Blog Assignment #14

Jose Picardo is a languages teacher and blogger. Part of this assignment was to watch one of his youtube videos where he offers 10 tips for integrating technology into the classroom. These tips are: (1) Stream Videos. (2) Incorporate Music. (3) Use Teleconferencing tools. (4) Use Interactive Exercises. (5) Do more with your Smartboard. (6) Create Podcasts. (7) Create a Blog or Wiki. (8) Utilize Social Networks. (9) Take Advantage of free Internet Tools. (10) Allow Students to use Gadgets to Enhance Learning. I believe that he is spot on with this list and that if all teachers were able to add at least one of these suggestions to their lesson plans it would vastly improve the learning environment for their students. I plan to incorporate all of them in my personal curriculum, however the tips I will place the most emphasis on are streaming videos, incorporating music, creating podcasts, maintaining a class blog, utilizing social networks and encouraging students to use their own gadgets for enhanced learning. The reason I'm more prone to focus on these areas is because they interest me the most as a student, although I realize not everyone learns the same way so I will also implement numerous other strategies to help each individual optimize their learning and educational experience in my classroom.

Mr. Picardo also has a list on his blog of A-Z Resources for Education. This page has an extensively substantial (but not all inclusive) number of resources to assist educators with enhancing their lesson plans with various internet tools and it is an excellent way to help achieve the goal of optimizing the educational experience for students. I have tinkered with or already familiar with a number of the resources on the list, but there are many more that seem exciting and that I have bookmarked to learn more about for my personal learning network. Mr. Picardo also request that if there is a link not posted that anyone thinks would be helpful to contact him so he can add it. I believe all teachers can benefit from taking a look at this post.