Google Docs Review

I recently used Google Docs with fellow classmates for a project. At first review, just like many new things, I found it a bit confusing. After using it a few times and familiarizing myself with all its capabilities I decided that it is a valuable tool. Google Docs is really an easy to use online word processor editor that enables anyone in your network of collaborators to store, share and edit documents. It makes the editing process more stream lined and quicker. With this type of tool you do not have to wait long for feedback and rewrite, you can edit write on the document. I added the app to my ipad so it is completely mobile for me. I can now edit and collaborate at anytime. Additionally, I think this has great educational value in a classroom. I teach middle school Language Arts and my students are required to write a research paper as well as complete other projects throughout the year. Now that I have the knowledge of this tool I will ask them to use google docs when they ask me to edit and check their work prior to their final work. In my subject area I see this as a very valuable tool.

Using Technology with At-Risk Students

Educators today are calling for meaningful learning activities that engage our most at-risk learners. Educators are constantly looking for ways to motivate, engage and help students learn basic skills that will help them assimilate their knowledge into real world skills that will allow them to be productive citizens. To do this educators have a challenging road of reform ahead. Instead of students practicing skills in isolation these skills should be taught in the context of working through authentic tasks.
Technology can also help students form cooperative learning environments where they help each other learn. This teaches students valuable life skills which are applicable to working in the work-force.
Additionally, we must look at equity for our at-risk populations. It must become a priority of state and local agencies to provide equal access to all our students.
In relationship to teachers, we must also be certain to provide on-going professional development in the appropriate uses of educational technology.
If we want our students to succeed in the 21st century we must prepare them with the technological skills for an ever changing world.

Wiki Experiment

I recently challenged my students to validate the reliability of Wikipedia in an experiment meant to teach about reliability and validity of sources. I gave them a printed copy of a wikipedia article that was unaltered and then the same article after I had changed it and challenged them to discover which article had the correct facts. My students spent a class period researching the information in small groups and collaborating on their findings. I was surprised at the short length of time it took for them to prove which article was correct and which was fake. All in all the experiment was successful and my students learned an important lesson of not believing everything that is in print.

Dianne's comments on Prezi

I recently looked at two animation type programs for a project, Animoto and Prezi. After looking at the benefits of both I decided that Prezi was a better fit for what I was looking for. The directions to create your collage, as I call it, were clear and concise. The program allowed you to import pictures from your collection or from the web with little difficulty. I especially liked the way you could use the animation device to rotate, enlarge or reduce your titles. The zoom in, zoom out feature added to the presentation. Additionally, you could choose a path or order for your pictures or sayings. Prezi was a good device for this presentation. I will also try animoto for future presentations.
The students in my seventh grade advanced Language Arts class were given a project last week. I gave them several options for creating presentations to go along with their novels. I offered aminoto or prezi to them and I was very interested to see how they would feel about using this type of technology. The majority of them chose prezi for their presentation model. I shared one that I created with them and gave them about a week to create theirs. I am anxious to see what they come up with. I really had to go through the process with them of showing them how to create one, which surprised me. But none the less they are excited about their projects.

Your prezis | Prezi

Your prezis Prezi