MDE Tech Tools

iPad/iTouch Help

2012-02-21T10:43:00.000-08:00

Need help learning to use your iTouch or iPad? Here are some valuable resources:

Apple User Guides

iPad User Guide from Apple
iPod Touch User Guide from Apple

Atomic Learning Training Videos: (log in with sbisd info and complete outside of contract hours for PDLC credit following these instructions)

iPad2 iOS 5 Training
iPod Touch Training

Apple Store Classes

The Apple Store offers free workshops, including a "Getting Started with iPad 2" class and "Going Further with iPad2" class. Find a class and register here.

Apps

Search for SBISD approved Apps

Also, check out my previous post on finding apps and iBooks.

Tool #8

2012-02-15T08:27:00.000-08:00

Tool #8 is just learning about the new devices you will be getting in your classroom soon. Here's what I suggest:

Go to the Official 11 Tools Blog for Tool #8 and:

Read and watch the embedded video on the Dell 2120 Netbook
Watch the video that is linked under the 1st embedded video. It's about using the webcams.
Read and watch the 2 videos on the iPod Touch/iPad. Even if you are familiar with these devices, there is a lot of information pertaining to syncing multiple devices and using them at school (connecting to the internet, iTunes accounts, etc.)
Skip down and read the section on Classroom Management Suggestions

Then you're ready to post. Here are the questions you need to answer:

1. After watching the videos/tutorials, list two to three things you learned about the device(s) that will be in your classroom this spring.
2. How do you plan to manage the device(s) in your classroom? Do you have ideas/suggestions that others may find useful?

**If you are not a teacher getting devices, just write some tips that you think teachers would find helpful. Or write about what you would do if you did get devices!

Tool #7

2012-02-15T07:56:00.000-08:00

Tool #7 is about creating a classroom project that allows your kids to communicate and collaborate. You'll need to read the Official 11 Tools Blog to get this one done, but your post shouldn't take to long- it's pretty short and sweet! Many of you already came up with a project on the Jan. 3 staff development day, so you could use the same one if you haven't done it yet or try something new.

Webpages Read Aloud!

2012-02-13T11:15:00.000-08:00

There are two different Chrome extensions that can be installed that allow you to listen to any website being read aloud. What a great tool for struggling readers! A chrome extension just adds a small button to your toolbar.

Announcify installs that small button and when pressed it reads the website aloud.

Chrome Speak also installs a small button, but when pressed it requires a bit more work to get it to read. You first must select the text you want read aloud, use Ctrl+C on your keyboard to copy it, then press the Chrome Speak button and then use Ctrl+V to paste that text into a text box. It will then read aloud what you have selected.

I didn't particularly enjoy the computer voice that both of these programs have. I was hoping it would have more voice options similar to Voki, but maybe that will come in the future. You can adjust the rate and pitch however. Definitely worth trying out!

Tool #6- Easy Schmeezy

2012-02-02T11:46:00.000-08:00

Tool #6 is about using tools to collaborate in and out of the classroom. Just like Tool #5, there are many choices to choose from, you choose 2, try them out, and write about how you might use them in the classroom. If you can, embed or link what you've done. If you can't (ex: Skype) then just talk about how you could use it!

This should be the easiest tool because you know about so many of these already! No step by step instructions for this one. Everyone has had at least an overview training, if not more of:

Google Docs and check out the new Google in Education site
Edmodo
Blogger (that's what you're using for 11 Tools!)
Skype and Skype in the Classroom

Choose 2, try them out, sign up for an account if necessary, and then write some ideas on how you could use them as Post #6 on your 11 Tools blog. Need more help? Use the links to the right of this post for those topics. Want to try something new? Then go to the Official 11 Tools site for Tool #6 and checkout the information for something new. I particularly like Wallwisher, Diigo, Poll Everywhere, and Today's Meet.

Tool #5- A Cheat Sheet

2012-01-30T13:31:00.000-08:00

This tool is all about exploring Web 2.0 Tools. There are tons out there and your job is to pick 2 and try them out. You can pick ANY TWO from the 11 Tools Blog. You need to create a product, embed it in your blog, and write about how you could use it in your classroom.

