Apps to Use as Student ePortfolios I have yet to find the perfect Digital Portfolio app that I think I would use exclusively in a Visual Arts class. Some apps can be used as graphic portfolios or as beautiful sketchbooks, others are great at sharing. Not all of the apps available are great at all of these things. I have spent a heap of time trying to find one and would be more than happy for someone to send me the name of one they are using successfully. Having said that the following are apps that I would consider using; Evernote: FREE Evernote is an easy-to-use, free app that helps you remember everything across all of the devices you use. Paper: FREE Paper is an easy and beautiful way to create on iPad. Three Ring: FREE Three Ring is a fast, flexible, and simple way to organize and present your students' real world work, from handwritten assignments to classroom presentations.
Science for All So you want to give feedback on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) but you aren’t sure where to start or the website feels a little overwhelming. Here are some tips and suggestions. Part 1: Get to know the Framework for K-12 Science Education I know you just want to jump in and start reading the NGSS.. but I highly recommend that you spend at least a few minutes learning about the Framework for K-12 Science Education. Framework report brief ( a summary of the Framework)NSTA Reader’s Guide to the Framework (an excellent resource)Read this overview of the Three Dimensions of the Frameworkwatch the embedded video clips below Why NGSS? A recorded webinar explaining the Framework (a long clip) Part 2: Getting to Know the Next Generation Science Standards Draft Now that you have an understanding of the Framework, it is time to dig in. a. - Conceptual Shifts in the NGSS - Engineering, Technology, and Applications of Science in the NGSS b. a. b. c. d. Access the survey HERE. Other Resources:
Flip This: Bloom’s Taxonomy Should Start with Creating Teaching Strategies Chris Davis, Powerful Learning Practice LLC By Shelley Wright I think the revised Bloom’s Taxonomy is wrong. I know this statement sounds heretical in the realms of education, but I think this is something we should rethink, especially since it is so widely taught to pre-service teachers. Conceived in 1956 by a group of educators chaired by Benjamin Bloom, the taxonomy classifies skills from least to most complex. Many teachers in many classrooms spend the majority of their time in the basement of the taxonomy, never really addressing or developing the higher order thinking skills that kids need to develop. Rather than starting with knowledge, we start with creating, and eventually discern the knowledge that we need from it. The pyramid creates the impression that there is a scarcity of creativity — only those who can traverse the bottom levels and reach the summit can be creative. Here’s what I propose: we flip Bloom’s taxonomy. Creating at the Forefront Related
Education Today - Reading with iPads – the difference makes a difference The aim of our eBook project was to explore the use of an iPad as an eBook reader within the context of a primary school classroom. While many schools have embraced iPads, their use in schools is still in its infancy and this study was frustrated in some ways by the lack of resources and technological support available. Although the students participating in the study reported an increase in engagement when using the iPad, there was not a corresponding rise in achievement. In fact, among young “low” readers, their comprehension scores actually decreased. Introducing the iPad The introduction of the iPad in 2010 heralded a new age in technological convergence and promised to bring mobile technologies into every home and classroom. However, the iPad is new technology to classrooms and the introduction of anything new brings with it considerations for learning and pedagogy. Studies of the eBook reader predominately looked at its use with textbooks and higher education. Methodology Discussion
Mindset Works®: Student Motivation through a Growth Mindset, by Carol Dweck, Ph.D. - A Catalog of iPad Apps for Teachers and Students by Vicki Windman 0 Comments August 31, 2011 By: by Aug 31 Written by: 8/31/2011 6:16 AM ShareThis Fourteen of us–special education teachers, school psychologists, speech therapists, and other educators–recently spent six hours brainstorming with the goal of producing a starter iPad app catalog for teachers and students in our district, and beyond. All Grades: Super Kids has been my go-to website for reinforcement dittos for years. Khan Academy Free - From algebra to basic arithmetic, YouTube videos that explain each topic. Flashcardlet Free - Flashcardlet allows you to search for and study Quizlet.com flashcards. RFB&D audio $19.99 membership to Learning Ally Gain instant access to Learning Ally’s (formerly RFB&D) downloadable DAISY formatted books. Elementary UnderSea Adventures: Free - the $1.99 full version offers allows you to vary the levels. iTouchandLearnNumbers $1.99 provides a perfect blend of curriculum based learning and animated game fun. What are they thinking? Elementary/Middle School Middle School
Jing, Record and share videos on your computer, by TechSmith The always-ready program that allows you to instantly capture images and record video on your computer—then share them with anyone. Jing is a great tool for adding basic visual elements to all of your online conversations Jing for Screenshots Capture What You See The Jing sun sits nicely on your desktop, ready to capture your screen at a moment’s notice. Jing will capture a window, pane, or region with just one click. Jing Loves to Share Send your screenshots all over the web. Make a Point Need to emphasize a point or explain a tricky concept? No Need to Wait Simply paste the link into an IM, email, forum post, anywhere…and when the person clicks it they see your freshly–uploaded screenshot. Share Images Instantly Jing will place a hyperlink on your clipboard when you send your screenshots to a destination like Screencast.com or Flickr. Jing for Screencasts Record What You See (and Do) Jing videos are limited to 5 minutes for instant, focused communication. Instantly share Jing video on:
bloomsapps Using Blooms Taxonomy in education is a highly effective way to scaffold learning for the students. With the recent popularity and pervasive nature of iOS devices in school districts it is essential for educators to understand how to implement Blooms in the classroom using the apps that are available. While this list is by no means fully comprehensive, it will assist educators in getting started when implementing iOS devices in the classroom. This site will change almost daily as it will be updated with new and exciting apps! If you find any that you have worked with in your classroom please email dmileham@e1b.org or tweet @bloomsapps or @dmileham75 with your suggestions. Two Links to some iTunesU courses relating to iOS Integration: 1 iPad by Erie 1 Boards of Cooperative Educational Services ( Movie Making\Digital Storytelling Camera to PDF Free - cool little app that turns your device into a scanner. LiveBinders: I would be remiss if I didn't post this.
