Overview of class

IST has been a huge part in helping me grow as a teacher this semester. One thing I lacked in while teaching was using technology. IST has given me the confidence to start using technology in my classroom. I have started exploring with many apps I would have never thought of if it weren't for this class.

Confidence with technology

The biggest thing going into my last year with technology is having confidence with it. The more I play around with certain apps the better I feel about it. As long as I feel confident with what I am using I should be just fine with using technology.

An app I would like to try

EduCade has a ton of free, standards-based, lesson plans to try out.  You can  search by grade-level, content, or subject-area to find any lesson you might need.  All the lessons come with the resources you need, a step-by-step lesson plan, ideas for manipulative and even reviews from other teachers who have tried it out.

Using Brickflow

Brickflow is a web-based tool that instantly builds slideshows based on hashtags (#).  This is a great way to use twitter and youtube in your classroom to share ideas and videos. It's a great, free tool that I think students will enjoy using!

Educlip a must try

Educlip is an awesome tool for collecting, sharing, and organizing digital information.  It's great for students and teachers and it can be used to create a digital bulletin board of useful links, articles, pages, and you can even upload your own documents to share.  It's incredibly easy to use and to top it all off, it's free! I am excited to use this in my future classroom!

Pinterest in the classroom

Pinterest is a great resource to use in the classroom. You can find anything from lesson plans, to bulletin boards, flash cards, videos, and much more. Pinterest is a great way to share ideas with other teachers and is also a great way to learn some ideas to use for your classroom.

How far technology has came in my life time

Technology has came along ways in just my life time. I remember watching tv when I was younger and being happy with just color. Heck now we have HD tvs that look like we are at a game if we are watching a sporting event. I remember when I was very young my grandparents had a bag cell phone. Wow we have went along way it just nearly 20 years!

Popplet App in the Classroom

I recently explore using the Popplet App in the classroom and it turned out to be a great success. The App allows you to have a book talk with your students. It allows you to use a web to organize ideas. This is a great way to let kids explore and to get interested in reading books.

How much is too much?

As we all know technology is beginning to take over classrooms. For the most part this is a good thing. However we must not let technology control our whole classroom. Sometimes when we use too much technology it takes away our ways to reason with certain situations and sometimes even communicate with others. Just remember a steady balance is critical in all classrooms.

Teachers being aware of cyber bulling

Now that that technology is becoming more and more popular in the classroom it is important as educators to be aware of cyber bulling. Cyber bulling doesn't just happen on facebook it happens all over the web. As teacher it is important to watch for this.

Using Adobe Voice in the classroom

Adobe Voice is a great program I would encourage all teachers to use in their classroom. I would suggest it for grades 3-6. It is very simple to use almost like a powerpoint presentation. If you are going over basic concepts or introducing something new it is a great tool to use.

Safety Using Social Media as a teacher

Social Media is great for teachers to use but there are always something you need to consider. First off as a teacher you should consider what you post on twitter and or facebook. As a teacher you need to remember everybody is watching and what is posted online can be found. So as a teacher is important to make sure to not post anything bad. 

What do you do when you struggle with technology ?

When I struggle with technology I usually ask someone from help or collaborate with others. Collaborating with others can be very help to help you learn new tips and tricks. If all else fails try something else and improvise with what you have.

The power of video

The power of Video is huge. The power of video is seen almost everywhere in everyday life from tvs, to movies, sports, presentations, speakers, communication such as skyping and so much more. Video has made social media so much more powerful and easier to access. You can find almost any kind of video you want in your profession if you look hard enough. Video has made many things much more accessible and is one of the worlds because money producers.

Using Photo Editor's in Class

In the classroom there are ways you could use a photo editor. One way you could use it is by getting a picture of an event and making it very small. Then you could keep blowing up the image until the students guess what the photo is. This can get the students attention to start a certain lesson.

How to use camera in classroom

I would use the overhead camera in a couple different ways in my classroom. One way would be by taking pictures of certain lessons I put on the overhead so I could send them home with students. I would also save them on a disk so I have them for the future.

How can I use Twitter in the classroom?

In my classroom I can use twitter by using it for a place where I can get feedback from students. I can also use it by putting upcoming events, schedules, or upcoming assignments for those students that like to jump ahead.

Using social media as a student and teacher

I would use social media as a student by searching for certain problems I have in a class. Maybe I need help with math, so I can search for certain things on twitter for math that could help me. I could also tweet out to other students, to see if they could help me with my problems. As a teacher I would post certain things that are optional for students. Such as bonus problems on twitter or facebook. Possibly use it as a place for students to send me messages about how class is going for them. I would also post motivational things for students to look at, to keep them motivated about school.

Poll Everywhere

I will use poll everywhere in a few different ways. One way I will use it many different ways. One way I will use it is by using it for check for understanding. I will also use it for exit tickets.

Light Bulb Moment

A light Bulb moment I saw in my classroom was last year at Elliot Elementary. I was teaching prime and composite numbers. I first wrote the numbers 1-20 on the board and went over each number and aligned them in each category. I then wrote multiplication problems under each number. The students then began to say "ohhh prime numbers only have multiplication problem under that category." I then handed out a chart and had them write the composite numbers in green and the prime numbers in green. I finally had them write multiplication examples under each number and they really seemed to grasp the concept.

How I can use QR codes in classroom

In my classroom I will use the QR codes by using it as an exit ticket. I will then have students return there answers the next day.

Brainstorm

For my 20% project I have thought of a few different things to do. One idea I have would be to blog or doing something with the wrestling team that I coach. Possible idea's maybe making an end of the year video, making a stat sheet, results, etc.

Another possible idea is something to do with my practicum class. I may post possible lesson plan ideas, write about improvements I see in students, record how I am doing as a teacher. Along with that I might do somethings to improve my portfolio. I want to do something that will not only benefit me in this class but also in other places as well.

How can I use this Technology in my classroom.

One area I will try to use in my future classroom is some form of blackboard where both students and parents can view grades. I will put a syllabus on there so if parents have any questions there are able to contact me. This will help keep everybody on the same page.

Technology in 20 years

In 20 years I think technology is going to rule the world even more than it is today. I especially think technology will be seen almost entirely in the classroom. I believe technology will be so dominate that you will hardly see any paper, pencils, or books in the classroom. You will see computers or tablets for every student and all homework will be done electronically. I am not saying this is entirely a good thing. I think technology will take a way from students ability to have free thinking but this is what is going to.  

My introduction to a BLOG

 My name is Jared Jensen. I grew up in Dorchester, Nebraska. I lived in Dorchester until my Freshman year of College where I attended Peru State. At Peru State I majored in Elementary Education and also played football there. I then transferred to Wayne State for a year and now am back towards home at Doane College. At Doane my major is Elementary Education and Special Education. I am currently a Junior. In my free time I enjoy the outdoors, staying active, playing sports, and socializing. This is my first blog.