Greta+Powell

Greta Powell Preschool Teacher Family Child Learning Center ggilbrid at kent.edu Skype: greta.powell80

My favorite personal/professional use of technology
Currently my favorite use of technology is my digital camera along with blogger.com. Each child in my classroom has their own personal blog account that I created for their family. Each school day, I will leave a summary of their child's day for them. Many parents also ask if other family members can look at the blogs. Relatives from different states can assist the blog if given permission. Parents are grateful for this type of teacher-parent communication. It's a great way to keep in contact with working parents. I use my digital camera to put pictures on their blogs. Parents even read and look at the blogs with their child. Yes, this is time consuming at first, but after a while takes less time.

The most frustrating aspect of using "technology"
Keeping updated on the current technology. I get comfortable with certain parts of technology and then I don't bother researching a few months later if their is a better and more efficient way. Technology changes rapidly and it's time consuming and challenging to keep up. Of course there is always those times when one can't get connected to technology or the site is down that is frustrating.

Vision Statement: Children in my classroom to become active participants in using technology.

I am using the Smartboard as an interactive tool to present materials and for children to manipulate. I create songs and stories through Boardmaker Plus that is interactive for the children to press buttons to answer questions, make choices, or make something happen. I also use the digital camera to show what the children are learning to parents. I also upload them to snapfish to print them off and put them in their photo albums as a way to communicate with children. I haven't let children use my digital camera or flip to take pictures/videos, yet; but hopefully that is something I will be willing to try in 2010. I do set the children see the picture on the camera after I take it. Some of my parents show the children their blogs and will read them what I wrote or let them navigate their blogs. Hopefully in 2010, I will use writing with symbols and let the children share their thoughts through that program.
 * How Am I currently engaging children with technology?**

I created my personal blog about scrapbooking. I figured this might help me explore other people's blogs. I learned how to crete slideshows and make lists of my favorite websites. I finally liked that I did a Blog in my personal life instead of only for children in my classroom. Here is a link for all you scrapbookers to visit: []
 * Recent additions to my technology Adventures (1/10/09)**

I created a classroom website!!! This is my very first time ever creating a website. At first, I was frustrated trying to understand how to make pages and delete previous pages (I used another teacher's template). Once I finally understood it, it was a breeze. I uploaded pictures from my digital camera. My new challenge is to try to find ways to use my flip camera within the website. Here is the link: []

2/5 homework I used the webcam to read the story. My co-teacher skype and read the book upstairs while I was downstairs with the children. The children attented to it well, but were quieter than I expected they would be. Another mode of representation. In additon, I took two peers upstairs to skype their classmates. They each brought something from the classroom to share with others. It really engaged one of the children with expressive language delay. He talked so much with others through the laptop.

3/26 homework I embedded technology through mac buttons for all kids. I also have SuperTalker and other Mac Buttons for individual kids. I use digital camera to make PECS & Visual Supports for all kids & individual kids. I use the digital camera and occassionally the flip camera to document children's learning and to share with parents. I use print out digital photos for all kids in their photo album & class notebook which children can look at during free play. I use the Smartboard to support lessons. I use computer for daily schedule, graph children's favorite activities & songs. The children skype with twice a month with each other or another classroom.