Allowing your students to demonstrate their learning through the use of something artistic such as a poster or a drawing, generally gets the gears a turnin' due to the artistic and creative element. While exploring the aspect of advertising during my latest Digital Media class, I was introduced to a new resource - Easel.ly. It's a free, online technological way to create infographics and diagrams, and can be used cross-curricularly - score! Our task was to create an infographic that pertained to education or an educational use in the classroom setting - take a look at my creation!
Pretty cool huh? There are a ton of pre-made designs to choose from, or you can let your creative juices flow and create your own original piece.
Another resource explored was a digital horoscope from http://quiz.powerfulvoicesforkids.com. It's an online survey that poses questions regarding technological use in the classroom and your personal view on it's implementation. At the end, based on your answers, they give you a title outlining your role/outlook as a technological teacher. My final score was "Techie" (whoop whoooop) followed by "Professional" and "Teacher 2.0". This was interesting to see, as I sometimes have doubts about my own personal knowledge regarding technological implementation in the classroom, and how I can offer my students the best tools and resources available. So needless to say, this was very reassuring and uplifting to see!
Another resource explored was a digital horoscope from http://quiz.powerfulvoicesforkids.com. It's an online survey that poses questions regarding technological use in the classroom and your personal view on it's implementation. At the end, based on your answers, they give you a title outlining your role/outlook as a technological teacher. My final score was "Techie" (whoop whoooop) followed by "Professional" and "Teacher 2.0". This was interesting to see, as I sometimes have doubts about my own personal knowledge regarding technological implementation in the classroom, and how I can offer my students the best tools and resources available. So needless to say, this was very reassuring and uplifting to see!
After engaging in the above activities, I started to ask myself the question, what did I take away from this? What did I just learn? And the answer is a lot. Immersing yourself in new resources and taking the time to explore them yourself will adequately prepare you to teach the content and material to your students, as well as answer any questions they might have. This is a critical step in teaching today, as technology and technological resources are being used now more than ever.
So take the time, and check these resources out - if not for you, then for the learning and success of your students.. You just might have some fun too :)
So take the time, and check these resources out - if not for you, then for the learning and success of your students.. You just might have some fun too :)