Tech Integration at the next level

At Bowling Green State University you will receive a hands on mastery of current digital tools and the best practices of integrating technology. You can create a good meaningful learning environment, have an effect on your fellow colleagues, and become a leader at the local and national level. You will be taught by an expert faculty, with an accreditation in the International Society for Technology in Education Standards for Teacher Coaches (NETS-C).     

Chromebooks in The Classroom

Google Chromebooks range from around $149 - $429, if a school district is on a tighter budget they could go with the lower priced ones and have one class set. The class set could have a home in the library and teachers can check them out different days of the week. Laptops in the classroom are important to have because they:
1. Are easily transportable
2. Allow students to collaborate on documents
3. Reduce the use of textbooks
4. Allow information to be at the students fingertips

Negatives to laptops in the classroom could be:
1. Students getting easily distracted
2. The cost might be an issue for some schools
3. Students could easily break them and they would need to be replaced
4. Students are so used to text lingo that they may use it in the classroom

The Chromebook above is around $300

Remind - The FREE School Communication Resource

Remind is a FREE communication tool for schools.  Instructors can use this service to connect parents, students, volunteers, and peers to important information.  Anyone can create a thread and invite participants to join.  It allows the educator to send information to an entire class via text message, without sending a physical text.  I think this would be valuable tool for coaches and room moms, as well.

Throughout this semester, Jeff has used Remind to send us important reminders about EDT-211.  I've found it to be a valuable tool, as I check my texts far more often that I do my emails.  I definitely think this is a far more effective way of communicating, especially with parents, opposed to paper notes home.

Beck and Bo App

As both a parent of a toddler, and an early childhood educator, I've found that it's difficult to find truly education apps for 2-3 year olds.  In my experience, most apps are geared more towards children ages 5 and older.

Beck and Bo is an interesting iPad app that appears to be both educational and fun for toddlers.  It's $2.99, but after watching the demo video, I'm sold.  I'll probably go home tonight and purchase it for my son's iPad.  It takes children on a colorful adventure, full of beautiful animations and interesting story-lines.  It claims to aid in building children's logic and vocabulary with interactive games and puzzles.

I plan to buy Beck and Bo and use my son as the guinea pig to test its effectiveness.  If it truly is as beneficial as it claims to be, I'll recommend it to parents of the preschoolers that I teach.  Parents are always looking for supplemental resources to use at home, in addition to the classroom curriculum.  The more resource we're familiar with, the better equipped we are for teaching!

3d Printers in the Classroom

3D Printers

What is the cutting edge in education? Grey's Anatomy first brought the idea of a 3d printer to my attention when it created a valve for a heart. Now I know that it is a fictional TV drama, but nonetheless, Grey Sloane Memorial is a teaching hospital! What better for the kiddies in our classrooms but to have first hand experience with designing and printing objects that could help steer their drive and passion towards the emerging horizon of this tech. The limits are only the barriers that our students face when confronted with the dilemma of thinking outside the (3d) box (they could design and create). The article that I found on the subject, was full of interesting aspects to the learning environment, resources to incorporate this tech into the classroom, and the ever important topic - student engagement. How would you incorporate the 3D printer into your class? What if I teach ELA? Math? I know what I would be doing for each discipline and more - do you?

iPad Art Room

Throughout this semester, I've been researching ways to incorporate technology into art education for my Google 20% project.  While searching for different resources, I came upon iPad Art Room.  iPad Art Room is an online resource for educator that combines "pixels and paint" that has ideas for teaching art in the modern-day classroom.  The site offers activities, articles, and even iPad app suggestions for educators to use, free of charge.  The great thing about this site is that it's not just for art teachers, any teacher who is looking to add some creativity to their lessons could benefit from the iPad Art Room's content.

An example of one of the suggested art apps, Terrific Tracing

Joe Schwartz
EDT - 211



MangoLanguages

I had the pleasure of graduating with my associate degree from WCCCD. One of the most amazing connections that I made was with the language department and access to Mango Languages. There are many language acquisition software and programs, to a myriad of YouTube videos to teach foreign languages, but this program has by far been very accessible. The lessons are easy to understand and follow along, the pronunciation guide is accessible, and the only thing that would be better is a connection to another speaker to video conference for an additional layer to support comprehension. I have my children practicing the languages of Spanish and German, but those are just the tip of the iceberg as there are 72 languages that you can choose from (even Pirate!). The program can be pricey ($20 a month/ $175 per year); however, one could access the site for free through participating public libraries in the US or Canada. I hope that you would try to experience this site and expand your cultural horizons travelling after you hit the lottery!!!!

