Question 1: The Nerdy Teacher writes that he feels Dropbox is "a must for all teachers." Do you agree? Explain.
I have known about Dropbox for some time, but must admit I haven't used it like I should. I think Dropbox is a must have for teachers. So often my colleague and I are having to email attachments to one another. It's a bit cumbersome. Or we will be looking on our computers at the same document only to find out one has not been updated. Having a place where we could go with the most current document would save time and frustration. Problem--many teachers aren't really interested in learning about anything techno savvy. Resistance to change or having to learn one more thing is probably the biggest obstacle to better implementation to Dropbox at my school. I hope as more teachers see the exciting possibilities of Dropbox it will become a go-to tool. Instead of creating a math test, teachers could go to the Dropbox public folder shared with other teachers in the same grade across the district, the state, the world and choose a math test already written. Wowza! What an efficient use of time. With collaboration, the test could be tweaked and modified to make it even better! Download an incredible worksheet...share it with your PLN! As for being able to access files from anywhere on any computer, how exciting is that (if everything is safe).
Question 2: Wikipedia is sometimes a controversial site in education. Do you think students should be allowed to use Wikipedia as a research tool? Explain.
As a third grade teacher, I do not have my students use Wikipedia for research. The reading level is not age appropriate, and there are more age-friendly places where I send my students. As for letting students use Wikipedia for research, well we all do it! It is a great place to start research, but should not be the only place. I think helping students understand how Wikipedia is written and developing other research skills is the way to go.
Question 3: After reading about and exploring the Skype in the Classroom program, do you think this is a program you would want to participate in? How do you think Skype could help you build your PLN?
I think using Skype would be a very valuable tool to help students learn about specific topics and more importantly help them understand that there really is a world out there. as for using it in my classroom, I would like to participate, but I am not sure when I'll be able to put this into my school day. With the implementation of the new reading program, I don't know if I would have time to put it into my reading block. The math block has been pretty much filled. The school day is going to be shortened next year. I guess for now, I need to sit back and see where this might fit. I do think it would help with my PLN to work with other teachers throughout the country (especially with the new common core) and create and share. Again, this will have to take a backseat for awhile until I see what changes the district has for next year. However, finding a teacher who is using the new reading program and using Skype with them might be a win-win. Have to think a bit more on this.
I have known about Dropbox for some time, but must admit I haven't used it like I should. I think Dropbox is a must have for teachers. So often my colleague and I are having to email attachments to one another. It's a bit cumbersome. Or we will be looking on our computers at the same document only to find out one has not been updated. Having a place where we could go with the most current document would save time and frustration. Problem--many teachers aren't really interested in learning about anything techno savvy. Resistance to change or having to learn one more thing is probably the biggest obstacle to better implementation to Dropbox at my school. I hope as more teachers see the exciting possibilities of Dropbox it will become a go-to tool. Instead of creating a math test, teachers could go to the Dropbox public folder shared with other teachers in the same grade across the district, the state, the world and choose a math test already written. Wowza! What an efficient use of time. With collaboration, the test could be tweaked and modified to make it even better! Download an incredible worksheet...share it with your PLN! As for being able to access files from anywhere on any computer, how exciting is that (if everything is safe).
Question 2: Wikipedia is sometimes a controversial site in education. Do you think students should be allowed to use Wikipedia as a research tool? Explain.
As a third grade teacher, I do not have my students use Wikipedia for research. The reading level is not age appropriate, and there are more age-friendly places where I send my students. As for letting students use Wikipedia for research, well we all do it! It is a great place to start research, but should not be the only place. I think helping students understand how Wikipedia is written and developing other research skills is the way to go.
Question 3: After reading about and exploring the Skype in the Classroom program, do you think this is a program you would want to participate in? How do you think Skype could help you build your PLN?
I think using Skype would be a very valuable tool to help students learn about specific topics and more importantly help them understand that there really is a world out there. as for using it in my classroom, I would like to participate, but I am not sure when I'll be able to put this into my school day. With the implementation of the new reading program, I don't know if I would have time to put it into my reading block. The math block has been pretty much filled. The school day is going to be shortened next year. I guess for now, I need to sit back and see where this might fit. I do think it would help with my PLN to work with other teachers throughout the country (especially with the new common core) and create and share. Again, this will have to take a backseat for awhile until I see what changes the district has for next year. However, finding a teacher who is using the new reading program and using Skype with them might be a win-win. Have to think a bit more on this.