Interesting Technology Resources to Explore

It is important to explore new tools that can be integrated into the curriculum to enhance instruction and enrich learning for students.  The goal is always the purposeful use of technology!  At a recent tech committee meeting, members explored the following innovative tools/technology practices. We tried many of the tools and considered which might be appropriate for instruction in our content areas/subject matter.  As a bonus, members were awarded badges for all resources they explored!  Check out these great tools and determine which might work best in your classroom.

IGNITE – Present with Pizzazz!

IGNITE presentations provide an alternative to traditional presentations and really encourage students to become facile with their content rather than reading from a slide.  They are great for ANY content area.  Watch these videos and learn how IGNITE presentations can be used to share your stories and learning.

What is an IGNITE?
Edutopia IGNITE Article  

Watch this video about Ignite: What is an Ignite?

Bringing Content to Life with Multi-Media Presentations

Using Video in the Classroom

Digital Story-Telling 

Screencastomatic

Consider – How would you leverage multi-media tools to improve teaching and learning?

Skype in the Classroom – Exciting new ways to connect globally!

Explore the Skype Tools to learn how Skype can be used to enrich instruction.

Visit the Skype Home Page: Consider 3 literacy activities that are available at Education Skype

Visit Skype lessons

Read the introduction to Big Question Challenge

Visit Mystery Skype- How It Works

Click to on “See Mystery Skype in Action” to watch a brief video.  Scroll down and read about Mystery Skype.

Augmented Reality –  Learning with Virtual Environments

Augmented Reality is an exciting technology that allows kids to learn through exploration of virtual worlds.  Check out the resources below and consider how Augmented Reality might fit in your classroom!

Visit:  DAQRI

Teaching with Aurasma

Two Guys and an iPad

Worksheets for the Digital Age

Using Videos in Science

How could Augmented Reality be used to enrich content and engage students in learning?

APPetizers

Selecting appropriate Apps poses a significant challenge for educators.  Check out the resources below to learn more about App evaluation.

Content App Evaluation Form (Kathy Schrock)

Creation App Evaluation Form (Kathy Schrock)

Student APP Review Rubric (Kathy Schrock)

Still not satisfied?  Check out other IPad APP Evaluation Rubrics recommended by Kathy Schrock:

HAPPY LEARNING!!!

Productive Struggle – Embracing the Messiness of Learning!

I strongly believe in the notion of Productive Struggle as a catalyst for attaining higher levels of learning. This ideal challenges me to be brave in my lesson planning and steadfast in my belief that it is okay if projects are challenging and the work is messy. I have to be comfortable not knowing all the answers and accept that I may meet resistance when the work is particularly difficult. Sometimes it can be easier (and less intimidating) to work towards one ‘right answer’ than to explore the potential of many possible answers. However, that open-ended exploration is where each learner can bring his/her own strengths and talents to bear and apply creativity to develop unique answers and solutions; it is at the heart of innovation.

If my students and I are to benefit from having opportunities for productive struggle, then I must be relentless in my pursuit to create meaningful learning experiences that reach higher levels of SAMR. I must work to create an environment that nurtures creativity, perseverance, and opportunities for problem solving; a climate supportive of risk-taking, individual expression, and failure.

Productive struggle results when learning is messy, when there is more than one answer, and when students must solve challenging problems; it is the acceptance that failure is integral to learning. Lastly, it is a belief that challenge engages us in the learning process and can lead us to higher levels of thinking.

I continue to work towards my goal of building meaningful challenge into our activities. It is a work in progress, but I believe that opportunities for productive struggle will ultimately build grit and perseverance in myself and my students.

Digital Story-Telling

Recently I have been thinking a lot about Digital Story-telling.  The use of digital tools and multi-media to tell students’ stories offers many opportunities to extend learning and allow students to take ownership for their learning.  From the use of free tools such as movie-maker and audacity to using LittleStoryBird, iMovie, or iPads, this type of learning can be accessible to even very young children.

Consider the question: How can digital storytelling be a catalyst for the attainment of higher levels of knowledge/learning?

Here are some resources for Digital Story-Telling!

EdTech Teacher: http://edtechteacher.org/tools/multimedia/digital-storytelling/

Telling Stories Digitally: http://creativeeducator.tech4learning.com/v05/ articles/Digital_Storytelling_Across_the_Curriculum

Digital Storytelling: http://creativeeducator.tech4learning.com/v04/articles/The_Art_of_Digital_Storytelling

Kathy Schrock: http://blog.discoveryeducation.com/blog/2013/01/01/digitalstorytelling/

StoryBird: https://storybird.com/

Little Bird Tales: https://littlebirdtales.com/

Digital Citizenship Week

Last week was Digital Citizenship week.  In an age where children have nearly ubiquitous access to technology, understanding and practicing good digital citizenship is more important than ever!  Here are some resources that were posted last week.

Three Ways to Weave Digital Citizenship Into Your Curriculum
http://www.iste.org/explore/ArticleDetail?articleid=50

A New Twist on Cyberbullying- Digital Citizenship
http://www.iste.org/explore/articleDetail?articleid=193

Digital Citizenship Survival Kit
http://comfortably20.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-digital-citizenship-survival-kit.html?m=1

Edutopia – Six resources for Digital Citizenship
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/digital-citizenship-resources-matt-davis

Inforgraphic – Citizenship in the Digital Age
http://www.iste.org/explore/articleDetail?articleid=192

BYOD – What are the implications for learning?

The idea of students bringing their own devices to class is enticing…students are comfortable and competent with the equipment so they may be more confident and would not face a learning curve. In some cases, their equipment may be superior to that available in school. In a classroom in which a student is allowed to access his/ her smart phone to gain quick access to information, it may be possible to get to deeper levels of learning. Also, back channel conversations in forums such as todaysmeet or twitter may raise the level of discourse overall.

But what are the the challenges and potential pitfalls? How does this impact policy? If students ARE allowed to bring devices, does that mean schools are no longer expected to provide access to technology? What about students who do not have their own device to bring to school – are they now at a serious disadvantage? How do we ensure that all students have access to the software or applications needed for class and who is responsible for technical support?

How do we find a balance that ensures equitable access for all and empowers students to be independent learners?

What do you feel are the most significant issues surrounding BYOD and how do you see this evolving in the future?