This class has really been helping me to see how much technology is out there that I actually have access to. The Excel list of Web 2.0 tools that was provided for us this week has really shown me that there are a lot of sites that I can use with my students. I have always struggled with ways to incorporate technology into my classroom other than having my students play educational games on the computer. Now, don't get me wrong, I do think educational games are great ways to reinforce what students are learning, especially at a young age. I want to do more than just use educational games, however, and I think I have found some ways that I can.
I plan to look more into online interactive whiteboards. I have always heard how great interactive whiteboards are for early childhood (I even wrote one of my research papers on that topic) and many times when another student in my class is an early childhood teacher they say that the majority of the technology that they use in their classroom is done with an interactive whiteboard. My school does not have interactive whiteboards and we have been told that the wiring of our building does not allow for them. So I'm thinking that maybe I should check out some of these online interactive whiteboards and see if any of them would work with my students.
I have also been trying to incorporate some PowerPoint presentations in my class. I have used them to introduce some different topics. We learned a lot about the appropriate way to use PowerPoints in the classroom in EDTC 620. I found that one of the Web 2.0 tools that was provided on our Excel list contained ways to make 3D images to use in PowerPoint presentations. I would like to check out that site more and see if I could use it to make some engaging PowerPoints.
Speaking of presentations, I noticed many of our classmates talked about Prezi in their discussions. This looks like another good way to create presentations that I could use with my students. I am going to look into this site more. Finally, another of our classmates posted a presentation that she created using Animoto. This is another program that I plan to look at. I could definitely see myself using this program to create presentations. I would definitely say that I have learned a lot this week about how much technology is out there that I actually have access to and is appropriate for early childhood. I can't wait to check more of it out!
Melissa-
ReplyDeleteI have used both Prezi and Animoto. Prezi is great, but takes a while to learn how to use to its full potential. Take some time to tinker with it and find out how best to design it for your age group. It is a nice tool, but requires some patience to get accustomed to.
With Animoto, its use is extremely limited if you don't have a school-wide account or paid subscription. The free trial version only allows for EXTREMELY short videos, with no control over the timing of the slides. Even my school account ones aren't permanent, and though longer, don't allow the user to change the timing of the slides.
Happy tech sampling! :)
~Kaelyn
Melissa,
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kaelyn about Prezi. I have used it quite a lot but I am not sure of all its functions. I encourage you to look through it and explore. It can be a time sucker so be prepared to spend significant time available. I have never used Animoto for the same reasons that Kaelyn posted.
Let me know what you think about Prezi.
Thanks for your feedback! I don't mind spending some time working with Prezi to get used to it. Now would be the best time instead of waiting until I want to use it with my students. That is a little disappointing about Animoto. One of our other classmates had posted a presentation she created fro her Pre-K students and it looked like a good way to introduce topics. I won't pay for an account though so it looks like this program may be out. I might still take a look at it though.
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