This week, I created a technology based lesson plan.  We had to incorporate one form of technology that we used during the semester and I chose to use Kidspiration.  However, I feel like there were so many great forms of technology that we used this semester to choose from.  There was so much that I learned this semester and I hope to bring into my own classroom.  BrainPop! is a tool that I think helps get the students involved and interested.  I know in my class, the students view BrainPop! as a treat.  It is only shown on special occasions and the students cannot get enough of it.   I also very much enjoyed making the newsletter that we were assigned to create.  When I think of technology in the classroom, I think of technology meant for the students.  This assignment made me realize that technology in the classroom can also be applied to teachers.  I think Kidpix is a tool that I will definitely use in my classroom on numerous occasions.  Kidpix is not only a great tool for the students, but a great tool for teachers as well.  This tool helps students let their creative side shine.  For our How-To books, originally I was very nervous, but once I started doing it, I realized that I was having a good time and it was not too difficult. 

Microsoft Excel and Spreadsheet were 2 other tools that we used this semester that I think are useful for the classroom however I think they may be more useful for the teacher than for the students.  With Microsoft Excel or Spreadsheet, teachers can keep a record of the students test scores and then average them out either as a whole class or average the students test scores.  This would make the averaging process much easier for teachers when they have to do grades for report cards.

All in all, I learned a tremendous amount of technology in this class.  I entered the class not knowing so much about technology in the classroom and how to apply it.  I feel like know I know so many different ways to apply it and make the students enjoy the classroom even more J

                This week, we had to create a How-To book on Kidpix.  I thought this lesson was really interesting and fun!  I enjoyed thinking of ideas and being creative.  I did my book on How-To Brush your Teeth.  After we finished creating our How-To book, we had to then speak into a microphone and record our voices.   I think this tool is an amazing tool and lesson to bring into the classroom.  Students can get involved and have a great time while learning.  In order for me to do this lesson I need to know how to use a computer.  What I need to learn is how to connect the headphones/microphone into the computer, how to use Kidpix and I need to figure out a good How-To book to draw.  This lesson would align with standard 1A as well a 1B.  This lesson would also align with standard 6A and 6B.  This lesson helps students be creative while using technology to generate new ideas or products and this lesson also helps teach students technology operations and concepts.

                                If I were to use Kidpix in my classroom, I would probably have the students do the same thing we had to do for our technology class.  I think this may be a bit too difficult for the younger grades but for grades 3 and 4 or even older, I think this lesson is perfect.  I think the students will love creating the How-To book(just as I did).  I can also have the students do other things with Kidpix such as illustrating a story in a sequence or having the students create their own story with pictures.  The options are endless with Kidpix.  

This week we had to create a Popplet.  My group decided to create our Popplet about Edmodo.  Edmodo is a tool that is kind of like Facebook but for students and teachers.  It is a great way to communicate with the class and when a student has a question for either the teacher or for the class as a whole, the student just posts the question/comment on the wall for everyone to see.  Last year, I had a class that used Edmodo and I found it to be a great technological tool.  In order to use Popplet, I already  know how to use the computer, how to use the internet and how to use Edmodo.  I still need to learn how to use Popplet because that is something I am unfamiliar with.  The Popplet application aligns with the NET-S standard 1A, B and possibly C.  The students can create numerous things on the Popplet application.  They can create webs about books, characters, history topics and more.  Edmodo would align with standard 2A.  Edmodo helps students interact and collaborate information.

 If I were to bring Popplet into my own classroom, I would have the students create a web based on their family history.  I would have this for grades 3 and 4.  I would have students find out about their heritage and about their extended family.  Then I would have students create a family tree on Popplet.  They can be creative as they would like.