Thursday, June 16, 2016
Language Arts App- Read Me Stories
I really enjoyed this app and downloaded to for my son for when he begins to learn to read. I like how there is a new book/story everyday. This way the child does not get bored with reading the same story over and over. Different stories allow the child to be exposed to different vocabulary also. The app makes reading fun for the child. The colors and animations are very eye-catching and inviting for the child. I could see myself using this app if I was teaching Kindergarten. If I was in a classroom that had iPads, students could use earphones to listen to the daily story. This app is a good app for younger students learning to read and relates to the Language Arts CCSS.
Google Docs
Google Docs is similar to Microsoft Word. Google Docs allows you to not only take notes, but write down anything you would like. After learning about Google Docs, I could see myself using it instead of Word. I like how you do not have to constantly save your work. I also like how it is on Google Drive, and I can access it anywhere I am as long as I have internet. I do not have to constantly email it to myself. Like Word, I am able to insert pictures, graphs, and links into my Google Docs. It has most of the same features as Word. These are some of Doc's strengths. The only weaknesses Docs has in my mind is that it is so similar to Word, that some people might just continue to use Word. That being said, I still think I would switch over to Docs simply for the fact my work is saved on Google Drive and I can access it easier than something in Microsoft Word.
Google Docs also allows you to share your documents with others. This allows that person to edit and collaborate on your work. After collaborating my Doc, it was interesting to see someone else's perspective. This could be useful for students when writing a paper. They could share it with their classmate or teacher to make sure they are on the right track before they turn it in. This is something Microsoft Word is not capable of.
Google Docs is tied into CCSS in different ways. Our Google Apps book talks about a student could be asked to read a book and do a report on it. They then can take that information and present it using a brochure they made in Docs (Graham, pg. 42.) This relates to the Language Arts standards and shows students can read and build upon what they read. They can also retell a story they read using different things. Google Docs has many great aspects I can use as a teacher but also in my classroom with my students.
Google Docs also allows you to share your documents with others. This allows that person to edit and collaborate on your work. After collaborating my Doc, it was interesting to see someone else's perspective. This could be useful for students when writing a paper. They could share it with their classmate or teacher to make sure they are on the right track before they turn it in. This is something Microsoft Word is not capable of.
Google Docs is tied into CCSS in different ways. Our Google Apps book talks about a student could be asked to read a book and do a report on it. They then can take that information and present it using a brochure they made in Docs (Graham, pg. 42.) This relates to the Language Arts standards and shows students can read and build upon what they read. They can also retell a story they read using different things. Google Docs has many great aspects I can use as a teacher but also in my classroom with my students.
Spreadsheets
Mrs. Barnhart's Gradebook (Link to my spreadsheet)
The spreadsheet was not as complicated as I thought it was going to be. It is very similar to Excel. I use Excel a lot at my place of work (Accounting for my family's Hospitality Company) and found it not extremely difficult. Most of the functions and formulas were the same. Like Excel, you are also able to insert a formula, and then drag ur curser down so it fills in the same formula for other lines you want to have matching formulas. I found it easy to fill in my information, and then insert the formula to match the answer I was needing. Everything stayed neat and organized.
I could definitely see myself using this as a gradebook as a teacher. If you already had the spreadsheet made, all a teacher would have to do is input numbers. One could even have the formulas already inserted as well. This makes for a fast and productive way to organize grades. Being able to save it on the computer is also great for me so I don't have to worry about bringing it with me or losing it. I can access it anywhere I have internet.
The easiest part of the spreadsheet I thought was the actual formulas. Most of the formulas were the same so I did not have to look up new ones and learn them. It is so easy to insert the formula and then just click or click and drag the numbers you want inputted into that formula. I love how it does all the math for me, so there is less of a chance of a mistake (if all of the numbers and formulas are inputted correctly.) The one thing that is still not clear to me is wrapping text. On my grade scale, I wanted to wrap the text so that the text "Grade Scale" was all in one box rather than two. I had trouble with the "wrapping text" function even in Excel.
