Best Technology Use in the Classroom

I had the opportunity to attend the NCCE conference last week.  Multiple sessions can fuddle the mind.  It's Tuesday and these two thoughts still resonate loudly:

1.  Presenter-Jeff Utecht...We should be using technology in ways that make it necessary.  AND... even better, in ways that cause change.  

2.  Presenter-Nikki Robertson-I can affect change using video chats like 'Google+ Hangouts' to connect with experts and people around the globe giving my students a broader view of their world.  In addition, Hangouts can be recorded to make use of "Rewindable Learning". 

http://www.ncce.org/

By Bill Ferriter @plugusin

@gcouros

@NikkiDRobertson

Google Hangout with Wisconsin

Click here to see: Hemlock Creek Elementary in Wisconsin

Comic Creator, Video Chat, Interactive Reading

Kindergarten & First Grade

This week and next, students are working on creating a comic panel.

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/comic/

Mrs. Mouritsen's class did not create a comic this week.  We desperately tried to work a Google Hangout with a class in Wisconsin.  Here they are patiently waiting.  It was an epic failure!  I'm working on problem solving this issue so we can learn from people all over the country.

Second Grade

Last week and this week, students worked on computer coding.  Students helped each other think through the processes of directional thinking.  Last week's crier was actually the first student to complete the 20 levels.  He did not use the conventional process of thought, but isn't that what we look for to create in the 21st century?  We need people to think "out of the box".

Code.org

Student progress was tracked automatically.

Third & Fourth Grade

Finally, all of the 3rd and 4th graders have worked on NEWSELA.  Students are loving it!  These are high interest non-fiction articles at their level.  Students worked with interactive questions, highlighting and note taking within the text.  Every group had many students that did not want to stop.  Gotta love it!!!

Interactive Reading Questions

Below are some of the articles we got to choose from on NEWSELA:

End of February

Kindergarten

Students have learned how to make their own flash cards.  Some classes typed in Dolch sight words and others typed in teen numbers.  I love to watch the excitement in students eyes when they see they can extend the activity to their own level and interests.  One child wanted 'supermarket' on his cards. How could I refuse?

First Grade 

We've finally worked out the kinks in Padlet. We were able to identify the benefits of seeing everyone's work and assessing ourselves immediately.  Internet ettiquette was a part of this too.  We talked about instant viewing by others.  What we type can be saved on the internet in the form of a screenshot even if we delete something we shouldn't have posted.

Second Grade

I took the leap and tried coding with 7 & 8 year olds. In the first class, the range of reactions was like 0-60mph in 5 seconds.  We had 30 minutes of pure learning by doing.  Within that time, we had temporary quitting, crying out of frustration, self motivation to find out how to work through the problem, technical language spoken as students explained their processes to each other, listening to that technical language, repeating the language to check for understanding, elation as solutions were revealed.  All students experienced higher level thinking as I stepped out of the equation. Engagement caused the class to forget recess.  I had to shoo kids out.  Even the crying student had a desire to work out the task. One girl exclaimed, "This is so addicting!".  These coding classes have been the favorite part of my week. 😊

Third Grade

Students were taken through testing practice again.  I have added the SBAC practice link to 3rd and 4th grade symbaloo pages.  Parents are encouraged to work through these practice samples with their children to see what is expected.

Fourth Grade

Classes read a non-fiction article (some on Orcas, others were given a choice of four other topics), wrote a summary of what they read, stated their opinion on the issue, and took information from the article that supported their opinion.  We had them color code the 3 each parts to make it more evident that each piece (summary, opinion, evidence) is a separate thought.  All opinions were written on Kidblog so students could respond to each other.