NETS- T4 Last Blog!?

Well, I have to say that at the beginning of this class, I was a little shocked by all of the ways to use technology, not only in me classroom, but in life. I have learned so many useful tools that I would have otherwise thought could not be used in math class. However, I have found that even Wikispaces is something I could use for exploratory projects for even having the students respond to complicated real-world and complicated word problems. Due to the lack of time I seem to have left this school year to fit everything in, I think this is something I would like to try next year. Knowing that Linda from the middle school and Jim V. are always here to answer my questions soothes some of the fears.

Looking at this standard, indicator c- "promote and model digtial ettiquite of all learners by using learner-centered stratgies and providing equitable access to appropriate tools and resources" really hits home. While researching learner- centered technology I came accross Using Wikis in Math Class which lists and describes some of the ways of using Wikis that mentioned above. One way that I had not though of using wikis was to have students create an online glossary of terms by researching the topic online, finding real-world applications of it, and even embedding applicable videos that can be shown to the class. This way, students could comment on the terms and even provide their own input and questions on the topic.

On this same note of "student- centered learning," I will be starting my Smart Notebook project tomorrow, so I hope it goes well!

According to NETS*T4, teachers should address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner- centered strategies and providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources. While researching the topic, I thought of Edline . Not only does this program offer a lot for teachers in terms of communication, but I think students could actually use it for assessments.

Jim has taught us many features of this program that I didn't even know existed; one of these is "quizzes". For a homework assignment, you could have students create a multiple- choice question based on the day's lesson and write it on a peice of paper. Then, as a teacher, you could go to Edline and type in that "approved" question to make a student- designed quiz for the end of the unit. Students could then complete this in class or as a take- home quiz or assignment.

Keeping in line with this standard, it should probably be a weekend or week- long quiz to give students time to complete it if they do not have internet access at home. I just think this another great way to let students take charge of their own learning and assessment using digital tools. Let me know what you think!

Smart Notebook Webinars

Today, I "attended" two Smart Notebook webinars. The first was titled "Notebook 1 Training" and the second was "Notebook 2 Training". It was really cool because as the instructor was talking to me on the phone, I could see exactly was he was doing in Smart Notebook. I learned some neat things about how to change the properties of objects, pictures, and videos. Also, he showed me how I could find images or videos from the internet and "drag" them into my gallery to be available for future use. This was really nice to know because sometimes I find things on the web that I want to use in other presentations, and now I will be able to find them really easily.

Another useful tool that I learned was how to use the magnifying glass to show hidden answers or images. I discussed with him how I could use this in my math class. From what I learned, I can now type my answers to the problems in ahead of time and make the font WHITE so it is not visible. Then, when I move the magnifier over the text box, the answer will appear. This feature is something that can be used in ANY classroom. Something else that can be used in any classroom is the "screen shade" which can be applied to any page to show only the part of the page that you want the students to see. This works just like a piece of paper works with an overhead projector.

I really enjoyed the webinar, especially because I was able to ask questions that pertain to what I use the software for everyday. I use Smart Notebook for almost ALL of my lessons now because there is so much interaction and variance in the way I can deliver an otherwise "boring" topic. I definitely recommend, if you have not use the software much, that you try to make just one lesson with it. Just play around with the pictures and the shapes that are available. Let me know if you have any questions- I have learned a lot about it in the past few months!

NETS* T3

Today's blog is on modeling digital-age work and learning. According to the NETS, teachers should exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society. The indicator that sparks my interest from this standard is b: "collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community mmebers using digital tools and resources to support student access and innovation. "



I think that is one of the main goals of this class- to be able to use technology to communicate with our colleagues, students, and their parents. I have used tools like Edline to do exactly that; I post my daily homework as well as project instructions, upcoming tests, etc. Other than this tool and email, I cannot think think of another technology tool that I have used to communicate with families. I suppose blogging and wiki pages could be useful for that, but I have yet to find a good way to use those tools for math.



One way, though, that I am able to collaborate with my colleagues is literally emailing each other lessons, assessments, etc. A way that I have STOLEN from teachers is through Teacher Tube. I get lessons ideas and videos off this site to use with my students, but I have not contributed to it yet- so that's why I called it STEALING!

I have already shared my Smart Notebook Game Project with several people, and I think collaboration and communication is one of the most important parts of teaching.

NETS*T2 Cont...

As a culminating activity for my students, I have decided to have them create board games using Smart Notebook 10. They will address all of the 7th Grade Math Standards following a guideline that I will provide. This project aligns with NETS*T2b in that the students will be working collaboratively and actively participating in their own learning.

I am still in the process of creating my requirements for the project, but I do know that the students will need a certain number of questions from each standard in their game. They will also be required to create their OWN questions, which will allow the students to not only review the material but to diversify their questions based on skill level. I am thinking of having my gifted students either create harder questions or more questions per standard. I think I am going to use the tutorial that I linked to my blog last week as a introduction as how to create the game board. However, I am in the process of creating my own step-by-step tutorial on Word....Thanks to Kelly!!! Also, Jim showed us how to create a live tutorial using Smart Notebook where you can record your voice and show what you are doing on the computer. If time allows, I am going to attempt that as well!

When the students have completed their games, I am either going to have the students play each others' in the lab or all together as a class in my room. One of the things I really like about this project is that it allows the students to "pursue their individual curiosities", as stated in NETS*T2c. I think the students will really enjoy being able to create something so neat, and I think they will take responsibility and ownership of it.

I Just Found Some More Neat Smart Notebook Stuff...

Ok, now that I have been introduced to Smart Notebook, I have been exploring and researching it EVERY DAY. I found a video on TeacherTube that

NETS- T2

According to the National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers, educators should design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessments incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to reinforce the National Education Technology Standards for Students. The first indicator under this standard states that teachers should design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity. This is my third year as a math teacher, and reflecting on my teaching the past few years, I think that I really try to create meaningful experiences for students. One of the things that I think I do best as a math teacher is to make the content relate to students' lives. I often create real-world activities or even just explain to the students how what we are learning is actually used in real life.

I do think, though, that I often struggle with incorporating technology into these experiences. I have attended many technology workshops about how to incorporate technology in the classroom, but they are often aimed at every subject EXCEPT math. My goal is to find as many tools that I can use in my MATH classroom. One tool that I have become very interested in is Smart Notebook. There are so so so many things that educators can create to make an ordinary lesson become more interactive and interesting for students.

Last trimester, I had my students make game boards as a culminating activity. I gave them guidlines as to what kinds of questions they had to include and they worked in collaborative groups. The students really enjoyed the project, and I required them to create their OWN questions and answers, not just copy them from the textbook. I think I would like to extend this project using Smart Notebook as a review for the OAT and a review of the skills the students have learned this year. I found a great video on how to make gameboards on Smart Notebook that I could show my students before beginning the project:



There are soooooo many manipulatives in this program that I am going to need to devote a lot of time to exploring it. Check it out! This is something that can be used in any subject!