Technology in Schools

iPads in the Classroom (WMS)

2012-01-17T12:55:00.000-08:00

iPads in the classroom

Google Earth for Social Studies Teachers 10/7 & 10/11

2011-10-06T12:26:00.000-07:00

(Click here or picture to download presentation)

Throckmorton IWB Presentation

2011-10-06T12:20:00.000-07:00

(Click on here or picture to see presentation)

BYOD Bring Your Own Device: Social Studies 8/18

2011-08-17T14:41:00.000-07:00

Click to Download Presenation

Virtual Field Trips: Social Studies 8/18

2011-08-17T14:38:00.000-07:00

Click to get Presentation

How to connect your Facebook and Twitter in 5 Easy Steps

2011-06-09T07:13:00.000-07:00

I the world of Social Media most companies and schools have a Facebook and Twitter account, do not update each individually, link the accounts together. Here is how to do so...

Step 1: Sign in to your Facebook account

Step 2: Go to www.facebook.com/twitter Click the Link Facebook to Twitter button

Step 3: Choose the Fanpage you would like to link to Twitter

Step 4: Put in your Twitter account username and password for authorization

Step 5: Update your status on Facebook to see if it automatically post to Twitter

Google Docs and More: BISD Tech Academy

2011-06-02T06:30:00.000-07:00

Google Docs and More

The 4 C's in the Classroom: TCEA Region VII

2011-06-02T06:20:00.000-07:00

The 4 C's in the Classroom

CoolText: Create Cool Banners with Little Effort

2011-05-03T10:31:00.000-07:00

I am not the most gifted artist, but I do like things to look good. One of the easiest sites I have found to make custom text or banners is CoolText. Its easy to use and only takes seconds to have a working banner.

Here is an example... I know its a little over the top

Go Check it out... CoolText.com

Zapd: Create Mobile websites directly from your iPhone

2011-05-03T10:07:00.000-07:00

Zapd allows you to create mobile websites from your iPhone or iPod Touch. This FREE app will enable you to create mobile content anytime anywhere. Create a mobile classroom website or let students create projects directly from their iOS device.

Go check it out... http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/zapd/id426955081?mt=8

Distance Learning Solution on the Cheap (FREE if you have a Mac)

2011-04-07T10:11:00.000-07:00

We have been looking for a cost effective solution for Distance Learning equipment in our district. @jdbells60 recommended XMeeting. I downloaded the Open Source software and after about five minutes on the phone with our network engineer setting it up on our gateway we called a cart on the network and it worked like a charm. The video quality was good, but not as crisp or clear as a unit, but I was connected via wireless.

The coolest feature of XMeeting is that it can format the video screen at an angle, so it give it the feel that you are talking face to face instead of picture in picture.

If there is a school out there that does not have the money to buy a unit or would like to experiment I would highly recommend XMeeting for the Mac.

Creating Self Grading Quizzes Using Google Forms & Flubaroo

2011-04-05T10:17:00.000-07:00

Google makes it easy to build and grade quizzes using Google Forms and an add-on script called Flubaroo. Flubaroo will also graph your scores for easy analysis, itemize questions, and email students with their scores. Watch the videos below to create a quiz and insert the Flubaroo script to auto-grading your quizzes. For additional information go to the Flubaroo website.

Step 1: Create a Quiz Using Google Forms

Step 2: Insert Auto-Grading Script Flubaroo

Using Social Media to Communicate with Stake Holders

2011-03-07T11:58:00.000-08:00

Using Social Media to Communicate with Stake Holders

Apple makes a Statement: but not with iPad2

2011-03-02T11:23:00.000-08:00

"This is worth repeating. It's in Apple's DNA that technology is not enough. It's tech married with the liberal arts and the humanities. Nowhere is that more true than in the post-PC products. ...easier to use than a PC, more intuitive."

--Steve Jobs (ipad 2 release)

Educators can no longer be techy or non-techy we have to prepare kids for their future. I am not techy can no longer be an excuse. We must erase our fears and make technology as ubiquitous as a pencil.

Google Translate App for Mobile Devices

2011-02-24T08:07:00.000-08:00

My school district has a class for new students coming into the district from foreign countries that speak little or no English. These students speak languages from French to Arabic to Swahili. Yesterday I showed the teachers Google Translate on my iPhone. Teachers or Students select the language spoken or written and the language they would like to have it translated to. They hit the microphone button and speak... Google Translate does the rest of the work for you. Several languages will be translated verbally but all languages will be translated into the written language. This app was like handing the teachers a magic wand. Imagine what it would be like to speak Swahili and going through the entire day not being able to communicate with fellow classmates or teachers. Then a device was handed to you where you could suddenly be able to communicate with everyone in the room. I love what technology can do for us and our students.

For iphone / iPod Touch:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/google-translate/id414706506?mt=8

For Android:
http://www.androidzoom.com/android_applications/tools/google-translate_cozz.html

I Have Been Chromed: Google Chrome

2011-02-23T11:57:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago I downloaded Chrome because I was building a mobile website and needed a browser built with webkit to see how the format would look. The more I used it the more I liked it. One of the benefits I notice right from the beginning was when I right clicked and viewed the source code all other browsers left a lot of code out, but Google Chrome allowed you to see all of it.

As I used it I started to like the minimalistic view, but I really like to keep my favorite sites on the toolbar I eventually figured out how to do this in the settings. I also liked the twitter integration that I had in FireFox. I found everything I was looking for in the Chromed Bird extension. I also liked the fact that it was multi-platform and open source.

The last feature was the deal breaker for all the other browsers. The Chrome App store. As an educator I started to look through the educational apps. Here are the ones that I recommend: PBSKids, Google Books (3 million books), Kid Mode for Chrome, Cramberry (make your own flashcards), and many more...

