Type to Learn 3: Beginning with a strong foundation of the keyboard is important in the fluency in your students technology adventure. My school uses a program called Type to Learn 3. However, if you don't have funding to provide this resource there are a ton of free resources on the internet. These can be given as assignments, or used in the classroom. This is one free site that I found when googling learning to type.
http://freetypinggame.net/
PowerPoint: This is a highly engaging program for students. I use this for their reflection journals; they may write journal entries, type key vocabulary from lessons, and include pictures of their learning. The students also publish their poetry in a poetry slide show, create books in writers workshop, and even create lessons or assessments on a topic we are studying.
Microsoft Word: We use this program to type spelling lists, friendly letters, and create timelines or other "smart art" graphic organizers for learning.
I am interested in learning more about blogging, and the use of our district's BlackBoard site. This is a great tool for discussion boards, access to games we play in class, review of content learned, and update class information, and announcements.
HOW can I make this happen?
- Seek out other teachers who currently use the BlackBoard site and discuss their uses
- Attend a professional development provided by the tech team to learn more about BlackBoard
- Play around on the site, and use my own problem solving skills, or use an online tutorial
- Ask the students what they would like to see on the BlackBoard site
- After talking with students, create a top 10 list of favorite learning websites to add to the class list
- Talk with parents and ask them what they would like to see on the site, and have them create a top 10 list of their favorite parenting sites/homework helper sites/learning sites or resources for their child at home