Final Reflection!

When we first started out this summer I had no idea what to really expect. Technology has been something that I'm all for- but it can take me awhile!! As we learned the different tools, some that I KNOW I can and will use in the classroom are screenr, glogster and edmodo. I also liked poll everywhere and I can see that being used through the edmodo site. For me, it was all about the ease of each tool- especially with accents being essential for me with the language. With some tools I was able to immediately see how I could pull it together and others were a struggle. The Eas.ly tool and the infographics were difficult for me and therefore really turned me off to those tools. It was hard for me to think of how I would use them with my curriculum and the accents were an issue. Edmodo has become one of my favorites because there are so many tools already embedded within the site and will be what I develop for my last activity.


The interactive blog format was slow going for me at first and then after a few comments and posts I could see how helpful and encouraging it was to receive those comments from colleagues:) I looked forward to reading those comments /suggestions and I'm sure the kids would feel the same way. I like the realm of possibilities- it can be a bit overwhelming until there is a specific goal in mind. Once you know where you are going with it, I think it makes a lot of sense and gives you greater flexibility in the long run.


Overall, I loved this course and I feel like I have some "go-to" new tools this year. It's been frustrating at times yet I do think that through the struggles you sort through the different elements and figure it out which is what our students will be doing as well. We have to remember that even though they may be this tech generation and are more comfortable with technology overall, many of these tools will be learned along the way. We can definitely learn from each other!

Free Choice- Edmodo

For my free choice I decided to use Edmodo. I like this because it seems to have many of the tools rolled into one site. I can have my class calendar which will update/send alerts to students when assignments are due, I can poll, post and quiz! I feel a bit overwhelmed with it at this point- yesterday as I was trying to think through the what and the how - I almost felt paralyzed- I didn't know where to start first! Then, I read Linda's blog and she had a comment about starting slow and building her blog over time- thanks Linda!! At that moment I realized that it IS a work in progress and I can take it as slow or as fast as I need to. Ok, so after way too long and a few conversations with the support team, its not a public page- so only if you have a code can you access the page-so I went into smart notebook and took a picture and then somehow actually got it to show up on the blog....I hope this gives you an idea of the page and the site. There is a relly good webinar on teq.com that explains the different feature of Edmodo if you are interested! If you click on the image below, it will enlarge the page so you can see it a bit better. http://edmodo.com/terinelson1

Poll everywhere and data collection

I liked the idea of this- again, some of my accents weren't visible in my answers, but they worked in the question...go figure!! That's a big one for me- if I can't show them the proper use of accents, then I feel hypocritical!! I'm always stressing the use of accents and how it can change the meaning on the word if not used properly...so that was a bit frustrating for me. I could see using this for culture info or a quick check on prior knowledge. I think the students would have fun with it and its so quick for them, I think its another good tool. This was my Google form. I like this- I'd like to try it with my 8th graders and see if this review could be done this way...I'm thinking that this would also be a better way to do their class participation grade as well. Accents worked perfectly and I think it would cut down on my paper trail as well!!

Infographics

OMG- all three of these drove me crazy!! Actually, I hated all three!!! I finally got easl.ly to work somewhat for me but to be honest I think I like the Smart notebook software better. I had a heck of a time getting the visuals and text to do what I wanted. I STILL can't get it to read my accents, so those aren't there which drives me nuts because it's not correct. I would not use any of these tools for what I need in class. I CAN see where these could work well for charts and graphs- it's just not for me!
easel.ly

Cloud Computing

How would you use cloud computing with this particular example? I like the idea of using cloud computing for simply reducing my paper trail!! I feel like there are so many packets, practice sheets, reference sheets etc. that to be able to use this in some various ways in the classroom would help significantly! The document that I created was from a self- assessment sheet for participation that I like to try to use weekly with the 8th graders. Those participation points are the "carrot" that I hold out in front of them to try and get them to speak and use the language more in class. Instead of taking class time for this, they could do this from home by a certain day/point in the week and then I can give feedback. When I've given feedback in the past, it seems like they glance at it but then it goes right in the recycle! I think they would take more time to think about the comments if they could access past documents and monitor their progression from week to week. * Would cloud computing be a useful tool in your classroom? What are the pros and cons? Yes I think it would be useful- for the feedback and commenting element AND its using less paper!! I will use this not only for the participation element but I can envision using it for writing practice as well. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QkWi0eNQspDK8O_e7pX_e8yjQdZ591zbEVN5XukKypc/edit

