Integrating Technology Into Your Classroom

Cara Whitehead

Everything’s Intermediate Virtual Teaching Expo

• 4th grade teacher and technology coordinator at Carlisle Elementary School in Boaz, Alabama

• Author of blog, Teaching…My Calling

• Work with VocabularySpellingCity in the area of social media promotions

• Member of the Promethean Social Media Advisory Council and the Super User Program

• National Board Certified Teacher in Literacy: Reading/Language Arts

Technology Integration is Possible With Limited

Resources!2 computers

1 iPad

Interactive Whiteboard

2 Flip Cameras

Why is Technology Integration Important?

Prepared in 21st century skills

Increased student engagement

Enhanced student-student and student-teacher relationships

Connected to real world experts

Involved in real world situations

Refined analysis and problem solving skills

Lessened behavior problems

But, I Do Not Have Time!Integrate technology during center time

Post directions on center cards, a Google Doc, or Edmodo

Partner students

Edmodo

Set the Ground Rules Early

Never give personal information on the Internet.

If you reach an inappropriate site, exit quickly.

Report anything inappropriate to your teacher immediately.

Do not access YouTube without your teacher’s permission.

Take care of equipment.

Remember to give everyone a chance to work on their projects.

Follow directions on each project.

Review the Student Acceptable Use policy.

Was Rome Built in a Day? Neither Will Your Technology

Based Classroom!1. Embrace the technology movement.

2. Start small.

3. Don’t be afraid to ask.

4. Get involved in a PLN.

5. Use what you have.

6. Share your classroom creations.

What is a PLN?Personal (or Professional) Learning Network

Places to network:1.Twitter2.Edmodo3.Pinterest4.Facebook5.Teacher Blogs6.Diigo7.Google Docs8.Wikis

Benefits of PLN:1.Learn new teaching tools2.Connect with professionals in your area of interest3.Filter new information4.Share your ideas5.Ask and answer questions

You’re only as good as the company you keep.~Old English Proverb

Start Small!

Introduce a favorite website that encourages student participation.

Download PowerPoints from sites such as Pete’s PowerPoint Station.

Download interactive whiteboard lessons from Promethean Planet and Smart Exchange.

Create a web based project over the course of several weeks.

Favorite Sites•VocabularySpellingCity

•JogNog

•Promethean Planet

•IXL Math

Tips For Technology Integration

1. Create a generic email address using Gmail as a login for your students.

2. Provide each student with a jump drive.

3. Post your assignments online (Edmodo, Google Docs) where students can have directions on hand during classtime and at home.

TripWow

Advantages:•Easy to use

•Saving images•Appropriate links for images (royalty free)

•Uploading pictures•Researching world locations

Animoto

Advantages:•Easy to use

•Saving images•Appropriate links for images (royalty free)

•Uploading pictures•Presenting research

PowerPoint

Advantages:•Easily input images, media, and recordings

•Create presentations on wide variety of topics•Allows for creativity

•Can modify with Open Office

GlogsterAdvantages:•Online poster creator•Easily input images, media, and recordings•Create presentations on wide variety of topics•Allows for creativity•Special EDU platform to lessen exposure to inappropriate Glogs•Can be private or published•Platform for student communication (paid version)

Prezi

Advantages:•More visual than PowerPoint•Allows for student creativity•Easy to share and save

•Able to view with internet access•Embed large media files such as pictures and videos

Domo Animate

Advantages:•No download or installation required

•Lots of characters and backgrounds available•Can include voice, media, and sound effects

•Allows for creativity•Fun way to present scripts, research, and discussions

Weebly

Advantages:•Easy to embed media, links, videos, and text

•Drag and drop interface•Great for student collaboration•Variety of backgrounds available

•Allows for creativity•Fun way to present research and reviews

Voki

Advantages:•Easy to embed media, links, videos, and text

•Drag and drop interface•Great for student collaboration•Variety of backgrounds available

•Allows for creativity•Fun way to present research and reviews

Fluxtime

Advantages:•Basic animation program

•Easy to use•Precreated backgrounds and characters

•Ability to add text

Fakebook

Advantages:•Facebook-type platform in a secure environment

•Use to chart the plot of a book, the development of a character, a series of historical events, the debates and relationships between

people, and so on•Ability to “friend” characters through automatic Google searches

VoiceThread

Advantages:•Excellent collaboration tool

•Add comments with text, voice, audio, or video•Encourages creative thinking•Promotes digital citizenship

Skype

Advantages:•Connect with classrooms across the country

•Communicate with experts from across the world•Requires only a webcam and microphone

•Conference with parents, colleges, or absent students

KidblogAdvantages:•Create class blogs without individual student email addresses•Teacher control over students’ posts and comments•Ability to post private comments•Post a topic for students to comment•Promotes creative writing

Share Their Creations1. Personal Blog

2. Class Website http://www.ecboe.org/whitehead

3. Twitter and Facebook@whiteheadlinesMrs. Whitehead’s Class

4. Kidblog

5. Edmodo

THANK YOU!Now introducing:

Janaye from Tales of Frogs and Cupcakes

Presenting:Modifying Math Instruction to Increase Student Understanding