Technology tools in the classroom! Module 4

Welcome back bloggers! I am so excited to share ideas about today’s topic! I am going to be going over 2 technology resources I have become very familiar with over the last semester! I find that these interactive technology resources are not only useful for younger grade groups, but also an awesome technique to use in upper grades! Finding something that I can add my own twist on and use for all learning types is not an easy task. I think these 2 websites provide a creative way to learn and grow in and out of the classroom. The two resources I have been getting to learn about are Google Classroom and Flipgrid,

            

I was actually introduced to Google Classroom for the first time this year. I had never used my google resources before coming to college. I truly do not know how I survived for as long as I did without having them in my tool belt! I created a Google classroom a few weeks ago and decided for my classes sake, I would create a 3^rd grade class. I was able to add a code to my class page, and then my classmates were able to then log onto their own Gmail account and add themselves as a student to my class! This is such an easy way to have students access in class work, homework, and even add projects to. Through Google classroom, I was able to upload a link to have students post a short video about who they are and what they are looking forward to learning in class this year. In the future, I think having students post a video or short bio about themselves before we get to know each other in class would be so fun and creative! No matter the age group, I think every student could benefit from a resource like this.

The second resource is another one I am just learning to use and love! In the beginning of the semester in my technology in education class we were asked to take a short 15 second video introducing ourselves on a website called Flipgrid. Like I had mentioned in the previous paragraph, this is the same website I posted on my classroom! When I did the video for my technology class, I was able to log onto my classrooms link and watch others in my class talk a bit about them and what they plan on pursuing in college! What a fun way to get to know who is going to be in your class. Another fun way to use Flipgrid is to have a student or class record a short video about how they reacted to a movie, book, class discussion, or topic! This is just a fun way for students to be able to use their voice in a different way in the classroom. Over the past week, I have been spending time in a 4^th grade classroom, and one of the other classes in our hall was actually using Flipgrid! They were recording a book review on a book they had read in class! I thought it was so creative and I was so excited to see something I was currently learning about being implemented in the classroom! 

I find these two websites great resources to use in any future setting. All age groups and learning styles will be able to take away a positive learning tool! No matter the subject, age, grade, or class, as a teacher I will definitely be using these in my future classroom. I look forward to teaching my students the importance of technology in the classroom! (As long as they are learning from it, of course!)