Classroom Management Technology Applications

EDU 288 OL Module 7: Classroom Management Technology Applications Brooke Kemmet In this day in age, the world is full of helpful devices and apps to help us in all areas of life. Teaching and classroom management is no different. There are so many apps that you can utilize to help you be the best teacher you can be. Two apps that I am reviewing today are Too Noisy and Classroom Carrots. Too Noisy is a simple app that you use as a visual meter to help remind students to keep the noise level at a minimum. The app is a voice sensitivity monitor that teachers can use to help students remember to keep noise at a minimum. When students start to get too loud, the background on the screen changes to indicate that students must be quieter. This is something teachers can use during group times. This creates a reminder without the teacher having to interrupt every few minutes and remind the students to be quiet. They will be able to keep their own voices under control by watching the app. The second one is called Classroom Carrots. This cute app is a behavior management tool used to track rewards. If individual students are behaving and following classroom rules, the teachers are able to offer them electronic stickers and track the progress. Parents are also able to track the progress. This is free and even offers posters to print out to keep up in the classroom. There is an introductory video as well for the students to watch before they start their reward system. This would be nice to use to track positive behavior in younger classrooms or rooms that need to have a little extra help with classroom management.

SMORE

Time-Saving Apps for the Busy Teacher

We all "Get by with a little help from our friends". Sometimes, this may be a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear, or maybe even just a snuggle with your dog.

But let's face it, snuggling your pup won't get those papers graded. Ol' Charlie can't write your curriculum for you. Sometimes we need a little help from our technology friends. Here our my two favorite apps so you spend less time planning and more time on the couch with your pooch.

OH BookWidgets where would I be without your Widgetry? Your easy process streamlines tests and study guides. This is the app that should be a staple for all teachers. Create your own puzzles, flashcards, planners, worksheets, and so much more! This really is a must-have.

The content is sent electronically which helps streamline the process between teacher and student. It also creates a way for the student to step into the 21st century and learn in a way that is required in this day in age.

You can even track individual student's progress via the class dashboard.  

Pricing is yearly and shouldn't break the bank too much either.

App #2 is not as flashy and in-depth as BookWidgets but it does some hefty time saving in a simple way. Grade Ticker is a simple straightforward app that keeps track of grades. Grade ticker is a simple tool for teachers to keep track of point deductions as you grade papers and exams.

 

Schools and Technology

Self-Check

1.     Which input devices have evolved with mobile devices?

A.   Gestures and Voice Recognition software are evolving continuously with the mobile device.

2.     What are the advantages and disadvantages of an LCD monitor?

A.   LCD or Liquid Crystal Display, is a monitor that is widely and used the majority of the time. Advantages are that they are much thinner and lighter than traditional monitors. Unfortunately, they are more sensitive to touch and can scratch easily. They are also harder to clean and easily damaged.

3.     What does a teacher need to do to maintain classroom printers?

A.   Maintaining a classroom printer may become costly if you buy inkjet cartridges. You can however, have them refilled at a fraction of the cost. You will also need to purchase paper and in many cases, have wireless internet.

4.     What is a computer’s operating system?

A.   The operating system or OS for short, is what controls the computer’s operations and enables it to interact with both the hardware components of the computer and the software you choose to use.

Assistive Technology – Anne Carlsen Center

“Assistive Technology Gives Our World Opportunities”

Empowerment is going from dependence to independence. This is highly prevalent in the work and dedication of Sady Paulson and Mark Coppin. They met at the Carlsen Center in Jamestown, N.D. Mark states that, “She was only limited by what the technology could do for her”.  

By using a switch located on either side of her headboard, Sady can communicate and participate in the world around her. Limited by only the span of technology offered to her, she can take any program and push it to it’s limit.

She takes pictures and uses software to edit them. The technology offered to her and others like her have created a whole new world to people limited by their bodies.

The Pros and Cons of Search Engines

By: Brooke Kemmet

It happens to me quite a bit. I’m looking up something with my students and we come across something that may not be appropriate. I then scurry to shut the search down but I always think, ‘Was that quick enough? Did she see that?’

