Favorite Subject Survey

This week we learned about Google Forms. It was my job to learn as much as I could about it and present the topic to the class.  Above are two really informative videos about Google Forms. I learned that there are numerous ways to use Google Forms in the classroom.  Teachers can create tests, rubrics, invitations, announcements and surveys using Google forms. Another great way to get students involved is allowing them to create tests, surveys and rubrics using Google forms.  I am excited to use this tool in my daily life and teaching. Below is a quick survey that I created to get a feel for Google forms. Feel free to take it. I am interested to see what subjects are favored by students.

STI Mind Map

This week we learned about Mind Mapping and Word Clouds.  This was my first experience with mind mapping. This particular mind map is about some facts around STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) since Sexual Health is a very important subject to me.  I used bubbl.us for this Mind Map. I have to admit it was a little difficult to create the mind map the way I wanted.  I feel like if I was struggling than kids might struggle with this.  I attempted another mind mapping tool at spicynodes.org and it was much easier to maneuver. I think I would definitely use it with a class of second or third graders.

Word Clouds were not new to me but it has been some time since I have used them. In some ways I wonder what the point is but I have to get more experience with the tool before I can make a judgement about it.

A story about my journey of becoming a teacher

Today's Story using Storybird.com
http://storybird.com/books/in-the-process-of-becoming-a-teacher/


This week we learned about Digital Storytelling. This was one of the coolest tools! My Digital Story was created using Storybird but I am eager to try another type as well since Storybird limits that story to the pictures of one artist.  I have used this tool before but I struggled with it because I wanted to create an Alien story with the preschoolers I worked with and there were not very many space pictures to choose from. I thought I would have them tell me their story and we would write it down and try to find pictures together and then tell the story to the class.  This was not as easy as it sounded since the pictures were so limited and preschoolers have such vivid and wide imaginations.  Spiderman could easily make his way into a space story and Storybird had only certain pictures to choose from.

I will definitely use this and other Digital Storytelling for my future projects with kids.  I think it is a great Writer's Workshop tool.  In class the presenter showed us a YouTube video of a class that did this.  They learned how to write a rough draft and then to transfer it to a script.  They learned editing skills in writing and video making, adding sounds and graphics. It was a really fun lesson!