TCEA Conference 2011: No Limits

2011-02-15T07:20:00.000-08:00

Last week I had the privilege of attending and the TCEA No Limits conference in Austin. There were approximately 12,000 teachers, administrators, and educational technologist in attendance. This is where the power of the TCEA conference lies... THE PEOPLE. There were hundreds of concurrent sessions presented by educators showing off what works in their district. These presentations cannot help but to spur on the imagination of the attendees on how these same ideas can make a difference in the lives of students all over Texas.
Knowledge Bank from TCEA

Birdville ITS Twitter and Blog Posts
Birdville Conference Blog
Birdville ITS Tweets

Birdville ISD ITS Presentations:

Cheryl McKnight: iEngage iLearn
Randy Rodgers: Unleashing Creativity: Web 2.0 Tools for Creativity and Innovation
Crysten Caviness, Karen Teeters, and Patrick Johnson: Bring Your Own Device: Mobile Learning 2.0
Jeff Samuelson: SMART Boards: What happens next?
Teresa Lawson & Barbara Chapman: Implementing the 4 C's Communication, Collaboration, Creativity and Critical Thinking.
Jason Wells: Using Social Networking and Other Electronic Tools for Effective Communication
Web 2.0 in Birdville ISD **** Great resource for ideas****

Twitter at TCEA:
Want to know more about what went on at TCEA. Do a search on Twitter
#tcea
#tcea2011

North Richland Middle: What you can do with Google for FREE!

2011-01-31T05:45:00.000-08:00

Click to see Google Apps Presentation

North Oaks Middle School: Google Apps

2011-01-26T11:47:00.000-08:00

Click to see Google Apps Presentation

10 Technolgy Tools to Start off Your New Year.

2011-01-03T11:06:00.000-08:00

Just in case one of your New Year's Resolutions was to use more technology in your classroom here is a list of ideas you can use in your classroom.

10. Skype: Now Skype from your computer or iPhone. Join Skype for educators and connect with classrooms all over the world.

9. Animoto: Create videos using photos or video. Animoto will compile all your footage and build a professional looking video in minutes.

8. Xtranormal: Create animated videos with a few simple clicks. You students will love it and you will be a hero.

7. Today's Meet: Easy collaborative note taking.

6. Google Docs: Do you feel limited by today's meet? Take the next step and try collaborative office suite. Students can collaborate on Documents, Presentations, Spreadsheets, Drawings, or create a Survey

5. YouTube: Create online tutorial videos for your class. Or take it to the next step and let you students create online tutorials.

4. Posterous: Create a blog that is as simple as an email. Document your class with text, audio or video.

3. Mobile Phones / Devices: Try one of these sites and watch engagement happen before your eyes.

2. Twitter: Join twitter and create a personal learning network to glean new ideas for yourself and your classroom.

1. Download a free Audio or eBook from one of these sites...

Lit2go
Project Gutenberg
Learn Out Loud
LibriVox (record and publish your own audio book or listen to others)

AppMakr: Make your own Apps for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touches

2010-12-06T08:47:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wanted to make your own iPhone App, but then found out how much programming code you need for even a basic App. Here is a web application that helps you create your own App. There are limitations, but if you are looking for easy, this is a great place to start.

You will have to pay a onetime Apple developer fee of $99 to publish your App to the App store, but it is well worth it.

If you would like to see an App created by a HS principal go check it out.
BHS iPhone App

Go make your own...
AppMakr Website

YouTube: Test Tube & Video Editor

2010-12-01T10:35:00.000-08:00

Google has Labs for product development, but did you know YouTube also has their own idea incubator? Its called Test Tube. (Those people at Google are so clever)

Here is the list of trial apps YouTube as hidden for your educational enjoyment. I am going to list them in order of educational importance.

Top Six...
Video Editor: I have been saving my pennies to one day afford Final Cut Express so I can edit HD Video. Problem solved... Upload HD Video and edit online. The video editor also comes with a built in music library no more copyright worries.

Caption Editor: Create Captions for your video. This would be great for ELL students.

Lean Back + YouTube Android Remote: subscribe to educational channels and surf the channels just like you would at home with a remote.

Insight: Discover what different audiences like doing on YouTube. This is perfect for a sociology class. Its also great for statistical data.

Music Discovery: YouTube's answer to Pandora. Select songs and artist to stream music into your classroom. Be careful with this one, some songs have explicit lyrics.

Feather: So your school or district does not have quite enough bandwidth, but they really want to use YouTube in the classroom.

Honorable Mention:
Topic Search: Use Topics to visually lead your quest for cool treasures in YouTube's giant video collection.

Comment Search: Discover videos by searching video comments.

Skype in the Classroom: Invite only

2010-11-19T09:16:00.000-08:00

In the last few years teachers have really embraced Skype as a free distance learning tool. Teachers in our district have used it to connect with Uganda, Egypt, China, classrooms throughout the state, and experts in the field. The most difficult part about Skyping was the initial contact with another educator who wanted to Skype. We used forums such as: CILC, Classroom 2.0 and Skype in Schools. Skype has seen the need and they building a connection tool for teachers. If you go to the following website you can get a beta invite and one step closer to having the world at your finger tips.

Be one of the first to sign up... <--- Click Here

Larry Ferlazzo's Website of the Day

2010-11-18T06:25:00.001-08:00

Larry Ferlazzo is a Special Education teacher and avid blogger, each year he post his top 20 Web 2.0 sites for eductors. He has recently posted his list for 2010. Go check them out, but dont stop there click on his list for previous years too.

Go Check out his Top 20 List
http://bit.ly/cjuWbc

Larry's Twitter Feed
www.twitter.com/Larryferlazzo

Shorten Multiple Links/Urls into One

2010-11-17T08:47:00.000-08:00

Taking students to the computer lab can often result in students straying from the intended purpose and websites. A good way to manage students is to let them know what sites you would like for them to view. Fur.ly makes that possible and it is easy to use.

Go to Fur.ly, enter all the websites you would like for students to visit, and when finished click on Go. Fur.ly will create a shortened URL that when clicked creates a surf bar at the top of your browser with arrows that will only navigate to your specified links. When you close out the browser the fur.ly bar closes too.

