Integrated Technology/Social Media

I have integrated technology into my classroom in multiple ways the last two years. I have taught my students how to use our interactive white board. I have made assignments based on Microsoft word and publisher, such as “spelling” newsletters, presentations and brochures. I email a digital copy of our classroom newsletter to parents every week. I have also taught my students to successfully navigate accelerated reader tools on the internet. One resource is Accelerated Reader book finder, which gives the students ownership to research the books they are interested in reading or have already read (AR BookFinder). 

I took on an initiative to create a digital library for audio books to be available to my students. This helped motivate struggling readers and help to challenge high readers. My school recently purchased an audio book program, which makes offering audio books easier because Cd's do not need to be uploaded with this program. Check it out: Tumble Book Library (K-5) Tumble Readables (6-12) 

I have not integrated social media into my classroom. I think that resources such as glogster would be age appropriate for my third graders. I think this program, among others, offers an interactive/hands on way of creating profiles, presentations, etc. This would allow my students to grow as technology users and explore their creativity. Such resources especially help students that struggle with traditional paper and pencil assignments. I would be hesitant to explore using twitter in my classroom due to their young age. Yet, I am excited to start my own classroom blog as a school home connection resource. I think this would keep both students and parents informed on classroom updates, homework, projects, etc.