Wednesday, June 19, 2013

The iPad as an Instructional Tool


Notes from session at iPadpalooza 2013
#iPlza13

Presenters:
Janet Corder and Joan Gore
http://tinyurl.com/j2shelf - Click on iPad World

Session Description: There are hundreds of educational apps that allow students to play "games" on the iPad, but what else can you do in the classroom with this amazing device? Learn how to use the iPad as a document camera and a tool for assessment, student engagement and teacher productivity.

Reflector App - Mirrors your iPad onto your Computer
$12.99 for Mac or Windows

Five Critical Mistakes Schools make with iPads
1. Focusing on Content Apps
2. Lack of Teacher Preparation in Classroom Management of iPads
3. Treating the iPad as a computer and expecting it to work like a laptop
4. Treating iPads as multi-user devices
5. Failing to communicate a compelling answer to "Why iPads?"

Socrative
You can create quizzes for students to take

Nearpod
You can upload your ppt and make interactive quiz questions, drawings
The paid version allows you share your ppt
The last slide has to be a ppt slide
Save your ppt first as a pdf in order to upload it
Go to http://nearpod.com and log in
Create a new presentation and upload the pdf
If you publish it and then find out you need to edit it, then you have to make a copy of it
Lets you know when people leave your room

Bingo Baker
Go to http://bingobaker.com and create your bingo card
This is free - it is not an app

Pete's Powerpoint Station
This is a collection of free ppt presentations by subject area

Infuse Learning
Works on any device
Isn't IE or Chrome friendly
Enter the room ID and your name
Draw your favorite vacation spot
You can save each page as a pdf and make a book out of it
You can make quizzes as well with order questions

The iPad as a Document Camera
You will need some sort of stand
The Juststand is an example or you can even make your own
The Juststand cost less than $100.

Favorite Apps
  • Trading Cards
  • Skitch
  • Word Art Skeletons

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

The Model iPad Classroom

Notes from session at iPadpalooza 2013
#iPlza13

Presenter: Sam Gliksman

Presentation Description: iPads have become the hottest commodity in the educational technology market and are outselling Macbooks by a ratio of 2:1. However, the rush to purchase new technologies often precedes the necessary planning that’s crucial to their success as educational tools. Effective iPad programs are integral parts of a larger holistic approach that re-imagines traditional classroom practices and dynamics. What does the successful iPad classroom look and feel like? In writing his "iPad in Education for Dummies" book author Sam Gliksman spoke to teachers around the country to see how they were innovating with technology. In this session he'll demonstrate a variety of ways that iPads can be used to transform education and draw on specific classroom examples that are included in his book.

Keys to Successful iPad Implementation:

1. Define your educational objectives
  • Do we ever ask ourselves:
  • What are our educational goals?
  • What skill set is needed for our kids today? How do kids learn today?
  • Do not confine children to the way you learned?
  • You must first define your educational objectives.

2. Build a solid foundation
  • Reliable wireless connection
  • Wireless network management
  • Allow for growth

3. Communicate and Prepare
  • Communicate your vision and direction
  • Make sure all are on the same page - administrators and parents alike
  • Communicate with parents - they might not understand why you are bringing ipads into the district.

4. Develop Management
  • Storage and security procedures
  • Clear AUP (hotspots)
  • Consider self-management - give students independence to manage their own ipads

5. Share carefully
  • Limit sharing of accounts after the 3rd grade

6. Create simple information workflows

7. Use apps as tools rather than solutions

8 Create a Culture of Growth
  • Get teachers involved
  • Technology training has been a problem throughout history
  • The Introductory Workshop - we give this type of workshop and then send teachers on their way
  • Training has to be an ongoing process, not an event
  • Teachers need timely, in class help
  • Focus on the objectives, not on the technology
  • Remember you'll never be the expert!

