Wednesday Wisdom

I'm linking up with Primary Possibilities for their Wednesday Wisdom.

 

This week's focus is on technology.Personally, I have a love/hate relationship with technology. If I'm being observed, whatever I'm using technology wise will break. By now I expect it to happen.

Ok, on to technology...

I'm blessed to have my SmartBoard. However, I don't use the software for SmartBoard, I use ActivInspire (for Promethean Boards). Weird, I know. I find that it is way easier to use, but that may be because I'm used to it.

 

I have 4 student computers. Students rotate through the at station time and will get to the computers about twice a week. My favorite way to organize student websites is PortaPortal.

 

PortaPortal is free and so easy to use. You put all of your student links in one place, organize them into your catergories and you are all set. If you have a specific game on ABCYa you want your kids to play, place that link in your portaportal and it will take them straight to it.

You can put symbols like a smiley face or thumbs up beside specific links. On the desktop, students click on the PortaPortal shortcut (BTW when creating your shortcut to your PortaPortal do it with your guest link that way there is no logging and students can't alter anything). For ELA they choose a smiley link and for Math they choose a thumbs up link. I know exactly what games they are playing and they have choices.
Here is a screen shot of mine:

And you can check out my actual page by using guest access and typing : barrettl -this will let you see what students see.

 

If you haven't tried it, it is worth checking out! Go to Primary Possibilities to see the other posts about technology!

***Beki M & Roxanne C - you two are the winners of my pin it to win it!*** Check you email for some goodies!