Technology In the Classroom



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Technology In the classroom!
What does this mean to you? For me it means a world of possibilities. Over the past 2.5 months I have had the delightful pleasure to participate in a technology classroom. I have always believed that technology plays a role in the way children learn but never knew about the possibilities out there. Through this class I have learned a number of tools that could be used by all children. Many individuals out there know I have a passion to work with children with special needs, I now have a wealth of information that I can use will all the children that walk through my door.
Smart Board is the buzz word in every classroom that is wanting and trying to be tech savvy. I have learned that Smart Boards are not the key to technology in the classroom. As blunt as it is Smart Boards are a white board that you can draw on. They can be finicky and picky at times but they are white boards. There is so much more to a technology rich classroom than a Smart Board.
I have learned that the tools out there are endless, Slide Rocket is the new PowerPoint, jus the other day I had a dilemma, I had an old PowerPoint and wanted to up load it to my blog with no way of connecting to my blog I discovered Slide Rocket has a built in converter. I can now upload all my PowerPoint’s to Slide Rocket and have them available to me at my finger tips at all times. Gone are the days of crashed computers rarely does the internet vanish your work. I will longer create projects in power point for the fear of not being to access when needed.
Other tools I learned that I was super excited about were Smart Ideas. Sure Microsoft has developed a chart format that you can fill in but I find it complicated, not user friendly, and you cannot move and manipulate the chart how you wish. Smart Ideas has solved every problem I have ever had with concept maps. Developing concept maps in the classroom will not be exciting and motivating.
Technology is not simple but it is not hard it is complex and unique. The possibilities are endless and I look forward to having the opportunities to explore more. Gone are the days where I obsess about learning Smart Board Technology and hear are the days of learning Slide Rocket, Audacity, E-books and most exciting Learning Objectives who know you could teach about dinosaurs and create a word wall in the shape of a dinosaur.
Four words sums it up with no explanation needed "The possibilities are endless"

Learning :)

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What is learning? Well learning is exactly what I did today. I learned how I could have the power to impact the web with my thoughts. Through the practice blog activity found on previous blogs, I have expanded my horizons.
Learning can be challenging and frustrating at times. I found that today to be extremely true. However I was able to work my way through the new resources available to me and I developed a tool that I am know eager and excited to begin using.

Please share with myself and others your thoughts on what learning is. As a teacher we are responsible for developing a child's ability to read and write and all sorts of exciting things.The process begins with learning and so I open up the field for all educators to share their thoughts on what it means to learn.

Today I learned multiple skills, these skills will come in handy in the future for developing new blogs, adding photos and searching for resources. Therefore in my opinion; learning is when you can take something from the lesson. Learning only happens when you are given something, when you achieve a higher level of understanding. When is the last time you learned something, something that opened your eyes to new opportunities and provided you with a higher level of learning?

Music in the Classroom

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Dear Students,
Music is an important aspect in our classroom. Over the past week we have spent time exploring different traditional songs. Please search through the list of songs in the link and choose one to share with the class.

Parent Tip: Please help your child to become familiar with the different traditional songs in our community. Music in the classroom is important because according to the curriculum children need to respond to music from various cultures,
including their own (e.g., folk songs,
Aboriginal chants, songs in different
languages) http://bit.ly/5Vx0B

Sincerily
Ms. Niesser

Patterns in our Communities

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Dear Students,

In class we have been discussing patterns, please follow the link and explore some more patterns that can be manipulated.

Parent Tip: The Kindergarten curriculum discusses, Connecting: Children begin to make connections among mathematical concepts and notice examples of mathematics in their everyday life.
http://bit.ly/5Vx0B

Patterning is away that children can connect with their community. Help your children to explore their communities and find patterns with in.

Sincerily,

Ms. Niesser

Helpful Resources

Dear Students and Parents.
Throughout the year there are a number of websites we will be using. Below you will find three sites that I feel will be helpful in you development.

Kindergarten Games This web site is an education game website. Instead of playing games that do not promote learning try exploring these sites.

Read Aloud This is sign will help you develop your reading skills. Try listening to one story a day.

Kindergarten Program This program will be used by your parents. It will help them understand what we are learning in class.

Enjoy
Ms. Niesser

Parent Tip: Please refer to the curriculum and bring forth any questions you may have. Also please encourage your children to listen to a read aloud daily. It will help them tremendously with their language development.

Video of the Day!

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Dear Students,
Please access the following link and watch the video of the day. Then discuss with your parents what you learned from the video.
Video of the Day

Sincerily,
Ms. Niesser

Parent Tip: Please note you may need to play the video a few times, any form of response is acceptable, drawings, oral or written.

Welcome to Ms. Niesser's class

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Welcome!

to Kindergarten

 

Welcome Boys and Girls, and Parents

I look forward  to our year ahead. Kindergarten will be a fabulous start to your school career. Throughout the year we will be exploring different concepts and ideas. Frequently we will be communicating back and forth and sharing new ideas. Please take the time to review the information posted with your children as it will help them with their development and make learning meaningful for them.

Sincerely,
Ms. Niesser

Welcome!

Welcome to FlyFox Education, check back for more information and resources for primary/junior teachers.