Jimmie+O'Hara's+Tech+Portfolio

=**Welcome to Off The Richter!**=

I am Jimmie O'Hara. After 19 years of working retail I wanted to shake things up in my life and do something completely different. Something that would have meaning and give me a greater sense of purpose. That is why I am becoming a teacher. I am passionate about teaching for those reasons and because when I am in a classroom and working with students I know that I am making a difference in their lives.

I think that technology is an important tool for teachers. What a difference in the technology available today compared to when I was in high school. Back then I took a course in BASIC and the internet was not available to the masses. I am excited to use technology in my class room and learn more about new technologies as they become available.

In my free time I enjoy bike riding, reading, playing piano, traveling and cooking. I have lived in Seattle for ten years. I live in Capitol Hill with my partner and my poodle, Mr. Cuddles.

Here is a technology that I think is great for teachers and students: Spelling City has variety of games that can help students with vocabulary, spelling and writing. The sight also features math words, science words, state capitals, Dolch sight words, homophones and analogies. Students can enter their own words to work on. Teachers can utilize student computer time to focus on specific vocabulary for their students. One feature I was impressed with is an ability to print out the vocabulary words on a lined background with arrows to show how to write the words. This could be beneficial for the teacher as well as the student. [|Spelling City]
 * Tech Tools**

I love mind maps and there is a great tool for creating mind maps. This is available for iPads. It is so easy to create, edit and organize what is happening in your mind with this app. A school with iPads for its students could make a great use of this technology. The color scheme is organizable by layer from the innermost circle or by chain. Also multiple mind maps can be on the same page. What are you waiting for? Get your thoughts organized! [|SimpleMind-Mind Maps]

Reading is FUNdamental! Storybird is a great source for on-line reading and story writing. The stories have great colorful pictures and are organized by age groups. Not only are there many stories to read, but students can create their own story or poem using artwork within the website. Teachers can set up on-line assignments for students and post the learning targets so students know what is expected. I particularly like this site because it is not only useful for older children but also younger students as well.

[|Story Bird]

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