Reflection: Using Tagxedo and Pinterest in the Classroom

            Through a recent class project, I learned how to use Tagxedo and Pinterest. While using these I learned and discovered many ways these websites can be useful in a classroom. For anyone who does not not know what Tagxedo or Pinterest is, Tagxedo is a website that generates an image using a collection of words that you have given to it. Pinterest is like an online clipboard of many photos that you can save and then sort into categories of your choice. I have ones such as classroom ideas, things I want, and my style.

            While I was creating my Tagxedo I thought about ways I could use this in the classroom. You can have students write words under categories like state capitals, presidents, our spelling words, things related to my state, etc. Using a program like this gives the students a chance to put all of the information they know about something into one idea. They can also pick a shape to put their words in and relate the shape to the topic. For instance, if I were to give them the category of American Presidents, they could shape their picture to look like Abraham Lincoln, or the American flag. Not only will this help students remember important concepts, but they will enjoy learning.

            I also use Pinterest on a weekly basis for fun. However, you can also use it in the classroom for the same ideas I presented with Tagxedo. You can have each of the students create a profile and have them create online Pin boards with categories such as art work, things related to history, homework help and more. As a teacher, you can also use it to keep track of other teachers pin boards, classroom ideas, and lesson plans.  Both of these websites would be useful for you and your students. Anytime you can use technology in a lesson, it will enhance the students understanding of the material.

Differentiating Instruction Through Interactive Games (Tech2Learn Series) : Response

http://www.edutopia.org/tech-to-learn-differentiated-instruction-interactive-games-video

         I just watched an amazing video about integrating technology into the classroom to meet many students learning needs at one time. Throughout most lessons you have to teach everyone as a whole and then when it comes time to practice with that lesson, you have to spend all of your time with a few people who do not understand. This can become time consuming and stressful if there are multiple kids that need special attention. This video I just watched was truly a great solution.
      The teacher in this video was lucky enough to receive grants from the state for certain education software. He also received several Macbooks and ipod touches from Apple. He used these gifts as a way to teach his students through gaming. The software he was given was a math program that consisted of a basic level that everyone started with according to their grade level. The information on it was all very simple concepts that these students should know at their grade level. Once the students passed the base level the software took them to a new game depending on what skill they needed to work on most (based on the first games results). With each student playing these games on their own laptop, they were each working at their own pace and their own level and the teacher was there to help when needed. I think this is an excellent software to use when available because the students have fun while learning, they are not having to compete with classmates, and its a stress free environment for them. If this were available to me as an educator I would absolutely use it in the classroom.  
     In the video shown, the students looked to be anywhere from grades 3-5. When I was that age in school, we rarely used the computers and math lessons were always taught with pencil and paper. Often times I would become bored or frustrated when I understood something and I had to wait for everyone else in order to move on. If I would have had technology like this, I could have progressed to a higher math class and I would now have more math concepts learned than I do today. This technology would be great to have in the classroom without a doubt.
        

Mr. Winkle Wakes response

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm1sCsl2MQY

        After watching Mr. Winkle Wakes, it definitely got me thinking about the modern world in relation to today's classroom. In the video, Mr. Winkle wakes up from a 100 year nap to our world today. He sees technology everywhere he goes and he begins to feel lost and sick. He goes everywhere from the office to the hospital and sees this confusing invention everywhere. Everywhere except one place: school. 

        When Mr. Winkle arrives at school, he sees that the classroom is just like it was 100 years ago. Students were seated in rows of desks aligned in a classroom. They sat there the entire day listening to a teacher lecture. He noticed there was a computer at the back of the room, covered in dust and not being used and he was comforted by this, as he did not know how to use it.         

         I think about what Mr. Winkle saw in the classroom and that is a typical classroom today. The students sit through a boring lecture and teachers rarely incorporate technology into those lectures. If this is the case, how will these students know how to use the world's technology anymore than Mr. Winkle did? In a world full of technology it is becoming more and more important for students to have knowledge of how to use technology in order to succeed in life. I believe that teachers should use the technology they are provided with in order to prepare their students for the future and to keep their lessons invigorating for their students. As a teacher, I will keep this in mind with every lesson I prepare.