Materials Generators
Using Google Docs in the classroom would be beneficial to the students because they are able to create documents online and access them from different places if need be. The students would also be able share the document with others and critique each others work online. The Puzzle Maker would be beneficial to the students because like Roblyer states, "Teachers create puzzles and worksheets to allow skill practice." (2016, PG 144) Using a puzzle to work on skill practice would be engaging for the students.
Testing & Grading Tools
I believe that the teacher using an electronic gradebook would be beneficial to the students because the teacher would have more time to focus on her students instead of calculating grades. Even if the teacher does this after school, this gives them more time to prepare for the next days lesson rather than calculating the weighted score on their own. Also, having an online site that creates rubrics would be beneficial to the students because the teacher would access to different ways to grade the student. The student would benefit because they would also be able to know what the teacher is looking for in an assignment because the rubric would have it listed for them.
Graphics Tools
Using KidPix would allow the students to sit down and create graphics into their documents easily. Roblyer states that, "drawing is a representational form of communication that is a precursor to writing, and recommend drawing software on a tablet computer for its versatility." (2016, PG 157) The software would be beneficial to the students because they could communicate their thoughts and ideas in another way rather than writing and use the drawing as a stepping stone in communication. Google Drawings allows the students or teachers to add in drawings into their Google Docs or other Google online software.
Planning and Organizing Tools
Mindomo would be a beneficial software for students because the "concept mapping software tools are designed to help people think through and explore ideas or topics by developing concept maps." (Roblyer, 2016, PG 160) The app also allows the students to convert their map into an outline which would benefit the students if they needed to do a presentation for the class. The Schedule Maker software allows the students and parents to see times that the teacher is available to meet. Not only is this beneficial to the students, but also a quick and easy way for teachers to keep their schedules readily available for others.
Research & Reference Tools
Google maps would be beneficial to use in the classroom because you are able to pull up locations and sites that students may be learning about. You are also able to interact with the towns zooming in to see what the area may look like as well. Dictionary.com would be useful and beneficial to the students because the site allows the students to look up definitions and gives synonyms for words as well.
Great blog post, Lane! You included some really awesome resources that could be integrated into the classroom. I'll definitely be using some of these! The materials generator that you mentioned, Flubaroo, is a great resource for generating tests. The point that you made about electronic grade books is very true. Test generators such as this will also be beneficial in saving a teacher's time so that it can be focused more on the students. Roblyer (2016) states that one of the most time consuming tasks for a teacher is making assessments for students. Test generators are helpful in reducing the time it takes to create tests so that students are able to have more attention focused on them from their teacher which will benefit them greatly in the long run.
ReplyDeleteYou have a great blog so far! Robyler states that graphing tools "allow the manipulation of images" (p.168) and I love the KidPix website. I was thinking of using a graphic tool to help my students become interested in writing if they are not already. For example, after the students finish their writing they can bring their story to like on one of the graphing software site. I think this would help them become more interested in writing and put more effort in their work.
ReplyDeleteMrs. McKee great blog! You have included some really awesome resources that can be used in the classroom. KidPix sounds like a lot of fun for students, being able to create graphics for projects can be very helpful. When looking at your Material Generators I remembered reading Roblyer (2016) say some benefits are improved efficiency and productivity and better accuracy and timeless information (p.141). I find it very true, Google Docs is so beneficial when it comes to efficiency in the classroom. Keep up the great work!
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