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2.0 in the future



Throughout the last five weeks, I was challenged to dive deeper into tech 2.0 tools. Of course, I use some technology apps in my classroom, and I have been personally practicing with some of the trending social medias and apps. Nonetheless, I had never really sat down and just researched and moved from app to app to app. Having a discussion with fellow peers about this really enlightened me to all of the new and engaging software available for classrooms. 

While I came across many fun and engaging apps, the one important aspect that I decided to keep up front was how it could align to our curriculum. I was very impressed with the apps like Boddle, that allows you to chose the TEKS structure, assuring me that the skills being practiced were intentional. I also really like the student diagnostic features. While picking out the TEKS and assigning certain students one on one skills practice is more my preference, I see the benefits of diagnosing the students and allowing the program to put them on a path based on ability. This is also nice for teachers who need a hand in deciphering what skills to focus on, because they can print a report on that student or the class as a whole. This report can now be used for individualized or whole group teaching. 

The firsthand downfall I experienced while using Boddle, was the "Free World" option. Students quickly became overcome with joy that in the second week of school they were being allowed to "play games". Although I was happy to hear the students enjoying this learning app that I strategically assigned our weekly units skills to, I knew the noise level had surpassed simple subject and predicate practice. The students were being able to "escape" and avoid doing my work. They were exploring the "free world" and found ways to link up with each other for "battles" and chats. While this is a wonderful learning point for all of us, I was appreciative of the apps lock features. By day two, the free world, buddy lists, and battle abilities were disabled. And Mrs. Lang's assignments are the only fun things that can now be played on Boddle. I don't know if I could've have found out this information without experiencing it. But, in the future, I want to only use those apps that feature structured paths or at least the locking modes! 

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