Illuminations: Coin Box

Illuminations: Coin Box

Thing 23

I have really benefited from this experience. I stopped teaching 14 years ago so things have definitely changed! I took a tech course two summers ago before I had re-entered the teaching field. At the time, I was excited about all the new things I could use in a classroom. However, when I began teaching again, I didn't have time to incorporate anything I had learned in the other course. 23 Things has reminded me of things I can do with my students and families, but has also introduced me to a variety of new ideas, too. I knew about wikis but am thrilled that I discovered the school wiki that I can share with my own school. I am also more open to using Youtube videos in my own classroom. I have become addicted to blogs and have gotten a ton of great ideas that I have already incorporated into my classroom. I had learned about podcasts in the previous course, but learning about them again has inspired me to try to create my own this year. So many families are on the go now that I think my first graders would benefit from listening to our favorite stories on their MP3 players while sitting in the car or at a sibling's event. Thanks to 23 Things, I am ready to jump into using technology in the classroom.

Thing 22

I am excited to ask for permission to use my wiki page!  I use a binder that holds the important information for our class.  However, the binder comes to school every day and there are times families need to be able to access throughout the day.  The class wiki is the answer!  They can access the same information from home or work.  I view my families as my partner and the more informed they can be, the better for everyone.

http://firstgradewithmrsmay.wikispaces.com

Here is a link to my class wiki.  It is still under construction but I have a good start to it!

Thing 21

I LOVE the school wiki that Arbor Heights has created.  My school has been struggling with creating an attractive, informational and easy-to-navigate school website so this wiki is a great example of how we could use a wiki.  We have a new Principal that embraces technology and wants to make improvements to our school.  I will ask if I can create a classroom wiki to show how a wiki can work and then hopefully we can have a school wiki.

Thing 20

I subscribed to Teachers Connecting and found it through EPN.  While I thought it would be simpler to look for podcasts through a search tool focusing on education, I found that there was as much of a selection.  I like Podcast Alley for the wide variety of podcasts.  Yes, there are some inappropriate podcasts, but the search engine on Podcast Alley is easy to use and it isn't difficult to find interesting podcasts.

Thing 19

This is a podcast of Chicken Little. I would use this as a training podcast for Mystery Readers. I have been wanting to create Mystery Readers for my first graders and using Podcasts would be a great way for students to listen to the stories in class AND at home. Oh, the possibilities!!!

Chicken Little Podcast

Thing 18

Wow! I love this. Instead of trying to create my own presentations and activities to use on my blog, I can now search Slideshare. This will save me a ton of time. I can't wait to share this with my fellow teachers. I think it can help make a lot of different subjects come alive at all grade levels. Hopefully, one day, I will find the time to create my own and share on Slideshare, too.