Khan Academy Tech Steps - A Guide for Administrators Implementing a mobile learning program involves numerous considerations, multiple stakeholders, and difficult trade-offs. The simplest programs may involve a single classroom experiment with having students bring their own devices to class. As the scope and scale of the programs increase to full district implementations, the constraints and opportunities become increasingly complex. Regardless of the size of the program, there are seven implementation steps that are worth consideration. (Click here for visual display of the 7 steps.) Note that though these steps are presented linearly, they will generally be implemented iteratively. Step 1: Investigating The first step to implementing a mobile learning program is to consider the opportunities, challenges, and drivers for a mobile learning environment. Considerations/questions to ask: Why do you want to implement mobile learning? Step 2: Scoping Step 3: Planning The third step is to plan the implementation. Step 5: Roll-out Step 6: Practice
Rugrat-ical Technology: Five Truths of Teaching Tech to Elementary Students I often get a look of confusion when I tell my students to, "Go mess up, will ya'." Their eyes widen and they turn to a neighbor for a lifejacket because I just threw them in the deep end of technology. Come on, it's only a computer. Using tech in the classroom requires trust. Are they going to mess up? Here are a few tips and technology suggestions from my experiences with third graders. Truth #1: Time + Exposure = Progress May I be blunt here? Truth #2: Hire your own tech specialists The moment the computers are unleashed you always have one kid (maybe more) who is sitting there licking his chops. Truth #3: Beware of the Posers Related to the previous tip, it's important to pick a helper who can really help. 1. 2. 3. Clearly, everyone will be a lot happier if you pick your classroom's go-to helper from the first group. Truth #4: Set Achievable Goals "To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong." Truth #5: There Are Some Great (Free) Tools Out There Get Wiki With It Prezi
23 Best Education Hashtags to use on Twitter - Ed Resources Online If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting! Hashtags can be an effective Twitter technique used within your own tweets, or when searching for topics of interest to you. Unfortunately, many users don’t understand the purpose of hashtags, which makes them use them in ineffective ways. 2 Ways to use Hashtags effectively 1. 2. Education is a popular topic on Twitter. 23 Educational Hashtags you can use today #BlackEdu Minority education discussions #Edchat- General Education, worldwide users #Edtech -Education Technology- tweets about using technology in education#EdParents -For parents wishing to discuss education, traffic is erratic #EdApp – Education Apps- #eLearning- eLearning topics #gtchat – for gifted learning #GeographyTeacher resources/topics for Geography teachers #homeschool – home educators (most popular, least characters)#homeschooling- another hashtag for homeschool topics #hsbloggers – homeschool bloggers #HistoryTeacher – for history teachers
Coming and Going: Imports and Exports Throughout the World Imagine that you are baking cookies for your family. Your next-door neighbor drops by and tries the cookies. She is very impressed with how tasty the cookies are and she realizes that they are much better than hers. She also realizes that she doesn't have the ingredients necessary to make her own cookies: flour, sugar, eggs, and chocolate chips. She asks if it would be possible for you to make her cookies; she offers to pay you for the ingredients, time, and labor necessary to bake them. You say "No problem", knowing that it would be easy for you to bake some more. When you complete the following activities you should be able to explain the difference between an import and an export and explain why countries trade. Now, instead of imagining you and your neighbor, pretend that all of this concerns two countries. The country that sells the cookies is called the exporter and the product it sells is called the export. The exchange of imports and exports is called trade. Activity 1 Activity 2