My Digital Toolbox

For the past few years I have been incorporating more and more technology within my classroom.  I have attended several state technology conferences as well as local technology trainings.  I was excited to start a digital toolbox because I knew I would have LOTS of tools to add.  I didn't add tools to my toolbox throughout the semester, but I would email myself tools that I wanted to try out and then once I was able to check out the tools and decide if it's a tool that I would actually use as a teacher I made the decision as to whether or not I wanted to add the tool to my toolbox.

Once I started reflecting on my toolbox I was surprised by what I saw!  It was interesting to me that most of the items placed in my toolbox were tools I would use to create learning objects.  Even though these learning objects are interactive for my students, I have very few items in my toolbox that require my students to create using a digital tool.  I'm not sure I would have realized this if I wasn't forced to reflect on the tools that I placed in my toolbox.  I considered the SAMR model and ISTE standards as I was rating my tools.  The tools in my toolbox definitely give me the opportunity to redefine tasks for my students, however, I need to consider the ISTE Standards as I continue to add to my toolbox.  I need to continue my search for digital tools that allow my students to create and collaborate with others.

I also realized what was important to me and my teaching as I reflected on the tools in my toolbox. My top priorities were always user friendly (for me and my students) as well as the ability to deliver content.  Some of the tools I use on a daily basis are not free, so I need to be thinking about the sustainability of these tools for the future.

I chose Pinterest to house my Digital Toolbox because it was easier to put my ratings, but the more I added tools to my toolbox I was glad I chose Pinterest because of the ease of accessing my toolbox.  I now pull up my Digital Toolbox when we are planning as a grade level team and as I plan out my quests.  I use Pinterest for educational purposes on a daily basis, so I know I will be able to easily add more tools to my toolbox.

For those interested in starting a Digital Toolbox here is a great article and a LiveBinder with helpful tools to help you get started!