3 DIY Science Projects Perfect For Project-Based Learning Elementary school science fairs and contests can be among the most interesting (and nerve wracking) experiences of our lives. We’re lucky to have those moments of hands-on, trial-by-fire learning. Because if it wasn’t for the shock of breaking glass with a tuning fork or the miracle of growing a stalk from a bean, those memories of surprise and discovery might slip away from us. And students nowadays are even luckier. Start at the Scientific Method One of the greatest lessons science projects instill in students is an understanding of the scientific method. One of the most effective means of teaching the scientific method and its importance to students is by having them complete a science project that allows them to observe how science works in an interactive way. Three Amazing DIY Science Projects By conducting a quick search online, or at your local library, any middle or high school student can discover a huge number of DIY science projects ideas. The Good Old Fashioned Volcano
20 random iPad Maths Apps that help cover all areas of curriculum Around this time last year, I wrote a post about the lack of engaging Maths apps on the iPad that went beyond “skill and drill” number activities. Since then, developers have introduced a greater range of apps across all areas of the Maths curriculum that can be used to enhance the Maths teaching and learning in your classroom. Here’s a selection of 20 apps that cover Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry, and Statistics and Probability ( these are the Content strands (CS) Australia’s Mathematics curriculum has been categorized under ). They also cover the proficiency strands (PS) of Understanding, Fluency, Problem Solving and Reasoning. I’m sure other countries’ curricula are similar in many regards and you will be able to make the connections. Undecided (free at time of writing) CS -Statistics and Probability PS – Reasoning Decide Now! Does what Undecided doesn’t with spinner. DragonBox+ ($6.49 – expensive for multiple copies) Dartfish EasyTag (free) Pattern Blocks ($0.99)
The 20 Best Education Apps And Web Tools Of The Year The following is an excerpt from the December issue of Edudemic Magazine. Download the issue for just $.99 to view the full issue and the rest of the list! Stay tuned (or download the magazine) for the best devices of the year! In our year‐end special issue, we’ve worked hard at assembling the best of the best. It contains the best (in our opinion and what we’ve heard from educators around the world) resources you should know about. It’s the end of the year and that means you have a little extra time for the first time since summer. NOTE: These are in no particular order and the list is actually longer in the iPad Magazine. Evernote (Web, iOS, Android) Use it for: note taking/word processing, voice recording, photos (snapshots of teachers’s notes group work, etc), share work between teachers and students, organize and search all of your notes. Instapaper (Web, iOS, Android) Use it for: Creating ‘read it later’ bookmarks that can be accessed from any device.
StudyHall Is A New Peer-To-Peer Learning Platform StudyHall is a peer-to-peer learning platform for classmates to share and connect. StudyHall flips the traditional learning model, putting collaboration and productivity tools in the hands of students. Combining live interactive features with helpful question and answer course pages, StudyHall revives classroom discussion when students are back in the dorm room and in need of help. It’s a social academic platform that engages students and enhances the classroom experience. StudyHall is taking the populist approach to online education and creating a tool that is built only for students. StudyHall is a free, peer-to-peer learning platform for classmates to share and connect. Whether you are enrolled at Harvard, Yale, Cornell, Georgetown or sites like EdX and Coursera, StudyHall’s platform allows you to upload your notes and stay organized for free. Your courses are moving online, so why aren’t you?
7 Strategies for iPads and iPods in the (Math) Classroom Mobile Learning | Viewpoint 7 Strategies for iPads and iPods in the (Math) Classroom By Tim Pelton and Leslee Francis Pelton 07/11/12 Touch devices--such as iPods and iPads--represent a fundamental change in computing. They are unobtrusive, powerful, and intuitive devices that support authentic acts of learning through exploration, collaboration, consolidation, creation, and communication. We want to share a series of thoughts and strategies supporting the adoption of iOS (iPod, iPhone, iPad) and other touch devices in the classroom and then focus on the selection and use of apps to support learning. 1. We anticipate that the utility and practicality of touch devices and the associated resources will become apparent relatively quickly, and that mechanisms will be introduced to supply all students with their own personal devices to use and manage (BYOSD). Still, it really doesn't matter where in the adoption process your school is. 2. 3.
10 Must-Have Apps For iPads In The Classroom My students love using their iPads in the classroom! iPads in the classroom provide student with the opportunity not to be restricted to the traditional way of learning. As a teacher, it is a wonderful feeling to see students being engaged and interacting in their learning. Since our school’s 1:1 iPad initiative in all Math and Science classrooms, I have become passionate about finding technology tools that will motivate and inspire my students to learn. The following is a list of free apps and websites that I have found that really motivates and inspires my students to be actively engaged in their learning. (1) Today’s Meet ~ A backchannel website that helps you connect with students in real time. (2) Corkboard.me ~ A website that allow students to collaborate in real time with the use of sticky notes on a board. (3) Study Blue ~ This app and website provide students with the opportunity to create online flashcards to use as review.
