Speak Up To President Obama!

Students were asked from various schools to share with President Obama, "What would they do to improve the schools". I am amazed at some of their answers. They were exactly on point. Check out the video attached to this website. Our students can help us transform our schools to make them an effective place for students to be inspired and prepared for the real world. Some of the students shared that leaders need to take the emphasis off of standardized testing and add more technology. I agree.

http://www.bcpss.org/webapps/lobj-journal-bb_bb60/blog/BCPSSTL8TCSY7-8/_384136_1/#

Children'sTechnology Review

"Children's Technology Review"

There is an informative webiste called Children's Technology Review. This site is designed to keep parents, teachers and librarians abreast of the latest children's interactive media products.

Each monthly issue lists 50 new products for a variety of platforms. These consist of children's
web sites, video games, toys and educational software products. There is no advertising content.
Reviews follow a succinct 350-word or less format. These are not reprints of public relations materials.

The products that are reviewed are all interactive children's media, including educational and entertainment CD-ROMs, children's video games, children's Internet sites and smart toys (toys with interactive electronic capabilities).

As educational psychologists, their expertise is in evaluating the quality of the interaction between the child and the experience.



http://www.childrenssoftware.com/

Can Technology Help Elementary Age School Students?

There has been controversy about exposing very young children to technology in schools. Some say that elementary children are too young and they do not have the hand or eye coordination skills to manipulate the keyboards. Others argue that it is best to teach them young because technology will be a part of their lives. Some opposers of technology for children suggest that children in the elementary level should just learn to use the keyboard only, add other skills when they get to middle school. They do not need to be exposed to educational software. Pen and pencil is enough.

According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), "Technology plays a significant role in all aspects of American life today, and this role will only increase in the future. The potential benefits of technology for young children's learning and development are well documented (Wright & Shade 1994). As technology becomes easier to use and early childhood software proliferates, young children's use of technology becomes more widespread. Therefore, early childhood educators have a responsibility to critically examine the impact of technology on children and be prepared to use technology to benefit children."

Also, software for kids can be beneficial to children because young children parents can use technology at home with their children to supplement their learning. Some say exposing students to computers while they are still learning their letters, and simple words is not appropriate. However, technology can be very beneficial for students. There are many software packages that are just right for young children. These students will be excited about learning. How many of you remember hooked on phonics? Students who had difficulty reading enjoyed learnng again, and as a result their fluency and comprehenion skills increased.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/246489/can_technology_help_elementary_age.html?cat=9

Learning Science using Technology!

Free Elementary Science Activities Interactive Educational Science Games Online for Kids

Elementary students are fascinated with science activities. When science class is over, students will have an opportunity to further their education using this website. There is a wealth of puzzles, games, word searches, memory match games and even animal sounds to keep children motivated and excited about science for hours.

Teachers can use this site as a teaching tool to help make scientific abstract ideas concrete for students. There is something here for every student. I have attached a portion of the site for your review. Enjoy!

Mammals Match Game
Mammal Concentration. Learn 8 different mammals and hear their sounds too!

Kids Educational

Science Games -> Mammals

Mammals Word search Game
Find eleven mammals hidden in the puzzle. Kids Educational Science Games -> Mammals word seach
Animal Babies Word Search
Animals That Hibernate Memory Match
Another Mammal Word Search
Birds Word Search
Birds Memory Match
Fish Memory Match
Insects Word Search
Reptiles Word Search
Water Creatures Memory Match Game
Zoo Animals Word Search
Zoo Animals Memory Match Game

Animal Classification Hangman Game
Fill in the missing letters for each animal - clue given for animal classification.

Kids Educational Science Games -> Animal Classification

http://www.apples4theteacher.com/science.html#animalclassification

Easy Essay.com

Easy Essay

Easy Essay.com is a wonderful interactive site that can help students to become skillful writers using the computer. Students can use this site to write essays, speeches and other types of writings. The writer must register at EasyEassay.com in order to save and edit the essays that they create. Registering also allows the writer to manage and create multiple essays simultaneously. This means they can work on or delete their essays at their own pace. Did I mention that it is free of charge?

