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This article discusses the use of free web 2.0 tools that can be used in the classroom to help promote 21st century skills. They highlight four web tools, Jing, Wix, Google Sites, and Blogger, that can be integrated in school environments. The article provides specific classroom examples from four teachers, on how they were able to use these tools with their students.

This was a great article for class. We will talk about about some of the tools listed.

A professor a the University of Maryland has been researching ways to integrate technology in the classroom. Ipads tend to be his choice, due to size and weight. This professor thinks using technology that used to be a distraction to students, as an academic tool, is a way to ensure success.

This article is explaining how the author believes that the internet is now the most powerful tool in the classroom today. The author argues that teachers must give up some of their power in the classroom and allow students to take more control of their own education through the opportunities the internet offers. She does make the point that teachers will still have a pivotal role in the classroom even with all the new technology.

This article makes the point that we as educators need to use technology as the teaching tool it is, and NOT let our students (or ourselves) get into the habit of taking information for granted. We need to work to teach accurate and evolving tech habits and learn together by doing--not by copying and pasting. This article also seeks to bring this collaboration of learning tech in the classroom as a human interaction network where we can promote interaction--not isolation.

Good article on the Net-Generation! I enjoyed reading about the distinct approaches that different people take towards technology depending on their comfort level and the purpose.

This article explores ELL's reactions to blog-assisted language learning. While ESL students, were enthusiastic to lean through this forum, many factors led to unsuccessful results. Students were hindered by social worries regarding peers having access to their work and by how time consuming this learning tool was in actuality. However, the authors do not suggest giving up on this tool as it is such a new idea and research is still incomplete to date.

Edudemic is a website that posts research, news, and reviews for teachers and students. "How Technology is Being Used in Special Ed" gives statistics regarding funding, services, types of disabilities, tools, and resources available to Special Education programs in schools. A very detailed and colorful Infographic is given.

Learning about how technology is being used and what tools are used the most in special education was fascinating!

The use of cell phones are, often times, banned in the classrooms. This article discusses how smart phones in the classroom may be beneficial to students and their learning. Smart phones allows students to learn in a way that is comfortable to them, gives them access to find answers quickly, utilize audio and video on the devices to enhance the learning process, and allows for social learning. Schools shouldn't be thinking of ways to keep students from using their smart phone devices, but instead, think of how to allow use of smart phones in the classroom. Teachers can be a positive influence in helping students use their smart phones appropriately in the classroom to assist in learning.

This is also an inexpensive source of technology for the schools since most students have a Smartphone and the school doesn't have to provide the device.

This article says that to improve the culture in your classroom you should try gratitude. One of the most important lessons in life is to have a positive attitude, especially during challenging situations in your life. Positive draws positive. Negative draws negative. Let's be positive. * Do you think gratitude and positive attitudes improve the lives of students and adults? * Would you consider having your students keep a 'gratitude journal' in your class? * What are some ways you could draw positive energy into your classroom? Laurie Hoepner

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This article talks about how iPads and other tablets are a learning tool for students with disabilities, not just for novelty. Students who have trouble communicating verbally can use apps to talk to peers, teachers and parents. It allows them to be more like their peers and can spark new friendships if used in the right way. It can be used in all classes, including Math and Science, allowing students to be more independent than they have ever been.

This article sounds interesting. I wish I could have read the entire article.

Wiki's are a great tool for students to come together to edit and create a document. The website includes popular, FREE wiki platforms for teachers to use, includes resources for further reading and gives examples on how to use Wiki's in the classroom. This website is a great resource in general for including technological resources in a Language Arts classroom, which can be difficult to do, especially when teaching writing and literature. http://tewt.org

This is a worthwhile article for teachers to read if they are starting a wiki page. The article includes a treasure chest of resources.

It is important to remember students with writing disabilities, have the hardest time with writing. This article is about assistive technology we can use to help those students. By giving these tools students who have trouble writing, can help them become better writers, or at least make their writing better. Either way it will help the student needing writing help.

Nice find. Always good to have this kind of research to support our learners.

This article discusses Federal research and programs to promote and utilize technology for students with disabilities.The article discusses the needs for furthering the knowledge on tools that could be utilized for students with disabilities to get them at an educational level suitable for independence. The core of this article is to be able to learn what instruments work, which do not, and the future of technology with students that have disabilities. How does technology affect the education of the students with these disabilities.

This article shows the possible technology that can be introduced to physical education classrooms. Motion sensors are explained to be a productive tool inside the classroom. They help students know how active they are and it shows the teachers a better idea of how much physical activity the students are actually getting.

This article discusses a study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, which looked at the correlation of prolonged exposure to screen time and students inability to read facial expressions. This article makes me question how to use technology effectively for students and not just use something with a screen to say I've "incorporated technology" into my classroom. Technology should be a tool we use to supplement our real world experiences in education.

This article is about Amplify, a new online school curriculum that promises to personalize education for students. While it might appear pricey at $199 per student per year, the price tag includes a preloaded tablet for each student with curriculum content tailored to state standards. This tool is meant to make learning more interactive, as well as track student progress, including areas where the student struggles; early studies have shown positive outcomes in reading and comprehension.

In this article, the author describes why technology is extremely important when used in the classroom, because it enhances learning. Using interviews, questionnaires, and observations, the author shows the problems of teachers and students, regarding accessibility, and how we should use technology as a tool.

Technology is considered a necessary tool for use in higher education and the economy. As future employees of companies, our students will be required to adapt quickly, gain knowledge and apply it in a variety of ways. As a teacher integrating technology, one must design and instruct in the manner to which they are the most comfortable but think always about their student's futures not their own in relation to technology.

I appreciate that the author focused on the underlying learning objectives first. He also mentioned that technology could be a time-saver, but didn't feel the need to use every free website offered to him.

Colleen Klaiber-Deacon Activity in classrooms is a great way to keep students more focused on learning. There are many different activities a teacher can do in the classroom, with classroom materials that is quick and to the point. From moving to stretching to even types of yoga, fuel up to play 60 has great activities for you to perform in class. 1. What is a major advantage that you can think of for getting students to move around? 2. What could you do as a teacher to make activities in the classroom more exciting and fun? 3. Is taking time to do physical activity in the classroom worth it? Explain?

Great article!

Zachary Christie, a 6-year-old first grader in Delaware brought a camping utensil along with his lunch. The tool included a folding fork. Unfortunately for Zachary, it also included a folding knife. He was sentenced to 45 days in the district's alternative school. His parents fought for this to change and it was reduced to only a 3- to 5-day suspension. The school districts policy also changed to a 3-5 day suspension for students caught with dangerous instruments, if they are in kindergarten or first grade. Parents who encounter this should not be a stranger, know the rules, prep your child(ren), speak up, and lobby against zero tolerance. 1- Why would parents allow students to bring questionable items like this to school? 2- Should schools punish students that are this young for bring something dangerous to school that parents should have stopped at home? 3- Is the new school policy fair?

So interesting! Great summary and questions.

In this article, the author is explaining the difference between technology being taught as course content, or as a teaching tool. He also discusses the role of technology in a math classroom. This article also discusses how it it difficult to integrate technology into a mathematics classroom.

Nice find. I always have a soft spot for math instructors. One of my favorite subjects to teach.