Top 10 Tech Tools I Can't Live Without

I am very thankful for the technology ideas and tools that I have learned about in this course.  I am already beginning to incorporate some tools and ideas, and hope to add more in the future.

#1:  Diigo
I love having all of my favorite and useful websites archived for me.  With a few clicks of the mouse I can tag a page for future reference.
#2:  Twitter
Even though I am usually not drawn to social media, I must admit that I was so very thankful when deadlines were approaching and I was able to find someone to help!
#3:  Tutorials
I understand best when I see an example.  I have learned to look for a tutorial when I am exploring something new.
#4:  Mobile Apps
They make "taking it with you" so easy.  There is an app for almost anything!
#5:  Simulations
What a great way to get to experience so many things from science to history to games, without the expense and travel time.
#6:  YouTube
This is another site that has many helpful lessons, tutorials, and educational videos.
#7:  Wiki
I think that it is great to be able to collaborate on a project from different places.  I can see many uses for these particular websites.
#8:  Blogs
Before this class, I thought blogging was a lot more difficult than it really is.  I will definitely keep blogging, especially once our family moves.  What a great and easy way to stay in touch!
#9:  Prezi (powerpoints)
Powerpoints are a good exposure to a useful tech tool for students.
#10:  Interactive whiteboards
I can see great benefits with interactive whiteboards, especially in the math classroom.  It is often difficult to draw that perfect circle in geometry, or connect the concept to the real world, but these are just a couple of things that become possible with this tool.

Week 6

With the ever-growing access to technology in the classroom comes the incorporation of mobile apps to instruction.  While some apps have a price tag, many apps are free of charge.  Four useful apps for the math classroom include Quizlet, KhanApp, MyScript Calculator, and StudyBlue.

Quizlet is a free app for the iPhone or iPod.  It is also available for other devices with remarkably seamless integration.  Quizlet engages the student in drill and practice, as well as self-grading practice tests, and visual aids such as flashcards.  A database can be searched or specific material that is needed can be typed in.  Another valuable feature of Quizlet is the ability for the student to track their progress.

The KhanApp give access to the Khan Academy videos which are found at the Khan Academy Website. This app allows you to watch the video or download it to view later. The ability to download videos for later can give students a huge advantage, especially if they do not have Internet access at home.  KhanApp is a free app for iPhone and iPad.

MyScript Calculator is another free app.  This app allows the student to easily write a mathematical expression on the screen, and then MyScript converts the symbols and text into digital text while solving the problem in real time.  MyScript offers the same experience as writing on paper with the advantages of a digital device.  Useful features include portrait or landscape operation options, and redo and undo functions.  This app is available for iPhone, iPad, Android smartphone or tablet. 

StudyBlue is a free mobile app for iPad, iPhone, iPod, and Android.  Its features include archived online flashcards or the ability to create your own flashcards.  Students can track their mastery of key concepts, aiding their study time.

Week 5

Digital citizenship is an important topic to discuss with all age groups.  As the world of technology grows, and more people begin using it for both business and pleasure, there needs to be an awareness of social media etiquette.  We need to understand that even though we may not be having that conversation or conducting that business transaction face-to-face, what people think of us and how we protect our image and our personal information is crucial.  I tell my children often, before you say something, stop and think about the other person's response to your statement.  That insight will help you to be wise with what you say.  We are called, as children of God, to represent Christ in what we say and do.  We should think, "Will my statement glorify Christ?  Is this something in which I need to become involved?"  We must also remember that information we post in writing or by video does not go away.  Is this how we want people to think of us for a long time?  And is this the kind of example we want to set for our children and our students?  By choosing the profession of educator, we have put ourselves in the position of a role model.  How we act and what we say influences many.  We must be responsible.

Week 4

I think all of the listed material generators would be very useful in the classroom at some point; however, the  three generators that I would most likely use in my math classroom are interactive whiteboard activity software, test and rubric generators, and worksheet and puzzle generators.

The interactive whiteboard activity software is a fascinating tool that allows the teacher and students to manipulate the content much easier and without the mess of regular whiteboard markers and erasers.  The interactive whiteboard's capability to be connected to a computer opens up a plethora of opportunities for media, such as on-line interactive games, instructional videos and math tools, such as a compass and a protractor.  I would use an interactive whiteboard not only for the above mentioned ideas, but also by using the student response system and slate, so that I could more easily walk around the classroom to monitor student participation and progress.

The second type of generator that I would like to use is the test and rubric generator.  I like the flexibility and professional look of a computer generated test.  Often in the math classroom the ability level can vary greatly from class to class.  For instance, one Algebra I class may be ready for more challenging material, whereas the next Algebra I class will do well to meet the minimum requirements.  With the test generator I can spend my time more efficiently in the classroom, rather than wasting time either hand-writing the different test levels or struggling with a word processing document.  From time to time there are opportunities to do projects with the math units, so the rubric generator would be a handy tool to access.

The final type of generator that I would find useful is the worksheet and puzzle generator.  Often there is a need for reinforcement with a math skill, so a worksheet/puzzle generator would give the opportunity for a more creative avenue for review.  Geometry is a subject that tends to have numerous vocabulary and/or postulates and theorems associated with the units.  A generated puzzle would be a good practice option for the students who are learning this information.

Week 3

Over the years research has shown that computer software offers many avenues for valuable teaching aids and supplements.  Instructional software are computer programs created to help the student understand the material being taught.  There are five different types of instructional software:  drill and practice, tutorial, simulation, instructional game, and problem solving.

