Week Seven--Top Ten List of Tech Tools

I have learned so much taking this class. All of the assignments were applicable to classroom. I admit that I was definitely challenged in this course, but I am thankful for the opportunity to learn so many useful tools that I will implement into my lessons. TOP TEN LIST OF TECH TOOLS 1--PUZZLEMAKER (DISCOVERY)--I like to use this online tool to make crossword puzzles that serve as an introduction to my chapters in world history. 2--GLOGSTER--I plan on using this tool to enhance lessons that I teach. I feel that students will find this tool visually appealing. 3--CLASSTOOLS.NET--This online website contains so many useful tools for teachers and students. My favorites are the concept map, Fakebook, and Venn Diagram. 4--SLIDESHARE--I ran across this when I was trying to find things to embed into my glogster. Many useful PowerPoints on topics I teach are available on this site. 5--RUBISTAR--This online tool was very effective for producing rubrics. When I assign projects, I always grade using a scaled rubric. In my opinion, students perform better when they know your exact expectations for assignments such as these. 6--WIKI--I enjoyed this assignment the most. As I prepared my wiki, I could see how effective this kind of assignment could be in history. I like the idea of the students having to post to the wiki. 7--iPad--This is probably my most favorite hardware tool. I like the compact shape of the iPad; however, I feel that it is just the right size for reading from the internet. I have found several useful apps related to world history that I will be using in my classroom. 8--PowerPoint--I know this is probably considered "ancient," but I really like PowerPoints for presenting chapter and information to my students, as opposed to writing notes on the whiteboard or using the overhead transparency. I also like to assign as least one PowerPoint group assignment each semester for my students to prepare. 9--LCD PROJECTOR--I use this tech tool everyday in my classroom. I can project PowerPoint presentations--mine or the ones that students prepare for projects. I also can quickly surf the internet for a picture or video to enhance a lesson I am teaching. 10--ZAMZAR--Because I cannot access YouTube from my school due to the filter that is in place on our server, I use this website to convert YouTube videos from my home computer into a file that I can email to myself and open at school. If you have a similar problem with server filters, try this website.

Week Six--Mobile Apps

World Book is an interactive calendar that gives historical events for the current day or any selected day. Photos, illustrations, music and speeches are also available. This app plays the national anthem of countries on the day they became a nation. Inaguration speeches can be found on this app, as well. With Maps of World, students can explore the world through interactive maps illustrating geoliptical and geographic shifts over time. It has access to older maps and present-day maps, so that users can see how borders have changed with time. The Ultimate History Quiz app has thousands of questions on everything including U.S. Presidents, pop culture, military heroes and ancient civilizations. The faster you answer a question correctly, the more points the user receives. History for Kids is a colorful interactive app with tons of facts that take kids through history. Each section begins with audio narrative summaries of events. Animation, interactive clues, facts, maps, charts and audio clips are also included in the narratives.