9. Connect
  • Connect your students; connect with teachers
  • Use social media, like twitter , blogs, etc. to get them connected to others

10. Encourage the unpredictable
  • The key to learning isn't knowing the right answers.
  • The key to learning is knowing how to ask the right questions
  • Investigate and Analyze
  • Use technology to explore

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Get Your Google On: Google Tools


Notes from session at Tots & Technology Conference
Presenter: Monica Martinez, Director of Professional Development, TCEA


URL for session:
https://sites.google.com/a/tcea.org/igoogle/home
  • Click on Google A-Z on the left hand side menu
Session Description
There's more to Google than just Google search and Google Apps EDU. In fact, there is a Google tool for every letter in the alphabet. During this session we will explore the latest unknown Google gems and my list of favorites. Come to this session and walk away with a great new set of tools to use.

By attending this session, you will be able answer these questions:
1. How can my elementary classroom benefit from Google tools?
2. How can I use Google tools to engage my learners in collaboration and creativity?
3. What Google tools can I use to help improve communication with students and parents, help me facilitate processes when presenting content to students, and help provide differentiated media to enrich my lessons?



Lead In: Everybody Chromocize Video - A must watch





Google Custom Search Engine
http://google.com/cse
You can custom build a search engine using Google Custom Search Engine. Help students build their information literacy skills by having them use this custom search engine or by having your students create their own

Google Story Builder
http://docsstorybuilder.appspot.com/
This tools allows users to create their own Google docs story. Add your characters, type your story and select your music to create your stories.
Google Mars 
http://www.google.com/mars/

Google Sky
http://www.google.com/sky/

Google Moon
http://www.google.com/moon

Dead Sea Scrolls
http://www.deadseascrolls.org.il/

Google Keep - Take Notes
https://drive.google.com/keep/

Google Inside Search
http://www.google.com/insidesearch/

Google Santa Call
http://www.google.com/santatracker/
Get a personal call from Santa

World Wonders Project
http://www.google.com/intl/en/culturalinstitute/worldwonders/
Google explores different areas around the globe including under water. Includes maps, 3D, photographs, videos and more.

Teach Parents Technology - Send you parents a tech support care package
This site was built by a few folks at Google to help support parents (as well as students, teachers and basic users) with basic computer use. It is technical support via video tutorials.
Google Body - Zygot
bodybrowser.googlelabs.com
A tool that allows you to search the human body

What Do You Love? - From Google
http://www.wdyl.com/#  

 
Pixlr
http://pixlr.com/
Photo editor

Rapportive
Rapportive shows you everything about your contacts right in your inbox.
YouPD
http://www.youpd.org/
YouPD has some great video tutorials on Google Apps ED
Citations
In Google Docs, Highlight word or link, Go to Tools, Research
It will add citation for you

Be sure to see Monica's web site, https://sites.google.com/a/tcea.org/igoogle/home, for more Google Tools.

Leading in the 21st Century

Notes from session at Tots & Technology Conference
Presenter: Monica Martinez, Director of Professional Development, TCEA


URL for session: https://sites.google.com/a/tcea.org/ieducate/
  • Click on the link "Leading" in the menu

Session Description
Managing and sustaining successful technology integration programs involves modeling uses of technologies for your staff. During this fast-paced session, we will share a wide array of online tools and apps that can support you in your role as a leader. Learn new strategies for improving your interpersonal communication skills, leadership strategies, and tips for helping your staff integrate technology.
By attending this session, you will be able answer these questions:
1. How can I effectively model technology use as a leader?
2. What are some of the tools that I can use that will support my role as a leader?
3. How can I help my staff integrate technology more effectively?


Modeling

What is modeling?
  • The process of creating abstract or conceptual model and the use of objects in the creation of a predictive statement
Cone of Learning
 

 
Modeling Strategies
  • Think about how you can model - stop printing handouts, use dropbox instead of email
  • What are some ways you can model?
  • Modeling is not teaching how to do something
 
Modeling Opportunities
  • staff, committee, or department meeting
  • professional development
  • how you share your resources (printed handouts v. site)
  • how you communicate with your audience (email v. blog)
  • how you share your contact information (business card v. QR code)
  • how people schedule meetings with you (call/email v. online booking tool)
  • how do you present: always PowerPoint?

Tools for Modeling
Be sure to check Monica's website, https://sites.google.com/a/tcea.org/ieducate/,  for more tools for modeling.