Spreadsheets could be used to address CCSS in many different ways. As a whole, the teacher could use a spreadsheet on the board to show the class average for a quiz or grade. This shows assessment and if students understand what they are being taught. Some ways for students to use spreadsheets would be to collect data and input that into a spreadsheet. They can then use that date to make different charts and scales to show their findings. Ch. 9 talks about how Mathematical Practice is perfect for spreadsheets and allows students to use critical thinking in their work with spreadsheets (Graham, pg. 93)
I enjoyed using Spreadsheets and can continue to see myself use this in my future teaching career not only as a gradebook, but incorporating it in my teaching as well. The more I use spreadsheets, the more familiar I will become with it, which will allow me to use it for even more things!
The spreadsheet was not as complicated as I thought it was going to be. It is very similar to Excel. I use Excel a lot at my place of work (Accounting for my family's Hospitality Company) and found it not extremely difficult. Most of the functions and formulas were the same. Like Excel, you are also able to insert a formula, and then drag ur curser down so it fills in the same formula for other lines you want to have matching formulas. I found it easy to fill in my information, and then insert the formula to match the answer I was needing. Everything stayed neat and organized.
I could definitely see myself using this as a gradebook as a teacher. If you already had the spreadsheet made, all a teacher would have to do is input numbers. One could even have the formulas already inserted as well. This makes for a fast and productive way to organize grades. Being able to save it on the computer is also great for me so I don't have to worry about bringing it with me or losing it. I can access it anywhere I have internet.
The easiest part of the spreadsheet I thought was the actual formulas. Most of the formulas were the same so I did not have to look up new ones and learn them. It is so easy to insert the formula and then just click or click and drag the numbers you want inputted into that formula. I love how it does all the math for me, so there is less of a chance of a mistake (if all of the numbers and formulas are inputted correctly.) The one thing that is still not clear to me is wrapping text. On my grade scale, I wanted to wrap the text so that the text "Grade Scale" was all in one box rather than two. I had trouble with the "wrapping text" function even in Excel.
Spreadsheets could be used to address CCSS in many different ways. As a whole, the teacher could use a spreadsheet on the board to show the class average for a quiz or grade. This shows assessment and if students understand what they are being taught. Some ways for students to use spreadsheets would be to collect data and input that into a spreadsheet. They can then use that date to make different charts and scales to show their findings. Ch. 9 talks about how Mathematical Practice is perfect for spreadsheets and allows students to use critical thinking in their work with spreadsheets (Graham, pg. 93)
I enjoyed using Spreadsheets and can continue to see myself use this in my future teaching career not only as a gradebook, but incorporating it in my teaching as well. The more I use spreadsheets, the more familiar I will become with it, which will allow me to use it for even more things!
Monday, June 13, 2016
Google Drive/ Presentations
Google Presentations is extremely similar to Microsoft PowerPoint. The layout for the most part is the same. I can add slides and change the layout of each slide if I choose. I can also change the animation of when text appears during my presentation. I have made many PowerPoints during college for different projects like group presentations and individual presentations. I have also used them for teaching a lesson plan. I like how Google Presentations automatically saves my work. Microsoft PowerPoint does not do this. Presentations allows you to share with certain people, where as PowerPoint does not. Google Presentations only allows you to copy, cut, and paste using the keyboard shortcuts. PowerPoint allows you to do this with the mouse as well. Overall Presentations and PowerPoint are very similar and I will probably use both in my classroom.
Chapter 5 discusses Presentations. Presentations are related to common core as they allow students to "present information in clear, concise ways to prepare them for the rigors of communicating to a specific audience" (Graham, pg. 72.) Common Core State Standards state that students must understand the information taught to them. They can demonstrate understanding by creating a Presentation about what they learned. Students could do this individually or in a group setting. Google Presentations can be implemented into our lesson plans and relate to CCSS in many different ways.
