Software Tools in the Classroom

Materials Generators

• Materials generators help teacher and students produce instructional materials on paper and online (Roblyer p. 141). This resource is helpful for students and teachers. Google web designer is a helpful tool for animations https://www.google.com/webdesigner/.

• I would use the puzzle generator in my Social Science class http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/CrissCrossSetupForm.asp. This software allows students to enjoy their assignments while still learning.

Data Collections & Analysis Tools

• This tool helps teachers collect and organize information to provide feedback and support decision making (Roblyer p. 141). One great surveying tool is Survey Monkey https://www.surveymonkey.com/
• I will use the PowerSchool software tool in my classroom with the teachers, administrators, and parents to allow them to keep track with the students progress https://www.powerschool.com/.

Testing and Grading Tools

• Testing and grading tools allow collection and tracking of assessment information to measure student progress (Roblyer p. 142). Examples of some software program are electronic gradebook and test generators. GradeCam is a great tool to use for grading https://gradecam.com/.
• The software I will use in my classroom is Zipgrade https://www.zipgrade.com/. This software allows me to grade students test from my mobile device.

Graphic Tools

• Graphic tools allows teachers and students to create graphs and other visual data (Roblyer p. 142). Using the tool Tagul is a great way to make your word into art https://tagul.com/.
• I will use Canva in my classroom https://www.canva.com/. This software  creates graphs, posters, flyers and many other creative documents. I can use this software to send home important information to parents.

Planning and Organizing Tools

• Planning and organizing tools help organize ideas for writing and discussion; help organize, plan, and schedule activities (Roblyer p. 142). A great tool for planning projects is Thought Plan https://thoughtplan.com/.
• Tools that help teachers develop and document their descriptions of lessons are sometimes called lesson makers or lesson planners (Roblyer p.161). I will definitely use the Lesson Planning Software, My Lesson Planner, in my classroom to help cut down time with written planning. This link will get you started to a simple, easy, and more organized lesson planning https://www.mylessonplanner.com/.

Research and Reference Tools

• Research and reference tools include digital versions of encyclopedias, atlases and mapping tools, and dictionaries and thesauruses (Roblyer p. 162) Here is a tool for a government class http://www.loc.gov/rr/.
•  I am open to using different research and reference tools in my classroom. One software I am will try is Zotero. Zotero is the only research tool that automatically senses content in your web browser, allowing you to add it to your personal library with a single click https://www.zotero.org/.

Content-Area Tools

• Content-area tools support tasks specific to content areas such as technology education, music, reading, science, math, social studies, and foreign languages (Roblyer p.142). A great tool for language translation is google translator  https://translate.google.com/.
• In my Social Science class i would use the tool Epals http://www.epals.com/#/connections. This will allow my students to interact with students their age across the country. I can monitor their use and also set a age limit.

Digital Citizenship--The Web Life

Search Engines & Web Navigation:

M.D. Roblyer states that before the Internet, it was difficult to locate specific resources or items of information. Now there is so much information that companies have developed special searching programs to help us locate items called search engines (p.182 Roblyer). This new technology makes it easier for a student or a teacher to find information on a specific item or document. Instead of  reading books and other forms of research it is all at the tip of your fingers. All you have to do is type a keyword or ask a question and the search engine will retrieve the information related to the topic.

Website Evaluation:

In the video below, it explains how to identify if a web page is a credible source. The librarian gave the acronym CRAAP to help the students to remember when trying to determine the credibility of a source. I would use this technique in my classroom because it will catch the students attention and help them to remember the steps to follow. Watch as the students search for help to figure out how to recognize a credible source.

Favorite Professional Websites:

I chose two teaching websites that I would use in my classroom with my students to help keep them engaged in our daily lectures. My first website is www.teachertube.com, this website allows teachers to search for instructional videos in a secure environment. With this site I can search for catchy songs or phrases to share with my students to help them retain information that is taught in the classroom. This website can be checked off under media on the Website Evaluation Criteria Checklist. Graphics, video, and sound are included to help communicate on the topic; their purpose is not decorative (p 198 Roblyer). The second website i will use in my classroom is www.powtoon.com, to create a short animated clip to keep the students excited and interested in the lesson. This website will also challenge the students to create characters or create additional scenes from books. This website also falls under the media and visual design on the Website Evaluation Criteria Checklist. It adds interest and motivation for users, information is presented in an innovative and creative way (p.198 Roblyer).

Online Safety and Security:

The topic that stood out most to me was the Social Networking Sites(SNS). Social networking sites are websites that give members a space in which they can create a personal profile, contribute content, and connect and interact with others (p.190 Roblyer). The research on SNSs focused on young people and their use of social media. In a study of preteen use of social media, Weeden, Cooke, and McVey (2013) found that many young people begin using social media at age 9, and almost all were on Facebook by age 12. The children also acknowledged that they misrepresented their age in order to join Facebook, since the published age requirement was 13 (p.190 Roblyer). I believe that as a teacher we will do everything possible to make sure our students are using online safety. The best practice is show students the safest way to use online sites outside of the classroom.


Resources:

Roblyer, M.D. 2016. Intergrating Educatonal Technology into Teaching