comic life Comic Life 3 is now available for both Mac and Windows! “4 Stars and Editors Choice.” MacUser Dec. 2013 "Awesome!... "Outstanding." Ever wanted to be a character in a comic book? It's the app with everything you need to make a stunning photo comic.Fonts, templates, panels, balloons, captions and lettering art. Comic Life is also great for doing school projects, how to guides, flyers for your business or group, storyboarding, lesson plans, book reports, Internet memes; and that's just to name a few! Creating an original work is easy with the script editor. Photo filter effects and all our lettering options really make your photos come alive. When you're done you can share your masterpiece with your fans in a variety ways. Make it your story. Script Editor Get your words straight before starting your layout.
iPads have exploded throughout schools and classrooms. Their flexibility, versatility, and mobility make them a phenomenal learning tool. As teachers seek ways to integrate these devices, we recommend focusing on specific learning goals that promote critical-thinking, creativity, collaboration, and the creation of student-centric learning environments. In other words, begin with..... eReaders & eBooks in the Classroom Literature Circle Models After experimenting for many years, I discovered an approach that's easy, fun, and effective. I refer to it as Classroom Book Clubs because it's a more relaxed method of doing Literature Circles that doesn't involve roles. You can view a narrated slidecast to this model by scrolling down to the Classroom Book Clubs section. On this page you can also learn about different types of Literature Circles. I've had some success with all the models below, but all models haven't been successful with all groups of students. Ways to Structure Literature Circles Classroom Book Clubs - My favorite method at the moment is a flexible approach to Literature Circles that does not require the use of extensive handouts and assignment booklets. Classroom Book Clubs I love this model because it's a very flexible and fun approach. Mini Literature Circles (Using Leveled Readers) Are you required to use a basal reading program in your classroom? Literature Circles with Roles Nonfiction Literature Circles
Apps in Education Writing Prompts seems to have been a recurring conversation on twitter recently so I wanted to investigate what was available for teachers. I was surprised to see just how many apps designed for writing prompts there were. What is nice, is how many of these can be used for all grades. I really like the interface of some of these and I think your kids will too. Write about this: $4.49 and FREE The world is full of scenes with stories yet to be written...what will you Write About? The Brainstormer: $1.99 AU The Brainstormer is kindling for creative minds. Writing Prompts: $1.99 AU The writing prompt generators use current events, scene elements, words, sketches, colours, genres and writing types, unleashing endless random bits of fantasy to fuel your muse. Writing Prompts for Kids: $1.99 AU
How Interactive Ebooks Engage Readers and Enhance Learning The invention of the tablet PC has created a new medium for book publishing. Interactive books are everywhere, and have revolutionized the way people consume the printed word. With the recent software available to allow easy creation of interactive books and with the race to bring these products to market, there seems to be a more and more dilution of quality and a loss for the meaning of interactivity. When publishers create new eBook titles or convert a traditional printed book to a digital interactive eBook, they often miss the added value this new medium can provide. It’s important to understand the distinction between apps and eBooks, as it's something that often confuses both publishers and consumers. eBooks were the first to appear on devices such as the Kindle, and have very limited interactivity. Enhanced eBooks (ePUB3) are a new digital publication standard that allows easy integration of video, audio, and interactivity. Grimm's Rapunzel ~ 3D Interactive Pop-up Book
Tips for Writing Instructional Objectives - Bloom's Taxonomy Job Aids I am so delighted to see this post that includes Bloom's Taxonomy Wheels by ZaidLearn. I always find that it's far easier to design materials using these wheels than it is to see the verbs/products in lists. Many instructional designers can benefit from these job aids when trying to find the right action verbs for their objectives. Source: Source: Source: Bloom’s digital taxonomy. Have fun, designers! I Education Apps Review - I Education Apps Review 5 Places To Find Free Educational eBooks Hunting down classic literature and important manuscripts may mean more than a quick Google search for many of us. You may turn to paid sources like Amazon or even (the humanity!) turn to printed books in your library. The horror! So what happens when Google, Amazon, and your local library come up short in your quest for free educational eBooks? The Harvard Classics Some of the most important works of literature are a part of the dozens of volumes available in The Harvard Classics. Project Gutenberg Project Gutenberg offers over 40,000 free e-books (free epub books, free kindle books, read online, or download them). Bartleby The go-to source for the classics, Bartleby.com features Gray’s Anatomy, the Harvard Classics (see above), the King James Bible, and just about every major publication you could ever require. OER Commons Open Educational Resources (aka OER Commons) boasts more than 40,000, well, resources for teachers. ICDL – International Children’s Digital Library
Every Student Response Strategies | LessonCast True implementation of personalized learning in schools requires a shift in the roles of educators and a shift in educator professional learning. This course examines the evolving role of teachers incorporating personalized learning experiences in the classroom. Taking a close look at what personalized learning is and isn’t, participants create resources to support teacher roles as facilitator, assessor, instructional designer, content curator, coach, and advisor, and family-school collaborator. Lessoncast believes in personalized professional learning. While the course opens on July 21 (8:00 am EST), you may register at any time and complete the course activities at your own pace. Evaluating Apps with Transformative Use of the iPad in Mind The app development market is exploding. More and more companies are creating “educational apps”. In some cases, they are simply digital versions of a book or a web based tool. Some seem to have “no educational value” to it at all, but are still sold under the label of “education”. That being said, TinyTap is still a lot better than much of the kids’ apps crapware out there in the iTunes App Store. I have teachers ask me frequently about app recommendations for different subject areas. “What app could I use to teach subtraction?” I usually sigh to myself, when I receive questions like that. I want teachers to be able to, not only ask for and use an app, because someone else recommended it, but I want teachers equipped with the curiosity and the knowledge of: Without a doubt, educators using iPads in the classroom, are in new territory. I came upon the following rubrics (1) developed by Harry Walker and (2) based on Kathy Schrock and updated by Greg Alchin. Further Resources: Like this: