Treasure Chest of Thoughts

Recently, I came across two lists of tech tools; both have some interesting links:

• 25 Free Apps and Websites for Tech-Loving Teachers posted by Mr. Joel at So You Want to Teach?
• How to Become More Tech Savvy This Summerby Jim Moulton at Edutopia via their e-letter.

I know…a little overwhelming, aren’t they?  My suggestion?  Find good homes for the children and a “honey-do” for the husband or significant other and take an afternoon for yourself…some down time with tech tools.  Okay, that makes me sound like a nerd!  But….I just happen to like nerds…

Do you like nerds?  Then, PLEASE check out this self-created video by author John Green that I discovered on his blog.  He is also the author of An Abundance of Katherines, Looking for Alaska, and Paper Towns, (the first two of which I have purchased to read!).  This just might be a great video to show on the first day of school!  What do you think?

Do you have favorite tech tool lists?  Please share!

Did you know that in 2012 “tech literacy” will be added to the Nation’s Report Card?

eSchool News has an interesting article “Get an ’A’ on Your Report Card:  Maximize Your Tech Investment” with several articles embedded.

Questions I am pondering…

• What is your district planning in preparation for The Test?
• Does testing the use of technology take some of the fun and excitement out of these tools?
• Is technology a tool?  Or a curriculum?

My Plans…

1. To keep learning…often self-teaching myself.
2. Train for use of a class set of laptops and with my peers in our project entitled Classroom Redesign 21.
3. Actively participate in the Professional Learning Network entitled 21 CLC within my school.
4. Learn more about how technology will be tested on the NAEP, including the following from this article:

The National Assessment Governing Board has awarded a $1.86 million contract to WestEd—a nonprofit educational research, development, and service agency based in San Francisco—to develop the 2012 NAEP Technological Literacy Framework.
 
Under this new contract, awarded through a competitive bidding process, WestEd will recommend the framework and specifications for the 2012 NAEP Technological Literacy Assessment. Ultimately, WestEd’s work will lead to ways to define and measure students’ knowledge and skills in understanding important technological tools, the Governing Board said. Board members then will decide which grade level—fourth, eighth, or 12th—will be tested in 2012…

The Governing Board is slated to review and approve the technological literacy framework in late 2009.

So much to learn!