Pull It Together Now

Reading over my first blog, I said that I would talk about all the technology I used in my 486 class. I have completed all my projects and want to write an overview of what I think would be a wonderful idea in the classroom, and what may not be worth your time. Here is the list:

Using Inspiration Software:
Recommend to teachers: yes! I would recommend some one showing you a few basic steps at first. It would be hard to learn if you know nothing about the program. Once you know a few simple moves, you will get addicted! This software can do so much. I only have experience making one web, and I already love inspiration. It is fabulous for making webs to help organize confusing information for your students. It can be used to teach to all ages. If you would like to learn more about Inspirations software, here is the site.

iMovie:
Recommend to teachers: no. iMovie is amazing for creating videos. For those interesting in the film making business, it is the tool from heaven. From my personal experience, it takes way too long to make what you want, when you can already find educational videos all over the internet. There could be beneficial reasons to use iMovie, but I have not found any yet. Again, the actually application is wonderful, but I do not think it is necessary as a teacher to make your own movie.

Web Quest:
Recommend to teachers: maybe. Creating a Web Quest can be a wonderful tool for students. The only thing that makes me hesitate is that they are extremely time consuming to make. Thanks to technology, there so numerous great Web Quest that can be found online. I would encourage every teacher to try it at least one a year. I would use a few on the internet to see exactly what they entail before I would make one myself.

Google Presentation:
Recommend to teachers: Yes. I strongly recommend anything by google. If you want to make a presentation for your class, this is a great way to go. Another huge plus to using anything by Google is that you can access whatever you make online. You do not have to email yourself any attachment remember a flash drive. Everything is saved online for you!

Google Sites:
Recommend to teachers: Yes, Yes, and Yes. Not only is using Google sites extremely easy, as a teacher, having a website is a fabulous way to communicate with parents. You can have your educational background on it, schedules, link to your blog, etc... The trick with keeping up with a website is making sure it stays up to date. One of the best things about Google sites is that is makes it really easy to change your information. It does not take long to learn, and it can be a wonderful way to communicate with parents!

Interactive Excel Spreadsheet:
Recommend to teachers: Yes, if has prior experience with excel. The interactive worksheet itself is a wonderful tool for students to use. The trick is being able to make one correctly. If you know how to enter the correct equations into the cells, than you will be able to make an interactive spread sheet. When I made one, it took a long time and seemed tedious. Now that I have it, I am looking forward to using it in class.

Google Resumé Format:
Recommend to teachers looking for a job: Yes. Again, anything with Google is convenient and easy to learn how to use.
If you are looking for a teaching job, Google provides great formats to help make your resumé look professional. It is so convent to have your documents online. You do not have to worry about loosing your flash drive or loosing your hard copies. When ever you need to access your resumé, just go online, and there it is!

Keeping a Blog:
Recommend to teachers: Yes. I have heard many teacher say how great it is to have a blog to communicate with parents. Teachers can post homework, announcements, etc... to keep parents informed. Keeping an up to date blog is an easy way to keep busy parents involved in their children's lives. Having a blog can also lessen phone calls and emails. It is an easy way to communicate, and it looks very professional!