Museum Box: Create a Virtual Shadow Box

2010-11-12T12:59:00.000-08:00

Museum Box is a Web 2.o site for educators that was inspired by Thomas Clarkson an Abolitionist during the 1800's who traveled over 30,000 miles with his box filled with artifacts from the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

Students and teachers can make their own boxes to display contents of topics of their choice. If you do not want to create your own box you can browse hundreds of boxes that have already been saved.

Text, pictures, audio and video files can be uploaded.

Go see some that students have already created... http://museumbox.e2bn.org/gallery/

What is Issuu? You Publish

2010-11-09T07:38:00.000-08:00

Issuu allows you to publish books, newsletters, and magazines to a professional looking page turn interface that is iPad and iPod compatible. Distribute your writing to a world wide audience.

See how it works...

Creative Commons

2010-10-27T12:48:00.001-07:00

As digital media becomes more popular in the classroom, I am constantly encouraging teachers and students to stay with in copyright regulations. The best place to find music, pictures, video, and other web artifacts is http://www.creativecommons.org/.

Go Try it...
http://search.creativecommons.org/ Click the link and type in your search phrase and click the tab that references the type of media you are looking for.

Texas ASCD 2010 Collaboration in the Classroom

2010-10-25T06:53:00.000-07:00

Collaboration in the Classroom Texas ASCD 2010

Collaborative Note Taking with Todaysmeet.

2010-10-21T06:19:00.000-07:00

If you are thinking about using a Web 2.0 tool for collaboration, there is not a better way to get started than with TodaysMeet. It is simple to set up, no user name or password required and students type their name into your meeting room to get started. Thank you to Heidi Hayes Jacobs for showing us this tool.

Go Try it... http://www.todaysmeet.com/

If You Can Email, You can have your own Blog, Podcast or Vodcast

2010-10-15T05:45:00.000-07:00

Having your own Blog, Podcast, or Vodcast has never been easier. Simply email your content to Posterous.com and it will automatically format the content and post. In fact you don't even have to sign up for an account, email post@posterous.com and they will set up everything for you.

Post on-the-go with your mobile device, record audio or video from your phone or iPod and email it to Posterous it will automatically post anytime anywhere.

Communication & Collaboration in the Classroom

2010-10-13T05:29:00.001-07:00

Communication & Collaboration in the Classroom
Region XI Distance Learning Conference

The 4 C's Haltom Middle

2010-10-11T08:34:00.000-07:00

Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, and Critical Thinking

Wiffiti

2010-09-21T12:08:00.001-07:00

Wiffiti provides a safe environment to express student ideas and even pictures of student activities.

Check out the Example below...

Should student's cellphones be banned?

How to join Wiffiti
Step 1:
Go to the Wiffiti website and click on the sign up button in the upper right hand corner of the screen.

Step 2:
Fill out the username and password form

Step 3:
Wait for confirmation email and click on link to authorize log in and re-log in.

Step 4:
Watch How-to-Video --- (Click to watch)

Sweet Search: A Search Engine for Students

2010-09-03T13:04:00.000-07:00

Researching on the Internet can be a daunting task especially for students. To simplify try Sweet Search. Do not waste time sifting through irrelevant information get to the information that you need.

Interesting side note they claim that each site has been evaluated by their search experts, I just wonder what the qualifications are to be a search expert?

Give it a try...

140 Example of Using Technology in your classroom

2010-08-27T08:47:00.000-07:00

I got this from Free Technology 4 Teachers its a great resource for technology. Click through the slideshow to get some great ideas

Camp 21: Distance Learning 2.0

2010-08-19T18:05:00.000-07:00

Click on Presentation

The 4 C's

2010-08-17T20:01:00.000-07:00

Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, and Critical Thinking

Skype Beta: Adds Multiple Video Connections

2010-05-18T09:37:00.000-07:00

One of the major draw backs to Skype is that it only allows you to video chat with one user at a time, you can audio chat with multiple users, but up until now video chat was limited. Skype Beta 5.0 will allow you to connect with up to five users for a true multipoint video conference.

CircleDoc: Collaborate in Real Time using PowerPoint

2010-05-11T13:24:00.001-07:00

Have you ever tried to collaborate in PowerPoint? The conversation usually goes like this... "I will do slides 1-5 and you do slides 6-10 and I will combine them for our presentation" or you would simply log into Google Docs and collaborate in the Google cloud. CircleDoc is an add on to PowerPoint that allows you collaborate with unlimited users of your choosing in real time.

Educational Uses:

Collaborate with other teachers on a project

Have students collaborate in class without using the same computer
Students can collaborate at home as longs as they PowerPoint

Microsoft Mouse Mischief

2010-05-04T08:37:00.000-07:00

Very cool PowerPoint add on that allows all your students with a wireless mouse to interact with the lesson being presented. Here is demo video that you can watch the FREE download in action.

Click to download here

All-Encompassing Presentations

2010-05-01T09:15:00.000-07:00

Click on Presentation

Click on Presentation

Read, Write, Think: Web tools for your Classroom

2010-04-20T06:21:00.000-07:00

I stumbled upon this site looking for an Web App for a Venn Diagram. I found an excellent Venn Diagram maker along with other cool web tools that teachers can use in there classroom. Web apps are organized by grade level and subjects. Here are the links...

Comprehensive List of Web Apps

Venn Diagram Creator

NoteTaker (For younger kids k-5)

Web Maker (Free Inspiration)

Literary Graffiti (Very cool draw your notes for 6-12)

Tagxedo: Wordle's new Web App

2010-04-08T08:16:00.001-07:00

Wordle the tag generator, recently added a new site / web app called Tagxedo. Tagxedo allows you to create custom pictures from words. The picture to the left is an image of Che Guevara and was created from the text of the Wikipedia article about him.

