My action plan for
switching to Google mail includes looking through old emails and deciding
whether or not I need to convert any to my new email address, or if I can just
start fresh. I will also need to spend a little time updating my contacts and
familiarizing myself with how Google mail functions. I know this is not a major
change, but it is something I can do towards achieving a goal of integrating a
new technology into my life.
I have done some research this week of ideas for
integrating technology into my classroom weekly. On Pinterest I found this
great blog site, http://walkinginmathland.weebly.com
that has references to UTube videos that relate to the content I teach, as well
as some math games that I can modify to use on the Smart Board.
In my research I also found this site for Geometer’s
Sketchpad Resource Center at http://www.dynamicgeometry.com/. I am not sure how much money I have in my budget, but I
doubt it is much, if any to spend on software like this. The price is $30 for a
student edition.
These next few weeks before school
begins I will continue to look at online lesson plans and activities I can use
in my classes. I am still open to suggestions on integrating authentic lessons
and technology into Analytic Geometry for tenth graders, so please post ideas
if you have them.
I also teach math but I teach Algebra and am obsessed with Pinterest! I have spent countless hours looking through all the pins but have found that a lot of the math stuff is for elementary students. I teach special education so I can use or modify some stuff for my students but overall, I have not been successful on finding information on Pinterest. What I have become accustomed to doing is just a simple Google search for information. I found that if you are more specific on what you are looking for in the search bar, the results you get are better. Also if you are looking for a specific type of document, you can add "pdf" or "doc" and the end of your key words so you will get that type of document. As far as Google mail goes, there are so many things you can do on it. I suggest you just sitting and navigating the site to discover new things. I believe they also have a tutorial for you to watch that will help you become familiar with what Google has to offer. I hope this helps!
ReplyDeleteGreat advice on the Google search; I will have to try that this week. Thanks for your ideas! Sarah
DeleteSarah
ReplyDeleteI am glad to hear you are making some progress on your action plan of synching your cell phone email with your Gmail account. Google makes some great organizational applications, which are transferable to the academic environment and classroom management. This would make a great professional development opportunity how to use Google apps to manage your classroom.
In addition to Geometers Sketchpad have you considered using the online Khan Academy. You can set up a coach account and have your students become members of your coach account. They can work through math problems at the own pace. The site provides an automated metrics system to track your student’s progress and provide them with personal feedback.
Vince
Vince, yes, I love Khan Academy. I actually learned about it this past year when a students' parent recommended it- that speaks for how user friendly and effective it is! thanks for the input! Sarah
DeleteSarah, good luck with your email change. My school switched to Google mail, and everyone is pleased with this product. In fact, quite a few teachers have their emails sent to their phones. Sarah, your posts reflect your diverse uses of both technology and software. This summer I observed a 7th-8th grade reading/math teacher using a document camera with math word problems. The presentation was fascinating and more personal versus using the smart board exclusively.
ReplyDelete