As I stare at this computer I am trying to figure out how to start this blog. In the past year, I have been using more and more technology. It all started with the acquisition of a Smart Board. Last April I had a Smart Board installed and have been using ít ever since. I started with using it for lessons that I downloaded from Smart Exchange and by the Fall I was using it the whole day. I am now hoping that my projector bulb doesn't burn out because I rely on my Smart Board for my daily teaching. The students also enjoy using the Smart Board and some of them even asked for one of their own in their Santa letters this year. By playing around with the Smart Notebook, I have learned how to create my own lessons as well as incorporate the web into my lessons. The Smart Board acts as a white board (recognizing my writing as well as the students writing and changing it into type font), an interactive board for lessons, a projector for DVDs,You Tube, Tumble Books, the document camera and the iPad (which I have just started using). When I first started using the Smart Board there was some frustrating times when the screen would turn purple or the board wouldn't orient. For example, the first day of school I planned to show a Tumble Books to the students but up until 10 minutes before the bell rang the screen was purple. I tried everything and finally it worked. Once in awhile, I still have small problems with connections but they are solved easily. As I used the Smart Board more and more my confidence grew and I came to realize what a wonderful tool for learning it is.
My other two favourite pieces of technology are the iPod and the iPad. I only have one of each but they are used constantly throughout the day. The students listen to stories on them, write stories, make puppet shows and practise their sight words and math facts. I have seen reluctant writers flourish and create wonderful stories on the Scribble Press App. The students are excited and engaged when using the i-Pad and i-Pod. I have learned alot this month from playing with these two pieces of technology but it amazes me how much the students know.
I am excited about incorporating technology into my lessons and teaching. I have spent this year reading other great blogs and getting great ideas to improve my own teaching. It is exciting and invigorating to try new things in my teaching. Last Pro-D, I spent the day at Ed Camp, where I met a wonderful teacher from Surrey who has inspired me to use more technology with my students. She told us about how her students blog which really interested my friend Lora and I. This Spring, I am looking forward to having my students blog their own ideas.
This Spring Break, I have spent my days relaxing but also making new lessons for my Smart Board, book marking several You Tube videos, following Twitter and Pinterest and playing with the iPad. I have downloaded many new apps and I am looking forward to seeing what my students can do with them. One of these apps is an animation app called Doink. I also have spent the last couple of days creating this blog. A year ago I could barely text on my phone and now I am fully embracing technology.
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