New Year New Toys

Wow school has started again. I am actually very happy to be leaving the world of 4 and 6 year olds to enter the middle school classroom again. I have some new toys to play with. However I get the toys and new site and now have to find good efficeint ways to use them.

Jing Project - this is free (for now) software that can be used to create screencasts. I have started to use it to do mini tutorials for the teachers in my building. Like how to check email. Very easy to use. I also thought it would be a good thing for Special Ed students who need extra instructions. It would be great for the visual learner. I also saw a math teacher having students create thier own screencasts on math topics.
Twitter- is a new site that I just started using. You send out short little “Tweets” to people who are following you on the site. You can add a “tweet” to a website or blog that you find interesting. You can also follow people who you want. I have some very interesting people and groups that I follow. It is a great way to get info that does not require a lot of reading unless you want to. A lot of bloggers use it to advertise their new topics. My user name is LisaSteb if you want to follow me. www.twitter.com
So I am finding new things to play with but now need to find the time to use them. Using cool new things in the classroom is good but I have to make sure it doesn’t cut into all the standards that I need to cover. Sure I can justify teaching just about anything with technology but what is being left off can be very important.