Application+of+the+Tools

=Application of the Tools =

**How can/will you begin to use these tools with your students?**

I started using the wiki with my students in September. We have used it as a digital portfolio, but I hope to expand that. Collaboration among students and authentic publication are two of my goals with the wiki. I was excited to have parents comment on the wiki, and one parent even asked for membership. The students are taking ownership in their pages and I believe have more pride in their work as a result.


 * How do you see one or more of these tools being used next semester with your students or for you professionally?**

I definitely plan to continue using the wiki with my students. I have kind of let my blog take a back seat to the wiki, but I would like to incorporate the blog into my literature circles. We have had some success with using google docs instead of memory sticks and I would like to continue that in the future. Finally, I would like my kids to set up a Shelfari account to have a social network for reading. I love the idea of them being able to post book reviews and ask other readers questions about books. It makes the world a much smaller place.


 * How can Dana and Randy get you to the next step or cross a hurdle that is preventing you from using these tools?**

One hurdle that I face is how to incorporate the tools in an authentic way. I don't want to incorporate them just to be more "techie", I want their use to have an impact on student learning. Also, I find that as I add new things, it is imperative to get rid of other things. The longer I teach the more I feel like I am trying to do 10 things and I'm not doing any of them well. I should be doing 4 things and doing all of them extremely well.

I need to take up Dana or Randy on some team teaching. Sometimes when I am in the computer lab, I want to change my name. It is impossible for me to help 23 kids at the same time. As my kids are becoming more proficient with some of the tools, I am encouraging them to help each other and not wait for me to assist them.

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