10/30/2017 Productivity Tools - Project One

Project One (/)

Productivity Tools

After researching internet tools, applications, and resources, I have come to the conclusion that these terms are used
interchangeably. Society uses internet tools and applications as resources to help analyze concepts. According to Merriam-Webster,
the de nition of a tool is something (as an instrument or apparatus) used in performing an operation or necessary in the practice of a
vocation or profession (Tool,n.d.). In the context of technology tools in the classroom, I would de ne them as online programs that
create products that are used to help preform a task. Internet tools are very useful in the classroom because it makes the content
more meaningful. "Properly used technology will help students acquire the skills they need to survive in a complex, highly
technological knowledge-based economy ("Why integrate," 2008).

In this section, you will learn about a few different internet tools that can be used in the classroom. These tools will help the student
to create an instrument that will allow them to complete a task. These tasks can be complex or simple based on the needs of the
individual student. Hopefully these tools will be bene cial to you and your student to create a meaningful learning environment.

My rst internet toolthat supports the development of critical thinking in middle school is
program called Scratch.This is a free website where students can create interactive stories,
games, and animations using coding and programming. According to Alexandra King (2015),
programming teaches other important skills like logical thinking, problem solving, and
perseverance, as well as collaboration and communication. Scratch gives students the ability to
combine programming blocks to develop a series of movements and effects. The student has to
think about order and steps to achieve their desired goal. Students can use this tool to create
interactive stories for language arts, games for math and animations for social studies. Coding
and programming are 21st century skills that could help middle school students become college and career ready. This program is
appropriate for elementary and middle school students because the program has age appropriate graphics, simple layout and
appropriate Lexile text.

Powtoons is an online tool that allows the user to create animated presentations. Powtoons
mission is to create the worlds most minimalist, user friendly and intuitive presentation
software that allows someone with no technical or design skills to create engaging professional
animated presentations (Powtoon scientists, 2012). Powtoons function is to create
presentations.Powtoon is able to collaborate with other users and ability to use premium
support. Powtoon presentations can be posted public or private. The program can be
downloaded with royalty free music, styles and commercial rights. Overall, Powtoons is a great
tool for students to create online animated presentations.

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Reference
King, A. (2015). Re ecting on classroom practice: Spatial reasoning and simple coding. Australian Mathematics Teacher,71(4), 21-27.

PowToon scientists develop groundbreaking antidote. (2012). Retrieved from https://www.powtoon.com/about/

Tool.(n.d.).In Merriam-Webster.com.Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tool

Why integrate technology into the curriculum?: The reasons are many. (2008, March 17). Retrieved from
http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-introduction

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