Go Check out the Tagxedo Gallery

Addendum and correction: Wordle is not affiliated with Tagxedo

Linking any file Type to your Blog or Website using Google Docs

2010-04-07T06:28:00.001-07:00

A few months ago Google announced their long awaited "G-Drive" through Google Docs. You can link almost any type of file to your website or blog in few simple clicks. In the past you would have to buy storage on a web server and link your file, now just upload your file to your Google Docs account and click on share the link. Touch Mouse Instructions .PDF

How-To Video: Upload, Share and Link to Google Docs

Twitter: The beginning of a Personal Learning Network

2010-03-29T12:05:00.000-07:00

When Twitter was first introduced in my district I saw it as a little more than a time waste and another Facebook to keep up with. However, this Christmas I got a HTC Hero powered by Google Android I downloaded the Twitter App Twitdroid and gave twitter a try. I subscribed to some people already avid tweeters and I started learning a plethora if information in my field. I was amazed by the quality results and interesting articles that the tweets led me to here are just a few.

Symbols that will help you navigate the Twitterverse:
@: When someone mentions another user they attach the @
#: When reference a particular subject include a # mark. Popular #'s #education, #edtech, #edchat,

Popular Twitter Apps for Desktop and Mobile Devices:
TweetDeck: for the Desktop works on all platforms PC, Mac, Linux and iPhone.
Echofon: Works with Mac, iPhone and Firefox extension.
Twitdroid: Twitter for Android mobile devices

What I have learned from twitter in the last two weeks...

Dual Language Blog Post

20 + Ways to use Flip Video Cameras in the classroom

Great iPhone Apps for Developing Mathematical Concepts

iPod touch. Touching student lives in the classroom

Using movies to teach curriclulum

Changing Roll of Tech Support

Video game about the Norman Conquest

Screencasting on iPhone or iTouch

Using Moodle in the Classroom

Games for Elementary Students

Fun Theory and Student Engagement

2010-03-29T06:19:00.000-07:00

Philip Schlechty has probably made a great deal of money and even created a buzz word in education "Student Engagement" with a theory I deciphered my first couple of years as classroom teacher. I realized that if students were tricked into having fun while they learned it made it much easier on everyone involved. I taught seventh graders and I rarely had one come up to me after class and tell me what a great lesson I had taught, but I did have students tell me "that class went by so fast." This supported the old adage "Time flys when your are having fun." That's when I knew I had succeeded in making a lesson fun/engaging.

Schlechty switched fun with engagement and the rest is history.

Here is the video that inspired the post...

Free Books: Listen or Read

2010-03-26T07:31:00.000-07:00

The University of South Florida has an incredible database of online and audio books for the incredible price of FREE. There is a plethora of classic novels and children's books and stories. Here is the link to the University South of Florida website however if you have an iPod or iTunes installed on your computer they have an incredible storefront in iTunes U.

There are also free books available on the Kindle, but did you know that you do not have to have a Kindle to read ebooks? You can get the Kindle software on your Mac, Pc, or iPhone/iPod Touch. You might also want to try Stanza book reader from the iTunes App store where you can access the Gutenberg database.

Out of the 1000's of Audio books from USF here are a few of my favorites.

Educational Uses:

Available for students 24/7
Low level readers can listen and read along
Visually impaired students or other special needs.
Great for ESL/ELL students

TxDla Wrap Up: Cool Sessions and Cool Ideas

2010-03-25T07:11:00.000-07:00

Video Game that Teaches History:
Florida Virtual School is pioneering online education with the development of a series of complete digital game-based courses to teach American History. Go check out the game... Conspiracy Code Programmers worked at Electronic Arts before branching off to form 360ed.

Twitter Goes to School, Telling Stories Through Digital Threads:
Incredible presentation on piecing together history using twitter during the Iranian Elections
Here is the link to a prior presentation. Chris Bigenho's blog.

Web 2.0 Applications:
Great resource of Web 2.0 Apps for classroom use. Here is a link to Dr. Mark E. Workman's Wiki

Web 2.0 Applications: Alternatives to the Same, Old PowerPoint.
Not only did Randy Rodgers talk about Web 2.0 Apps he used them in his presentation. Incredible repository of Web 2.0 Apps and projects. Go check them out on his blog.

Evidence-based Instructional Design:
All their online instructions is based on these four "Brilliant Concepts"

Build on a Concrete Concept...
There is no way I can learn what you want me to learn if I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Reflective Observation...
If I can carry on a conversation with others about what you want me to know it helps all of us understand it better.
If I can take what it is you want me to know from the classroom and convert it into ideas, plans, and actions for the "real-world,” I've got a pretty good handle on it.
The best way I can show you that I learned something is to use it in a creative way. (This was my favorite point of the session)

Student-developed Video Projects-- You Can Too:

Tommy Beardon from ESC Region 14 showed project after project that students developed to teach other students across the United States. My personal favorite was the the Rattle Snake presentation. Here are the links he gave us to review..

http://admin.esc14.net/webs/ctsvideo
http://www.connect2texas.net/
http://kc3.cilc.org/ (Contest for 6-12th grades)

Distance Learning 2.0 (TxDla 2010)

2010-03-24T06:12:00.000-07:00

Click picture to view .pdf of presentation.

Thank you for coming today

ManyCam: Free Webcam Software that makes your Cam come Alive

2010-03-11T11:20:00.000-08:00

ManyCam allows your webcam to come alive. It allows you to add effects to your video stream, use your cam with more that one program at a time, add text to your video feed, and also allows green screen effect with downloadable backgrounds. You students will love the avatars. It is available for both Windows and Mac OS's

Educational uses:

Read stories as an character in the book
Watermark your lectures for your website
Let students create video reviews of books or movies

Go try it... ManyCam Webcam Software

Webresizer: When Your Picture has to be Just the Right Size

2010-03-10T14:12:00.000-08:00

This web based tool allows you to upload pictures and resize them to the optimal size to post on your website, blog or document. You can resize them, shrink the file size and keep the shape, or do very simple edits.
Go Try it... Web Resizer

Convert .PDF files to Word or .RTF

2010-03-09T09:28:00.000-08:00

This is the easiest and best site I have found to convert .pdf to word files. One of the things I like best is that it does not ask for your personal information.

