Tool #9

Technology is very important because it is part of our daily society and very important to our children's future. Technology is growing and everyday there is always something new out there. Technology is used by news anchors, journalists, decorators ect... Connecting objectives with technology will allow our students to be engaged in the learning process. They can then make connections to the real world to see how they can improve their technology skills and maybe even teach the teacher something new they learned or produced.
It is very important to hold students accountable for the work stations so that students can feel proud of their work and not feel as if its just busy work. If students feel some responsibility then the work they did will be more relevant.
The 2 sites that I visited were Tutpup and Thinkfinity. Tutpup was interesting because I could use it as an ESL station. Students can write what they learned through sentences using words spelled. They can then use the dictionary to find meanings of the new words they learned. All done on google doc or journal. Thinkfinity was also interesting because students can compose comics, identify elements of literature and compare stories. They would also use google doc or rubric to show understanding of concept.
Two apps that I found for the ipod Touch/ipad were dictionary.com and Grammar Jammers Primary edition. Dictionary .com is a site I already use with my students. We use it to translate spelling/vocabulary words from english to Spanish and vice versa and to find meanings of words. Students can also use google doc, animoto, or journal to create there sentences and write meanings found. Grammar Jammers Primary Edition had lots of grammar practice that would be good to improve English skills. Students would use google doc or journal to show learning.
Another way I could use the iPod Touch/ipad is by using the recording device. Students can record their reading and listen to how they sound to help improve their fluency. As I learn more and implement the devices in my teaching, I will then be able to share more ideas.