Link to my Google Presentation:
Chelsea Presentation
Chapter 5 discusses Presentations. Presentations are related to common core as they allow students to "present information in clear, concise ways to prepare them for the rigors of communicating to a specific audience" (Graham, pg. 72.) Common Core State Standards state that students must understand the information taught to them. They can demonstrate understanding by creating a Presentation about what they learned. Students could do this individually or in a group setting. Google Presentations can be implemented into our lesson plans and relate to CCSS in many different ways.
Link to my Google Presentation:
Chelsea Presentation
Google Drawing
I've thoroughly enjoyed playing around with Google Drawing. I can add different shapes and edit them how I want. I can also add text. I could see myself using this in my classroom to make posters, flyers, or newsletters. I could update it from year to year. I could implement Google Drawing into my teaching lessons as well. I could have students develop a flyer or poster for a book report. They could also use this if they ran for class president and create posters to put up. There are endless ways to use Google Drawing.
I explored the elementary school lesson- Exploring Shapes. I thought this was a great lesson and way to incorporate Google Drawing into common core. Students were given freedom to manipulate the shapes they wanted, yet were given instructions as to what was expected of them. They were able to expand their vocabulary by the words used in Google Drawing. They are able to draw, name, and recognize the characteristics of different shapes. This is a great way to incorporate technology into the classroom and meeting common core standards.
Chapter 8 discusses how to use Google Drawing and gives tips to include in Common Core. Like the exploring shapes lesson plan, chapter 8 gives an example how to explore geometry in math and meet the common core standards. Students are asked to draw, construct, and describe geometrical figures in seventh grade. They can use Google Drawing for this to show they can meet the common core standard for this. Chapter 8 also gives ideas for teachers like creating puzzles for assessing student's knowledge of a standard. Google Drawing can be implemented in many ways to meet common core standards.
I explored the elementary school lesson- Exploring Shapes. I thought this was a great lesson and way to incorporate Google Drawing into common core. Students were given freedom to manipulate the shapes they wanted, yet were given instructions as to what was expected of them. They were able to expand their vocabulary by the words used in Google Drawing. They are able to draw, name, and recognize the characteristics of different shapes. This is a great way to incorporate technology into the classroom and meeting common core standards.
Chapter 8 discusses how to use Google Drawing and gives tips to include in Common Core. Like the exploring shapes lesson plan, chapter 8 gives an example how to explore geometry in math and meet the common core standards. Students are asked to draw, construct, and describe geometrical figures in seventh grade. They can use Google Drawing for this to show they can meet the common core standard for this. Chapter 8 also gives ideas for teachers like creating puzzles for assessing student's knowledge of a standard. Google Drawing can be implemented in many ways to meet common core standards.
Strip Design App
This app seemed pretty easy to use. It allowed you to choose a design or template and then add pictures to it. The pictures could be edited, and you could add text boxes and stickers to the project as well. This could be used in the classroom in many different ways. I could see myself using this during a reading lesson. I could have students design a template to tell the story of a book they read. I could also use this app with science as well. Students could group different kingdoms together and shows pictures of animals in that kingdom. This isn't my absolute favorite app we have reviewed so far, but there are ways I could incorporate it into my classroom and use it for learning.
Adobe Photoshop Express
I was unaware this app was available for iPad, iPhone, etc. I could see myself using this app for personal use, as well as in the classroom. The video showed the app is very easy to use. Like Adobe Photoshop on the computer, most of the editing options were the same. I find it very helpful when they make apps similar to computer versions. I could use this in my classroom if I could a photo online I wanted to incorporate in my classroom. I could download it and edit it whatever way I wanted to. It would be fun to have pictures up in the classroom that relate to the lessons we are learning. I believe it is important to change pictures around the classroom and this app could help me do this. I also could use this app if I wanted to take pictures of my students for a class list. The ways I could use this app in my classroom are endless.
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