Tool #9

Why do you think it is important to tie the technology to the objective?
The curriculum-based objective is what we are teaching. Technology is a tool we can use to teach that objective. Technology appeals to many learning styles. There are different types of tools to choose from. Some are not appropriate or the best choice for teaching an objective while others are perfect. I must be thoughtful about matching the right technology tool with my objective.

Why should we hold students accountable for the stations/centers?
It is too easy to assume that a student is on task because they are working quietly at a center. With some of these apps and tech tools, there's no end product to grade at a later time. So, planning ahead what type of written or recorded student reflection is an ideal way to ensure the student was on task and the object was met. Of course, active monitoring is always a must.

Visit two links. Which sites did you like? How could you use them as stations? How can you hold the students accountable?
I really liked Thinkfinity and LearningGamesforKids. I found a game where the student would match the artwork with the artist. It's fun and tests their knowledge of the art masters. There's no product to grade, and a written reflection seems unnecessary. Active monitoring seems the best way to assess the matching game. Thinkfinity is awesome. You can actually do a search based on state standards. Many of the interactive lessons will have a product that can be assessed whether it is a printout of an art creation or a written solution.

List two apps you found for the iPod Touch/iPad that you can use in your classroom. What do you see that station looking like? How can you hold students accountable for their time?
Hello Crayon and Faces Wild+ are both really cool apps I could use for the iPad in my classroom. The K-2 classes could use Hello Crayon to complete an extra credit assignment that reinforces the TEKS that were covered in their regular lesson. An example extra credit lesson for Hello Crayon would be, "Draw and color a picture of an animal using only warm colors. Using another warm color, add interesting texture lines. The background should be cool colors." I could use Faces Wild+ with the 3-2 grade classes. After creating their photography art, the student could write a short story to explain their silly scene. There would be printouts and writing samples for assessment.

Another way the students could use the iPad in the classroom is to photograph their own artwork, write a reflection about it, and catalog it.