For the purpose of this blog, I'm going to explain 2 of them in detail. Feel free to use these 2 or explore any others you'd like.

First up, is Stupeflix. Stupeflix is similar to Animoto. It's an easy way to create a slideshow of pictures with music. It's great for student use because it can be found within Google Apps and students do not have to sign up for a new account.

Click here for step by step directions on creating a Stupeflix video and embedding it in your blog.

If you follow all of those steps, including writing about how you might use Stupeflix in your classroom, you will be done with half of Tool #5.

For the second part we'll use Wordle. Wordle can be great but can also be overused and not used at a high enough level of thinking. Click here for some ideas on how to take Wordle creation to the next level.

Click here for step by step directions on creating a Wordle and sharing it in your blog.

If you follow all of those step by step directions you will be done with Tool #5!

Wordle Ideas

2012-01-30T13:30:00.000-08:00

Everyone seems to love Wordle. It's fun, it's easy, and makes for nice looking printables. It can be a fun and valuable tool, however I think we're very often using it at it's most basic level. We help students come up with words for a topic- they type them, and a Wordle is created. This is pretty and all, but how about stepping it up a notch or two. Some ideas:

Current Events- Have students find and read a current events article. Then they can copy and paste the article into Wordle. They can then use the words Wordle makes largest to write a summary of the article.
Analyzing Writing- Have students type a piece of their writing in Word or Google Docs, and then copy and paste it to make a Wordle. They can then use their Wordle to analyze and edit their writing. Which words are bigger in their Wordle? Are they overusing those words? Etc.
Correct Way to Spell- have students look through their writing and find words that they know they are having difficulty spelling. They can make a list of these words, look up the correct spelling and make Wordle of them to include in their writing folder.

Overused Words- Have students create a Wordle by coming up with their own words to replace a common overused word such as "Said." They can then add this to their writing folder for reference.

Some ideas came from:

http://www.slideshare.net/JenniferW/wordle-ideas

Tool #4- What you really need to know

2012-01-25T09:47:00.000-08:00

Tool number 4 is all about Google Apps and Google Docs. Luckily we had an introduction to Google Docs on our Jan. 3 staff development day. If you missed it, or want more info, there is a lot of information and some videos to check out on the official 11 Tools Website. Here's your assignment:

1. Create at least one document in Google Docs and share it with a few others on your campus or within your department. It could a team member, a department colleague, or another teacher with whom you plan a collaboration. Ask that person to comment or chat and real-time edit the document with you.

Access step-by-step directions for creating a sharing a document here.

2. Create one form in Google Docs and send it via email to at least two other people and ask them to respond.

Access step-by-step directions for creating and sharing a Google Form here.

3. Briefly discuss how you can use the tools in Google Apps with your team or department. How can you incorporate Google Apps as a tool in your classroom? Which tools are you excited about using with students?

For ideas, check out this link for 40 ways to Use Google Apps in the Classroom and School

Finding Apps and iBooks

2012-01-19T07:01:00.000-08:00

Here are some great lists from TCEA (Texas Computer Educator's Association) of recommended educational Apps for the iPad and iPod Touch/iPhone. Notice the tab at the bottom that lets you switch to recommended apps for personal use. Bonus!

*Apps listed in white are free. Apps listed in black have a fee.

TCEA Recommended iPad Apps
TCEA Recommended iPod Touch/iPhone Apps

They also have a list of free iBooks for PreK-12. To find the iBooks you first need to add the free iBooks app, and then search through that app for the books. Most of the books are only text. There are some available with advanced features like audio, but you generally have to pay for those (and therefore they are not included on this list).

Free iBooks for PreK-12

Tool #3- The Nitty Gritty

2012-01-13T12:16:00.000-08:00

What you need to do:

You can visit the Official 11 Tools for the 21st Century: Tool #3 site or keep reading for the nitty gritty of what you need to do to get this tool completed.

