1. Class Dojo
I started using Class Dojo with my
students shortly before Christmas. In short, it is a behaviour
management system that allows students, teachers, and parents to
monitor behaviour at school. Check it out here.
The site offers three key benefits for teachers:
- Improve Behaviour
- Allows for teachers to reward students in real time
- Students are aware that their behaviour is being monitored and tracked
- Allows for data collection to analyze long term results
2. Share Data
- Teachers can share the students' behaviour records with the students and their parents
- Feedback is printable or can be emailed
- Teachers can send student information to principal/administrators for additional monitoring
3. Save Time
- Teachers can input data at any time with only two clicks (first on the student's name, second on the corresponding behaviour)
- Data can be printed off and put in the teacher's day book
- Data pages can be used to help with the learning skills section when writing report cards
2. Audacity - Here
is a quick tutorial that shows you some of the Audacity basics.
In history, several of the students in
my grade seven class are recording monologues that they have created
using Audacity. Audacity is a simple program that allows for audio
recording and editing. Since several of my students are shy, I
allowed them to record their monologues so that I am able to listen
to them privately instead of having them present in front of the
class. Additionally, the students are able to add background music
and sound effects which can help convey the overall mood or tone of
their piece. Moreover, student work can be easily saved as an MP3
and shared on blogs, iPods, webpages etc. This engaging tool has
definitely shown itself to be a favourite with intermediate students
and helps even my shyest students succeed!
3. Reflex Math
This is my first year using Reflex
Math. It is a website designed to promote math fact fluency for
junior and intermediate students. Check
out the homepage and click on Watch Video to get a brief overview
of the program. I introduced Reflex to my students in September and
they spent 1-2 class periods a week practising and mastering basic
math facts which they will need in all strands of math. The program
encourages students to use Reflex 3 times a week for 30 minutes at a
time to help increase fact fluency. Consequently, students are
required to complete Reflex at home 1-2 times a week. As a teacher,
I have an account with all of my students and where they are at on an
individual basis. I can also track if and when students connect to
Reflex and receive weekly updates as to the class's progress. One of
my favourite aspects of the program is that it allows students to
work at their own level. For example, I can have a student
working on basic addition while another masters their times tables.
While
browsing the site, I found some testimonials from fellow Reflex Math
users:
- The
data provided by the program has been very useful in guiding
instruction and monitoring progress. Reflex has increased the
confidence of nearly all my students. All of the students in my
class are considered "struggling" math students, so any
boost in confidence is a great help. Once they feel like they have
a grip on the basics, most of my students are willing to take
chances in problem solving and with higher level questions. I would
definitely encourage the use of this program in all classes.
- Reflex
is an amazing program that allows students to work at their own
pace, reach those milestones, and reach their goals. Students
continue to gain fluency at a rapid pace.
-
When
students know their basic facts they feel more successful in math,
and it helps them to solve harder math problems. I have a student
that struggles in math, however he is consistently the "Player
of the Day" on Reflex, and has earned the most tokens in the
class. He is now looked upon as the class leader!
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