Technology Tools in the Classroom

Initially, being a second grade self contained teacher I found it to be more of a challenge to figure out which tools would be developmentally appropriate and beneficial for my students. I always want to be careful to only use technology that really strengthens the lesson rather than just using technology for technology's sake. At this point, I do not feel comfortable enough to have my students create and read blogs because I'm not sure how they could access the blog safely with no option of going to other websites (the students' Internet access does not allow them to type in a web address-they are only allowed to click on pre-determined websites from our Eboards). However, I do think that I am going to have my students use the i-note feature on my Eboard as a blog because then I know it is safe and secure. I can also monitor all responses before they post. For example, I will ask the students an open-ended question and have them post their responses for other students to read and then respond to. In this way, students are constructing their own understanding of a given topic based on their knowledge and the knowledge of their classmates. In addition, I think I will attempt to use googledocs to create quizzes and tests. As we have learned, motivation is a key factor in both constructivist theory and cognitive information processing. The googledocs quizzes and tests will allow me to keep the same short answer or multiple choice formats but the students will be more excited to take it on their laptops rather than with a pencil and paper. It also allows me to analyze the test results in new ways through the use of the googledocs spreadsheet. Although I do not think I will use the webspiraton software, I will continue to use the more kid friendly kidspiration software. I use kidspriation for fact families, life and water cycles, comparing and contrasting rural, urban, and suburban communities, among other units. I think the variety of pictures is more appropriate for my group of students. I think that the organizers help students to process the information and visually organize it which helps them commit it to memory.