Search apps for the iPhone, iPad and Android using a variety of search methods. Select a specific category from general categories to specific topics. Use the filter to only see apps that are free, have no in-app purchases and are for a specific age grade. Great resource when looking for apps to use at school or home.
The quick and safe way to find and cite images for class! Searches through the Creative Commons photos on Flickr. *Please note that the students will not be able to see the images at school, but they could use this tool at home to find photos for their school projects. They still need to give credit.
Provides math games geared toward specific concepts at each grade level for K-6. You can access four games without registering. Teachers can join for free, which allows teachers and students to access all the games for free while at school. You must pay for students to use these games at home.
Great resource for information on President Lincoln. Provides activities, research topics, critical thinking questions, vocabulary, lesson plans and more.
Help students understand the human body - including the skeletal, muscular, circulatory, respiratory and nervous system - with these 14 StudyJams! activities.
I attended my Tech Integration Group this past Friday at Essdack and left with some great tools & ideas to share.
Upcoming Workshops through Essdack
April 2, 2013 - Workshop on eBooks & how to make them
May 29-31, 2013 - Wind Energy Workshop (based on a STEM Initiative)
You will spend the 3 days building wind turbines.
July 17-19, 2013 - Podstock
A tech integration conference for anyone interested in learning more about technology.
Show-N-Tell
COOL Furniture - We tried out a standing table and Hokki Chairs. The table is great for having small group conversations or getting up and working on the laptop or iPad. The chairs have a curved bottom so students can rock and move in their seats. Great for those antsy kiddos & adults.
EssayTagger - Common Core Rubric Creation Tool (no registration or login required)
You can print, save as a pdf or download any rubric you create.
tellagami - Great digital storytelling tool available on the iPod and iPad. You insert your own background images, create your avatar and record your story.
Class ideas:
What I did on my Summer Vacation
Explain a historical image
Give background on a historical figure
Book report using the setting as the background image
Create a real-world math problem
Makey Makey - this one you just have to see to understand
So, this was new to me, but basically it is a warning system for people who are downloading from sites with pirated materials. Some Internet Service Providers are implementing this process already. We looked at a few sites that had samples of the alert messages and a little more information about Six Strike Copyright Law. During our discussion, we questioned how this would impact schools, but I don't think we'll really know until this gets into full implementation.
Create a book trailer - make a QR code for the trailer and put the QR code inside the book in the library for other students
Make an avatar of what the character(s) look like to you and then put them in your book trailer or use them to create a movie poster for your book - use faceyourmanga to create your avatar
At the end of the day, we had a Skype presentation on creating infographics with powerpoint (or any slideshow program). However, I will write this up later as a separate blog post.
The best trivia I learned on Friday was "Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit." This is a common British superstition which is also popular in the United States, especially in Nantucket, Cape Cod and other towns within Massachusetts. The premise is to wake up on the first day of the month and say "rabbit, rabbit, rabbit." By doing so, you are suppose to receive a present by the end of the month. Stash this trivia fact away in case you end up on Jeopardy one day!
