Tool #9

1. I think that Jing could be an excellent resource in the classroom! I read the example about the school librarian and how she used it to teach research skills. I think that Jing could really help me when I am teaching my first graders about computers. A lot of times, teachers give up on six year olds navigating a computer by themselves and simply do it for them. How will they ever learn if that happens? By using Jing, you can make a video of how to get to a certain site, how to log in, or any other necessary actions that they will need to do for themselves. This way, you would not have to show them or repeat yourself 22 times. You could simply show the video and thats it. Not to mention, if a certain child still doesn't understand, they could just watch it again!

2. I love that Skype was included in the 11 tools because it is something that I actually have experience with. The program is so easy to download and use that it would be easy to incorporate it into the classroom. I think that a fun way to use Skype would be to talk to people from other countries. In our social studies curriculum, each class chooses a country to study for several weeks. I think that the kids would benefit from being able to talk to someone who is from that country. For example, say I have a family friend that is living in Australia. If this is the country that my students chose, they could each come up with a question of something they still wanted to know. Then, you could call the friend on Skype and have that person answer the kid's questions. Seeing that actually visiting the country would be out of the question, I think that this could be the next best thing.

3. I have used Skype for many different reasons and I think it is an incredible tool! When I was doing my student teaching overseas, Skype was the only means of communication that I used to get ahold of my family. I also use it currently because my sister lives in the Middle East and phone calls would simply be too expensive. I like that Skype gives you the option of typing out a conversation like an instant messenger or the option to make an actual phone call. Not only can you make a phone call, but with my built-in camera I can actually see the person that I want to talk to. When you have a family member who lives that far away, being able to see them as you talk is a precious gift.