Room 305

When I was in 2nd grade back in the fall of 1994, I was thrilled to go to computer class and use the massive box computer to work on my typing skills and maybe get to play Oregon Trail at the end of class. Times have changed and with students having access to a school provided device or the ability to get on the internet on a regular basis, the opportunities are endless. Devices can be used for numerous things including a virtual classroom that allows teachers to give quizzes, assignments, create folders with links to websites and facilitate a safe place where only students can share their learning. Learning management systems like Edmodo and Schoology were created with the ability to provide teachers the resources to engage students differently than a typical classroom. Both Edmodo and Schoology have a lot to offer teachers. From creating polls, to joining public groups with other educators, to adding events to a calendar and creating a grade book. Check out these two videos that ...

Have you ever wondered how to expand your Personal Learning Network (PLN) as an educator? Our connected world allows educators across the globe to connect in unique ways using technology and the Internet. Educators can connect with other educators, classrooms can connect with one another and educators can connect with politicians, scientists and historians to deepen learning. The Internet allows our enormous world to feel smaller. In this post, we will explore three tools that you can use to improve your PLN. Twitter  is a social network used by billions of people all over the world. Years before I used Twitter for personal reasons and never thought to use it as an educator. On Twitter educators can participate in educational chats, follow all sorts of people including other educators and community leaders. Check out this video on how to use Twitter to strengthen your PLN. The main benefit  Diigo is the user's ability to collect websites in one location and organi...

Have you ever wondered how to organize a reading list of your favorite blogs? Feedly is a free tool that subscribes you to your RSS feeds allowing you to read all of your blogs in one place. Feedly creates a seamless main page allowing you to look at what is most important. This valuable tool can assist anyone, especially a busy educator trying to keep up on what is most important in education. Check out this tutorial from Mike at Boise State University's Ed Tech Program  about how to navigate Feedly from YouTube. These four blogs were discovered and added to my Feedly account. Once added to the Feedly account the main page will look something like this: By clicking "+ Add Content" button at the bottom you can search for or add new RSS feeds to your account. Here is information on four of the blogs added to my Feedly account: Stories From School This blog caught my attention because of the blog title. With educators around our country protes...

Before I begin this blog, I wanted you to know a little about myself and the journey to where I am today. Since I was a little girl I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I would play for hours in our basement playroom, creating activities for my two little sisters.  Throughout elementary school each of my teachers cultivated a deeper love for learning in me. In 3rd grade my teacher was there for me through some dark times in my family's life. My grandmother was killed in an accident in September of my 3rd grade year and my kind, compassionate and understanding teacher provided a safe place for me to feel loved every day. This particular teacher would resurface in my life after college in a magnificent way. Throughout middle school and high school while trying to find myself, many educators poured into me, encouraged me and gave me deeper perspective on life. In high school, one counselor in particular saw potential in me and encouraged me in my pursuit to be stud...