Mr. B EdTech Blog

Google has renamed their Apps for Work as "Google G Suite" For more information:  https://gsuite.google.com/ http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/09/google-rebrands-apps-for-work-are-g-suite-enterprise-platform-is-google-cloud/

Inquiry-based learning has been around in education circles for a long time, but many teachers and schools gradually moved away from it during the heyday of No Child Left Behind. The pendulum is beginning to swing back towards an inquiry-based approach to instruction thanks to standards such as Common Core State Standards for math and English Language Arts, the Next Generation Science Standards and the College, Career and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards . Transitioning to this style of teaching requires students to take a more active role and asks teachers to step back into a supportive position. It can be a tough transition for many students and their teachers, but turning to the school librarian for support could make the transition a little easier. See the Full Article here:   https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/01/19/how-can-your-librarian-help-bolster-brain-based-teaching-practices/

From PBS.org ABOUT SCHOOL OF THE FUTURE In a new age of information, rapid innovation, and globalization, how can we prepare our children to compete? Once the envy of the world, American schools are now facing more challenges than ever. Test scores show that our kids lag far behind their peers from other industrialized countries. As the divide between rich and poor grows wider, the goal of getting all students ready for college and the workforce gets harder by the day. How can the latest research help fix education in America? Can the science of learning—including new insights from neuroscientists, psychologists, and educators—reveal how kids’ brains work and show which techniques are most likely to engage and inspire growing minds? What role should technology play in the classroom? Teachers, students, parents, and scientists take center stage as NOVA explores a new vision for the school of the future. Video Home Page:  http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/education/school-future/hom...

This article shows some very interesting ways that Twitter can be used in the classroom. http://www.techlearning.com/blogentry/11205

I came across this article today that has a great list of resources for those using Google Classroom. See the List Here:   http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2016/09/11/a-beginning-list-of-the-best-resources-for-learning-about-google-classroom/

Check out this interactive web app that teaches principles of Wind Energy (requires flash). http://scienceofeverydaylife.com/innovation/labs/wind-energy/wind.swf

See the full article here: http://www.techlearning.com/blogentry/11103

Thank you for your continued support of Mr. B Ed Tech Blog. Today, the blog hit over 8,000 views from all over the world. I never thought that this blog would take off like it has considering that I have not devoted any resources into advertising for this blog. That fact that so many of you have found this blog is astounding.  Please remember to "like", "share", and "subscribe". And now for some useless information on the number, 8,000. From Wikipedia 8000  ( eight thousand ) is the  natural number  following 7999 and preceding 8001. 8000 is the  cube  of  20 , as well as the sum of four consecutive integers cubed, 11 3  + 12 3  + 13 3  + 14 3 . The fourteen tallest mountains on Earth, which exceed 8000 meters in height, are sometimes referred to as  eight-thousanders . [1] For More Information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8000_(number) And a somewhat humerous trailer for... If the Oregon Trail Game was Made int...

There may be couple of situations where you would like to use Google docs as a blog editor and post blog entries directly without intervening the blog’s dashboard or any desktop software. See the Full Article Here: http://www.ampercent.com/post-blog-entries-google-docs/3446/

Awesome Stories bridges stories to learning, as a gathering place of primary-source information. Its purpose since the site was first launched in 1999 is to give context to stories, increasing their power and usefulness in learning. Awesome Stories turns powerful stories into effective 21st century learning, bridges highly produced and high-interest films to learning, provides meticulously researched primary sourcesand builds critical thinking and collaboration skills. Stories are projected onto whiteboards for whole class use, used in collaborative groups, and by individual students at school and at home. Teachers make lessons come alive and rely on the primary sources to support teaching and students’ independent research with confidence in accuracy and relevance. Quote from: http://www.sps186.org/schools/techservices/digital_resources/?p=91990 See full article here: http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2016/08/14/create-virtual-classrooms-with-awesome-stories-plus-students-can...

One of the teaching tools I find very interesting is the introduction of Vine videos in the classroom. I have seen some very creative and impressive ways of using Vine in the classroom that I would not have otherwise thought possible. The article (linked below) shows some tips for teachers that use, or want to use, Vine the in the classroom. See the Full Article Here: http://www.teachertoolkit.me/2016/05/30/vine/?utm_content=buffer181de&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

