science teacher and he was using it in his classroom. I was amazed at how well the students picked up on this LMS that was so new to them. 

Schoology offers a free basic course management tool that allows teachers to engage students in their learning, communicate with their students, and to share resources with co-workers using Schoology. Schoology allows teachers to upload material and then assess student learning right in the LMS. After teachers have assess the students, they can provide feedback directly to the student. 

I am currently designing a workshop for my co-workers on how to use Schoology. If you use it or have used it in the past, I would love to hear about your experience! Please give me your pros/cons and any skills that you think teachers need to successfully use Schoology in the classroom. 

EDTECH 537: Generational Differences

After reading the following articles:

Prensky, M. (2001). Digital natives, digital immigrants – Part II: Do they really think differently? On the Horizon, 9(6). Retrieved fromhttp://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf

McKenzie, J. (2007). Digital nativism: Digital delusions and digital deprivation. From Now On, 17(2). Retrieved fromhttp://fno.org/nov07/nativism.html

Reeves, T.C. (2008). Do generational differences matter in instructional design? Online discussion presentation to Instructional Technology Forum from January 22-25, 2008 at http://it.coe.uga.edu/itforum/Paper104/ReevesITForumJan08.pdf

I am to write a blog post based on the following prompt:

As educational technologists, what did you take away from these generational differences readings? 

I believe that today's learning is different than the way that I learned, but not necessarily the way described in the readings. In Prensky's article, he states "Digital Natives are used to receiving information really fast." As an Intervention Specialist, I find this statement to be false. I have spoke with the past Intervention Specialist that was in my position for 25 years. Her students and my students both need material presented to them slowly, step by step, and one thing at a time. Just because students grow up with video games and technology does not mean that they learn best from those resources. On the flip side, I am considered a digital immigrant and believe that I have many of the digital immigrant accents. I love technology and enjoy using it, but I demonstrate many accents. For example, I like to have a printed document even when I have access to it electronically, I bring co-workers to my classroom to show them new resources instead of just telling them about them, and I  often call my co-workers after emailing them a list of websites they can use in their classrooms. 

So, my main take away from the readings is that today's learners are learning differently but necessarily the way the readings are saying. I need to have evidence to prove to me that today's learners are learner these specific ways. For example, digital natives like multi-tasking, graphics, and prefer games. I believe they do enjoy looking at graphics rather than reading text but is that because they lack reading skills? They like to multi-task but are they being productive? Lastly, they prefer games, but is that because they are comfortable with playing games?

How would you handle a colleague who bought into the notion of digital natives?

If a colleague brought the notion of digital natives to my attention, I would embrace it. However, my colleague would need to provide evidence to me. I would ask the following questions: How do you know that they learn this way? Can you provide multiple lesson and assessment examples? What makes you believe there is such thing called digital natives? 

Commentary Entry EDTECH 537: Periscope

Last week, a friend of mine introduced me to something new. It is called periscope. Have you heard of it? I had never heard of it but I was very curious. Periscope is an application that you can download on your mobile device that allows you to watch live video broadcasts. As a person that loves to share an experience with others, this is a great application.

When I first downloaded Periscope, there were not many teachers with accounts. I first started watching Shark Tank's Mr. Wonderful, Kevin O'Leary, broadcast his lake front view and then his experience at the New York Stock Exchange, NYSE. I was thinking of all the possibilities that could happen with this new application. As I began to explore some more, I was able to connect with other teachers and get advice on many educational resources. I did record one broadcast of my own early on but later deleted because I had some audio problems. I need to get some courage and do another one, but I do not like to be videotaped.

Here are some thoughts on how it can be used in schools:
1. Students giving presentations - Periscope could provide a live broadcast of a presentation to students around the world or just the district next door. Those students could provide peer feedback.

2. Parents that are not able to attend a school event - Many parents work and are not able to get to their child's events. Periscope would allow them to watch live from work or watch the replay when they get time.

3. Provide parents with what is going on in the classroom - Periscope can keep the parents connected with their child and child's teacher.

If you have a Periscope account or have looked into it, how could periscope be used in schools?

#Twitter Chat Tips

Hi, my name is Amy Jordan and I blog over at Fantastic First Grade.  I’m here to give you a few tips on Twitter. 

If you like to chat on twitter, you can use hashtags to help you find chats that you would like to be a part of.

For teachers, I have found these hashtags to be very beneficial.

 

#teacherfriends

#pinchat

#teacherfollowteachers

#periscope

#litchat

These chats are usually weekly and last about an hour.  If you have a blog, store, instagram, facebook page, you can share that during the chats.  I have found many followers by joining the chats and have learned many new tips and tricks for the various social medias!

