Hello Animoto!

As I continue my journey towards Google Educator Certification, I've begun to explore Google Sites. How cool is Sites and why didn't I know about it last year when I bought starraustin.org?

I decided to play around with designing a class site before taking my Google Sites Exam.  I passed my first two and don't want to press my luck. I've had way more experience with Gmail and Calender.  Before creating my site, I wanted to check out other classroom sites and kept coming across teachers using Animoto. Another program I have never used. Yes, I must be living under a rock. I created a short video showing off my most recent trip to Jamaica, just for fun. It was super easy to use. I mean, it took me a whole 5 minutes, maybe. Easy to upload your pictures-right from facebook or instagram. I just used a ready-to-go template and song.

Just from this brief experience playing around with the program, I can really see how much fun my students could have with this! I'm going to have them create an Animoto video as a culminating project for the book we're currently reading The Mighty Miss Malone, by Christopher Paul Curtis. I'll post a link when they've finished it.  The possibilities are endless though. Imagine a math class creating a video on angles, where they have to take pictures of angles and share. Or a unit in science on habitats. I can already see that I will be using more of Animoto.


If you want to check out my Animoto, just click the link below.
Jamaica

*Hey, and you can change the music... Jamaica 2.0
https://animoto.com/play/9fWCjVrSmA2N2Z4ONU9bKw

Google Educator...In Training

I have decided to pursue the prestigious Google Educator Certification. I began this mission with an ulterior motive...I want to apply for the Apple Distinguished Educator (ADE) program and learn from all of the innovative educators out there.  I first found out about the program when my school was selected for Apple's ConnectEd Grant, which will provide every student in my building with an ipad! Talk about exciting. But once that initial adrenaline subsided, I felt a tremendous amount of pressure to make the most of it. My school is being given the tool of technology to help level the playing field for our students, I need to maximize this amazing opportunity.  As I began searching for what other 1:1 districts are doing--what's working, programs being implemented, I discovered one thing many of these leading educators had in common. Most of them are ADEs and Google Certified. I had never even heard the term. I guess, I'm probably considered prehistoric for not knowing. I use gmail. I "Google" everything. I'm on twitter. After reading and learning and connecting with some of these ADEs, I am even more determined to become part of this network of innovators in education.

I am still in the beginning phase. I have completed the Gmail and Calendar Exams and am currently going through the Sites Training. It's crazy what all these programs can do that I was completely unaware of! Can't wait to learn more.

I welcome any and all advice! Also, if you are currently a 1:1 school or classroom, what are you using? What's working? I'm especially interested in programs being used to help students struggling in reading and math.

Donors Choose: Building HEROES

Building Heroes 

Mrs. Holden's technology project at Westlawn Elementary School in Texarkana, TX | Highest Poverty

http://www.donorschoose.org/project/building-heroes/1505412/?rf=page-siteshare-2015-03-project-teacher_1569667

Talented. Inquisitive. Sensitive. Tough. Complex. Eager. Confident. Timid. Challenging.These are my students.  They are not your typical kids. They are low performing (according to standardized tests).  Yet they love coming to school. It's safe. It's welcoming. I need to meet my students where they are and use what I can to inspire them.  My "Building Heroes" project will give them the tools of technology, and trust, to dive into literacy through blogging, reflection, and sharing our lives with one another.

Real World Application...Hello! The GoPro camera system will allow us to video our real lives, not just our school lives.  We will be utilizing all of the higher order thinking skills to contribute to our blog--from deciding what to use, evaluating its importance, reflecting on others experiences, asking relevant questions to better understand one another and learn. The possibilities are endless.