Tech Sandbox: Screen Recorder Assignment

My second graders have been working on logging into Google Classroom and learning how to use Google Docs. These are both new tools for my students, and this introduction and practice helps them for third grade. Each week, I teach one or two new skills, and we build upon what we learn each week. 

With so many students being out for quarantine or COVID, families at times ask for activities students can complete. I like the idea of creating mini tutorials for Google Apps for students to practice at home or in class. Second graders will use Google Docs in the spring for more writing projects, and our introduction in library helps immensely. 

Here is a mini tutorial for Google Docs for my second graders. I used Screencastify, and appreciate how user-friendly this tool is to use. 

Tech Sandbox: Introduction

My name is Allison Earl, and I am the library media specialist at McNamara Elementary in Baldwinsville CSD. I see all students in grades K-5 for a weekly library special and a monthly STEM class.

This will be my 10th year as an educator, and 2nd year at Baldwinsville. Previously, I worked in the Fulton City School District for 8 years. 

I come from a family of teachers, and teaching always was part of my environment growing up. When I was younger, I spent a lot of time in my mom's first-grade classroom at Solvay Elementary volunteering after school. I teach because it comes natural to me, and I want to help students love to learn and read. 

I chose this PD for two reasons. First, I feel I have become complacent and staying inside my comfort zone with technology. I'm ready to explore, and try new tools. Next, I'm not excited about many of the tech tools I do share with students. I feel if I'm not excited about something, students won't be either. This will result in poor instruction, and I do not want that. My goal is to learn and use new tools that I'm passionate about and to share these with all. 

My current favorite tech tool is Jamboard. I love to use this as a quick check-in for a concept or skill.