Google Images is a great source for pictures of bugs or Pokemon. I use it quite a bit when looking up something. A student will ask me, “Miss. Brooke, what does a stink beetle look like?” 

or “Miss. Brooke, how many legs does a crab have?”

I may be a teacher but that doesn’t mean I know these things. Even if I do, can I describe what a baby python looks like? Probably not. That’s when I pull out my handy-dandy smart phone and hit up Google for some good old-fashioned learning.

Google can backfire, Yahoo is no better. Even Pinterest is not immune to the occasional “oops” pic like googling the word “sunny”.

This is innocent enough. Unfortunately, words can trigger some not so safe images or websites. This is why it's important to use safe search engines when learning with children. Here are two of my favorite.

It goes without saying that the internet is not the best place for children sometimes. But we can help provide them with the amazing wide world web without subjecting them to the darker internet subjects. However, just remember, KidRex is super cute and trustworthy, but we must also make sure we are supervising at all times. And also, remember to switch back to Google for yourself or you may end up finding out how sad the internet really can be.

Technology for Diverse Learners

By: Brooke Kemmet

Self-check

1. Who are TAG students?

A. TAG- is the acronym for the Talented and Gifted students. According to our text, "Although gifted students do not need support or remediation for minimal skills, they do need continual challenges to maintain interest and motivation to meet their personal potentials. Problem solving, simulations, and interactive experiences are of particular benefit to challenge and engage TAG learners. Technology, particularly up-to-date online resources, offers teachers the support and content they require to help meet these unique students’ needs to be challenged in complex and creative ways".(Teaching and Learning with Technology)

2. Describe two word processing technologies that can support students who have difficulty writing.

A. Text to Speech and Talking Spell-Checkers are two forms of technologies that have been invented to help students who may have difficulty writing.

3. How could high-interest low-level books be useful to students with diverse abilities?

A. High-interest, low vocabulary books are created so a student whose reading may be below grade level can still enjoy an assigned class story and participate in class activities. This will help them to be able to enjoy and retain information from the same assigned book even though they may not be able to comprehend the original book yet.

4. What is switch and in what way can it help students with special needs?

A. A switch is a device used with students who have sever disabilities. If the student is able to move one muscle just a bit, they are able to use a device such as a switch. This device scans through context and items. When it is on a particular item the student wants to say or write, the student will stop the movement and highlight the item.

Design-Plan-Act Model

    Schools and districts require teachers to have a very precise plan for their curriculum. Many are now faced with integrating technology into their courses. In order to do that, they must figure out what technologies are beneficial and when to introduce them into the curriculum.

   In order to do this, many rely on planning models to help to guide them in the right direction. One is the Design-Plan-Act or DPA system for short.

D.P.A

1. Design. Design the overall content and sequence in the instructional unit

2. Plan. Articulate specific daily lesson plans needed to complete the unit

3. Act. Develop an instructional action plan for each day of unit instruction

Design: You envision your instruction in it's entirety. You see what has to be done as a whole sort of like seeing the whole picture.

Plan: In the planning phase, you break it down into daily lesson plans and make a course of action.

Act: Next you organize what you need to do to allow the lesson to run smoothly.

WELCOME TO MY BLOG

    Hello and welcome! This semester I will be tackling Technology in Education. I am excited for this course as I love technology and learning all the new gadgets and programs I can utilize to streamline my busy life.

  My name is Brooke Kemmet. I reside in Bismarck, N.D. with my amazing 14 year old Jairdyn and my two dogs, Charlie and Max. I enjoy reading and gardening. I also love to kayak when I get the chance to do so.

  I am on the "downhill slide" to obtaining my AAS in Elementary Education. I then intend to head off to the Bachelor world and obtain my BS in Education as well.

  I am a Preschool Teacher at the YMCA and my classroom is filled with boisterous and amazing 4 and 5 year olds... 20 of them to be exact. There is never a dull moment and I love my classroom and I take pride in the students that I have "raised".