Tool #4

Google Docs- I chose to use google docs to post a document that contained substitute plans that my team could have access to. It would be a great way to share information without the hassle of emailing my whole team with the document attached. I could see how google docs would be very useful in collaborating and sharing ideas with other teachers, especially your team members. I think it would be very helpful with lesson planning and roadmapping also. Not to mention what a time saver it would be! I was already able to share the google docs document I created today with one of my teammates.

Google Reader- COOL!!! I think this would be very useful for teachers of all grades, and students in upper elementary grades. I am going to have to play around with the program, but I think it would be very useful both personally and professionally. It was very neat to be able to add five of my teammates on my google reader account so quickly. Now I am able to see all 5 posts at any time when I am on google reader.

I think that both these programs would benefit any teacher and any classroom. I specifically think that Google Docs would be more beneficial to teachers at the primary grade level, and would allow teachers to save time and improve in their collaboration with each other. And this, of course, would only result in better and more effective teaching!Google Reader is another awesome tool that google has to offer! It really helps manage and organize different sites that you frequently follow and want updates on. I love that we can follow our fellow coworkers blogs also. This is really cool, and not to mention fast and easy!

Tool #3- Part 2

I used animoto to create a video of my stay in France last summer with my husband. I LOVED this site! It was so easy to create a short video (for free!) using my own pictures and music. It was a lot of fun! This could definately be used in the classroom. I might even use it on the first day of school to introduce myself. I think students could learn to use it also.
My video!

France Summer 2009

Tool # 3

I used Wordle to create a list of words that reflects what occurs in an early childhood classroom. This website was really cool and easy to use! I think this could be very useful and versatile in the classroom. I think that students could use it to create a list or cluster of ideas, and I also think it would be a great teacher tool to use to introduce a topic.

My creation:

Wordle - School: "a href='http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/2186117/School'
title='Wordle: School'></a"

Tool #2

After reading about PLN's in this tool assignment, it got me thinking about how important networking with other teachers is, and not only through technology, although that is the society that we live in. I think one of the greatest parts of our profession is getting to share and receive ideas from other teachers who have found things beneficial in their own classrooms with their own students. I like the comment that Will Richardson made about students already having establised their own PLN's through social networking (my space, facebook, etc.) This is so true, and I had never thought about it before, how important it is for our students to be participant and involved in their own PLN's, just as we as teachers are. As teachers, I think it would be great to support students in creating and continuing with their own personal learning networks. Who knows, we could be reading their blogs someday!

I commented on the following blogs:
1. Sylvia's Blog
2. RGE Technology
3. Kinder Tech
4. Young World Tech
5. The Little Blogger That Could

Getting Started- Tool #1

Getting started on my own blog was fun and easy! I liked how I could customize my blog and make it my own. I have never written a blog before...we will see how it goes. I think students would really enjoy this and would be another great way to encorporate technology into the classroom. More to come!