Teacher and Student Interaction
Teachers will enjoy using this site for younger children and older 5th graders alike. However, I suggest that you do not leave any of the elementary students completely alone on this or any site. When students are writing check with them to find out what their purpose is for writing. What is their subject, and which part of the writing process are they in. Are they prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing?

Writing at Home
I like this interactive site because students can continue their essays at home. They will have plenty of time to think about what they want to write about and edit their essays as often as needed.

Improve Parent Involvement
Teachers can encourage parents to help their children with their writing projects. This will increase and improve parent involvement with parents and their children. .

Information from EasyEssay.com
Name: EasyEssay.comURL: http://www.theeasyessay.com/ Who It's For: Easy Essay can be used at any grade level to teach students how to write essays, speeches, reports, and more.What It Costs: FreeDescription: “Easy Essay can teach almost anyone how to logically organize a proof format (essay, speech, business memo…) for any fact, concept or idea in 5 minutes." This online tool uses an automated, fill-in-the-blanks information organization program to help users of any age develop and write an essay, speech, or report in the “Say it. Prove it. Say you have proven it." format. The tool can be used to create any written work from a basic 5-paragraph essay to a 17-page report.

http://www.theeasyessay.com/

The Case Against Assistive Technology:

Don Johnson, a concerned educator, writes an important rebuttal, on his blog, to those who have a case against assistive technology. He argues that as an adult he uses assistive technology everyday. He uses the calendar alert on his cell phone to help him remember appointments and items at the grocery store. "This is his, and other adult's, assistive technology device of choice for the moderately absent-minded. Me", states Don. He uses the calculator to solve multiplication problems. All of these items are acceptable "assistive technologies" that are available for those who need them. However, some people believe that using technology is an unfair advantage.

Don suggests that just as adults have access to technology to help make their lives easier, students with disabilities should have the right to use technological assistance which will help them be able to function more efficiently academically.

I am shocked that this is an argument! Students with disabilities have an unfair advantage that is not their fault. Whatever technologies are available to assist them with their learning is needed and should be welcomed by all.

Please be sure to read Don Johnson's short but important article about this subject.
What are your thoughts?

http://donjohnston.blogspot.com/2009/02/case-against-assistive-technology_23.html

Turning on Technology: Ferryway Elementary School

Turning on Technology: Using Today's Tools to Study Yesterday's

A field trip from Ferryway School, near Boston, to the nation's oldest ironworks is captured with the latest tech. Technology is integrated at Ferryway Elementary school in science classes. Students perform science experiements using technology. This video shows how technology can be integrated to help students solve real-world problems in the classroom using cameras, powerpoint presentations, and research from the computer.

These 5th graders learn information that wil help them become independent intrinsic learners. I think these students are having opportunities of a lifetime at school as they use technology!

However, you need principals and teachers who are willing to teach outside the box, and use cross curriculum when they are teaching. City schools do not give teachers or students the opportunity to teach in this manner. What are your thoughts?



http://www.edutopia.org/ferryway-school-saugus-ironworks-video

Interactive Learning Centers

Interactive Learning Centers

Interactive learning centers are great for students in school and at home. Teachers can use this center and others like it to help students become engaged in their learning experience. Interactive centers can be used during workshop activities in class.

Some students need more time and a different type of activity to master a specific skill. Interactive learning centers will be great resources for teachers and parents. Also, teachers can send the email address of the activity home with students which will give students an opportuntiy to practice after school.

This site is very inviting, however, it does not have all of the skills elementary students need in order to excel. Teachers and students may need to locate other interactive sites if their skill is not available. On this site you will find activities from pre-school through 4th grade as well as Advanced Math, Fractions, USA Capitals, and the Solar System. Also there are simple activates for Reading Maps and Reading Graphs. [/color]

http://www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/8112

Technology Makes learning Fun!

Classroom instruction has changed over the years. Students are no longer sitting at their desks all day using ditto worksheets and listening to their teacher talk. However, in this 21st century students are using interactive technology to learn and master their mathematics, language arts, science, and social studies skills.

Technology adds excitement and curiosity to classroom instruction. Students are anxious to participate in activities when they know they will be working on the computer, or moving items around using the promethean board.

Hands on activities with color and sound, using technology, are the learning resources for teachers everywhere!