Real Simple Technologies

When I think back on my elementary school, I don't remember using computers very often. We worked with 'All the right type' to learn how to type, which I always enjoyed. We were taught how to send an email, but I remember emailing only once. It wasn't until Junior High that we really started using the Internet as a source of information for school projects. Apart from those rare computer experiences, my elementary years were full of non-computer oriented activities. I am realizing in University that it is not only Junior Highs and High Schools that use computers in the classroom anymore. A lot has changed since I was in elementary school.

Real Simple Technologies are really, truly just that. Super simple ways of using technology to help teach kids. The great thing about them is that they don't take much time, so it is simple to use them when preparing a lesson. Another great thing about them is that since they are so simple, young kids will be able to make use of them in the classroom. Wordle would be a good tool to use as an ice breaker. Each child could create a wordle in class about themselves, emphasizing the words that are most important to them. If the class has done any sort of research, each child could create a wordle about that topic and show which words are most important to that topic.

Zooburst is also a great tool online. Users have to sign up, but it is free for personal use (1 user only). If a teacher wanted to use it with the entire class, he/she would have to pay for it. Users can upload their own photos or use the clipart on the program to make a pop-up story book. Text can be added to each page as well as conversation through word bubbles. Each page can be rotated so kids can look at the page from all angles, but still maintain the 3D imagines. When working with younger kids, it might be most useful to make a story to show the children, since they might not be able to work with the program on their own. For older grades (grade 4 and older), they would be able to make their own stories about topics they researched and present it to the class once they are done. It is also a great opportunity to show kids how stories work. They need to understand that each page might have text on it to tell the story, but that the characters can also speak by putting in a speech bubble. They must also be taught that the first character to speak must come first so that the conversation goes in the correct order.

There are many programs out there that could be very useful when teaching early years, it is only a matter of putting in the time to find them and brainstorm their uses in a classroom.