Enhancing Story Time with BookTrack

    Remember the days, back in preschool or kindergarten, where the teacher would make us sit in on that infamous rug, forming a small circle around her? No talking was allowed as she pulled out a book and read to us, creating characters and animations with her voice. I remember, for me anyway, it was hard to concentrate or stay focused on the story being told. I'd get distracted by various things in the room and by the time I finally focused back on the story, it was over.

   But, those days are long gone. Now, with this awesome website titled "BookTrack," story time can be something to look forward to! BookTrack is the creator of the e-reader technology that incorporates multimedia such as music, sound effects, and ambient sound. Now how cool is that!? No longer do students have to dread story time! Now they can get engaged in the story and essentially become apart of it too! Not only is this book available for schools but an avid reader can experience this too! Plug those headphones in and become a part of story as if you were actually there! Reading has never been cooler!

To learn more, click the link here: BookTrack

On This Day In History

The app, On This Day In History, is an app that lists important historical events that happened on today's date. It a calendar that you can use to pick what day it is, and from there it lists things that happened on that day. It lists events from most recent to oldest, and even includes birthdays for famous people, as well as when famous people died. Today in history, 12/5, includes the formation of the AFL-CIO labor union in 1955, the ratification of the 21st amendment in 1933, and the day Charles IX became king of France in 1560, among others. Famous birthdays include Morgan Freeman, Margaret Cho, and JJ Cale. Famous deaths include Nelson Mandela, Shoeless Joe Jackson, and Claude Monet. Each event or figure can be clicked, which brings you to its or their Wikipedia page. I check this app everyday to find something interesting to read about. I really enjoy this app and think you will too!

Plickers - easy way to assess.

Plickers (found here) is an app that is used to help keep track of student responses. With Plicker each student in a class is assigned cards that they use to answer questions that are projected in the class. When the students are ready to answer the multiple choice question they raise the corresponding card and the teacher simply scans their phone across the classroom to find out student responses. The responses are automatically recorded, which allows the teacher to keep track of data easily. Having this app makes it much easier to keep track of each student to see if they are making progress. This app also would make it easier to conduct in class surveys.

A quick video can be found on youtube by clicking here

Kidspiration

Kidspiration is the visual way to explore and understand words, numbers, and concepts.  It provides a cross curricular visual workshop for grades K-5.  With this software students can combine pictures, text, numbers, and spoken words to develop vocabulary, word recognition, reading for comprehension, writing and critical thinking skills.  

This will help your students;

-Develop strong thinking skills.

-Strengthens reading and writing skills.

-Build a conceptual understanding in math.  

You can try it free for thirty days, then become a member. It's so easy and convenient to use you just download it from the website.   I highly recommend that you check out the website to learn more about Kidspiration.  I found out about this site from when I was doing a lesson review and critique.  

Check out Kidspiration <--- Click here. 

Babbel

Babbel is an online learning tool that can be used to learn a different language and can also be used for English language learners. There are a variety of languages available to learn such as German, English, French, Spanish, Turkish, Italian, Portuguese, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Indonesian, Dutch, Polish, and Russian. Once you choose the language, you have the option to pick either beginner or advanced. This website is free to use for the beginner's account and after registering you can begin your lessons. For full access the all of the courses you can choose from 1 month for $12.95, 3 months for $.8.95 per month, 6 months for $7.45 per month, or a year subscription for $.6.95 per month. This is a great website to use in schools for English language learners that struggle with keeping up because they cannot understand the directions for their homework. This interactive website also allows users to add and invite friends to share their learning experience together! I think this website is a good way to learn different languages and it is cheaper than its rivals such as Rosetta Stone, however it may just be better to stick with the free trial if the paid does not offer as much as its competition does.