Drill and Practice
This type of instructional software provides students with practice, usually one problem at a time, with answer feedback.  Drill and practice activities can aid in the transferring of new skills and information into long-term memory.  Four types of drill functions include flash card activities, chart activities, branching drills, and extensive feedback activities.  This method can be used to supplement or even replace printed worksheets or pencil and paper exercises.  Another advantage of drill and practice is used for test preparation.  An example of Drill and Practice software is AdaptedMind.

http://adaptedmind.com/

Tutorial
This type of instructional software provides the student with an all-encompassing lesson, complete with step-by-step instruction along with drill-and-practice activities.  A prerequisite for using a tutorial is being able to read.  Tutorials are a good choice for instruction when remediation on a skill is needed or when advanced students are ready to move forward.  An example of Tutorial software is an option at Coolmath4kids.

http://www.coolmath4kids.com/0-arithmetic-help-lessons-practice.html

Simulation
Simulations are realistic or imaginary models that provide an example of how something works.  Simulations differ from drills and practice and tutorials in that students choose which project to complete and the sequence of events.  The benefits of simulations include compressing time, slowing of time, student involvement, safe experimentation for less money, the impossible becoming possible, repeating experiments with different variables, and complex processes becoming observable.  An example of Simulation software is  found at Educational Simulations.

http://www.techtrekers.com/sim.htm

Instructional Game
Instructional games connect gaming, entertainment, and education for the purpose of fun and adequate instruction.  Instructional games differ from drill-and-practice activities in that the games have sets of rules, competition, and engaging formats.  A popular example of an Instructional Game is FunBrain.

http://www.funbrain.com/

Problem-Solving
The final type of instructional software provides challenges for the students to encourage them to investigate the topic further.  Problem-solving software also helps to strengthen the student's ability to solve problems while giving them ample opportunities for practice.  An example of Problem-Solving is MathStories.

http://www.mathstories.com/

Web 2.0 Resources

Glogster
What a project!  I never thought I'd figure it all out; yet, when I finally saw the finished project, I was very pleased. I'm amazed at what all we are capable of today with technology.  I found that Glogster had a good amount of choices for the graphics, and embedding a video was fairly simple for me.  This is definitely one of those projects that will be saved and reused in many lessons in the future.

http://aliciapage.edu.glogster.com/functions/

Animoto
Once I found some good images to work with, putting the video together was fun.  For me, 30 seconds was very easy to fill.  I had to delete several images in order to stay within the given time.  I can see students being very creative with this website, and enjoying the work.

http://animoto.com/play/WzeXQTG79APfdZjolKDN1w

Classtools
    Arcade Game Generator and Dustbin
I chose classtools.com games because it is usually easy to make a game with math curriculum.  Also, students love to play games, even if they are educational.  I found that making these two games were fairly easy.  I found out quickly though, to test my game out before assuming it was complete.

http://www.classtools.net/mob/quiz_76/Math__Functions_PmNK9.htm

http://www.classtools.net/widgets/dustbin_1/xPatV.htm

Week 2

Does virtual life change "real" life?  My opinion is, absolutely!  In an age when break down in the family unit is already a huge issue, all of our technology gadgets and media are just adding to the disconnection.  Through social media we have become a people who have turned the attention to "me;" for example, Instagram, Facebook, blogs, Twitter and other avenues keep us inside our own perspective.  Yes, people can leave a comment, but that's not the same as immediate, audible feedback.  And sometimes those comments can be misinterpreted.  With spoken conversation we have the advantage of facial expressions and voice inflection, and we can read the other person's face to know for sure that they understand our intentions.  Our social skills, spelling and grammar skills, and etiquette skills are suffering.  With all of our advances it is easier to become bored, awkward, lazy and impatient with both people and life.  If we are bored with a conversation we can disengage and pick up our gadget or click the "x" button and shut down the computer.  Sitting face-to-face with another individual and carrying on a conversation is quickly becoming a lost art.  And, what a shame!  The Lord made us to have relationships- with others and most importantly, with Him.  Other cultures, for instance those in Africa, value relationships.  Short, straight-to-the-point speech would be offensive.  Therefore, our ability to have cross-cultural relationships are impaired.  When I asked my 13 year-old daughter her thoughts on this topic, one response she had was that it is so much easier to Google for information, such as the spelling or definition of a word, rather than consulting a dictionary.  Therefore, research skills are suffering. We all know that patience is something we have to work at and grow in, so if we are accustomed to having everything at our fingertips and something goes wrong, it is so easy to become frustrated.  I think back to when we were so thankful to have dial-up internet, but now that would be so aggravating!  While I do know that our advancements in technology have accomplished and enhanced MANY things, such as medicine, education, communication, but with all of our advancements something must suffer.  I believe we have sacrificed one of the most precious things God has given us- personal, meaningful relationships.  Is it worth it?

Week 1

Hello!  My name is Alicia Carroll.  I am blessed to be married to Joey Carroll, and we have 3 children, Audrey, Abby and Jonathan.  I grew up in Section, Alabama, and graduated from Section High School.  I attended Northeast State Community College and graduated from Athens State University in 1999 with a degree in Secondary Math.  I taught for a year at North Jackson High School before resigning to stay at home with our growing family.  I consider myself blessed to have the formal training of a teacher, since I use it daily as I home school our children.  In the summer of 2010, our family answered the call to full-time missions.  We then spent two years living in southern Washington state helping restructure a discipleship ministry and encouraging two churches in the area.  We are now back in Section for a season of training for the foreign mission field.  I am thankful that the Lord has given me the opportunity to work on my re-certification before leaving the country!  I'm not sure what internet service looks like at our future home. :)