tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post6644642061622306858..comments2024-03-28T05:35:07.354-04:00Comments on Lisa Nielsen: The Innovative Educator: 6 Ways to Turn Your 1-Computer Classroom Into a Global Communication CenterLisa Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07759123507185453030noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-8845617982608163902012-02-29T21:10:41.606-05:002012-02-29T21:10:41.606-05:00Thank you for this post! I could not agree more th...Thank you for this post! I could not agree more that “real world success requires connected classrooms and global learners who have the world at their fingertips and know how to connect, communicate, collaborate, and connect with their neighbors around the world.” I teach in an urban, underprivileged school district that truly lacks in technology resources to further student learning. So many teachers complain that they “just don’t have the resources” to integrate technology effectively. This blog is a testament to the fact that it is not difficult to bring our students “out of the past and into the present” with the basic tools that we already have like an internet connection, a laptop, and a projector. It is refreshing to see all the ways I can expose my students to technology and connect my students with real-world knowledge with the basic tools that already exist in my classroom. <br /><br />I am happy to note that I have already implemented some of the suggestions mentioned. My class adopted a “virtual pet” via Ustream, and I frequently use Skype to connect my learners with other classrooms and educational experts. What I have never done is bring social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, or Blogger into the classroom. I am already using these sites for personal use, and I know my students their parents are too. What a great idea to utilize these free sites as education resources in the classroom! (Unfortunately, my district blocks access to all social media sites…but I am sure I could find a way around this.)<br /><br />Thank you for your suggestions on how to connect to those students and families with limited English proficiency, using translation tools. My school has a great Hispanic population and it would be very helpful to use the translation tools you have mentioned to convert blogs or newsletters into Spanish. I was not aware that Google Chrome will automatically identify and translate websites. This is another helpful resource for linguistically diverse students.<br /><br />If I may suggest an additional way to implement technology to transform learning in the classroom, I’d like to encourage the use of “Flickr” or the ever popular “Pinterest” to create, publish, and use images online. Digital photography is so simple these days that my elementary students are able to take quality photographs. Digital cameras are also relatively inexpensive, many people own one already, and most cell phones even have the capability to take great photos too. Recently, a learning center in my kindergarten classroom was called “Shape Detectives”. I provided students with magnifying glasses, a clipboard with paper, pencils, and a digital camera. In this activity, students were asked to walk around the classroom as they investigated the shapes all around us. This collaborative group had to list five shapes that they discovered in our classroom and record them onto the clipboard. Then, using the digital camera, they took a picture of each shape that they found. I then compiled the students’ photos into a slideshow using Flickr and presented it to the whole class. They were delighted to see their photos in the slideshow and this task allowed my students to demonstrate their understanding of key geometric learning objectives while developing 21st-century skills.<br /><br />It is important to me as an early childhood educator to incorporate technology in my classroom. I enjoyed reading your posting, and I plan to use the technology-focused knowledge, strategies, and skills I am learning from your blog space to create a more effective, inspiring, and technologically-advanced learning environment for my students.Cristina Strattonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12444591934936419645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-5832954989755604252011-11-13T20:17:48.432-05:002011-11-13T20:17:48.432-05:00Luz Minaya: I love these tools too. You might like...Luz Minaya: I love these tools too. You might like the tools and video tutorials at http://languagesalive.wikispaces.com. The site is focused solely on free web 2.0 tools for world language teachers.Naditz Familyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00486799551054586224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-32709580033034098112011-11-06T10:48:39.686-05:002011-11-06T10:48:39.686-05:00Excellent ideas about effective use of technology ...Excellent ideas about effective use of technology ... however also need to ensure maintaining interest of students and ensuring "learning" ... check out what a young undergrad student at ASU is saying and doing ..."Stop sleeping over Astronomy Textbooks and Start Learning from the Stars" ...<br /><br />http://www.tedxashokau.com/wildcard/student4/Student4Everhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08951002864800842877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-19922004005857869732011-11-02T14:40:18.331-04:002011-11-02T14:40:18.331-04:00I really enjoyed reading this blog entry and think...I really enjoyed reading this blog entry and think you made many good points! It really is amazing what we, as teachers can do with just a laptop and the internet. I am currently teaching in a small, K-5 private school that is not very updated on technology. I brought this article into the teacher's lounge and everyone else enjoyed reading it as well. We have already talked about ways to use your ideas as a school, and also individually as a class. There is not excuse not to use technology in the classrooms, especially when all you need is a laptop and the internet!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-74199141485177564092011-11-02T00:34:51.882-04:002011-11-02T00:34:51.882-04:00This is truly Amazing and extremely Helpful!!! Tha...This is truly Amazing and extremely Helpful!!! Thanks for giving us the tools to increase technology tools in our classrooms. Love the Prezi, especially is translated into Spanish. I am a foreign language teacher of Spanish this will definitely enhance my students abilities in technology via a new language!Luz Minayahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09609981050683542924noreply@blogger.com