I am having trouble finding the course blog. I went ahead and wrote my blog here. This way everyone could still see it.

Sooooo..... Here is my cool, new, tool for school.

Swipespeare
iOS (Ipad, Iphone)
This tool has almost all of Shakespeare's work available for free. It gives you the orignal Shakespearean text, but with a simple swipe to the left the Shakespearean text goes away and is replaced with modern text. It is similar to No Fear Shakespeare, but you don't have to see the entire work in modern text, only the parts you need clarified. I would love to have this available in my classroom for when we read anything Shakespeare. Students could prepare scenes to act out. When they were uncertain about what a line meant they could easily look at the modern text. It doesn't simple give them a summary, they still have to use their reading skills to develop meaning and understanding.

Technology Integration Matrix

First of all, I found the Technology Integration Matrix very confusing and EXTREMLY wordy. I don't if they were trying to simplify things, but I did not find it all simple. However, I did attempt to rate myself according to the matrix.

I think that I working at an ENTRY level in the Active area and Collaborative areas. We don't have access to much technology, so on a day-to-day basis I am in the classroom using my personal technology. When we do use technology, it is on an individual basis. The students use individual devices to work. Even though I would like to be doing something different, I am somewhere between ENTRY and ADAPTATION for Constructive. Our technolgoy is used mostly to deliver information or create a typed paper. I am absolutely ENTRY level in Authentic. I don't know that many of my assignments could be used outside the classroom. I am at ADAPTATION level for Goal Directed. We have a program that allows students to view their grades online. They can see what they are missing and monitor their own grades.

I think that I could move to Adaptation in the Authentic category. I need to be focusing on how students could use what they do in my room later. I've heard students say, "When will I ever use this." There have been times I couldn't really give a good answer. Those types of assignments shouldn't really be happening. I need to plan my lessons around real world learning and application. I think I could work an assignment in each week, for the remainder of they year.

Courage Behind Digital Screens

If you're a teacher, you have them. Normally they don't cause problems, they do their assignments, and they are generally good students, until you ask them to speak. Immediately upon the words, "And we're going to share our ideas with the class," they completely SHUT-DOWN. Since I've been teaching (only three-years, so I suppose I'm still a rookie), I've had several of these students. They simply will not speak in front of class. Some blame it on shyness, fear, or (in one of my cases) ugly teeth. Whatever the issue, these students are missing out on an important eudcational oppurtunity.

However, if students are presented with the chance to share their thoughts through a screen, any screen (computer, iPad, cellphone, etc.) they aren't quite so scared anymore. Even students are not normally afraid to speak in front of the class will share more when given a digital format. This is a major gain in an online/elearning classroom! Isn't it every teacher's dream to have meaningful classroom discussions! I know it is at least one of my teaching dreams. Think of the possibilities!

Of course, teachers would have to be mindful and very observant for this to work. Not only will students find their courage for sharing valuable thoughts behind digital screens, but they will also find courage to share negative thoughts. None-the-less, I believe the benefits far out-weigh the negatives. So, if someone will please purchase about forty Ipads, I will immediately begin an online discussion board for each of the my classes. :-)