Go try it... BCL Techonlogy

Learningscience.org

2010-03-08T09:20:00.000-08:00

Learningscience.org is a great resource for K-12 Science teachers for interactive Science lessons and learning tools. Learingscience is a repository for tested website and organized by grade level and cirruculum standard.

Educational Applications:

Self-passed learning

Practice after teaching concept

iTunes U: Learning Anything, Anywhere, Anytime

2010-03-04T14:17:00.000-08:00

John Couch the VP of Applc Education visited Birdville ISD on Tuesday and enlightened us on the incredible resource of iTunes U. Hundreds of accredited universities such as Oxford, Stanford, and Yale have uploaded professor's lectures so you can take the courses for free over the Internet. Unfortunately they do not come with a degree, but the courses are free. Maybe you are interested in Quantum Physics or World War II... There is a class for that. Take courses from around the world from your computer, iPod, iTouch, or iPhone. "Learning Anything, Anytime, Anywhere." Turn off the TV and turn on iTunes U.

Another interesting site he showed us was the Khan Academy a great place for instructional videos from an expert in the field.

Overview of iTunes U:

Roll The Dice: Teaching Probablility in the 21st Century

2010-03-04T11:32:00.000-08:00

If you ever need a pair of dice to teach probability on the projector, this is a great tool to have around. Choose the number of dice you would like and click roll.

Go Check it out...

Collaborative Web Sites: Draw and Analyze with Others

2010-03-02T14:26:00.001-08:00

Several months ago I shared Flockdraw a simple collaboration tool that enabled teachers or students to share content across the classrooms. One of Flockdraw's strength was its simplicity, so you might be ready to move on to a full featured collaboration tool. I am going to share two more that are powerful collaboration tools for the classroom.
Dabbleboard & CoSketch are Web 2.0 collaboration sites, unlike Flockdraw you can import your own images to modify, manipulate and share.

Educational Examples:

Upload a battle map and have students draw troop movements
Upload a picture and separate into quadrants for a "History Alive" type of analysis
Challenge another class down the hall or across the globe to a game of Vocabulary "Pictionary"

Tag Galaxy

2010-03-02T14:15:00.000-08:00

Tag Galaxy is a fun and interactive way to find tagged images on the internet. It takes you through the "solar system" of the web until you reach your final destination a world full of pictures. Go try it... TagGalaxy

Reading 2.0: Bluebonnet Books + Moodle + Video Conferencing

2010-02-12T08:03:00.001-08:00

Presenter: Roxanne Glaser

Partnered with Baylor University

Overview: Baylor students partner with local elementary students using Bluebonnet Books. Baylor students act as reading mentors for children and final project is a seven minute dramatization of the book.

The Big Picture:

Teachers select books (Bluebonnet Books)
Baylor students meet their partner classes via video conference
Each class and their Baylor partners Moodle
Each class creates 7 minute presentation to sell their books

The First Meeting:

Quick intro from Baylor students and elementary kids using VC if you dont have a cart use Skype
The Balyor students were reading mentors to the students
From the face to face virtual meeting they moved straight into the Moodle course

Student Presentations:

Students do a dramatization of the book
They write a script
Preform for their Baylor mentor

Where is the learning:

Classroom students
Baylor Students
Classroom Teachers
Project Coordinators

Helpful hints...

Ease students in

Google Apps for Education: TCEA 2010

2010-02-11T05:04:00.001-08:00

Click on the slide to view presentation and links
Links are working now

Distance Learning 2.0 (TCEA 2010)

2010-02-09T19:29:00.000-08:00

Click on the Slide to view the Distance Learning 2.0 Presentation from TCEA

Google Transliterate: Type with an English Keyboard in any Language

2010-02-03T12:22:00.000-08:00

Schools have to serve a growing number of diverse populations and have to communicate with everyone. Here is great tool to type letters up to send home. With any translator there is going to be errors but trying to communicate is better than not communicating at all.

Go Check it out... Google Transliterate

Note: This does not translate it transliterates word for word what you type. It will not correct the grammar or sentence structure. For example in the Spanish language adjectives come after the noun and in English the adjectives come before the noun it does not correct for inconsistencies between languages.

Logitech Touchmouse: My new favorite iPhone / iTouch App

2010-01-27T19:33:00.000-08:00

I actually read about this on a listserv. (Yes I said listserv) Schools are having a problem with students using this application to "control" teachers computers. This would be annoying in the hands of a student, however what a great way to remotely control your computer during a presentation. It not only works as a mouse but click on the keyboard icon inside the app and you can actually type from your iPhone/iTouch.

I cant wait to woo my next audience. It also makes a very inexpensive write tablet plus you get an iTouch for free.

For more information go to the Logitech website

Tux4Kids: A Great Educational Suite for Home or School

2010-01-16T09:29:00.000-08:00

You never know how great something is until you become an avid user. I have installed several of the Tux programs at schools, but this last week I installed Tux Paint at my house. My kids love it. There is nothing better than seeing a three year old turn on the computer click on the Penguin and start "painting." Not only is this allowing kids to be creative but its teaching them fine motor skills to use the mouse. It is available on all three major OS's Linux, Mac OS and Windows. Like all open source programs its Free!

Tux Paint: Computer drawing program much like KidPix without a price tag. Make sure you download the Rubber Stamp collection too. It gives you ten times more options for students to use.

Tux Math: Did you ever play Missile Command as a kid back in the 80's. Tux Math takes that game concept and combines math skills for a entertaining and engaging game.

Tux Typing: The penguin is hungry and has to eat but the only way he can eat is if you type the correct letters as the fall from the sky.

As with all Open Source programs the only way they can survive and pay for server space is for you to donate.

YouTube Direct: Another Brilliant Creation by Google

2010-01-13T10:13:00.000-08:00

As we become a multimedia society we must teach and train our students to have and use 21st Century skills. However technology changes and evolves so quickly its hard to keep up with standards and infrastructure to support our students learning. What formats should we use: wma, mp3, mwv, mov, mp4, or avi. Once a multimedia creation is made how do we publish it. How can we make sure our audience as the proper codecs to view it?