1. Visit several of the video hosting/streaming sites. Share with your readers which sites you found most useful for your content and why. Some sites to check out:

YouTube

TeacherTube

SchoolTube

KidsTube

Blinxx Video Search Engine

Discovery Education

2. Using any of the video resources mentioned above, find and select two videos that may be useful resources in your classroom and embed them in your blog. If they do not have embed capabilities, hot link them to your blog.

Click here to watch a video with directions on how to embed a video on your blog OR

Click here to READ directions on how to embed a video from Youtube on your blog

Click here to read directions on how to add a hot link on your blog

3. Learn about copyright using the resources below. Articulate what you learned about copyright and fair use. What was new to you?

Read: Copyright Law for Educators

Video: Copyright Education User Rights

4. Learn about Dropbox by watching the video on Dropbox.com. Download Dropbox, create an account, and add some files to it. How could you use this tool in your classroom?

The Basics of Tool #2

2012-01-12T12:21:00.000-08:00

What you need to know:

Teachers should have a Professional Learning Network (PLN). Basically this is a way you "keep up" in the world of teaching by using online resources.
There are several ways to build a PLN. Here are a few:

Follow and read blogs (see the official 11 Tools site for more info)
Use Twitter
Use Edmodo or Facebook and connect with educators
Use Diigo to bookmark and share websites (see the official 11 Tools site for more info)

To build a good PLN, you need to not just READ blogs, but comment on them as well (and hopefully get comments on your blog!). Articles about commenting on blogs:

What Tool #2 Wants You to Do (there are some options...this is the SHORT version):

Visit and comment on at least 5 blogs. Any 5 blogs in the world... This can be colleagues blogs, educational blogs, or anything.
Make a post on YOUR blog. Title it "Tool #2." Answer the following questions:

Share you thoughts about building and participating in an online community and participating in a PLN
What points stood out to you from the commenting advice? (see links above)
Were you able to apply any of the advice in your comments?
How did you feel about sharing your thoughts publicly? Was it different than when you're sharing your successes/challenges with your teammate?
Share the URL (web address) or name of a website or social network that you plan to visit in the future. What does that site have to offer?

Getting PDLC Credit for Atomic Learning

2012-01-06T09:57:00.001-08:00

If you watch videos on Atomic Learning, you can earn non-contract time. You have to submit your information to PDLC in order to get credit. Click here for the directions on how to do this.

Setting the Time Zone and Adjusting Post Times on Blogger

2012-01-04T12:48:00.000-08:00

You need to make sure your blog is showing posts under the correct time zone. Click here to learn how.

Another helpful tool is knowing how to change the time that a blog is posted or change the time that it is showing as posted. Click here to learn how to do this.

Google Apps

2012-01-02T16:51:00.000-08:00

Where are you at?

Are you using Google Chrome?
Do you know 2 ways to log in?
Do you know how to share documents with students and how to have them share with you?
Have you experimented with the commenting and chatting features?
Have you explored templates?
Have you created a form? How could students use sites?
Have you explored other Google Apps?

Getting Started:

Import your students' email addresses into your Google Apps account from Skyward
Create a document and share with a colleague to practice commenting, chatting, and collaborating in real time
Explore templates available in Docs
Explore other Apps such as Simplebooklet, Sliderocket, Stupeflix

Next Steps:

Use Google Apps Training Center to find answers to questions.
Learn more on Atomic Learning
Let kids use Google Apps to communicate and collaborate. Let them explore and figure things out!

Edmodo

2012-01-02T16:28:00.000-08:00

Edmodo as a PLN (Professional Learning Network)

Join Communities directly through Edmodo

Math
Language Arts
Social Studies
Science
World Languages
Computer Technology
Health and PE
Creative Arts
Special Education

Join Underground Edmodo Groups by getting the group code

Edmodo with Students

Edmodo Videos, Webinars, and Help Center

Getting Started with Edmodo

Log in or sign up at Edmodo.com (need MDE code from Linsey for first time sign up)
Join our training group to practice positing (code: k6gpad)
Create a group for your class
Join a community

Next Steps

Have your students join your group
Set up small groups
Post discussion topics
Participate in a webinar or watch a recording of a past webinar
Join more communities and underground Edmodo groups and PARTICIPATE in them.

