Twitter in the Classroom

I was really interesting learning about how teachers use Twitter in the classroom, so I went and did some investigation.  I look through websites and found some very interesting ideas.  I know that the 21st Generation is all about using technology pretty much everywhere and as a teacher I just can't see doing and using some of these things in the classroom.  For example...TWITTER?? To me that just seems werid.  Some ways I learned about using Twitter in the classroom:

1.List Assignments and upcoming events.
2.Ask questions for teachers and students
3.Communicate with the community
4.Take and share notes
5. Connect with other classrooms
6.Take a poll
.....These are just a few ways to use Twitter in the classroom and Twitter isn't the limit.  You can use blogs, facebook, Myspace, Diigo, and other social networking sites.  Two years ago when I was in high school this kind of information wasn't even heard of.  Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter was for the younger generation, the teenagers.  Now even my 75 year old Grandma has facebook! It just seems so crazy and technology is something we all are going to have to accept in our lives because it is everywhere we look these days!

***Picture used with permission on Flicker by SeyDoggy

Connected Classroom

This video is comparing the classroom our parents had compared to what is becoming. This video really made me think about our future as teachers. The different ways we will be teaching compared to how we were taught. This scares me! "Connected Classroom" talks about how us as teachers needs to adjust and teach the way the students these days learn best. Which is using technology. In this video they compare an ipod to a juke box and how the ipod can be held in your pocket with news, songs, and many different applications. Looking at the pictures below.  WOW. They also talk about the population of China--which is crazy! China is going to be over ruling the United States, they are so advanced. Will this change the education program in the United States? Scary to think about.Then they say MySpace is the 12th largest in population. Which is true...everyone is connected in social networking. Do we need a president of Myspace now? Seems weird to think about. From thinking about 10 years ago to now I just can't believe how far we are in technology.  Just think in the next 10, 20, 30 years! Will Myspace be the biggest in population? Willl China rule the United States? Questions to think about.

Compare the Juke Box to the Ipod...What an improvement in 30 years!!

***Pictures from Pic4Learning.com and Video from YouTube

Smart Boards

I read an article in the Pirate Press by Stephanie Newhouse about Smart Boards in the classroom.  It is an article by a Hudson High school student.  This is Hudson second year with Smart Boards in the classroom.  The article talks about teachers and students views on the smart boards.  One things that caught my attention was what a teacher Paul Simmer said.  He mentions ,"this generation is used to staring at screens all day, so it's easy for them to pay attention. Not only are students more engaged with what is being taught, but Smart Boards are also a time saver for the teachers." I agree with Simmer on how students now a days are all staring at screens today with cell phones, television, computers, and video games.  It is what interests us in the younger generation.  Also it is interesting how this idea of Smart Boards can be a time saver for teacher.  I think of  myself becoming a teacher and I think Smart Boards would be more work because I am not very tech savy, but I think once I got the hang of it it would be easy.  It is nice because you can just save your lessons on the computer and bring them up whenever you want.  You don't have to write it all down--Hand Cramp!!If you don't  like the idea of Smart Boards in the classroom I hope you rethink the idea!
-Bre :)

**Picture from Dempster Lane at Flickr

Education World

I was searching for some websites for my WebQuest and I came across this website.  It talks about incorporating technology in the classroom. I was having troubles find "good" websites for first graders.  To me they just seem too young to use computers on their own. After searching around this website I found a lot of great ideas and activities to use with the younger grades.  They also have technology resources and ideas for the teacher to use with the students.  I will link the website below and take some time searching for ideas and activities that your looking for.  It may help you out :)

Education World Website: http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech094.shtml

Have a great day! -Bre :)

**Picture by Extra Ketchup at Flicker

My First Blog Post :)

I just created my first blog. :)I'm kind of new to this, but I'm hoping it will help me seek out opportunities to grow professionally and start networking with other teachers.  I'm a student at University of Northern Iowa and majoring in Elementary Education!