Techy Teacher by A. W. Creations: July 2015

Thursday, July 30, 2015

5 Important Things About Classroom Blogging

I came across this article tonight and though I would share! Check it out!

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2015/07/5-important-things-ive-learned-about.html#.VbrRGfmYUo4

Website Mention

One of my blog posts was mentioned on an education website today. How exciting! :-)

http://paper.li/Eduware_Inc/1310586347?edition_id=1ab36860-371e-11e5-8972-0cc47a0d1609#!headlines

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Do you have a problem with your students writing, especially on the iPad? Well, you should try this app I found called Dragon Dictation.

Dragon Dictation is an easy-to-use voice recognition application powered by Dragon® NaturallySpeaking® that allows you to easily speak and instantly see your text or email messages. In fact, it’s up to five (5) times faster than typing on the keyboard.

With Dragon Dictation you can also dictate status updates directly to your Social Networking applications (Facebook and Twitter) or send notes and reminders to yourself….all using your voice.

Dragon Dictation supports a multitude of global languages. For a full list of currently supported languages visit www.dragonmobileapps.com.

Dragon allows students to compose their writing orally by speaking into the iPad or to type their writing by reading it aloud. Students can even add punctuation by speaking the name of the proper mark. This is of great use for students for whom the process of writing or typing is too much of a chore to allow for the creative expression of their ideas and those whose spelling gets in the way of their completing sentences.

Dragon allows students to compose their writing orally by speaking into the iPad or to type of their writing by reading it aloud. Students can even add punctuation by speaking the name of the proper mark e.g. “Go to the store, exclamation point” will type “Go to the store!”
This is of great use for students for whom the process of writing or typing is too much of a chore to allow for the creative expression of their ideas and those whose spelling gets in the way of their completing sentences.
- See more at: http://creatinglifelonglearners.com/?p=974#sthash.4pjI9YaO.dpuf

I was looking on Google for apps to use for reading intervention and this app popped up. The YouTube video below is a couple years old but goes over the gist of it. I installed it on my phone and it is SO easy and recorded everything I said PERFECTLY - even when I said "exclamation point"!

For more information go here.

Goodnight iPad Read-Aloud

I went to the e3 Technology Conference yesterday and the presenter shared this book and I fell in love! It is so hilarious and is an accurate parody of how we are so "plugged in" to our devices. I have to admit, I am guilty of many of these. Below is a read aloud of the book, so check it out!

You order this book off of Amazon (free shipping with Amazon Prime) for about $10.
Goodnight iPad from Amazon

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

e3 Technology Conference

Today I went to the e3 Technology Conference in Warsaw and it was awesome! I learned a lot more about iPads and how to use Excel.

We had a very yummy lunch from Panera:

At my last session, we learned about a ton of different elementary iPad books and apps. I highly recommend getting the book "Good Night iPad"! I seriously laughed out loud!

I even won an adorable door prize!

The last presenter I had, Janet Jordan, was wonderful! She shared a ton of new apps to use in the elementary classroom and is even willing to come to schools to show how to use some of the apps. She gave us a list of books and apps to check out:

Class Messenger

Today I learned about a new app called Class Messenger, that is very similar to Remind but offers a little more. It is an app but is also available at https://www.classmessenger.com/, which can make some things easier to use.

Class Messenger makes it effortless for teachers to send home important notes and updates about the day’s learning experiences. They can even see exactly which parents have read each note. And whether via app, text or email, communication through Class Messenger is always private.

Go here to learn how it works!