Skype

2012-01-02T16:01:00.000-08:00

Why Skype?

Give students an audience for their work
Encourage students to share their thinking
Make it relevant
Teach students to communicate globally and technically

Ideas

Learn a language
Compare/contrast cultures
Academic conversations
Discuss weather
Explore geography
Virtual field trips
Author visits
Celebrity motivational speakers

Logistics/Hardware/Management:

Camera- can use document camera, netbook or laptop with video camera, or connect good video camera checked out from library
Speakers- you already have these through the Activboard
Microphone- get from computer lab
Give students Skype Jobs

Superstars- answer the call, interview guest speaker
Question Keepers- keep track of questions to ask and note any additional questions that come up
Blog Writers- take notes on key points for blogging about later

Practice beforehand but know that technical difficulties happen and that's okay!

Resources for Connections:

Skype in the Classroom
SkypeAnAuthor.wetpaint.com- connects classrooms to authors
OpenEduTalk.com- connects classrooms with celebrities for talks on motivation, bullying, etc.

Getting Started on Skype:

Sign up for a Skype account
Download the Skype Software
Join Skype in the Classroom and set up a profile
Search for projects to collaborate on, create your own project, connect with teachers, and discover resources.

Next Steps:

Continue looking for connections, replying to responses, etc.
Set up a practice Skype with a friend or another class. Request Linsey's help with hardware setup.
Talk with your students about Skype behavior, jobs, etc.
Learn more about Skype on Atomic Learning

Tool #1- Step by step directions on adding your Voki

2011-12-09T12:52:00.000-08:00

Click here for step by step directions for Tool #1 Step 2, which is creating a Voki and embedding it in your blog. There are lots of other options and things you could do with your Voki but these are the "Get it done as quick and simple as possible" directions.

11 Tools- Getting Started Tips

2011-12-09T11:24:00.000-08:00

A huge thank you to for your patience and positive attitude as we introduced 11 Tools. Nanette has spent a huge amount of time getting prepared for this and I want to thank her for her tremendous effort. She and I are both available to help you along the way but she is the official campus contact for 11 Tools. Nanette is the one that put together that awesome packet with all sorts of tips and tricks that she and other teachers have found to be helpful as they began working. If you have trouble or have a question, chances are the answer is in that packet! A couple clarifications:

You do NOT have to start 11 Tools until January if you don’t want to. We only wanted to give you the OPTION to start over the break if you are one of those people that wants to get started on it during your down time.

Click here for the official 11 Tools site. Bookmark it! Here's how. (click the blue "Here's How" words for instructions)

Look at the menus on the RIGHT side of that page. This list will soon be replaced with our school and the other campuses completing 11 Tools this spring (which are Hunters Creek, Memorial High, and Cornerstone).You will be able to find a link to your blog and the blogs of the rest of the staff from that list.

Keep scrolling, and under the list of schools on the menus on the right, you will find the links to each of the 11 Tools.

For 11 Tools, you read and explore each tool from the Official 11 Tools Site and then you comment about what you learned on your blog. Sometimes you have to add something specific to your blog. The specific actions, comments and questions for each tool is listed at the bottom of the page for each tool and also in the packet Nanette gave you.

You all started a blog (or found a blog you already had) that you are going to be using for 11 Tools. You now need to know how to get BACK into that blog to edit and add posts. Here are 2 different ways to do that.

I would also bookmark your OWN blog. Here's how.

Feel free to email me over the break, but no promises on when I’ll respond.

If you (or your team) want 1 on 1 help, I’m happy to do that if you request a meeting here.

