BP12_20091213_Tool#4(GameClassroom)

Game Classroom was developed to address needs witnessed firsthand as parents and educators. Game Classroom is the newest web property from Earlier Media, dedicated to providing trustworthy online destinations for children of all ages to learn, watch videos and play games online. Game Classroom is a one-stop web destination for accessing high-quality educational games, and homework help for K-6 students. Game Classroom offers math games, homework help, worksheets and more. It is a great site for kids, parents and teachers.
As a future 6th Grade Math teacher, I can use this program in my Math Lab to further educate the students. I believe this program will be a great asset to the mind development of my 6th Graders.

Image:
Retrieved from http://www.gameclassroom.com/

BP8_20091213_Tool#3(Twitter)

Jack Dorsey had grown interested in the simple idea of being able to know what his friends were doing. Specifically, Jack wondered if there might be an opportunity to build something compelling around this simple status concept. When he brought the idea up to his colleagues, it was decided that a prototype should be built.
Twitter was funded initially by Obvious, a creative environment in San Francisco, CA. The first prototype was built in two weeks in March 2006 and launched publicly in August of 2006. The service grew popular very quickly and it soon made sense for Twitter to move outside of Obvious. In May 2007, Twitter Incorporated was founded. (http://twitter.com/about)

I have figured out a way that I can use Twitter in my classroom by allowing my students to make accounts, while working on a research project, and tweet about their findings as they find them. This way I can make sure that they are staying on task and observe their knowledge of how to use the technology.

Image:

Retrieved from http://a3.twimg.com/a/1260393960/images/download_t_logo.png

BP7_20091213_Tool#2(Facebook)

The tool that I chose to research and talk about it Facebook. Facebook is a social network that connects people with friends. People tend to use Facebook to keep up with friends, upload pictures, blog, and learn more about the people they meet. I have used Facebook for about 5 years just as a way to stay in touch with friends and college classmates. I have recently figured out a way to use Facebook in my classroom. I can set up a group on Facebook and send out invitations to my students accounts inviting them to join. In this group, I could give assignments, class announcements, and post pictures of the students.

HappySlip. (2009) Retrieved December 13, 2009 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KV4PNwpqsCc

BP9_2009126_FlickrLesson

I will have my students take pictures on a digital camera, choosing one that they would like to write a poem about. Each student will upload their own picture on Flickr and add text within the picture that reflects their poem. The poem can be posted onto the Flickr website along with the picture. One of the main objectives of this lesson is to get each student to take ownership of their writing, and to feel like they have some "say" in what they can write about. It will get them thinking about key words that reflect the mood and topic of their poem. Also, the movement of going outside or around the building to take pictures will hopefully get their creative juices flowing, and create excitement about a task (writing poetry) that is difficult for some.

BP5_2009121_SocialBookMarking

http://delicious.com/coachealy

Username: Coachealy

BP6_2009121_AntiTeaching

When I look at the traditional classroom...it is even boring to me. I, the teacher, stands in front of the classroom and talk and talk and talk some more. The students sat there so attentively waiting for the assignment. This happens daily.
From reading the article pertaining to Anti-Teaching, I realize that I am living in a more technological society and the kind of education that I received doesn't work anymore. I learned in earlier courses that most students need to be taught using the Multiple Intelligences. They tend to learn better by hands on, moving around, and visualization, which all depends on your students. In todays classroom, there is a great need for knowledge concerning technology from the teacher to the student. On daily basis, email is being used, iPod are being used, and the internet. I find that students are learning better from computers rather than reading books or taking test.
The 21st Century has a lot in store for our youth, and we as teachers need to gain a better knowledge of how to use the tools and PLE's and incorporate them in our classrooms.

BP2_2009121_RSSFeeds

The five RSS Feeds I choose deals with Mentorships, TAKS Testing, Educational Funding, Minority Males and Education, and Physical Education. The reason why I chose those five feeds because they all aide in the education of at risk minority males which deals with my Action Research Project.