Tool 11

I am so thrilled to have completed 11 Tools, and I learned a lot about the many technology-based programs there are for use in my classroom. I really liked creating an Animoto and feel it would be great to have students make them at the beginning of the year as a way of getting to know each other better and introducing themselves to me as well. I also loved using Wordle and would love to incorporate it into my reading program at the beginning of the year to introduce book club titles. It would also be great for assessing science concept formation at the end of a unit of study.
2. My thinking regarding technology in the classroom has changed because I have been surprised at how I was able to navigate through what I learned more easily than I anticipated. I do understand that teaching using this technology is better at accomodating all student learning styles. I will be organizing lessons around these programs as well as class centers to reinforce concepts.
After working on 23 Things several summers ago, I became a bit frustrated that the learning I had undergone would be difficult to reinforce, but after completing 11 Tools, I feel a sense that I can manage much of what I have learned. I am excited about the possibilities of this upcoming year.