How is Class Messenger different from Remind?

https://www.classmessenger.com/faqs/how-is-class-messenger-different-from-remind-101/

Monday, July 27, 2015

Showbie

https://app.showbie.com/
https://my.showbie.com/signin

Features:

Assign: Distribute assignments, instructions and resources to your students in a few taps. All related materials are kept in a shared folder for that assignment
Collect: As your students submit work, Showbie keeps everything organized in a single, convenient location.
Review: Add annotations, voice notes and text notes directly onto your students’ work in Showbie.
Students join your class using a class code. No need for an email address to create an account. You just need a unique user name and password.
Only 100 assignments allowed in the free version

Tellagami

https://tellagami.com/

Create a custom avatar
Select a background for your story
Record yourself telling your story
Only 30 second recordings allowed in the free version requiring students to focus on main ideas
Gamis are saved to the camera roll
Can be imported into iMovie as introductions to scenes

Check out these examples:

Tellagami Resources:

A Handful of Ideas for Using Tellagami In School by Richard Byrne

From Sandy Kendell at EdTechSandyK

From TwoGeekyTeachers blog

Bring Common Core Alive with Telligami

Remind

Formerly known as Remind101
Parent / Student Communication without the ability to reply (One-way communication)
No more frustration over Newsletter
Parents / Teachers don’t see each others phone numbers
Recently Added Multiple Languages

Remind FAQ

Remind Teacher Resources

Nearpod

What is Nearpod?

http://www.nearpod.com/

Insert PPTs, images, text, & video to create engaging lessons
Insert quizzes, polls, open ended questions, or drawing activities
Deliver the presentation directly to student iPads
Control the pace of the lesson
Keep students on task
View student reports
Download over 2000 ready-made Nearpods

Nearpod Tutorials
5 Reasons to Use Nearpod in the Classroom

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Videolicious

Videolicious
https://videolicious.com/

Features:

No account needed
Select photos or videos from the camera roll in the order you want to use them
Narrate over each shot
Select music to accompany your video
Save your video to the camera roll
Can be uploaded to YouTube or emailed
You can make around 20 videos before you will have to delete some
Fewer choices to make keeps kids focused on the work

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Videolicious Science Lesson

Videolicious Academy

Videolicious Tutorial

Write About This/Tell About This

Write About This (Free)

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/write-about-this-free/id601382666?mt=8

Created by a teacher
All prompts are interesting and appropriate
Can add audio to text
One user can save to Camera Roll at a time

Categories:

20 available categories
Only one prompt from each category in the free version
Each prompt has an audio recording of the prompt
Three levels of difficulty for each prompt
Only one written response can be saved at a time

Random:

Prompts from the Categories section are displayed in random order
Click the camera to add a custom prompt to the Custom category

Profiles

When a student saves a response, they are prompted to create a profile - just select "Skip"
If a profile is created, it can be deleted at any time.

Tell About This (Free)

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tell-about-this-free/id781847911?mt=8

Similar to Write About This
Simpler Interface
Only 13 Prompts
No writing - students listen to prompt and record their thoughts
Can create one custom prompt
Only one Tell About can be saved at a time
Saves to camera roll as a video

http://www.tellaboutapp.com/

Instashare

This very cool app allows you to easily share pictures from your camera roll between 2 devices.

Works similar to AirDrop but you can use it on ANY iPad or even iPhone.

To learn more go here.

How it Works:

Kahoot!

What is Kahoot!?

Stimulates collaboration and social learning.
Zero setup time, no player accounts required and simple one-click gameplay.
Create your own Kahoots in minutes or choose from millions of public ones made by our global community.
Connect and play with others from over 180 countries in realtime.
Works on any device with an Internet connection, in any language, for any subject or age group – from kindergarten to college and beyond.
It’s free to create and play (and always will be!).
To get started, go to: https://create.kahoot.it/#login and click on “GET MY FREE ACCOUNT” at the top.
Once you have an account and are logged in…
Create New Kahoot!
Search over a half million Public Kahoots
Example: Search “subjects and verbs” to see several examples of Kahoots dealing with Parts of Speech etc.

http://mrseteachesmath.blogspot.com/2014/12/how-to-create-kahoot.html

Padlet and TodaysMeet

What is Padlet?

Web based and does not require any software installation
Easily add notes, text, images, videos, and drawings to your wall
Add word documents from computer to your Padlet wall
Works across multiple devices including mobile phones
Can be embedded into your blog or website
Great for collaboration
Multiple people can post to the same wall at the same time
Can be exported in a variety of formats including, PDF, image,CSV, or Excel
Padlet is completely free

To try Padlet, go to https://padlet.com/

How can it be used in the classroom?

