iGoogle experience

This week I created an iGoogle homepage. At first, I thought that iGoogle was webpage, not a place to set preferences that would make a place for me to find webpages easier.  I did have some difficulty finding iGoogle.

I typically use Firefox as a search engine.  I had looked for the icons the iGoogle tutorial stated to look for.  I was not able to find the icon.  I had to log into my gmail account. Then, I had to perform a search for iGoogle.  Once I was in the right place, I found it easy to create a home page. I frequently go back to use. I would advice anyone to use it.

Personal growth & learning

This week has been active and insightful.  I have used more technology in my classroom then my SmartBoard, graphing calculator and the typical word document. It is often difficult to keep students engaged in the guided practice and independent practice.  There is a place for integrated technology inside the math classroom. 

I had a misconception that using an online program would not give students the opportunity to engage in the needed practice of skills to gain fluency.  I have learned this week that not only is it possible, but can be a wonderful tool inside the classroom.  I have also seen students begin to ask if it would be possible to complete the assignment a second time.

I am also able to add to my resume programs that I am able to use. I have used Skype, Jing, Googledocs, iGoogle, and Prezi. I have experimented with Glogster as well. I look forward to learning about more programs I can integrate in my classroom.

A new fun tool!

I was asked to examine a Web2.0 tool during class this week. I examined a few different website that dealt with creating interactive on line quizzes and polls for my students that my students could access on line at home.  One particular difficulty I have with my students is attendance issues.  Often, a significant percentage of my students miss at least one class during the week.  Another difficulty is keeping the needed drill and practice in the math content area entertaining enough to keep students engaged. 

Kubbu.com offered a solution to both situations. They offer a few levels of memberships.  One level is free to teachers and students.  Teachers are able to create and assign practice activities and quizzes that students are able to access on any computer at any time.  The students would have to log in.  I created an activity in which students had to match an equation with the correct solution.  The students did not realize they were actually reviewing one major skill they needed for their final.  My students who find it difficult to solve 10 linear equation solved 16 equations.  The students stated that they enjoyed the activity and would like to use them again. 

As a teacher, I found it easy to use. I was able to quickly create an assignment and give my students access to the assignment. I will continue to use this website for the res of the year.  The one drawback for secondary math teachers is the difficulty creating exponents.

Confusion.....???

Where to begin?  That is the questions that I have asked myself when beginning my experiments with technology.  I was asked to find a picture that best represented myself for my teaching with technology course.  Each week I begin slightly confused.  By the end of the week, I have learned something new.  My goal for next year is to incorporate some of what I have learned during this course with my student next year.

Gaining literacy

Introduction & Some comments on  the new meaning of literacy - 

                  When most people hear to the word literacy, they begin thinking of books they read when learning how to read. They think of the literature they either loved or hated during their English class.  People rarely think of literacy in terms of technology.  The need for informational literacy on the web is increasing.  Many rely on the "web" to find information on diseases, laws, news, research, and other information.  Often, people do have not gained informational literacy.  Many conversations I have had with students, parents and colleagues about what they have read or seen on the internet.  Occasionally, some forget to examine the website they gained the information.  Mathematician and statisticians are taught to examine research statistics by who published and found the information.  Website have to be examined in much the same way.  

                How do people determine what is fact and what is fiction on the internet?  Luckily, I had a college professor who instructed us on evaluating a website (more years ago than I would like to remember).  My professor instructed the class to examine the author, the publisher, as well as the information included on the website and the article.  While I will strive to write well informed blogs and impart knowledge and insights I have gained through various sources, I realize my blogs are not entirely researched based. I will include my opinion, as I believe that is the intention of this blog.

                As ever, I am working to increase my information literacy and increase my knowledge of technology.   Please read, comment and follow my evolution in technology literacy.  Hopefully you will enjoy my banter, insights and ideas founded in research and experience as a teacher, wife, and mother.

(please note, above I have included a hyperlink to Merrium-Webster on-line dictionary,

Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, 2012 )