Ford,+Mark+Timothy-+Cool+Tools+Review


 * Web 2.0 Tools **
 * __ Review and reflection: __**
 * First let me start by saying Wow! I never knew there were so many resources out there for educators to use. This was impressive to say the least, but knowing that so many of these tools are free makes all the difference in the world due to the budgets that most of us have to operate of off. All the presenters that I was able to see did a wonderful job demonstrating these tools for us. With the coming of the New Common Core Standards, it was interesting to see how many of the new literacy strategies will allow integration of different subjects into your lessons. Many of the Web 2.0 tools are easily accessible for students to aid in creating presentations. **
 * One Tuesday we attended the Cool Tools Carousal. I was introduced to an enormous amount of tools, many of which were new to me. It was interesting to me but at the same time a bit overwhelming trying to digest all that was being presented to me. I am glad that we will have access to the Wiki in order to go back and take a closer look and determine the tools I can use in my class. The information will also aid in offering ideas to other staff members at my school. The tools were presented in three different groups: **
 * 1. **** Developing a Framework for How to Find and Select Tools: **
 * 2. Developing a Compelling Question/Gather & Analyze Information: **
 * 3. Creatively Synthesize, Evaluate, Publish & Share: **
 * Cool Tools and Hot Topics: **
 * I attended Smartphones in the Classroom by Kevin Oliver. I was interesting to hear what he had to present concerning BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). This is a concept that our school has had much debate about. I wanted to hear his thoughts and ideas of how to manage these devices especially in the middle school environment. Mr. Oliver introduced many new concepts that I did not know you could do on a Smartphone. If I would have just asked my teenager he could have most likely told me but I am old and out of date. Some of the tools we used included WallWisher, QR codes, CellBlock, PollEverywhere, Socrative, Podcasts, GPS (geo sites). **
 * On Wednesday we attended a Cool Tool session just for math. This is what I had been waiting on, a chance to see what I could take back to my math class and put to work. Our instructor was Erin Krupa. She introduced us to a few tools but provided a list on the Wiki that we can go back and take a look at later. In Ms. Krupa’s session we were put into groups and give scenario to solve involving a Barbie Bungee experiment. This was a wonderful experiment and one that I plan to use with my 6th graders when we return to school. Ms. Krupa showed us some Core Math Tools that we could use to help solve the problem. One of the tools that I feel I will use the most is a part of NCTM. The Excel goal seek option provides students with a way to interpret their data and make predictions. These tools will provide options for students in Algebra and Functions, Geometry, Statistics & Probability, Spreadsheets, and Coordinate Plane problems all through middle and high school math. This session was most helpful to me. **


 * __ Lesson Plan: __**
 * As a math teacher, I was blown away to see the free tools that can be used to create graphs. One of the tools that I could conceptually see me using would be a site called “Create a Graph”. This tool allows the student to design and create many types of graphical representations to use in presenting projects to the class. In middle school, we spend a great deal of time on gathering, analyzing, and presenting data. I plan to have my students create graphs after collecting a set of data. After using “Create a Graph”, students will then be required to take a screen shot of the graph and upload it into a Voicethread or a Prezi to aid with their presentation of findings. I look forward to having my students explore many of the new tools that I have been able to learn about this week. **
 * 1) ** Allow the students to create a survey using //GoogleForm// **
 * 2) ** Have the students calculate the Measurements of Central Tendency using Core Math Tools provided by NCTM or [|www.wolframalpha.com] **
 * 3) ** Use Create a Graph ([]) to display their findings. **
 * 4) ** Create a Prezi ([|www.Prezi.com]) to present their project to the class. **


 * Just a note in closing: **
 * I have attended many workshops and conferences over the years; this one by far has offered me more __useable__ ideas for the classroom. Ideas are great but __useable__ ideas are wonderful! **