I said that I'd just present 5 technology tools for the classroom tomorrow, but it's going to be 6 ideas for technology in the classroom. Let me know your thoughts. Have you used any of these tools?
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Valentines Day Freebie for Breaking Down "10"
My four year old loves numbers and despite the fact that I love reading more than 'rithmetic, I feed her habit. I am going to print these tonight and tomorrow night we are going to try this out. Breaking down 10 for Valentines Day!
Monday, February 11, 2013
Smarter Balance Assessment Consortium and Chromebooks
In South Dakota today, there was a conference call with the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) in regard to the technology standards and recommendations for the future SBAC testing. For our school district, this is particularly important as we are almost finished with our decision on new computers for the next year. We do not know what we are going to do, yet, and are looking at all options. While making this decision, there were a lot of considerations, but testing compatibility is paramount.
They have said that for the 2014- 15 and 2015- 16 school year (the first two years of the SBAC/ CCSS tests) that the Chromebook will be compatible. I'm excited for the implications that this may bring across the country and what Google may do to help with SBAC testing. As the Common Core State Standards Initiative is not going away, I am sure that the Google Chrome browser and, subsequently, the Chromebook will have to follow.
There was also talk of the iPad being used for testing. SBAC said that they did a beta test with 800 students (no word on the age of these students) testing on the iPad and students did not like using the virtual (on-screen) keyboard. These were iPad 2s using iOS 6 and the iTester App. The discussion from SBAC about iPad minis was solidly a "no" for testing purposes as the screen was too small. (On a bit of a tangent, I was unsure how I would like the iPad mini, but once it was in my hand... I am a believer that the iPad mini has a place in our schools.) Our district had 4th graders and 5th graders testing on the iPad 2 during a Benchmark testing pilot and had no troubles with the keyboard. I think that testing on the iPad with a virtual keyboard would only be an issue with students that do not use the iPad on a regular basis.
Also, I think that it also matters what age the students were that were in the pilot. If it was 800 Juniors testing that have only had access to iPads for an hour a week or only one class a day, as opposed to students in a 1:1 iPad environment, it may be a more serious impediment to the validity of the test. I think that we will find this a question of testing validity as other testing goes online in districts that do not currently have a 1:1 environment.
I am glad that the SBAC is looking into all types of operating systems and hardware options. I hope that no matter what, students are able to test on what they currently feel comfortable using regularly.
They have said that for the 2014- 15 and 2015- 16 school year (the first two years of the SBAC/ CCSS tests) that the Chromebook will be compatible. I'm excited for the implications that this may bring across the country and what Google may do to help with SBAC testing. As the Common Core State Standards Initiative is not going away, I am sure that the Google Chrome browser and, subsequently, the Chromebook will have to follow.
There was also talk of the iPad being used for testing. SBAC said that they did a beta test with 800 students (no word on the age of these students) testing on the iPad and students did not like using the virtual (on-screen) keyboard. These were iPad 2s using iOS 6 and the iTester App. The discussion from SBAC about iPad minis was solidly a "no" for testing purposes as the screen was too small. (On a bit of a tangent, I was unsure how I would like the iPad mini, but once it was in my hand... I am a believer that the iPad mini has a place in our schools.) Our district had 4th graders and 5th graders testing on the iPad 2 during a Benchmark testing pilot and had no troubles with the keyboard. I think that testing on the iPad with a virtual keyboard would only be an issue with students that do not use the iPad on a regular basis.
Also, I think that it also matters what age the students were that were in the pilot. If it was 800 Juniors testing that have only had access to iPads for an hour a week or only one class a day, as opposed to students in a 1:1 iPad environment, it may be a more serious impediment to the validity of the test. I think that we will find this a question of testing validity as other testing goes online in districts that do not currently have a 1:1 environment.
I am glad that the SBAC is looking into all types of operating systems and hardware options. I hope that no matter what, students are able to test on what they currently feel comfortable using regularly.
Snow Day Ideas: Google Drive App, Documents by Readdle and Socrative
Here are some snow day ideas:
1) Did you know you can Skype with a Yellowstone Ranger? https://education.skype.com/projects/2237-yellowstone-national-park-rangers-can-skype-with-classrooms I can help you set Skype up on your iPad or your computer if you are interested in having your students chat with a Yellowstone Park Ranger or explore the Skype in Education page to check out the other chatting opportunities that you may want to use.
2) Padlet/ Wallwisher is a blank page for upper elementary, middle school or high school students that allows you to collaborate and compose. Students could create a bulletin board for a presentation, share ideas with other students, project for a presentation or have an online question and answer session during literature circles or a reading activity.
3) Socrative online and the Socrative App for iDevices or Android Devices (Kindles, too) has made me feel incredibly guilty. This has been on my iPad for over a year and until last weekend when I saw the Instructors at STI using them, I always thought it looked not very user-friendly. Was I ever wrong! As a teacher, you sign up and are given a room number.
Step a) You can create short answer or multiple choice quizzes using the online program or Excel/ Sheets templates.
Step b) The students tap the app or go to Socrative.com and type in the teacher's room number.
Step c) Teacher is online with teacher app or Socrative.com teacher login using computer and assigns quiz.
Step d) Students take quiz.
There are so many options with this program! Teachers can let students go at their own pace or only let them go question by question (so you can review as you progress through lesson). Teachers can also combine quizzes as a review and have students separated into teams (as assigned by Socrative) to see which team can get the most questions correct the fastest! Tomorrow morning I'm putting this on the iPads and I'm very excited to use it! I am guilty as charged though, I downloaded it last year and never realized how great this is!
4) If you like Google Drive and you like your iPad, here is the tutorial for you. You can download this to your iPad and save in iBooks or Documents by Readdle App. The new Google Drive App has impressed me. And, for all iPad users, if you haven't downloaded the Documents by Readdle App yet, do it soon! There is no way this one will stay free forever. It is just a great document reading application.
5) TypingWeb is a free place for students to work on their typing abilities. There are games and tutorials for the home row. It reminds me a lot of the typing exercises I did in my typing class once upon a time... and it is free! I don't think it is something you would want to spend a lot of class time on, but maybe something to integrate or show students that want to learn to type quicker.
I hope you have a great day in the snow! Remember, we are so tough in South Dakota we don't name our storms we call them "Winter."
Also, this and all Tech Integration Idea emails are archived at teachertechweekly.blogspot.com
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