When looking at on-line tools for the educational environment, I have been introduced to many different and wonderful tools that can be utilized by the teacher and/or students. I find that the best tools out there are assistants for the teachers but require the students to think, write, and problem-solve. If I had to develop a toolbox, I would have to include some of the following types of tools: (this will be updated on a continious basis – based on new information presented to me and/or searched out)
1. Classroom Management Tool – One of the better free tools that I ran across when looking for an on-line classroom management tool was HotChalk.com. This site allows the teacher to develop an on-line classroom environment based on their on-site classroom and provides the teacher with the ability to post assignments, grades, test/quizzes, etc. for the purpose of monitoring and maintaining their classroom even when they are not there.
2. Blogs – This is another wonderful on-line tool that can be utilized by the teacher along with the students to help put ideas out there for consideration not to mention to help with the enhancement of their writing and/or problem-solving skills. I created a blog for my Information Technology students that will allow me to present information to my students and provide them with the medium to respond to that information. One can reach my blog and read what my students had to say at: http://pratersviewofit.wordpress.com. I was really surprised at some of the answers I received and how their thought processes seemed to be better in my blog then they would have ever been if I had them write those thoughts with pen and paper. This tool was harder to get up and running, especially in a public school system, because of the internet security in place. I also think that with any tool, one should not use this medium everyday or the students will soon develop burn out and your responses may not be at thoughtful!
3. Wiki’s – Wonderful tool for information – one must be careful on the reliability of the info and back the information up with other sources. My students have been utilizing this tool long before I even knew about them for all types of games! I am really just beginning to enjoy what this tool has to offer.
4. MySpace.com – At the beginning of the year, our administrative staff informed the teachers throughout the district that if they had a myspace page, they would need to get rid of it (some teachers were not utilizing this tool in a professional manner). I didn’t have a myspace page nor did I want one because all of my students had one and I thought they were for “kids”. After taking this class, and looking at on-line tools, I can kinda see how myspace could be a useful tool in getting aquainted with your students. I am a teacher that likes to know what makes my students tick and this is a wonderful way.
I also saw first hand what a wonderful tool this can be in keeping up with past students because one of my favorite students who graduated two years ago joined the army. I was talking to him through IM (Which is another tool I will be discussing in my list) and he wanted to show me pictures of him in the service and he was able to do this through his myspace page. Before I could view his pictures, I had to create my own page (another adventure I have embarked upon) and I began to see why my student enjoy myspace. One must ask themselves, do the students know more then us?
5. IM (Instant Messenger) – What a great tool for communication! I have selective hearing and on many occassion, I have a tendency to block people out who are talking to me. I notice that with IM I have to read, which makes me “have” to pay attention to what they are saying to me. This is actually a fairly good tool for those who suffer from ADD (Attention Deficient Disorder)! I needed to add one of my students to my IM for one reason or another and when I was in the process of adding that one student, all my other students were saying “add me, add me”; I did and it is really fun to talk to your students after hours. You can get a lot of insight into their thoughts and what makes them tick! But always remember, be professional; after all, they are your students!
TOOLBOX: To be continued…..
