Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Reflections..............

Finally.............I am Done!!!

My favorite tool was the Video Resources. I really liked all the videos I explored on teacher tube. Even though I do not have a classroom, I will use this site to pull great visual activities for children with specials needs.

I look forward to working and collaborating with the teachers at my school next year on how we can integrate all of this new technology into their classrooms.

At times I was very frustrated...but I have to say in the end I did learn a lot. I learned that I am not as computer savvy as I thought. There is so much free technology out there for we as educators that we don't even know about. This blog was taught me so much this summer but I'm glad I finished!

Tool # 8: Video Resources










I did not even know about Teachertube until today. Wow...how cool! I have to say I really like this website. I chose two "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" videos. I think that this site would be very beneficial to Prek teachers, especially teachers that work with children with special needs. Working with children with specail needs I use tons ands tons of visuals....so I love this website!!


http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=117336&title=Brown_Bear__Brown_Bear

Tool #7 Photostory

For some reason I found this tool to be the most difficult one and actually ended up saving it for last. Since I do not have a classroom, I decided to make a video using pictures of my family. After watching some videos on Teacher Tube, I now realize we can scan in pictures of student's work and make a Photo Story. I also think is a great place you could scan social stories for children who love technology. I am still having difficultly uploading the story.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Tool #11:Digital Citizenship

First...The students will need how to how to use the computer appropriately. Turn the computer on and off, how to use the mouse and how to use the computer. Once they have learned how to appropriately use the computer.


Second...I feel that it is imporatnt to for them to learn to never got to a site without your parents or teacher permission. Only to to sites that have been apporoved by their parents at home and at school will only be able to explore sites approved by their teacher.


Third....I feel that it is VERY important for our children to learn to tell their parents or their teachers if they see something on the computer that they feel they are not suppose to see. As educators it our job to teach our children to be safe in cyberspace. If they come across something they are not suppose to see or makes them feel uncomfortable they need to let an adult know right away.

Tool #10:Mobile Technology and Apps

My 22 month nephew plays with my brothers I-Phone. There are some amazing educational Apps. I discovered quite a few that can be used in a prek classroom! Also my best friend works in the Assistive Technology department in HISD. She sent me several links to special education Apps for parents and teachers. Many of the Apps I found will be great to use for reinforcement of ABC's, counting, numbers, and daily schedules for children with Autism.

Tool # 9: Jing & Skype

I have never used jing or Skype before. I think that Jing could be used when you have a group of children learning to use the computer. You could create a lesson on how to start a computer.You could teach this in a large group and in small groups.





Skype could be used to talk to other Prek classroom in the district or around the country. Back when I went to school we used to have penpals. Now we can have the kids write letters and Skype around the world.

Friday, July 30, 2010

Tool 6: Creating wikis to store and share information

I think that it would be difficult for the Pre-K students to benefit from Wikis. However, I do see many uses for them, for me as a teacher. I could use Wikis to gather information for myself when researching a specific topic or share ideas with other teachers.