Google and YouTube have once again created an outside the box idea. Free outsourcing of video content. YouTube Direct lets corporations / educational institutions create their own multimedia hub where they can control their content. It also put a know user interface in the hands of teachers, administrators, and staff so training is minimum. Don't work harder work smarter.

Uses for Education:

Record extra-curricular events
Outsource video content and storage needs
Every teacher and student have the capability to upload content that is monitored then published

YouTube Direct's Official Promo Video

Broadcast in HD using Skype Beta for Windows

2010-01-06T07:43:00.000-08:00

Skype has released their Beta for Windows only and you can now broadcast in HD. I tested it this morning and the quality is phenomenal. I was using a Logitech 9000 webcam that broadcast in 720p.

Click here to download the beta:
http://www.skype.com/download/skype/windows/beta/

Five Reasons to Celebrate the New Year

2010-01-05T13:15:00.000-08:00

I’m really not into making New Year’s resolutions but this is a good time to reflect on the past and make plans for the future or make changes, so here are some ideas for your classroom along that line…

1. Take a picture of your class once a week engaged in some type of learning activity; post it to a blog and describe. Solicit comments from students about what they liked/disliked or what else they would like to know about the topic.
2. Have one student each week record an audio podcast of something that was learned, an announcement of upcoming events, or even a public service type of announcement and post to your website.
3. Create a USTREAM account and broadcast one lesson per week.
4. Expand your teaching resources by setting up a SKYPE account and contacting one outside source per week.
5. Pick the top 5 challenges on TAKS. Divided you class into small groups, and then have each group make a TAKS review video and present to the class. Videos can be posted online and shared with other classes.

If you have more ideas please share in the comments, and let me know if you need help with any of the New Year’s Celebration events above!

Thank-you http://technologyteacher.edublogs.org/ for letting me share this.

Creative Commons Music

2010-01-05T13:05:00.000-08:00

Have you ever created a multimedia project and wanted to add music to it but did not want to infringe on copyright regulations? Jamendo is your one stop shop. Just make sure you give the artist credit and you can use most of the music on their site for free. This is the best site I have found to find good music for your projects.

If You Can Email, You Can Blog

2010-01-05T12:03:00.000-08:00

Did you know that you are one email away from blogging from anywhere in the world even your phone? We live in a mobile world and if we cant do it on the go then it does not get done. Example, I love to eat breakfast, but if I am running out of time I grab a pop tart and coffee and I eat it in the car. Now with a few simple steps you can blog from anywhere you can log into your email or a mobile device.
Here is a simple idea for a new classroom blog. Take a picture of classwork or students working and write a few sentences telling about what you covered in class that day. You could do that from the stoplight on your way home from school. Its just a couple clicks away.

Step 1: Open a blogger account. www.blogger.com

Step 2: Click on the Settings Tab

Step 3: In the settings sub menu click on Email & Mobile

Step 4: Select one of the two ways you would like to upload to your blog.

Email Posting Address... type in your secret word and send and email to that address and blogger will convert and post it for you. You can also attach pictures that will automatically post.
Mobile Device... Click on the add mobile device. Text your key code to 256447 . You will receive a text notification that it is set up. Now when you text from your phone to 256447 it will automatically post to your blog

How to Video:

Space Day

2009-12-15T07:38:00.000-08:00

Part I:
NASA has created an iPhone App for Space-o-holics to keep up with all the projects going on at NASA. Everything is now available at the touch of your fingers. What a crazy world we live in.

Part II:
Have you been looking for video that shows the magnanimity of our universe or how infinitely small we are. Here is a great example

Changing your Facebook Privacy Settings

2009-12-14T08:55:00.000-08:00

Last week Facebook changed their privacy policy so now your pictures can be indexed and viewed by search engines like Google and Yahoo. To change the settings only takes a few seconds but saves a lifetime of privacy.

How to Video

Outlook on the Desktop

2009-12-11T08:33:00.000-08:00

If you live and die by your calendar like I do, you will love Outlook on the desktop. Its like having one of those giant desktop calendars, but this one is virtual. I am not promising that you will never forget an appointment, but it will be harder not to see one coming up.

OpenDNS: Web Security

2009-12-07T13:17:00.000-08:00

OpenDNS is a great tool for filtering the web at home or at your K-12 institution. I have been searching for a good content filter for my home computers and after looking around I never found anything that meet all my requirements. I wanted something that filtered content, did not slow down my computers, but gave me options and control. After reading an article on Lifehacker on the best Internet filters to use I decided to give OpenDNS a try. OpenDNS suggest you install it at the router level, which I did, this enables you to filter content on any computer that logs on to your network. I was amazed at the simplicity of the install and controls.

I went with the free version, however there is a home upgrade for $9.95 a year. They also have special K-12 pricing. (See Pricing)

Installing is easy...

Open an account
Watch How to Configure Video

As my colleagues always say there is so substitution for adult supervision

Wolfram-Alpha: A Math Teachers Best Friend or Worst Enemy?

2009-12-03T13:09:00.000-08:00

WolframAlpha allows you to solve easy or complex math problems by simply typing "solve:" and then the math problem. Example: solve: 2x+5=9. What makes this different than other search engines is an orange hyperlink that says "show steps" WolframAlpha walks you through the steps of solving the equation. (See Example) Students could use this to help them on their homework or they could simply let WolframAlpha do their homework and show work.

Flockdraw: An interactive Whiteboard

2009-12-02T13:09:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wanted to collaborate visually or artistically like you would with a Google Doc. Flockdraw allows you to collaborate in real time with others while you draw your idea. Its simple and its free. Think of it as Kidpix or MS Paint that students can work together on, it saves your work automatically and you can embed it to your website.