How One iPad App Changed An Entire School I have been wanting to write a post for a while about the amazing tool that we came across last year, that has truly changed the way we use iPads in our classrooms, but haven’t had a venue to do so. Now that I have my new website, I decided it was a must! If you aren’t familiar with this groundbreaking Nearpod iPad app , I want to take a minute to share it with you and explain how it changed our school. Nearpod is an App that allows teachers to share presentations; but wait, there’s more! Needless to say, it is a presenter’s dream come true. Starting Out With Nearpod I’ll never forget my first experience with Nearpod. At Pine Crest, we differentiate instruction, and the iPad is great for that, but we still also provide whole group instruction. Felipe came to me to share this revolutionary App and he walked me through the experience. Feedback Becomes Reality So, what are you using now that we suggested? Seeing this App grow from the very beginning has been a very rewarding experience.
So you want to support Maths learning with an iPad? iPad apps Published on April 10th, 2012 | by Mark Anderson When thinking about using an iPad to support learning, it is important to remember that the iPad supports learning. It is not going to do the teaching for you. It is much better to get a workflow with multiple apps to support the learning. Here are just some of the apps available from the App store related to Mathematics: The best way of working with these apps though is not in isolation. For example: Demonstration If you’re running a flipped model, you may wish to show a video on how to solve a simple algebraic equation, either created by you or perhaps from iTunes U or the Khan Academy on the topic. Practice Then, whilst supporting students with this learning, they practice their learning using the Algebra Touch app which gives students algebraic learning and practice opportunities. Reinforcement AfL Other ways in which apps can be used innovatively. Garageband - create a song or podcast about a Mathematical construct Blogs & Curated
The Teacher's Quick Guide To Digital Scavenger Hunts If you’ve got a smartphone or a tablet in your classroom, you’re ready for the adventure to begin! By adventure I mean, of course, the world of active learning through digital scavenger hunts. In this hunt, students are tasked with finding a particular physical object, person, or place and have to use technology to track it down. Note: an ‘online scavenger hunt’ usually implies that you’re hunting around online and not physically with classmates. For the purpose of this article, I’m focusing on the physical version I’ve dubbed ‘digital scavenger hunts’. The Simple Goal So now that you’re all ready to start your very first scavenger hunt, let’s figure out what the goals are. Finding The Technology Like the movie National Treasure, students will need a lot of ingenuity and tools to help them uncover the mysteries you’ve laid out before them. In an effort to get your scavenger hunt jump-started, here are a few useful tech tools that might be of use. Finding An Objective A Quick Note
40 Useful Tips For Anyone Taking A MOOC As these resources have grown in number and the list of institutions providing them has become ever more prestigious, free online courses are gaining legitimacy with employers as a method of learning valuable job skills. While there’s still a long way to go in terms of acceptance, more and more employers are recognizing the value of cheap, effective educational programs that can keep employees up-to-date and engaged in their field without spending a dime. Whether you’re looking to online education for personal reasons or to get ahead in your career, use these tips to help you get more out of open courses and use what you learn to market yourself, improve your performance, and stand out on the job. Treat them like real classes .
Top 50 Math Sites and Apps Throughout the last few years I've compiled quite a few lists of my favorite sites for a variety of subjects. Over the last year and a half one might have noticed that my lists have started to change and instead of focusing on sites I've been focusing more on apps as "mobile learning" has really taken off. It seems now a days a person can find an app for almost anything. Specializing in Ed Tech I review sites/apps all the time and decided to start posting my favorites for different subjects. Below are my favorites for Math. *This list is in alphabetical order. 4 Dice: Fraction Games - A great iOS app for learning how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions.
A Roadmap For Successful Education App Development 10 Ways To Become A Better Online Learner 8.34K Views 0 Likes There are some quick and easy ways to become a better online learner. Whether you're taking a class or just researching, here are the DOs and DON'Ts. 6 Quick Tips To Make The Most Of Graduate School Graduating Student Assistants Reception. If you’re interested in becoming a teacher or pursuing graduate school in general, it’s important to understand what it takes and what the payoff is. Sure, you can have a positive influence on others and all that jazz … but what does it actually take to graduate? Don’t Change What Works for You Some people get off track and start to panic because they think that everything about graduate school will be different from anything they’ve ever done before. Study Aids Think about the specific study aids that you used then, and adapt them for the different requirements of graduate school. See Also: The Edudemic Online College Guide These can be really helpful if you find yourself feeling flustered as you try to copy down what your professors say during a lecture, and can also make it easier to decipher anything that initially seemed unclear. Immerse Yourself as Much as Possible Traditional vs Online School Respect Your Professors Become A Rock Star