Saturday, June 18, 2011

Tech Tools

        My newest assignment was to go online and discover and play with a new tech tool. A lot of the tools that were listed in our resource list I have already used. Though I have never put anything on YouTube, I have watched plenty of videos. The videos that are out there can be really funny. Still, there are numerous educational videos posted there as well. You just have to look for them.
        I regularly use Skype to communicate with friends who live all around the world. Since my husband is active duty military, we have friends and family everywhere. Skype is so easy that my daughters have been able to use it by themselves for years.
        Starfall is another favorite of mine. I became familiar with Starfall during my practicum hours. The students just love it. It is a fun and easy way to target individual student needs and monitor their progress.
        Google Earth, nasa.gov, and the National Geographic sites are excellent resources for any teacher to have on hand.



        Finally, I come to the new tech tool that I chose to explore, Tux Paint. When I first tried t download the program, I had a few problems. Well, I guess it was just me being confused. The program downloaded onto my desktop, but the program didn't open. The only thing that I was able to see was the tutorial. You can't open the program from here. after I finally opened the program, I had a blast. This is a sight that I think all children could enjoy.
        As I was laying with it, Becca, my youngest daughter came in to the room. She got excited too. She said that she used this program often in school. She is entering the sixth grade this fall. She started showing my different ways to use the program. The only issue that I had was that part of the program, the stamp application, is optional. It does not download with the original Tux Paint program. I had to go back and install it separately. Although the program is fun without it, the stamp program adds a different dimension to what can be done.
        I highly recommend this program for everyone.

3 comments:

  1. Teresa, I had a lot of fun with Tux Paint as well. My younger sister and brother both showed me the different ways to use the program, at first glance I didn't think there was much to it. It's humbling and entertaining to see the younger generations showing us their technology skills. I know my students will be teaching me new things as well :D

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  2. Hi, Teresa, I found Tux Paint to be fun and something new to learn. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. Cool to hear that kids are using this in school. It sounds like a really fun program that I really need to look into soon for my future classroom.

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