Finding Activboard Resources

2011-11-10T07:52:00.000-08:00

Below are 4 great spots to find flipcharts and interactive websites that work great with your Activboard:

Inspire Resources- There are lots of pre-made activities and pages within the Inspire software. You can get to them from the Resource Browser, or quickly by following these steps:

SBISD Resources- Follow the steps here to reach the SBISD Tools Page to access flipcharts, iPad/iTouch apps, and web resources.
Promethean Planet- Lots of resources to download. Click on the Resources link at the top.
MDE Links for Teaching- Great interactive websites for use with an Activboard, as well as other places to download free flipcharts.

YouTube

2011-10-13T10:16:00.000-07:00

YouTube has launched a new part of their site specifically for education. Find it here:
http://www.youtube.com/education

In the little bit of experimenting I've done with it, I still get some not-so-appropriate ads popping up but overall it's supposed to be more filtered.

There is a way you can download a Youtube video to save to your computer. This is helpful so you don't have to go through the Youtube website and you can even embed it in a flipchart. Here's how:

1. Find the video you want and copy the URL.

2. Go to: http://www.keepvid.com/. Paste the URL of the video into the download box:

3. Click Download. If a warning box pops up, click Run.
4. The video will process and you will then see several options on how you can download the video. I usually choose the MP4 option.

5. The File Download box will appear. Click Save and choose where on your computer you want to save the video.

BrainPop Webinars for PDLC Credit

2011-10-04T12:30:00.000-07:00

You can now get PDLC credit for participating in a BrainPop Webinar. Here's how:

Check out upcoming Webinars on the BrainPop educator's site, or find them on the technology training calendar on this blog.
Register and attend a webinar from the comfort of your home or classroom
Post a comment on the BrainPop for Educator's blog and then BrainPop will send you a certificate (within 72 hours)
Submit the certificate as an out of district staff development. Find instructions on the PDLC page.

BrainPop Gaming

2011-10-04T11:43:00.000-07:00

BrainPop has a new feature this year, called GameUp. You can search for educational, challenging games by subject and you and your students can even create your own games. Students could play them on individual computers, but they can also play them on the Activboard as a center.

Battleship Numberline


Branches of Power

Edmodo for Teachers Guide

2011-10-04T07:51:00.001-07:00

The Edmodo Help Center has tons of information to help you get started. Click here for the teacher's guide.

Edmodo Posters

2011-10-04T07:48:00.000-07:00

When using Edmodo with students, you need to set rules or guidelines on how it can be used. If students don't follow the rules, you can set them to "Read Only" so that they are able to read what other's write, but not add any posts themselves. Here are some rules and tips posters I found online. You can download and print them for your classroom.

Edmodo Rules Poster
Edmodo Tips and Tricks Poster
How to set a student to Read-Only

Google Cloud Connect

2011-10-04T05:53:00.000-07:00

Download Google Cloud Connect and everything you save in Microsoft Office can be automatically synced to your Google Docs…so you can’t get to it either place. Very cool.

Edmodo Parent Accounts

2011-09-20T07:30:00.000-07:00

If you are using Edmodo with your students, please make sure you have sent home a letter to your parents explaining Edmodo and giving them the code to access their parent account. Each parent receives a different code that links them directly to their child.

View instructions on accessing parent codes.

View sample parent letter.
Feel free to change the letter so that it applies to how you are using Edmodo in your classroom.

Blog and Wiki Guidelines and Permission Slips

2011-09-20T07:18:00.000-07:00

SBISD has recently sent us the following guidelines and permission slips for teachers that are having their students blog or participate in a Wiki.

If you are having students blog (either with their own blogs, commenting on your blog, or as guest bloggers on your blog), please make sure you and your students know the SBISD Educational Blogging Guidelines and Responsibilities and have parents return the permission slip below.

Student Blogging Permission Slip

If you are having students participate in a Wiki, please make sure you have parents return the permission slip below.

Student Wiki Permission Slip

Getting Started with Blogger

2011-09-12T18:58:00.000-07:00

There are a couple ways to log in to Blogger using your SBISD Google Apps account. Click here for directions.

