New Tech Standards and Requirements

There are many different ways in which I can implement the technology standards in my 4th grade classroom. I want to have a classroom blog or website so the parents and the children can stay connected to the classroom even if they are at home. I will then get permission from all of the students parents to make sure that it is ok to have an email for their child. This will involve the parents help when they set it up and when they check their emails. The students emails will be on Google this way we can connect and share class documents, and I can show them most of the Google tools that are available. We will use ones such as the spreadsheet and Google presentations.
Another tool that I will implement in my classroom is Skype. With the permission of the parents I will have a class Skype account so we are able to communicate with other people from around the world (once I make the connections with them) to talk about differences in the cultures.
I will also introduce to the students Photo Story 3 so they are able to make presentations for classroom research. I plan on having weekly class trips to the computer lab so the students can become familiar with computers and the different programs that we will be using. Through this I will explore with the class how to research online so they are able to find multiple resources for their research projects and papers.
Other tools that I hope to implement if time permits are Scribblar, Tokbox, and student blogs.
The last tool that I will introduce to the class is a digital camera. This will be used to document what will be going on in the classroom so we can share with the parents and others who are not able to join classroom activities. I will also allow students to take the camera home to take pictures of things they did over the weekend as well as things needed for in class assignments.
As with all of the tools and ideas that I plan to implement into the classroom I will make sure to go over rules and guidelines with my students before use of the products begin. My hope is that by implementing these specific tools and ideas into the classroom I am broadening their awareness of technology, inspiring creativity, and meeting all of the technology standards as a teacher.

I am excited to start this process and can't wait to impact the lives of my students through one technology tool at a time!