Objective+2

Objective 2 **Knowledge of the wide range of technologies that support and enhance instruction, including classroom and school resources as well as distance learning and online learning opportunities. **

__**Meeting the Objective: **__ The personal blog assignments introduced me to several technologies, many of which I was unaware. While researching the weekly topics, I discovered math software, such as Classworks, Math by Design, and Funbrain, that I now use in my classroom. These programs give students an alternative to IXL, our current software, and provides them with a different learning experience and a break from our standard computer lab instruction. The iPad apps that I discovered have increased the productivity that students have with our school-issued tablets. Previously, the tablets were used for presentations with minimal interaction. Now, the students can share their work and collaborate on assignments. The iPad has become a much more effective teaching tool. ED 505 introduced me to Twitter as a learning tool. I found it to be more helpful for me as a resource for information than an interactive device. I was able to discover a wealth of helpful activities that I have used in my classroom. I did not widely implement it for the students due to their age (11-12 years old). Many parents closely monitor their child's social networking and I did not want to force the students to use a resource that was not approved by their parents. Delicious, the social bookmarking site, gave the students links that served as a study guide for the Alabama Reading and Mathematics Test (ARMT). Also, they used it to study for current subject material. Out of all of the resources in ED 505, I believe that this benefited the students more than any other. As stated in the first objective, all of the Web 2.0 resources and the activity wiki allowed students to review and create material in both the classroom and at home. These resources did not have the limitations of our computer lab and students were free to work on the material at any time. Positive feedback from the students indicated that these resources encouraged the students to enhance their education outside of the classroom. __**Personal Blog **__ []

__ **Twitter ** __ []

__ **Social Bookmarks ** __ []

__**Web 2.0 Resources **__ **Glogster **  []

**Animoto **  []

**ClassTools ** [] []

__**Activity Wiki **__  http://fordj5272.wikispaces.com/