Google Docs

Google Docs is an amazing tool I was introduced to this summer. But this semester is when I really had a chance to use it! We used it as a way of sharing documents within our PBL group as well as communicating on our project. It is so much easier to use Google Docs than it is to email each person an attachment of our portion of the project. Instead of clogging each other’s emails, you simply logged into Gmail to access everything at once. What’s really neat is that I could see if another group member was logged on. We could edit documents at the same time . . .in real time! I remember speaking to one of my group members on the phone while we were both editing the same document. It had us both thoroughly entertained. Another great feature is its autos save function. You don’t have to click “save” after you edit because it automatically saves the draft every few seconds! If only I’d had this feature when completing my undergrad!! Now that I really understand Google Docs, I do feel that it is something I will use in the future.

PBL Activities

This week's discussion required us to create two PBL lessons integrating different subjects. The first lesson needed to include math, social studies, and art. The second one included science, English, and music. I think PBL pretty much requires integration between different subject areas due to the nature of the lesson. In my classroom this type of integration is much easier because it doesn't necessarily have to include technology, which I’ve stated is somewhat of a struggle to use at times. Although many of us had a hard time creating our lessons, I think it came together nicely in the end.

Mimio Board!!

I am now the proud "owner" of a Mimeio board! I have never even heard of this before but I am so excited! It's basically a device that turns your white boared into an interactive smart board! The only downfall is that in order to use it, you have to have both your computer AND an LCD projector. The computer isn't a big deal becuase I always have access to that. The LCD projector could be a bit of a problem. Not only would have I to check it out of the media center, I also have to set everything up properly for each use. Don't get me wrong . .I am extremely grateful, but it is a bit of a process. Has anyone ever used one before? Let me know what you think!

Mimio Board

Voice Thread

Voice Thread was something I’d never heard of before. It sort of mimics Youtube in that people can create and upload different videos and projects. It takes it a step further by also allowing users and viewers opportunities to comment with text or narration.

My main challenge was in creating a presentation that includes discussion. Because I see many children every week, deciding on which grade level and which activity to include was also challenging. I decided to do my voice thread on instrument families because it is something that I can use from grades 2-5. I am finding as I go further into my master’s program, that with each project I create, the more students I can use them on, the better. I also got a bit turned around when uploading my different slides.

Even with all of these challenges, I did enjoy using voice thread. I was able to use some of the materials I’d created in my Multimedia course for this project. Some of the slides were created for my Kiosk project, which focused only on 3rd grade students. The project was to help the 3rd graders prepare to join either band or orchestra. What I really like about technology, is that once you create something, you can use it in many different ways. This saves time and it also gets the information out to many more students.