You ever fully intend to do something and just forget what you’re doing every time you sit down at your computer? We might be saving time and increasing quality with our technological way of life– but I think I’m missing quite a few brain cells! Here’s my annotated bibliography I fully intended to have posted ages ago. I appreciate the patience!
How to Redefine Your Classroom by Connecting Students. This article had to do more with the philosophy of the classroom as opposed to actual tech. Clark spoke of how students generally aren’t allowed to make connections within the classroom like they do with social media. She recommends that this philosophy be embraced. By making time for more student collaborative efforts, we can elicit more creativity. Suggestions for making this happen are: working together with another class online; creating cross-classroom books; students blogs; skyping other classrooms and guest speakers; global read alouds; Tweeting sessions with other classes, authors, and scientists; and learning what is happening within networks.
Clark, H. (2013). How to redefine your classroom by connecting students. Edudemic.com. Accessed at http://www.edudemic.com/connecting-students/
Integrated Technology with Limited Resources. Hertz offered some wonderful suggestions on how to accommodate for limited resources in the classroom. With one computer in the classroom, she suggests how to best utilize it—creating a class wiki or website but utilizing Wikispaces; Weebly; Google Sites; or other free websites such as Wetpaint. Students can create audio books by using programs such as Audacity. She also suggests that student collaborate o n writing a story, using programs such as Google Docs or TypeWithMe. Students write a portion of the story, then rotate to another author. She also suggest student blogging with teacher monitored sites such as Edublogs and Kidblogs. Voicethread is also offered as a collaborative site for peer sharing and intereaction. Students can also use the computer station to create screencasts.
Finally, Hertz offers different resources where to find technology funds: Donorschoose.org; WeareTeachers.com for Flipcams; ISTE offers a listing of various grants; and Grant Alert offers a database of grants.
Hertz, M.B. (2010). Integrated technology with limited resources. http://www.edutopia.org/blog/free-tech-integration-resources
Digital Media devices and their Effects on Student Literacy in Primary Grades. Inmon and Vitale call the modern iPod the “Swiss Army Knife of electronics.” They offer suggestions in how to utilize these devices to focus on fluency in literacy. Motivation is created because of the excitement and interest in using such devices in class. These devices can also be used to approach learning from a multi-sensory angle. They utilize: video; digital photography; and interactive boards. Students were able to create their own books. With proper instruction and support, students showed promising results. The devices were also an excellent tool for independent practice.
Inmon, T. & Vitale, N. (2006). Digital media devices and their effects on student literacy in primary grades.
Integrating technology on a limited budget with little support. Limperis offers a tutorial in how to turn a standard television into a classroom projector for the computer. He also suggests low-cost solutions, such as using cellphones for digital cameras. Recommended sites for story boarding are: Glogster; Preszi; ToonDoon; Pixton; Go Animate; and ZimmerTwins. He also expounds upon the usefulness of a professional learning network by way of Diigo.
Limperis, G. (2011). Integrating technology on a limited budget with little support. http://edtechdigest.wordpress.com/2011/06/15/integrating-technology-on-a-limited-budget-with-little-support/
Integrated technology in a classroom with limited resources. One of the more recently written articles, Wasson suggests how to make the most of limited resources. Digital cameras were considered an absolute must within the classroom. She offered that tablets offered a portability for the teacher in assessing the students. The advancements in cellphone technology would allow the students access to collaborative sites such as Classdojo and Edmodo. A single computer could be used for: Airplay; whole-class WebQuests; as a work center; a class wiki and blogging group; and creating a screencast for instruction on independent learning.
Wasson, E. (2012). Integrated technology in a classroom with limited resources. http://erinwasson.weebly.com/1/post/2012/12/integrating-technology-in-a-classroom-with-limited-resources.html