Using Google Earth as a Teaching Tool

I love Google Earth. This is a great Google gadget that teachers can incorporate in the classroom. Students can search for any city in the world and see pictures on the web of what is happening at that moment in time. For example if a student wanted to see Barcelona, Spain, she would just use Earth Google and she could actually see Barcelona. She could actually see some things as if she were walking the actual streets. What an awesome tool for students to use when studying a particular area. With my English classes, we study works by William Shakespeare. I love the idea of my students getting to see what Rome is like today by using Google Earth. This is a great tool that takes learning beyond the classroom and into the real world.

Using ALEX as a Teaching Tool

One of the things that I am most excited about in technology is ALEX, Alabama Learning Exchange. This is an awesome resource for students, teachers and administrators. This is a website set up by the state that has tools such as course of study, lesson plans, and helpful links for teachers. Also has information for teachers seeking to become administrators. It has information about standards for the national, state and local levels. As a teacher, I think being able to look at other lesson plans will only help me become a better teacher. Just like we teach our students that we learn from each other, teachers can also learn from each other. Sometimes just being able to get a fresh look at something that we may have taught over and over again is a real boost for a teacher. I love the way the subject areas and grade levels are already broken down for you. I know once I get back into the classroom, this will be a resource I will definitely use many times.

Using Podcasts as a Teaching Tool

Podcasting is another interesting technology tool that can be use in today’s classroom. There are many different podcasts available on iTunes on just about any subject. A podcast is a recording of a conversation between one or several speakers. The speakers are discussing a particular topic. In listening to different podcasts, I came across the idea of students making their own podcast after taking a field trip. Students made notes about things they wanted to remember about the field trip. Once back in the classroom, each group came up with a script and recorded a podcast. Students liked the experience of creating something other students could benefit from by listening to it. Students also liked listening to their own podcasts played back. Video podcasts are a way of adding a visual aid to the podcasts. Some students need something visual to keep them focused. I think this is great innovative technology resource that greatly benefit today’s students.

Using iGoogle as Teaching Tool

iGoogle is another great technology tool that students can use in the classroom. This is another resource that allows students to be creative with their pages. Students can set up their own accounts and create a useful webpage for the classroom. They get choose to add many different kinds of gadgets such as educational games, useful websites, information on current events and sports. Teachers can also setup a classroom iGoogle webpage. This can include items such as upcoming assignments, math and reading activities, reminder notes and a “to do” list. These are just a few features of iGoogle. This is definitely an interesting way for students to learn technology and have fun at the same time.

Using Blogs as Teaching Tool

I believe that blogs are a great teaching tool for today’s classroom. This is a great form of communication that students can easily use. First of all blogs are free as long as there is an internet connection. Blogs also allow students to be creative an express their individualism not only in their blog posts but also in choosing images and colors to use in their blogs. With blogs students can connect with other students, teachers and parents. This is such a valuable tool of technology because it expands the student’s learning experience beyond the classroom. Blogs allow students to experience not only other schools in the state or country but the world.