Technology in the Classroom

Twitter, Jing, Edmodo, Wordle

Technology is constantly changing. With these changes comes improvements in our schools systems. Teachers are able to connect better with one another, their students, and make life in the classroom more interesting. Using Twitter, Jing, Edmodo and Wordle along with many technolgogies has helped integrate technology into the lives of educators and into the classroom setting.

Twitter

As a teacher one must be careful not to use social networking sites in the wrong way, twitter and Facebook are often a big no no for many teachers, however, if used correctly they become a great tool for education. For instance, if a teacher has assigned a project the students in the class will be able to follow the teachers professional twitter in order to keep up with assignments, view tutorials, ask questions, and learn to use social networking in the proper way. They will be held responsible for what they write but also be rewarded for answering other students questions, seeking help and making sure to have the assignment on time. Twitter will also allow your students to get access to their assignments from multiple devices, it is paperless, and will learn how to network. It allows not only the teacher to track their participation but also gives a chance for the student to. Twitter is a great resource teachers should begin to utilize more often. It allows for a more interesting way to engage learners than lecturing.Twitter keeps students on track by allowing them to constantly check deadlines for assignments.

Misconceptions of Twitter

• Only for celebrity gossip, sports, blogging and personal thought
• Information on Twitter is not relevant to learning
• Any Twitter feed is useful because it contains information

Benefits of Twitter

• Gives students an alternative way to participate
• Keeps thoughts focused
• Immediate communication
• Increased personal communication skills
• collaboration with others
• Provides an outlet to ask questions
• Resource to connect with professionals

Jing

Due to the increase in technology in the classroom, Jing is a wonderful tool to know how to use! It not only makes life easier when copying images but can also copy videos as well. If a picture is unable to be copied and pasted into the needed location you can simply Jing it! Jing is a free sophware that can be easily installed on ones desk top and quickly accessed when needed. It allows one to essentially “share screens” with the other person viewing your blog, lesson plan, or directions. In a classroom setting Jing could be used in multiple ways, especially when attempting to show step by step directions on a computer. At the beginning of the semester we worked alongside a tutorial, learning how to use this great and useful software. I later used Jing on multiple occasions, especially with slide shows for other classes. Jing works as a great visual aide! Here is a tutorial on how to Jing an image or video!

Edmodo

From the very start of the semester we have been using Edmodo in order to assign upcoming blogs, share blogs and assignments, receive grades and notifications and see each others work when possible. Edmodo has allowed for collaboration between not only the teacher but the class. It has allowed for a safe technologically advanced classroom community. The thing that I have enjoyed most about Edmodo is the calender. The calender is a great way to be able to plan out what is due, when it is due, and how much time I should allot for a particular assignment. Having assignments laid out in a calender form has always helped me plan effectively and efficiently. Turning in Assignments and receiving grades was a breeze. To turn in an assignment you simply send the link to the teacher on the due date. The teacher can then easily reply back that it has come through correctly. Not long after you'll receive a notification saying that it has been graded. Overall, Edmodo is a great tool to use as a student and as a teacher. It has been implemented into my classroom nicely and should be used in High Schools all over the country. I believe this would be a great source to use for an English class where things are often done on the computer. It keeps things paperless (so nothing is lost in the shuffle) and allows for students to keep track of their progress.

Wordle

Wordle was the very first assignment that was given in my Education Tech class. Wordle is an image made by words that express a certain idea or thing that is made into a “word cloud”. It was a great way for us to introduce ourselves to the class while getting acclimated with using the schools computers and Edmodo (where we posted our creations). Wordle was an interesting way to say ones interests, hobbies, background and random facts about oneself.

Uses for Wordle

• spelling lists
• names/ interests
• general display purposes
• reflections
• poetry