Draw and Tell

Draw and Tell is a free app available through apple. With Draw and Tell students can easily create an animated screencast complete with voice, drawings, images, and objects. Students can draw, color, and insert stickers or stencils onto a scene. They can create on a blank scene or a formatted coloring scene. Students can even record themselves while they move objects on the screen which results in an animated screencast. Once done, they can save their screencast as a video file to I-pads. Using the app their is a variety of sticker options to choose from such a cartoon animals, vehicles, clothing, foods, household items, and cutouts, as well as numbers and letters. At the top of the scene is a microphone that allows students to record themselves. They can record their voice as they move an object on the scene and describe what is going on.  For example, students might draw their favorite animal and then record their explanation of what they are and why they drew it. They might describe a pattern they see or color patterns they create.  Each of these activities can help teachers better understand what students know, think, feel, and understand about a particular topic.

 TECH TOOLS FOR EARLY LEARNERS: CALIFONE 2800-BL HEADPHONE

Califone Listening First Stereo Headphones are perfect for use by young students for story-time, library or any other computer use. Sized to fit younger students and loaded with extra safety features, they're ideal for individual or small group activities. Designed with durable ABS plastic ear-cups that withstand daily use and slotted ear-cup baffles prevent accidental damage. Headphones are Mac and Windows compatible and include a 6 ft straight cord with a 3.5 mm plug. The plug's reinforced strain connection reduces accidental pull out. Headphones feature an adjustable headband that is ideal for extended wear, and ambient noise-reducing ear-cups.

The headset features an attached noise-reducing microphone to engage students in active speaking and listening, and includes two of the most popular audio plugs, the 3.5 mm To Go and USB, for versatile use with mobile, computer, or gaming devices.

FEATURES

• Specifically sized for young children
• Adjustable headband comfortable for extended wear
• Ideal for beginning computer classes and story time uses
• 25 ohms each side+/-15% impedance
• Distortion 5%
• Noise reducing, ABS plastic for durability ear cups
• 
  

Web Price

$10.12

Califone Offers Three Year Headphone Warranty

Warranty provides schools with added reliability for key equipment used with a growing number of assessments, digital & language learning The three-year warranty is now standard for the following headphones and headsets purchased beginning March 7, 2016. It applies to its child-sized headphones and headsets (including the just-launched, award-winning Listening First line).

WHAT ARE TEACHERS SAYING ABOUT THIS PRODUCT?

THE GOOD

These headphones are good, especially considering the price. For it's budget and price, I was very impressed with them.  I have to say that these headphones are highly worth purchasing for the very low price.  I think these headphones are designed extremely well for this purpose, meaning their durability is rather excellent. The cord is thick and coiling (which makes it less intrusive but still has length). The headphones are made with extremely durable but quite comfortable ear pads, and the earpieces themselves are made with heavy, extremely durable plastic. The headband is also thick enough that it would take quite a bit of strength and a lot of effort to break.

THE BAD

In the past two years, I have bought at least 95 of these headphones for school computer labs. Slowly but surely, every one has failed with the most common failure being the small guage and low quality wiring that takes the sound from the input contained within the left headphone case over to the right headphone. The wire is very thin and fails internally after a short time. I have talked with the quality control manager at Califone and even sent him several failed units; they claim there is nothing wrong with the design, yet we all experience the same failure in wiring that renders the right channel inoperable. STAY AWAY FROM THIS Caifone model until they redesign it. All it would take is high guage, heavier wrapped wiring between headphones.

MY OPINION

To each is own!  It is very important to choose age, class, and content appropriate technology devices.  Overall use, care, and storage significantly contributes to wear and tear of any electronic device.  The Califone headphone line is perfectly convenient for young beginners but can be used by K-5.  

BrainPOP Jr.

Brian Pop Jr.
Supports educators and meets students different learning styles and ability

What does it provide?

Curriculum based content focusing on grades (K-3)

What does it have to offer?

Growing library of movies and interactive features.

What subjects does it focus on?
-Science
-Health
-Writing
-Reading
-Social studies
-Math

What content does it include?

-Short animated movies
-Leveled quizzes
-Activities
-Grade appropriate
-Writing and discussion prompts
-And Much more!

