Prior to using the ELMO document camera, I showed the children a thermometer. I tried to show the children how the mercury would rise and fall depending on how hot or cold the water was. I saw first hand today how frustrating it is for the children to see something in a whole group setting that is so small. When presenting the lesson again using the ELMO, the children were so excited and remained on task for a longer period of time because everyone could see the mercury rise and fall at the same time.

Digital Camera

January 22, 2009
In class today we received our digital cameras and learned all of the functions, which I have never used before on my own camera. Honestly, I never even paid attention to them. I snap and go and zoom in and out when necessary.

Sharing ELMO with team

I am so proud of myself! We had a team meeting this morning and one of the agenda items was to place a new student. The team leader usually shares the test scores and other information on this new student verbally as she reads it from the form she's been provided. I volunteered my ELMO so the team could see the information visually. It was definitely a more effective and efficient way to share this information.

Blogging, Blogging, Blogging

I've blogged but it seemed to disappear 'somewhere' on the internet. I made the mistake of setting up my blog under my personal g-mail account, and I could not seem to figure out how to put my blogs onto the blog that my STEP partners were using. So I just saved my blogs in a word document.

Confusing, to say the least, this 'blogging'.

Work Session

Today we had a worksession for our Document Camera. I was glad to have this work session because it forced me to sit down and work on my document camera portfolio. I don't know who loved the document camera more, me or the kids. The children love to see themselves on the screen, especially when they are dancing. In addition to working on my document camera portfolio, I learned about the Flaming Text website and how to upload the title pages. Just when I thought I knew a lot about technology I am quickly reminded that that there is still so much more to learn.

The Elmo

This tool for the classroom has be such a godsend . Now I can readtto my students and focus on pictures that I would like for them to comprehend. It is so much better than your overhead projector it is compact. I am going to use it with small books and when I am doing some hands on activities.

Elmo

I’m really loving the ELMO! The increase in the children’s attention was immediate! It is such a great way to read a story so that everyone can see and everyone is focused. Since the first time I used it in class, I keep it set up, ready to go. I find that many of the activities I do during Meeting time (e.g. matching pictures or objects; using picture symbols, etc) can be done on the ELMO and projected on the screen. I’m looking forward to incorporating more technology during Opening and Meeting.