See the full article here: http://alicekeeler.com/2016/08/12/transition_to_digital/?utm_content=bufferfe5fb&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Digital Citizenship has become a part of the learning curriculum across many content areas. Below you will find a full K-12 curriculum for good digital citizenship. ISTE standards note that it is the responsibility for all teachers to promote digital citizenship however it is also a good idea to teach good digital citizenship as part of your lessons when appropriate. Access the Curriculum:   https://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/digital-citizenship From Tech & Leanring Common Sense Education has completed a major update to both its Student Workbook and Teacher Edition of the Digital Citizenship Curriculum iBooks Textbooks. For More information:  http://www.techlearning.com/blogentry/11186

PROS - Compelling visual metaphors encourage and monitor progress toward content mastery. CONS - Too-frequent prompts to upgrade the built-in flash card decks and too-casual email text are a little off-putting. BOTTOM LINE - An exceptionally flexible tool with great potential for creating and sharing custom flash cards, but many of the features that make it unique will cost you. For More Information:  https://www.commonsense.org/education/app/brainscape

More Information: http://www.techlearning.com/blogentry/11188

New Watch, New iPhone, but what is new for education? Apple's CEO Tim Cook was very brief on the subject during the special event conference. Oddly missing from the conference was any mention of the new Apple TV or Macbook line. Tim Cook did briefly mention about Apple's commitment to ConnectED, but what I am most looking forward to is the learning apps for coding. Swift Playgrounds (Everyone Can Code) looks very promising for those interested in introducing coding to their classrooms. Everyone Can Code - Swift Playgrounds Learn more about Everyone Can Code http://www.apple.com/education/everyone-can-code/ http://www.macworld.com/article/3105860/ios/swift-playgrounds-guided-tour-learn-to-code-on-your-ipad-with-ios-10.html

Pokemon Go was released this summer (2016) and the app has captivated the world. I have often heard from family, friends, and work colleagues how they have not seen anything quite like it before. However, having my educational technology background, this was nothing new to me. Pokemon Go uses Augmented Reality to create an interactive experience in the real world. Using a mobile device's camera and GPS services, the device can show Pokemon and the user can interact with them (and other users). What is Augmented Reality? According to Wikipedia.org, Augmented Reality is "a technology that superimposes a computer-generated image on a user's view of the real world, thus providing a composite view." Augmented reality apps have been prominent in education since the rise of popularity with mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Educators use augmented reality apps to turn otherwise static learning experiences into interactive learning experiences. See th...

For more information:  https://www.commonsense.org/education/app/teach

Here is a good article outlining some major take-away points from the ISTE conference this summer. http://www.techlearning.com/resources/0003/the-iste-issue/70153 In this article I learned about Amazon's Education programs. Amazon Education -  Information about Amazon Education https://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?docId=1000412651 Sign up for the Amazon Inspire Beta Here - https://www.amazoninspire.com/access Amazon Inspire is a free service for the search, discovery and distribution of digital educational resources. Supporting the company’s commitment to making the connected classroom a reality, Amazon Inspire provides educators—regardless of funding or location—access to free digital teaching resources with rich features such as search, discovery and peer reviews.

Google Hangouts has long since offered the ability to share a screen through a video chat. However, this new feature allows you to select what you want to share over your video Hangout. Google cast does not need to be installed to use this feature. This is a great tool for presenting information via video conferencing. For More Information:  http://googleappsupdates.blogspot.com/2016/08/introducing-casting-into-hangouts.html

The team working on Google Classroom has added some great features recently. Email summaries to parents from Classroom Directly annotate documents by hand! Preview assignments within Classroom. For More information on Google Classroom updates: https://support.google.com/edu/classroom/answer/6149237

Its hard to believe that it was 4 years ago this fall that I first found out what a Chromebook was. I was currently piloting a classroom set of iPads. My initial impression of Chromebooks was not good. There was very little you could do with a Chromebook. They were essentially an under-powered web browser and that was it. Now I have completely converted from iPads to Chromebooks and I have never really regretted it. Google's Apps for education has made the Chromebook an invaluable tool for the classroom. See the Article Here http://chromeunboxed.com/why-googles-end-of-life-policy-for-chromebooks-isnt-a-big-deal/ However, we will soon be facing the end of life on our initially purchased Chromebooks and we will have to start replacing some of these devices as they start to fail (having lived a full 5 years). This will start in late 2017 /early 2018. Google officially supports the OS (operating system) on a Chromebook for 5 years. After that point, the device will no longe...

See the Article http://nypost.com/2016/08/27/its-digital-heroin-how-screens-turn-kids-into-psychotic-junkies/ There has been a long established link to digital gaming having similar effects on the pleasure centers of the brain as other forms of addiction. This article shows an interesting case where a child's use of a digital device can lead to "screen addiction." As an Education Technology enthusiast, I do recommend monitoring personal screen time to a reasonable amount. That amount will vary by age and by individual situation.