New Toys!

I know it is Christmas time but this is CRAZY!
I just made two pretty big purchases for my class.
 
The first of which is a document camera.

Click here for a link to the product website.

 

 

I know there are a couple of blogs from teachers and other 'experts' which can be a little negative about using these in the classroom... but I bought it anyway!

 

In my opinion, the possibilities are endless. Like most technology, if used in a boring way, it becomes boring. But if YOU display the qualities of a good learner in your teaching and model the creativity, higher order thinking and resourcefulness you would like to impart on students (and give them the opportunity to practise it, using the technology too) you will have greater success. Children learn what you TEACH them, this means more than just observing heaps of 'stuff' happening in front of them.

 

I'm already planning interactive reading, assessment rubrics, visual schedules for my special needs students, sharing and presentation of student work, interactive writing and handwriting demonstrations, speech and mouth formation... Aughh... Sooo many possibilities!

 

 

Now, next fabulous thing.

 

Click here for the product link.

 

This is a little digital microscope.

I have used one of these in the past and have found that it engages students to no end.

 

How THIS purchase came about was odd. I had my parents around for Christmas dinner and I was showing them the document camera which I had bought online. Well, they had bought my sister this microscope (she is a science teacher) a year ago for her students but it would not work on her computer (Mac). She set it aside and kind of forgot all about it!

 

Well, of course I'm not going to pass up the opportunity to get it if I can! AND she has agreed that I may have it.

 

My reasoning behind the purchase: Whilst our curriculum at the level I am working at does not directly state that we are to magnify anything, who could pass up the opportunity to actually LOOK at a fly's compound eyes if students read about it in a non fiction text? Students at my grade level decide not to engage in 'Show and Tell' as frequently, why not take the opportunity to magnify something they are interested in (eg a spider they have in a jar) and extend their oral language experience? BOYS LOVE THIS THING (need I say any more? Hehe!)

 

I'm so excited to get these things and have a play! I will keep you updated about how they work out in the classroom.