Have a FANTASTIC Thursday

Amy Jordan @fantastic1stgr

Discussion Entry EDTECH 537: iPad vs Chromebooks

This past school year, my district purchased Chromebooks and iPads for students to take the PARCC, Partnership for Assessment Readiness for College and Careers. The PARCC is a computer-based assessment in English Language arts/literacy and mathematics that gives information about whether students are prepared for learning after high school. The teachers at the high school wanted to purchase iPads for the students while the teachers and principal at the middle school wanted to purchase Chromebooks. As a member of the middle school staff, I was leaning more towards getting iPads because like Apple products. Because our district purchased a great deal of devices, teacher were able to use them in their classrooms throughout the school year. My district purchased enough devices for one grade level to be taking the test at a time. So, we roughly have 120 Chromebooks at the middle school and 120 iPads at the high school. Our district nor any of our schools are implementing a 1:1 classrooms, but we would like to catch up with the rest of the education world.

With that being said, I have read that many schools are implementing a 1:1 classroom. Some schools are using a 1:1 iPad classroom and others are using a 1:1 Chromebook classroom. Which device would work best when implementing a 1:1 classroom? Why?

List Entry EDTECH 537: Chrome Apps and Extensions for Struggling Readers

As an Intervention Specialist, I am always on the search for tools to assist my students' needs. Our school just converted to Google Drive last school year and I began exploring different Chrome Apps and Extensions that would help my students that were struggling in the regular education classroom. I came up with a list of Chrome Apps and Extensions that I have explored and believe will help my students. During this school year, my students will download these apps and extensions and test them out. There are many more apps and extensions provided by the Chrome Web Store, but these are the main five that I will introduce to the students.

List of Chrome Apps and Extensions for Struggling Readers
1. Tab Resize
2. Newsela
3. Readability
4. TLDR
5. SpeakIt!

Tab Resize - This Chrome Extension allows you to have a split screen. I use this extension all the time! I had a couple students try this out last year and they loved it. In the science classroom, students use Schoology and often times have videos or interactive website that they have to use while taking a quiz in Schoology. This extension is wonderful but they can do both at the same time.

Newsela - This Chrome App provides 5 reading levels from grades 3-12 of current events.With me teaching students with disabilities, I have many that are reading at a 3rd or 4th grade level while in 7th grade. This app will allow the students to keep up with current events but at his/her ability level. I have discussed this app with the Language Arts teachers and they like the idea of all students using this.

Readability - This Chrome app is great for those that get distracted easily while reading articles online. Readability takes away the clutter and focuses on the text. It will also save articles for you that you want to read later. I do not use this feature, but you can have articles sent to your Kindle.

TLDR - Too Long Didn't Read could be a good and bad extension. TLDR summarizes the web article you are reading. On the positive side, students with disabilities can get the main idea of the article without actually reading the whole article. However, on the negative side, I can see students using this extension a lot because they don't want to read an article assigned to them.

SpeakIt! - This Chrome extension allows readers to listen to web pages. For those struggling readers, they are able to listen to an article or section of a text and comprehend the material. The students that are in an inclusion setting can put on their headphones and listen to the same text that the rest of the class is reading. This will allow them to be at the same spot as everyone else.

Links Entry EDTECH 537: Educational Resources for Teacher

I would like communicate with other educators about resources available on the web. I have decided to provide a list of links for Reading and Math resources that I use in my special education classroom. Some resources are free while others require a paid subscription.

1. K12Reader - A free website that provides worksheets for a 36 week Spelling Program for grades 1-5, worksheets focusing on reading comprehension, and grammar worksheets focusing on parts of speech, mechanics, word usage, and sentence structure. Last school year, I used the 36 week Spelling program along with reading comprehension worksheets in my Language Arts classes weekly.

2. ReadingA-Z - A website requiring a paid subscription. This website provides printable and digital books for Kindergarten through Fifth grade along with benchmark passages and books for each of the 27 reading levels. Each book comes with a guided reading lesson, vocabulary lesson, worksheets focusing on specific objectives, and an assessment. There are many more reading resources found on this website that I am still exploring. Last year, I used this resource every day for my Reading instruction and plan on using it again this year.

3. Common Core Sheets - A free website that provides worksheets for common core math practice. The website allows the reader to search worksheets by topic or grade level standard. Common Core Sheets provides worksheets for Kindergarten through Sixth grade. Using the search feature allows you to find worksheets on 7th and 8th grade standards. I frequently print worksheets from them website to reinforce the skills my students need to know at grade level and their ability level.

4. Super Teacher Worksheets  - A website requiring a paid subscription focusing on basic math and reading skills, along with social studies and science. In my classroom, my students have difficulty with adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing. This website has great printable worksheets allowing my students to practice their basic math skills.

Beginner Blogger

My name is Danielle Anderson and I'm a 7th grade Intervention Specialist at Barnesville Middle School in Ohio. In 2010, I became interested in Educational Technology after participating in a 21st Century grant. After searching for the perfect graduate program for me, I found Boise State University and began my Masters Degree in Educational Technology in Spring 2015.

I am new to blogging and thought that taking EDTECH 537 - Blogging in the Classroom would help me understand blogging and how to use a blog in the classroom with students of all abilities. I am looking forward to learning and sharing my experience with my co-workers.