This looks like a fun way to get your students involved with learning, me as a teacher can incorporate this into my lessons for a different way of learning rather than the same old thing everyday! I found this website on an article that I did for my reading reflection some time back.

Check out BrainPOP Jr! <~~~ Click here.

Kideos is a cool website for children. It is a website where children can go to watch various youtube videos without having to worry about what the child is actually watching. It has various kid friendly shows like sesame street and Sophia the first. Kideos aggregates only YouTube videos that are appropriate for kids. These videos are meant to help kids learn through multimedia clips. Sometimes links are provided to other websites you need to make sure those links are safe in case your kid or student clicks on them.

Kideos

Kideo

Kideos is a cool website for children. It is a website where children can go to watch various youtube videos without having to worry about what the child is actually watching. It has various kid friendly shows like sesame street and Sophia the first. Kideos aggregates only YouTube videos that are appropriate for kids. These videos are meant to help kids learn through multimedia clips. Sometimes links are provided to other websites you need to make sure those links are safe in case your kid or student clicks on them.

Kideos

Top 10 Ed Tech's that will hopefully die in the next 10 years

A recent article found here explains that a nationwide survey was sent to educators on their opinions about technology that will be gone in 10 years, would hopefully be gone in 10 years, as well as top 10 technologies that those hope will become more common in 10 years. Some of the responses I found to be very surprising.


Source: campustechnology.com








Source: campustechnology.com







Source: campustechnology.com

The future list looks good with one exception; due to the size of a smartwatch I cannot see any educational benefit that can come from them.

There are issues with the list of technologies that the teachers want gone.

Microsoft office - while it may be costly, allows for a unified and easy to use premium software that allows students to type papers, and will be a product that students will need to use after they leave school.

Presentation software - This allows students a simple means to teach other students what they have learned, and once again another program that is widely used outside of school

Desktop computers - While they may seem outdated, there are uses for desktops that laptops and tablets cannot replace such as design software (webpage design, photo editing software, etc.), coding, games that require movement (such as a mouse). As well as the uses outside the classroom such as workstations, and POS devices.

Mobile phones and apps - This one I find to be confusing especially since on this list of hopefuls is "Touch anything" and "Mobile devices for learning". Even if the reason for choosing this to be gone was because of distractions, they add to the safety of students when coming and going to school.

Much like the shrinking shop, auto tech, and other real world hands on classes in schools; I feel that the answers for some of the tech that should be gone came from not outside of the classroom. Failing to think outside the classroom is a very dangerous mindset, especially in a time where there will soon be a deficit of skilled trades workers due to the retirement of baby boomers (Monster Jobs article found here) meanwhile high schools concerned merely with college preparation and giving almost no attention toward trades education.

7 Fun Ways To Use Technology In The Classroom

To Enrich Learning

This web-site shows 7 way on how educators can use technology in the classroom. Technology has shown that more students are learning with technology than the traditional way of learning. Technology can get more students involved and focus on their learning, while having fun using technology. There are so many ways to use technology from playing games, video, using social media, blogging, podcast, video conferencing, collaborative exercise are the top 7 reasons. Each one of these main concepts has their own purpose for using them. An educator can implement any of these resources into the classroom and lesson as an addition form of teaching and learning.

http://www.securedgenetworks.com/blog/7-Fun-Ways-to-Use-Technology-in-the-classroom-to-enrich-learning

ixl.com

At the website ixl, students, parents, and educators are brought to an educational gaming website that gives children a chance to learn through online gaming! As a generation who grew up as digital natives, this gives students as opportunity to really be engaged and interest in what they are learning. There are a variety of categories to choose from including math, language arts, science social studies, analytics, and common core. Students can also select their own grade level which begins at Pre-K and goes all the way up to twelfth grade. All of the skills that are learned through these online games meet the common core standards and help students reach their educational goals. To motivate students even further this gaming site has added awards that make learning fun and encouraging. The only downfall to this website is that they do not include and option that is free, but parents can sign up for $9.95 per month. Teachers may be able to benefit from this site more than parents because not only does this site offer teachers a free classroom trial, but they can also ask the principal to pay for this. Overall, I think this is a great site for students to make learning fun, but I think it would be more beneficial for teachers to look into than parents.