Study Tools

I like the possibilities with Tagxedo. I found that it was tough at times to manoever and I spent a lot of time trying to find the perfect shape. I was thinking that this could be used with a cultural project and the kids could find the shape of the country they are focusing on. When I tried to find the shape I wanted, they didn't have it and then when I tried to find an image myself it wasn't copying correctly. So, I used this one just to get my point across but I would like to tweak this a bit more. If anyone has ideas or you have found your own image, let me know! I love, love , love Quizlet!! This is perfect for that vocab practice that the kids need with each new unit. I especially loved the practice set where they listened to the word in Spanish and then had to spell it correctly in Spanish. This is so great for learning the sounds and how to start telling some of those vowel sounds apart. I will definately use this! Very easy to set up.

Choose a Study ModeScatterLearnFlashcards

Study these flash cards

MV You Tube Channel

So the channel creation was easy! I liked that! Now being able to upload videos without the ads will be great!! Last year I was trying to stream a Juanes video (of course) and as it paused and buffered it froze on the stayfree maxi pad commercial!!! So, this will be helpful:) I tried to record Nilla from my phone and when I emailed to myself it came in upside down. Had a hard time trying to turn it, but on my phone it showed an option of sending if right to YouTube and it looks like it's in the right position. We taped this numerous times with Nilla sometimes going after the ball and sometimes not! Once she basically fell into the water, one time she stopped and looked at me like I was nuts and then we got this one, so here you go!

Screencasting

Ok, so I like the idea of this but as Linda mentioned, this took a TON of time and I am still having trouble with the volume. I got a video from Youtube and I made a few comments but you can barely hear them. Not sure how to change it once its added. That will be my question for next week....

Digital Storytelling: Storybird

Mi familia interesante by terinelson on StorybirdI created an example using specific, simple elements of language that the students have learned.  I took the visuals and focused on descriptions and body parts to create a story.  I actually had to do this two times- the first time I tried it I registered with a normal account- not a teacher's account.  I think that was the reason that after I had created with Storybird I wasn't able to publish it and had a really hard time navigating through the site and finding what I needed.  After I went in and re-registered as a teacher it was MUCH easier.  The first time through I was feeling like there was NO WAY I could use this in class- the students may focus more on what they CAN'T say than what they can say.  We are still at such a basic level, to create a story with the pictures already there may be too much to ask of them.....with that said, today as I created this example, I felt that as long as I really control the language and limit what they  can/should say in their stories, it would be a lot of fun.  I can see myself using this with 8th grade- not 6th at this point.  Overall, a fun tool to use.

I chose Glogster as my presentation tool. I chose this because as a review project with 6th and 7th graders we have them start out with an "All about me" project. The project is a review of all concepts reviewed at the beginning of the course and let's the students create a representation of themselves all in the language. When I saw that Glogster was a poster creator I had to try it out! It was pretty easy to use and I could see students using this tool and presenting in class. I will say that I need to check the age limit in the user agreement section but overall I really liked this tool!

Blog Bling

When I first started using Blogger, I wasn't that excited- I thought it was difficult to navigate through the site, I repeatedly got lost in in my blog and just felt frustrated.  I felt like there was no way I'd use it in my classroom! 

After embedding the video and looking at some other options, I became more intrigued.  I especially liked Weebly and Edmodo.  Both of these seemed to be more of what I think I could incorporate into the classroom.  Edmodo seemed to have more of what I'm after - the class calendar, the polls, the videos and the blogging... the wheels are turning!

This is a video that I have used with my classes to work with direct object pronouns.  Juanes is a Colombian singer/political activist and is one of the most well known Latin artists.  Music is such a  great way for students to see the language in a "real" way.  When we use it in class, students have most of the lyrics and follow along.  At times they fill in the missing words that I leave out and they also will discuss in groups what they think the song is about based on the video and the tone of the song for example. What is great about this song is that students can actually recognize vocabulary and grammatical concepts that we have studied in class and really for the first time they realize that they CAN understand something authentic!

   I was motivated to become one of the campers because I think there are so many great tools out there to use.  This spring I was able to incorporate Google Voice into a speaking component in my classes ( Spanish) and that sparked more of an interest to be able to use the different tools out there!

   I hope to learn about some new options that can easily be used to promote the four skill areas (listening,reading, speaking and writing) in my class.  I'd like to try and get the students creating and using the language in ways that are real to them and keep them engaged!

   This summer I plan on getting organized after our move!! That would be cool!!