Willis,+Amber-+Cool+Tools+Review

On Tuesday, I attended the Cool Tools Carousel which was broken down into three parts in which each exposed us to different types of web 2.0 tools. In the first session, I learned about Google Forms, Tricider, Symbaloo, and LiveBinder. In the second session, Laura Fogle discussed Google Docs, Edmodo, Sock Puppets, Blabberize, Twitter, Glogster, SlideRocket, ToonDoo and Prezi. Lastly, I attended a session facilitated by Julian Wilson that introduced me to tools such as iRubric and SimilarSites. All of these sessions were great in that they exposed me to new tools that I didn’t know existed and gave me ideas of how I could incorporate some of them and even find others to use in my class. Even though I have used a few of these tools, such as Glogster, Livebinder, and Edmodo, many of these tools were completely new to me. This was one of my favorite parts of the NLI, and I ardently wished that more time could have been provided to explore and learn some of these in more depth. However, I am grateful that I can still access the Institute materials on the wiki.
 * Cool Tools Review and Application **

Also on Tuesday, I attended the Hot Topics session on Problem Based Learning lead by Gail Holmes. In this session, I learned the importance of developing a compelling question/essential question that could be used cross-curricular. Although, as a middle school teacher, I definitely embrace interdisciplinary units, this presentation was difficult to get applicable uses from as it seemed more geared to elementary units.

My favorite session, as I feel most of ours was, came on Wednesday during the session that focused on our discipline. I had the privilege to attend a dynamic session on Math tools lead by Erin Krupa, in which I learned how to incorporate Core Math Tools and spreadsheet applications to solve interesting and fun math problems. Students used these tools to formulate a hypothesis about a scenario, collect data to test their hypothesis, and then devise equations to prove the hypothesis. This session reminded me why I love math, and why it is necessary that I incorporate more of this type of investigative problem solving with my own students using simple tools that foster 21 Century learning.

Three new tools that I could see myself using most are VoiceThread, Tricider, and the Core Math Tools.
 * Lesson Applications **

I intend to use VoiceThread as a means to assess group problem solving. Particularly, I think this tool would fit well with a Pythagorean Theorem Project that I do using Problem-Based-Problems. These are real-world application problems involving the Pythagorean Theorem, and this lesson would address NC Common Core Standard 8.G6-8. Normally, I would have groups work out their problems on paper and then present their solutions orally; however, VoiceThread could be used as an alternative means to combine a visual and oral group explanation. Each group could then embed their VoiceThread to a wiki or even Edmodo to create a gallery walk of possible solutions to real-world Pythagorean problems. Students could respond to each other’s VoiceThread via a forum post or blog.

Tricider and the Core Math Tools have more of a daily application. I plan to use Tricider as a means to guide my classroom instruction. It can serve as an informal method of surveying my students on such items as pacing, possible project suggestions, or even formative assessments. I could even use these tools as a way to extend a lesson beyond what I could cover in class by allowing students to post topics of interest and voting on their favorites to do as independent studies. Lastly, I plan to have an introductory lesson for all of my students at the beginning of the school year to show them how to access and use these tools at home and school. Furthermore, I plan to post a link on my Edmodo page as a reminder for all of my students. These tools provide access to graphing calculator functions as well as geography manipulating tools that are free to download. These would be invaluable to students who cannot afford to purchase a graphing calculator for home use.