Tech Training with Katie Ann

Tech Training with Katie Ann



Part of my job allows me to teach others how to use different technology tools in the classroom.  This past summer I was able to receive professional development via several webinars on a variety of web tools.  I walked away with lots of information and some really great ideas on how to use some of these wonderful web tools in the classroom.  I decided I would pick 3 tools; Quizlet, WallWisher, & Weebly to start at with and implement them in my classroom. 

I started using Weebly as my classroom website.  Even though I know how to build websites, read, and write in HTML I really loved the user friendly of Weebly.  I was able to make a dynamic classroom website with ease.  

Quizlet was a tool I picked because I wanted to teach my students how they could help themselves learn difficult vocabulary.  I also wanted to use online flashcards with my Social Studies classes to help them study for my quizzes.  I really like how I can embed the flashcards in my classroom website.  This helps keep me organized and make it easier for my students to find.

When I saw WallWisher several ideas on how to use this tool jumped in to my head.  I am currently using this tool as a way for my students to collaborate as well as an assessment tool.  I like that I can post a question and have all of their responses in one place.  I am also able to give my students feedback.   

My suggestion is to pick 1 tool and play with it.  Have your students play around with it as well.  Brainstorm ideas with your students on how to use the tool in your classroom, you can even use WallWisher.


To visit my presentation click the link below:



   

Oliver Dreams Big

Oliver Dreams Big .....

My daughter gets to be a helper in school in which she will be helping to introduce the letter "O".  Me being the Techie Teacher thought how cool would it be if the two of us wrote and illustrated a book for her class.  Using the Digital Storytelling web tool Little Bird Tales we created the story "Oliver Dreams Big".  I wanted Oliver to be orange octopus and she wanted him to be an octagon.  Together with collaboration we created Oliver the Orange Octagon Octopus who lives in a big blue ocean.  We used Google Draw to create our under water world that Oliver lives in.  


Teacher Resources:


Tech Tip:

  • If you use Google Draw you will need to download your picture as a jpeg so you can upload it into Little Bird Tales.
  • You can also draw within Little Bird Tales.
  • You can even record your child reading the story you create together.