Ideas for the classroom: "Pictionary" game with vocabulary or spelling words, practice drawing maps. work math problems with other students

Start Collaborating in 5 easy steps

Step 1: Go to the Flockdraw website

Step 2: Click on the Start drawing button

Step 3: Copy the address from the address bar and paste it into an email

Step 4: Send it to collaborators

Step 5: Start drawing / collaborating

Google Earth Play and Learn

2009-12-02T12:45:00.001-08:00

Google makes it easy to start implementing Google Earth in your classroom. They have created an online game that teaches students and teachers how to implement Google Earth. The game start off with finding your house and it leads you through the process of creating content. Google has done it again!

Go Check out the game: Get started with a Practice Quiz

Here is short video over viewing what google earth can do.

Is This the Future...

2009-11-20T06:20:00.000-08:00

Google is coming out with their own operating system, it is cloud based and will boot in seven seconds. Google is betting on the fact that most users use the computer to get on the internet so why not make the operating system the browser.

Google OS

TimeMe: Classroom Timer for Free

2009-11-18T06:54:00.000-08:00

Time me is a very simple timer that can be used in the classroom. Make sure you click on the Time / Stop watch settings to select an alarm sound if not the timer is silent. It is ad supported and therefore free. However, you can purchase the download verision and the ads will be removed. Go check it out at www.timeme.com

Google has Changed the Way we Teach

2009-11-17T11:58:00.000-08:00

Several weeks ago a friend of mine sent me the Bart Simpson episode that talks about cellphones in the classroom. One of my favorite quotes is from Bart's new teacher, "Are you telling me you memorized that fact when anyone with a cellphone can find that in thirty seconds?" The truth screamed out at me. We can no longer use low level questions in the classroom or for homework. A student does not even need to read or even use his textbook to find the answers they only need keyboarding skills and Google

How do we fix this?
1. Ban Google

2. Google proof questions.

Students must be challenged to use the upper level of Blooms Taxonomy. Questions must make them apply, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate.

I wish I could take credit for all these thoughts, but I cant please check out the ElectronicEducator's blog.

Classroom Response for the 21st Century.

2009-11-13T11:29:00.000-08:00

When I think of a Classroom Response System I think of a remote like device that uses infrared or radio frequency to transport information from the student's device to the teacher computer. I came up with an idea this week for a system that just might work in the classroom. You can take any internet enabled device whether wi-fi or a student cellphone on a data plan and point them at a Google Form (Quiz) created by the teacher. Teachers would create their own content post the link on their website and have students take the quiz from their device. Teachers could even form cohorts and share quiz folders in Google Docs and build the school or districts Quiz / Test database.

Schools could even purchase a classroom set of iTouches for teachers or grade levels to share for almost the same price of a reponse system. In addtion to the "response system" you have 100,000 apps from the Apple Apps Store. Sounds like a much better use of money.

Try it from your device <-- Click here

Screen Shot from iTouch of Google Forms Quiz: (Click on Picture for full size image)

How to Create a Quiz Using Google Forms

Make Your Own Animated Video with Xtranormal

2009-11-12T12:08:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wanted to make your own animated video? Xtranormal make this process easy and free. You can either do your own voice overs or it has a speech-to-text option where your characters have computer generated voices.

How to Video: by YutubeMedia

Google Safe Search

2009-11-12T08:25:00.001-08:00

Google has made searching for children just a little bit safer. You can now lock your safe search settings with a password, so your children cannot search for illicit material. Any time you see the Google Colored Balls (See Above Picture ) you know that your searches are locked and safe. I do love the disclaimer at the end of the video. THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTION FOR ADULT SUPERVISION when children are on the Internet. This tool does make it a little bit safer.

Google Safe Search: How to Lock

Texas ASCD Hightlights

2009-11-09T09:21:00.000-08:00

This years Texas ASCD Conference focused on technology, I gleaned some incredible information from the concurrent sessions and the keynote speakers. I highlighted some of my favorite points in the slideshow below. Like always Alan November challenged educators to unlearn what we know and to try something new. He made the analogy of how we need go back in time and be more like the one room school concept where children teach children. We have to teach less and let the students take ownership of there learning.

Highlights from Texas ASCD

Wallwisher: Brainstroming in the 21st Century

2009-11-03T09:38:00.000-08:00

Wellwisher is a great site to post news, ideas and even brainstorm with your class. (Or another class across the hall or across the world.) Wallwisher requires an account to create a wall but people who post notes simply have to point and click. Let me know what you think of Wellwisher on my "wall" http://wallwisher.com/wall/classroomnext . Thank you R. Rodgers for showing me this. Check out his blog at Moss-Free Stone

Putting Technology in the Hands of our Students

2009-10-30T13:10:00.000-07:00

I was recently preparing for a presentation for Texas ASCD about usteam.tv. One of the things I wanted to show was how to upload a video from http://www.ustream.tv/ to http://www.youtube.com/. I googled for instructions and the first video that I clicked was the one below. I was amazed that I was getting instructions from a 10 year old. Not only was I getting instructions, but I was watching a full scale production with advertisements. Just when I think I am doing a great job of implementing technology in schools I realized how far behind I am. I wonder how this child is being challenged in his school? I wonder if he just can't wait to get home so he make his own tutorials about the lesson that day to show the teacher?

Learning from a 10 year old.

Are You Teaching Like You Are Living?

2009-10-26T14:47:00.000-07:00

Thank you for attending. Please email if you have any questions. Classroomnext@gmail.com

Region X & XI Conference at Byron Nelson HS

2009-10-26T07:23:00.000-07:00

All the links are hot. Thank you for attending.

How to open up an iTunes account without a credit card

2009-10-08T12:25:00.000-07:00

We just purchased a classroom set of iTouches for students and were planning on using the paid version of iSign and then use several of the free apps for classroom projects. Our first hurdle was that iTunes requires a Credit Card, with a little bit of searching I found a solution right from the Apple help forums, so this is completely legal and not a hack. For those visual learners check out the How-to-Video

How to Open an iTunes account without a Credit Card

Time Lapse Video for your Classroom

2009-09-29T06:40:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wanted to document what went on in your class all day, take pictures of a sprouting seedling, or watch a flower bloom in slow motion? You can do this with a webcam and free software.