Create a digital word wall
Online book reviews
Use in place of a blog
Back channel for student response
Digital Portfolios
Exit slips

How to Use Padlet

I have made my own Padlet page. I would love it if you would leave me a comment about anything you have learned from my blog! (Plus it gives you a chance to try it out!)

http://padlet.com/awcreationstpt/demo

What is TodaysMeet?

TodaysMeet is the premier backchannel chat platform for classroom teachers and learners. Designed for teachers, TodaysMeet takes great care to respect the needs and privacy of students while giving educators the tools for success.
Students join fast, easy to start rooms with no sign up, and can immediately start powerful conversations that augment the traditional classroom.

What is the Backchannel?
The backchannel is the conversation that goes on alongside the primary activity, presentation, or discussion.
TodaysMeet helps harness the backchannel and turn it into a platform that can enable new activities and discussions, extend conversations beyond the classroom, and give all students a voice.
Embracing the backchannel can turn it from distraction to engagement. Participants can learn from each other and share their insights, improving participation and deepening learning. TodaysMeet enables instant formative assessment, feedback, and much more.

For more help with TodaysMeet, go to https://todaysmeet.com/help/faq.

To begin, go to https://todaysmeet.com/.

I have also made my own TodaysMeet page.
https://todaysmeet.com/awcreationstpt

Friday, July 24, 2015

Socrative

What is Socrative?

Socrative turns iPads into a class set of “clicker." Teachers could create short assessments and then get instant feedback

How do you get started?

Teacher downloads “Socrative: TEACHER”

Students download “Socrative: STUDENT”

Create an account/Sign in

Create a Quiz either on the iPad app or by getting on your laptop and going to www.socrative.com

How does it work?

Students get on the “Socrative: STUDENT” app

Have them enter in quiz code

They take the quiz

You get the results!

Additional Resources:

Socrative Garden:

http://www.socrative.com/garden/

Richard Byrne:

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2013/04/three-good-ways-to-use-socrative-in.html#.VBiieGRdVR4

PicCollage

What is it?

A creation app to make Posters, Collages, etc. that could be used in any subject area for projects.

Ideas for using it in your classroom:

Richard Byrne: http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2014/07/how-to-use-piccollage-and-five-ideas.html#.VBiVcmRdVR4

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/cjbuckybeaver/piccollage-in-the-classroom/

This picture was made using PicCollage.

For more information about PicCollage, go here.

Thursday, July 23, 2015

EdCamp Fort Wayne

Today was so awesome! I attended the EdCamp here in Fort Wayne today and I not only learned a bunch, but networked with some other fellow educators! If you have never been to an EdCamp, you don't know what you're missing! You choose what you learn and you can leave any time.

I learned more about Twitter, Google, and then led a session on iPad apps. This was my third EdCamp, but my first one in Fort Wayne (previously attended in Indy). The best part of my day was winning an amazing prize!

I had never heard of a Sphero before, and if you don't know what it is, go here. It's seriously the coolest toy I've ever had! I can't believe how lucky I was! I hardly win anything but I won the jackpot today! My husband and daughter are already playing with it. So much fun!

I also go a book for being a facilitator today!

Of course since I've just started blogging, I had to get this one!

Overall, is was a pretty fabulous day!

Symbaloo

Do you Symbaloo?

I had no idea what Symbaloo was to be honest. I heard about other teachers using it and I was like, "What is it all about?" I have since learned since attending some fabulous professional learning this summer! I have not used it yet but I plan on using it very soon.

To learn a little more about Symbaloo, go here.

"Symbaloo is a personal startpage that allows you to easily navigate the web and compile your favorite site all in to one visual interface. Save your bookmarks in the cloud and access them from anywhere with any device."

Take a look this introduction video:

If you plan on using Symbaloo for education, make sure you go here. For personal use, you can just go here.

For even more ways to use Symbaloo in education, check out http://www.symbalooedu.com/.

Nat Geo Books

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Language Arts and Math Resources

Below are some of the language arts and math resources I've acquired over the years. Enjoy them for FREE! I do ask that you credit this site for anything you use on your blog though. Thanks!

Writing Resources: