Technology Explorations 13-16

Scootpad

Scootpad is an online classroom similar to the blackboard system we use for college classes. This is also similar to the program Edmodo that we researched in the past. There are some differences besides the platform. Scootpad is a site that allows the students to practice all common core standards for both reading and math. For the teacher, real time results can be investigated and detailed up to the minute progress can be seen. This is available for grades K-5. There are many features offered to the students. A teacher can track behaviors, create plans for engagement, create assignments and homework and projects for students to complete.

This program can be useful for all elementary classrooms. The common core is built into the system for ELA/Reading, spelling, and math. Students can be given certain assignments that need to be completed at home or during spare classroom time. I saw other uses such as when students finish early in the classroom. A teacher can set up centers that allow the usage of a particular assignment using technology in the normal classroom and as mentioned above - homework assignments.

For the K-5 student, I think this program is useful. Since it does have the common core for these grade levels, it can be used to increase student knowledge. There are rewards to provide incentives, the teacher can communicate with the student and watch the student as they work through a problem.There are built-in messages for ease of providing an incentive to the students. Students are not allowed to talk with one another which helps decrease wasted time. Overall, the price is free for the basic program and could be beneficial for this grade level but not for an entire district use.

Photopeach

First off, Photopeach has been highlighted by the Discovery Educator Network. There are many ways to use this program. For the library, you can introduce upcoming books with the image of the covers, for the ESL class for vocabulary use, in the technology class, and as an assessment tool. This program is used by educators and students all around the world. It is a place to create slideshows of different things done in the classroom. It is best used for collaborative group work when created by the educator.

Photopeach can be used as a station or center on the smartboard. It helps to reinforce techniques learned during a demonstration or information presented to the class. For learning concepts, this program will allow the teacher or students to create a presentation that requires the students to answer questions on the smart board by choosing a particular answer. A timer can be set up to time the students on their answers. This is an interactive program that can be used by all students. Review of tested material is one way I would use this in the classroom.

If I had a smartboard in my classroom, I would use this as a station. The price is a little high for the teacher salary. For a district, it could be quite high in price. For the medium it is 25 dollars a month for 150 students. For the free account, unlimited photos and documents are not allowed. The teacher would probably need to use the class premium and this is the expensive one. For a district, this may not be feasible. The use of smart board accessories may be the best way to go. I would still use it if it were provided.

Storybird

Storybird's are short, comic strip-like stories that students can make and share with others. This website makes it easy for students to tell a story using digital media. Students and teachers can create stories by combining pictures and text. When using this, the students can print their books, watch it on a projected screen or share with others. Storybird helps to get kids writing and helps them to work in teams to create a document for all to see. This can be used at home or in the classroom and is good for all ages - even adults!

Storybird can be used in any classroom to create a story about something the students are learning or for the purpose of reading and writing. Since creating short stories are part of a state's curriculum or student's portfolio, this can be used as a required task. In the art class, students can create digitalized images to be shared with others. These can be simple or more detailed for use in a child's story book. This is great - as I mentioned earlier - for use in any classroom. For the science classroom, I would use this to create a comic strip about the laws of motion - a child's book I already use but make it digital.

I would give this a two thumbs up. This program looks fun to use and the program looks easy. Although the larger program is not free, it is worth the cost. I love that there are many options for use, it is safe, and kids can receive feedback from those that read their story. Kids are imaginative by nature and allowing the student that can't draw but has a vivid imagination, the opportunity to create something with graphics is high on my list. One final thing about this website - students at the high school level or above can add graphics they have created and make a commission off these images.

Wordle

I have always wondered how people made posters with random words on them - and the time it took to make said posters. This is where this can be done! Wordle is a website that allows the user to use a list of words to create a presentation that is full of key words used in a particular topic. The user can use any list of words and can change the colors and fonts of the words in the Wordle. Wordle was created by a single individual and is free to use. It is difficult to print large copies of this document because most schools use pc's for student use. According to the website, there can be issues with printing.

Wordle is not something that will take a long time to create. The creative process comes when the students need to change the words to match their personal style. The website allows a ton of changes to font, color, organization, addition and removal of words and such. This can be used to learn vocabulary - as a study guide for words - and for key words to be used in a science class.

I really liked this website and made my own wordle. This is something I will definitely use. I am thinking of using this to create a bulletin board of my students names for each class period. In my classroom, I have student grades posted according to their student id number. Above this is an ugly poster with their period number. I am going to remove this ugly poster and replace it with a wordle. The kids will love trying to find their name in the list of names. It will be great. I would recommend the usage of this for presentations on the walls of any classroom!