Blog Entry #9: Class Refelection

This summer I've learned a great deal of new programs and systems that will help in my future classroom. Being exposed to the vast amount of information available for free to teachers was wonderful and very enlightening. I'm most excited to use programs like Remind to keep in touch with students and their parents outside of the classroom. Quizizz is another one I find very fun to use. It's been great to learn how to properly incorporate blogs, videos, presentations, and all kinds of interactive tools, some of which I didn't even know existed. This course has definitely made me want to use more technology in the classroom, not only for my own ease of teaching, but in order to keep the students engaged and excited to learn. It's been a very eye opening experience and I'm looking forward to learning how to use many of the tools I've been shown more in depth on my own. Thank you to Mrs. Fetner for making this a smooth, fun, and very informative summer course!

Blog Entry #8: Assessment Tools

Kahoot would be my assessment tool of choice. I found the format and scoring to be very engaging plus the addition of memes was hilarious, and I think children today and in the near future will get kicks out of those as well. These types of tools are invaluable to a teacher because they provide a way to judge both individual student and class wide comprehension of material quickly. They are very engaging and competitive formats for the children as well and are more likely to hold their attention and get them excited rather than a boring pen and paper quiz. The results are there in front of you instantly, instead of spending time grading papers. Prizes like candy or perhaps bonus points on tests are also great incentives for children to get involved and want to learn the material.

Blog Entry #6: Padlet Collaborative Tool

I would use Padlet in my classroom to supplement classroom discussions and give them some extra information on certain topics that could perhaps not be covered in the lesson plan. Students could post short answers to questions about the lessons or what they thought of them for some stress free homework. I would also use it to encourage students to talk to each other by having to reply to at least one of their classmates. Collaborative tools like Padlet are a simple and fun way to integrate technology in the classroom and they give children a chance to see exactly what their fellow classmates think, which could open up ideas they wouldn't have thought of themselves and could even stimulate discussions between students who may not otherwise socialize together.

Blog Entry #7: Remind

Remind is a communication app that allows for mass texting reminders, updates, or study tips to both students and their parents. It can send images, PDFs, voice or sound clips along with simple messages. It allows for instant communication with students/parents and can show who's received them and read them. I would use this free app to keep in touch directly with students and parents about what's being taught and on what days. I could remind them when tests or projects are due, if there will be any changes for the day/week's lesson plan, and could use it for one-on-one personal communication between students if they are struggling or tell them they're doing a great job, or talk to parents about study or class issues.