Mr. B EdTech Blog

http://ti.apps.sparcc.org/videopd/20150205-interactive-slides This is a great webinar to learn some of the creative ways to use Google Slides.

http://www.mylearning.org/interactive.asp?journeyid=238&resourceid=587 You have 12 days to stop at each point on the map and learn about a cultural artifact from that country including paintings, sculptures, functional objects, and more. Answer one question about the artifact, and you get to take it with you to add to the exhibition hall at the museum. Wrong answers will deduct days from your quest.  This interactive Culture Quest is a fun and interesting way to learn more about the art, history, and culture of countries all over the world.

https://www.channelone.com/blog_post/edtech-trends-meme-lesson-ideas/ When should I ask students to create memes? Memes are a fun option for students to demonstrate their understanding of a topic. Students can create memes that connect to a story in the news or a period of history. Teens can collect primary source documents, famous paintings or current photographs as part of the project. Support them by showing examples, choosing one picture for the whole class to use or more specific focus on one subject area. To help students demonstrate their thought process when creating a meme ask each one to include a piece of writing that explains the meaning behind the words and image that they chose to use. Have you used memes in your social studies classroom?

20 Google Apps activities for classroom innovation http://ditchthattextbook.com/2015/08/31/20-google-apps-activities-for-classroom-innovation/ From the author of "Ditch That Textbook," Matt Miller. Definitely some good resources in this list. Some of the interesting topics in this list include: Choose Your Own Adventure with Google Slides Blogging with Google Slides Google Classroom in Kindergarten Current Event Memes with Google Drawings Interactive Posters with Google Drawing ...and more.

This article was shared with me today and I thought it was worth passing along. http://www.edutopia.org/blog/debunking-homework-myths-ben-johnson I especially liked the questions this author asked himself about the homework he gave out... Why was I assigning homework? Was I doing it to increase learning or to absolve myself of the responsibility for student learning deficits (the I-taught-them-so-they-should know-it syndrome)? Was assigning all that homework helping the students learn more? What about the students that struggled doing the homework, or the students that simply copied the work from another student, or what about the students that never did the homework? What benefit were they getting from homework? There are also references to blended learning.

6 Storytelling Apps That Get English Language Learners Talking For Full List:  http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/08/31/6-storytelling-apps-that-get-english-language-learners-talking/ ShadowPuppet Edu (Elementary/Middle) Students can create impressive video slideshows using research resources built right into the app. They can capture screengrabs from an interactive map, safely search for images from the Web and access image archives from trusted sources like the Library of Congress. Kids put the slides in order, add text, music and narration, and then export the final project as a video file. Shadow Puppet Edu supports ELLs in developing academic vocabulary in both collaborative groups and independently. Students can use it to review new concepts, present research, track progress, explain their thinking and more.

Here is a short tutorial video showing you how to convert an old PC/Laptop into a Chromebook like device. You can even put chrome management on it for a fee. This has worked great in my district so far! How to Download Chrome Recovery Tool :  https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/chromebook-recovery-utili/jndclpdbaamdhonoechobihbbiimdgai?hl=en Chrome OS:   http://www.neverware.com/free/#freedetails

8 Useful Apps for Visually Impaired Students http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2015/08/8-useful-apps-for-blind-and-visually-impaired-students.html TapTapSee - Blind & Visually Impaired Camera ‘TapTapSee is designed to help the blind and visually impaired identify objects they encounter in their daily lives.Simply double tap the screen to take a photo of anything, at any angle, and hear the app speak the identification back to you (Note: Spoken identification requires VoiceOver to be turned on).’

6 Great Tools for Blended Learning http://edtechreview.in/news/1624-6-great-tools-for-blended-learning See article linked above Edmodo is a great tool for creating blended learning experiences. I also would throw a hat in the ring for Schoology or Moodle. I have used both in the past for student and teacher learning. Until this article, I had never heard of Been for Education . Shared browsing looks intriguing. One tool I would add to this list is NearPod . This is great for teacher-led or student-led lessons, using a blended course model.

5 Ways to add Movement to your Class http://www.fractuslearning.com/2015/08/18/5-simple-ways-add-movement-classroom/ GoNoodle Some of these tips are more low-tech than others. I know of a Kindergarten teacher who swears by GoNoodle . I first saw GoNoodle presented in an Ed Tech Master's class. If it is used well, its hard for any age group not to move. The final tip on the list, "Go Outside", may not be an option throughout the entire school year. However, with the increase in mobile technology, it is never been easier to use edtech outside. GeoCaching Here is an example that I have seen used before, GeoCaching .

10 Tips for Smarter iPad Usage in the Classroom http://www.teachthought.com/pedagogy/10-secrets-to-unlocking-the-learning-potential-of-the-ipad/ The iPad has had a strong impact on education, but how is it being used to improve learning in education? This article offers some great tips. One of my favorite is publishing student work.

http://www.teachthought.com/pedagogy/10-back-to-school-tips-for-teachers-using-google-docs/?utm_content=19144623 Collaborate with colleagues Keep a running record of staff meeting notes Improve your students’ writing skills Set up a peer review system Share or publish student work Multiple sharing settings allow you to publish student work by sharing it within your class, within your school or district, or by making it public on the web. You can even share a student’s work with their parents to showcase their accomplishments. Translate letters home to parents I have heard that it may be best to have a proof-reader before sending. I would include a message saying this document was auto-translated with Google Translate. Gift your students easy reference tools Teach your students how to easily utilize reference tools with Google Docs’ built-in access to a dictionary, thesaurus and encyclopedia. Liven up your assignments with visuals and graphic...

Great article with excellent tips for students. http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2015/08/essential-google-search-tips-for-students.html How to Google Like a Pro  (Not included in the article) Search By File Type

Last year, I started a blog called "Wall of Peace". The purpose of this blog was to publish work completed by students K-12 from a district-wide Veteran's Day lesson. Wall of Peace Blog http://d140wallofpeace.blogspot.com/ Student Assignment Page http://www.mrbwebsite.com/wall-of-peace-assignment This lesson is a great way to get multiple grade levels and subjects to collaborate on a community project. I shared the original lesson plan with all of the teachers in my district as well as how I modified it for technology use. This has sparked a few conversations between teachers and myself, on how to integrate technology into their lessons. Thanks for looking. Thank you to those of you who have served our country, past and present.

http://blogs.adobe.com/captivate/2015/08/introducing-a-brand-new-lms-from-adobe-adobe-captivate-prime.html Adobe gets into the LMS (learning management system) market. Geared for business or schools. There are many other options out there. Some of them are: Google Classroom, Edmodo, Schoology, or even Moodle. Each varying in abilities, features, and price.

What did we do before Photoshop? Altering pre-digital images https://www.graphite.org/app/faking-it App Link:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/faking-it/id565847896?mt=8 Grades: 6-12 Price: Free (Can't beat free) PROS - - Quizzes focus on how and why photographs are manipulated; explanations are both detailed and surprising. CONS - - Just 16 images are included, limiting the ways to explore and extend the material. BOTTOM LINE - - Faking It is a fascinating glimpse into how people altered photographs before the digital age, but it's likely to leave users wanting more.