.::EXCITED::.

I decided to create a classroom website to use in my classroom next year and hopefully following years. I was really hesitant about which form of blog or website I wanted to use. Last year I used a private facebook group and while I feel there are benefits with its easy access, I also felt like it just wasn't the right fit. I looked into using Google Sites and I loved some of the different google features that could be incorporated like the school districts google calendar, however it was just too much and too difficult to navigate. In the end, I decided to use blogger,

After exploring and creating my webpage with blogger, I am so happy and excited with the results! Parents can find basic information, see my posts weekly, subscribe by email, access resources, and I included my webquest! The only struggle I am having is getting my slideshow of pictures to work, which is a critical part (in my mind) of having a classroom blog. I am hoping that it will work and is just not loading for a particular reason or that my tech ally can support me with this! In conclusion, I am super excited to launch this blog and I would strongly recommend it to anyone looking for the same communication purposes!

Show Me

In class a couple of weeks ago, we briefly learned and were shown a demonstration of a FREE* app called Show Me. Show me is an app that is run off of an i-pad and shows your every move on the i-pad projected onto the SmartBoard. What I like about this app is that you do not need a Mac to run it. You just need to download the app. I feel like there are so many opportunities for students with this app. I am choosing to reflect on this new learning, because I am planning on trying it in my kindergarten classroom.

This year we were given 5 i-pads/classroom. I feel that this app will be a perfect opportunity to test out the app and show students how to navigate through the i-pads through the SmartBoard. Of course, it would be best if each student had an i-pad, but I believe this is a wonderful alternative that will allow me to explore and try something new, while benefiting my students learning and understanding.

Google Docs

The second piece of technology that I am choosing to reflect upon is my use of google documents. Currently we are supportive of google products within my school system. My computer at home only has google documents- there is not the option of using word documents.

I have found that I am still not comfortable with using google docs and I don't feel that I use it to its fullest potential. I grew up using Microsoft word and that is what I am comfortable using. I am trying to familiarize myself with google docs as we are in the digital age.

I have begun exploring with some features such as the draw tool. However, I feel that I am unsure if I am using it and other features to the fullest potential. I also struggle with create documents together. A couple years ago, I did a brief training on collaborative documents. Currently, I would have no idea how to get started. I think that using this collaboration piece of google docs allows you to work with teachers or coworkers digitally verses in a meeting. I hope that through my ongoing use and exposure, I can increase my understanding, use and familiarity of google docs.

Google Drive

The past couple of years, the school I work at has made a crossover to google. This year alone, I have noticed a lot more colleagues using or attempting to use google drive. Google drive allows you to upload and share documents and photos quickly and easily.

This past year, I used google drive more regularly. I found out using it first hand, that I began feeling more comfortable with it and was more successful with the use. I have always been a word user so drive is a change however it is a worthy change that I would recommend.

One challenge I still have with drive is the organization of documents and using them to find share documents easier. I also struggle with deleting documents off of drive. It is challenging when you revise documents and resend them because whatever document you sent out previously exists. I believe this is just an adjustment that needs to become comfortable and familiar to users. Overall I highly recommend drive and find it to be very useful in storing and sharing documents once you understand the organization of the system.

Reflection

Self reflection:  Where do you hit a wall with technology, and how can you work to be better at using it?

I find that I hit a wall with technology with having the time to explore it. I believe that a huge part of using technology effectively is exploring it, trying it out and using all that it has to offer. Currently I struggle with having the time to sleep (mildly joking). 

In my previous post, I said that I would work to overcome some of my technology obstacles - time being one of them, by choosing a handful of apps and testing them out. I believe that if I start small and give myself time to figure out what works when and what doesn't work for me, then I can increase my options and selection. Giving myself time and permission to go slow I believe will support me using technology more effectively as well as improve my teaching by providing students more opportunities to learn and explore a variety of skill sets. 

Technology Obstacles

What obstacles do you face in your school that could impact the use of technology or effective change?  How might you go about working with or around those obstacles?

I feel that at my school in general, we are blessed with many opportunities for access to technology. I currently teach kindergarten and when I look at a comparison between the school as a whole and my grade level, I feel there is a deficit. Every student in grades 3-8 has either a tablet or chrome-book. In kindergarten, we had old desktops and smartboards. This year (in May) we received 5 i-pads per classroom. This to me is a step in the right direction, however without any training or time to explore, I fear that my use of them will be ineffective. 

I believe that some obstacles that my grade level faces and the school faces as a whole is money. Technology costs money and with a school as large as ours, it is challenging to have or access enough money through grants to fund the amount of technology we need. In addition I personally feel that we have little to no training around effective use of the technology we are provided. In order to combat these challenges, I feel that we need to use what we do have as effectively as possible. I believe that a realistic and reasonable approach to using the i-pads effectively is to try out a couple of different apps at a time. I can monitor how they work, if they are effective and go from there. I feel that if I try to do it all at once, not only will I feel defeated and overwhelmed, but I also feel that I won't use the i-pads to their fullest potential. My goal will be to intentionally plan and try out a total of 4-6 apps throughout the year and monitor how well they worked for the needs of my class. 

Google +

In regards to my last post with creating a classroom blog, I also wondered if google + may be an option for a classroom blog. I know little about google +. I am part of a few circles and have little understanding. I know that I can create a group such as the parents in my classroom. This would be a benefit of the program. I also know, that you can post and comment just like facebook as I have previously used in my classroom. I am also aware that you can post pictures and receive email updates when someone posts.

Some questions or concerns I have about using google + is that parents would need to have a google account and join google+ to follow. I fear that parents would not participate because of this extra step. I am also curious about how private google+ is and because it is not commonly used in the classroom setting would it be usable to parents? After thinking, researching, exploring and reflecting, I feel that google+ is not the best option for a classroom blog.