If you are using a Mac try Gawker it will take pictures in intervals with your built in iSight camera and when its done Gawker will put all the pictures in to a Quicktime movie. Examples (Gawker will also let you use multiple webcams)

If you are using a PC download Microsoft's Webcam Timershot. Timershot will save all the photos into a folder of your choosing. To incorporate them into a video drop the pictures into movie maker and see your photos come alive.

Limeades for Learning

2009-09-25T06:29:00.001-07:00

Do you ever go by Sonic and think "Do I ever need a Route 44?" Well now don't think about it just go and get one. Attached to your drinks is a little tab that peels off with a security code. Use that code and to go to the Limeades for Learning website and vote for an educational project near you. Don't forget Sonic Happy Hour is from 2 -4 o'clock and drinks are half price.

Google Picasa, It Just Got Better!

2009-09-23T07:53:00.000-07:00

Google does a great job of taking great free applications and making them better. Picasa already crops, organizes, straightens, retouches, and adds text to photographs, but now it adds face recognition. I also appreciate the fact that it only takes up ten megabytes of space unlike other editors that are not only memory hogs but constantly run in your system tray. Plus its simpe to use. Great Job Google!

How to work Face Recognition Video

Current Events: Channel One & CNN Student News

2009-08-31T14:00:00.000-07:00

Two great online resources for current events are Channel One News and CNN Student News. Both sites are targeted for students and do a great job of relaying the news in a "hip" fashion.

Channel One: It has more commercials, but does a great job of incorporating student input with a comment section. Young broadcasters you might remember this is where Anderson Cooper and Lisa Ling got their start.

CNN Student News: Less "hip," but covers the news short and concise with no video commercials.

Authentic Audience: YouTube Gives Your Students a Global Voice

2009-08-25T08:39:00.000-07:00

One of Phillip Schlechty's design qualities in his book Working on the Work is giving students an Authentic Audience. An example of this is a Chorus teacher in New York City started broadcasting his students singing popular songs on YouTube. The videos showed students passionately engaged in their work and the videos went viral. So viral that one of the songs Landslide caught the attention of the author Stevie Nicks. Stevie was so touched by their work that she invited them to Madison Square Garden to preform for her. After they were done Ms. Nicks hugged every student.

Reach out and take a chance give students to opportunity outside the school walls and see that an imagination can take you places you never dreamed you could go.

They were also nominated for a MTV music award, not bad for a bunch of 5th graders.

Link to PS Chorus blog to see more of there great performances.
http://ps22chorus.blogspot.com/

Video # 1: Landslide by PS22

Video # 2: Students preforming at Madison Square Garden for Stevie Nicks

Great Games from Sheppard Software all Subjects (FREE)

2009-08-24T10:00:00.000-07:00

Most games have 3 levels... Easy, Medium and Hard. Plus these games would work great with Interactive White Boards.

Social Studies:

US Geography: States, Capitals, regions, and Landforms
World Geography: Capitals, Countries, Landforms

Branches of Government

Math:

All Games: Basic Operations, Mixed Operations, Fractions, Place Value, Telling Time, Dollars and Cents, Early Math, Pre-Algebra.

Science:

Animals: Trivia facts on all kinds of animals
Animal Games: Producer and Consumers, Food Chain, Animal Diet, Endangered Animals, Carnivores, Omnivores, Herbivores, Mammals, Birds and Identifying Animals to Regions

Chemistry: Elements and the Periodic Table

Good links at Sheppard Software:

Pre-K and Kinder

Sheppard Software Home Page

Paint and Make

How to embed YouTube Videos in PowerPoint 2007

2009-08-24T09:33:00.000-07:00

In the last year YouTube has made it more and more difficult to download content from their website. So if you would like to "legally" embed videos into your presentation here are step by step instructions to embed YouTube content directly into your PowerPoint 2007 Presentations.

Instructions for PP 2007:
1. Copy the YouTube URL that you would like to view
2. In PowerPoint turn the Developer Tab on by clicking the MS logo on the top left of the screen. At the bottom of the window that pops up click the PowerPoint Options button. Check the box that says "Show Developer Tab in Ribbon."
3. Now that you have the Developer Tab in PP click on the More Controls button it looks like a hammer and a wrench.
4. Select Shockwave Flash Object
5. Now "draw" the box on your PP where you would like the Youtube video
6. Right Click on the box and select Properties
7. In the box to the right of Movie Paste your YouTube URL
8. Now change the URL as follows delete "watch?" and change the = sign to /

How-to-Video for 2007:

How-to-Video for 2003:

iPhone Art

2009-06-18T09:22:00.000-07:00

Incredible artwork done by finger painting on a iPhone Application called Brushes. Checkout more pics from the Telegraph.co.uk or Brushes Photostream on Flickr.

This picture was created by Susan Murtaugh check out her Flickr Photostream.

My questions how are educators using new mediums to create and engage students? Are we seeking, reacting, or just doing things the way we have always done them?

How to Create Tutorials Using FREE Screen Capture Software

2009-06-11T11:31:00.000-07:00

Step 1: Download CamStudio <--- click link to start download

Step 2: Set up CamStudio to Record Screen

Step 3: Using PowerPoint for your Tutorial

Google Squared

2009-06-11T11:12:00.000-07:00

Google Squared is a new feature within Google Labs that searches the Internet and puts your search results in a spreadsheet format. This is a great way for students to create notes and compare items in seconds.

How to Video

Check out Google Squared

Twitter: The Easy Explanation

2009-06-10T07:31:00.000-07:00

I have had several questions about using twitter in the classroom or simply "What is twitter?"This video explains it better than I ever could.

Former blog post with examples:
http://classroomnext.blogspot.com/2009/04/twitter-in-classroom.html

ACT Teach-nology Distance Learning 2.0

2009-06-09T09:37:00.000-07:00