Once you are logged in, you can follow the steps on the Blogger Getting Started Guide.

A few tips from SBISD 11 Tools:

Things to consider when creating your blog:

The url (address) of your blog will be unique. The url you create should be short and easy to remember. ALL Blogger blogs urls start http:// and end with blogspot.com. You will create the middle portion. For example, the url for the 11 Tools blog is http://11toolsSBISD.blogspot.com/ The "11toolsSBISD" portion is the unique portion of that url. You can never change the url (address.) You may want to write down your url address NOW, you’ll need to refer to it later (and you may not remember it).
The title of your blog can be different from the url. You can choose a title now for you blog. Later down the road, you can change the title of your blog if its focus changes or if you change how you use it. For example, the title of this blog is 11 Tools for the 21st Century Learner. You may want to write down your url address NOW, you’ll need to refer to it later (and you may not remember it).

What is Edmodo?

2011-09-12T08:45:00.000-07:00

What is it? Edmodo is a free, secure, social learning platform for teachers, students, schools and districts.

Application in the Classroom: Edmodo provides teachers and students with a secure and easy way to post classroom materials, share links and videos, and access homework, grades and school notices. Teachers and students can store and share all forms of digital content – blogs, links, pictures, video, documents, presentations, and more.

Ready to learn more? Participate in a Webinar (check schedule) for an introduction to Edmodo or to learn 20 ways to use Edmodo in the classroom.

To sign up for Edmodo in SBISD, go to: http://sbisd.edmodo.com. You'll need to get the Memorial Drive Elementary group code from Linsey.

Intro to Blogs

2011-09-12T08:43:00.003-07:00

First, what is a blog? Check out the Blogger Tour for a great introduction to blogs. Remember if you choose to use a blog, let your students get involved. That could mean students have their own blogs, students comment on blogs, students post their work, etc.

Why use blogs?

Now, check out some great classroom blogs below:

Look What's Happening in Room 102- a first grade blog from Canada
Mr. Salsich's Class- a third grade blog from Connecticut
Mrs. Madden's Class- an elementary school blog (grade 4 or 5)
Grades 1 and 2 at Ancaster Meadow School
Mrs. Cassidy's Classroom Blog- 1st grade
Mr. Austin's Class- 5th grade
The Year 2 Smarties- from Australia

Then, check out some student blogs:

Emily's Blog- a 4th grader from Australia
Jacob- 1st grader from Mrs. Cassidy's class
Mason- a student from MDE...he hasn't been keeping up with it lately, but it was started during tutoring, just to get him to write

And here's a great idea:

I Think blog

Google Custom Search Engines

2011-09-12T08:39:00.001-07:00

Google Custom Search Engines allow you to choose which websites your students search...while still teaching them search skills. Read more about it here:

Read about it here.
Try it out here.

And here's are some examples:

Historical People Search

Bird Research

So What's Next?

2011-08-14T16:58:00.000-07:00

Below are 11 technology tools or types of technology your team may wish to explore with your students this year. Spend some time learning about them. You may even Google how to use the tools in education or with students. Which one or two are you interested in learning more about and using with your class? Some work well together (such as screen recorders or digital storytelling that can then be posted on a blog or wiki).

Imagine how they can be used in your classroom, in the library, at home, and with new devices (not just in the computer lab...)

What is your purpose? How will it benefit your students and enhance their learning? Remember training and support will be provided, so don't worry about not knowing how to use the tool. Just think about the goal or purpose for now...

Blogs (Blogger, Edublog, etc.)
Skype (videoconferencing)
Wikis (Wikispaces, Pbworks)
Edmodo (social media for schools)
Voicethread (collaborative, multimedia slideshow)
Email with students (ePals, Google email)
Glogster (digital, collaborative posters)
Digital Storytelling (Storybird, Tikatok, Zooburst, Storyjumper)
Screen Recorders (Jing, Screencast-o-matic)
Online Collaboration (Stixy, TodaysMeet, etc.)
Video/Picture production/editing (Animoto, Stupeflix, etc.)