Curious World

A great learning resource program for children ages 3 to 7. This program has been around for years and it is a good resource for teachers to use with their students. The program was design by learning experts Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.  A resource program for parents to use at home where the program can track the child’s progress. Teachers and parents can see what games their children are playing and what books they are reading. Curious World can be downloaded on a computer or any ISO or Android device. The program has videos, books and games that meet the standard curriculum in creative expression, language & literacy, mathematics, science, family & community, executive function, social & emotional and health & well being. https://www.curiousworld.com/

Podcasts in the Classroom

In education, schools are introducing new types of technology in order to improve a students learning. One of those ways is by podcasting.  This method brings many benefits for teachers and students. One benefit would be an ease of accessibility.  Students are able to access any information they want anytime. They can also download information onto any device they choose to use and they can listen and watch whenever they are available. They can record information through computers, and recording devices. Teachers benefit from podcasts because they can record their classes and create an archive of lessons on the internet. Their students will be able to access information from previous lessons for reference and clarification of what was being taught the day the lesson was recorded. Students who are absent can listen to the lesson from the beginning and get an idea of what was missed, enabling them to understand better on how to complete their make up work. They will have the feeling that they're in class, when they are not. Podcasting can also give students updates and information in a faster way. they can also share information with other students. Students in time will learn how to create their own podcasts which will help them to improve their listening skills, along with making them more technologically literate.

https://k12teacherstaffdevelopment.com/tlb/what-are-the-benefits-of-podcasting-in-the-classroom/

iPads in Healthcare

When the idea of new patient paperwork for a visit to your healthcare provider's office comes up, patients typically get their knickers in a twist. Being told that you "have to" fill out the paperwork for your new patient doctor's visit does not exactly sound appealing. With all of the advances in technology in classrooms, you would think that facilities such as healthcare centers would be advancing as well. Yet, the technological side of things seems to be suppressed by mounds of hard copy paperwork that both faculty and staff are unable to avoid. As more modern facilities are being built, the patient side of things is slowly progressing along with it. Thankfully, this means that "paperwork" is becoming a modernized form of check-in and check-out. iPads are starting to show up with certain provider's, allowing patients to complete their informational questionnaire with ease and in a faster amount of time doing so. According to Eastwood (2012), iPads are replacing several aspects of healthcare, including most paperwork and even clipboards iPads in Healthcare. One of the most intriguing aspects of using technology in place of test results is that patients can actually engage in the process of review, seeing their MRI or Xray results in an interactive fashion. This might be a tremendous step for healthcare, even the environment. Saving trees, one iPad at a time. 

An Account of iPad usage in the First grade classroom

So, like any normal day, I asked my son what he did at school today. The general reply: nothing. So, I start prying and asking questions about each individual moments of his day as this seems to be the only way I receive answers. Since our last class session, I have been thinking about the way he uses iPads in the classroom and he tells me it's "for fun." Of course, this sparks my interest: is he using these for free time or is he really experiencing the "learning link" that we all searched for in our lesson planning last week. My son tells me that the iPads are used as part of the classroom centers. He also tells me that the iPads are only utilized once a week in his classroom, and only for about 10-20 minutes at a time. Among the apps this iPad contains are: The Foos and Math Racing Turbo. Both of these games (upon my Google search) seem to be educational and from the way my child speaks about them, he really enjoys them. One critical question I ask him is: What's so fun about having the iPad as compared to the computers in the classroom or even more traditional learning methods? Of course he focuses on telling me about how the iPads contain 'cooler' games, but I continue to try to stretch the answers out of him. After talking in circles, I realize that he doesn't know what he would do without this technology. He has been raised with smart phones and tablets and to him, this is no 'revolutionary idea.' This is life for him. He loves the fact that they get to use this technology in school because he sees it as being able to play games in a place that used to forbid these types of educational advancement. Times are changing, and the only way to understand these changes is to talk to those that are directly immersed in that change.

For more information on the apps:
The Foos
Math Racing Turbo

Luminosity - fun and smart games

Luminosity found here is a website and app that gives users a wide variety of games that are made to be challenging and fun. You need to sign up and after signing up they give you 3 baseline lests which consists of color matching, ability to focus, and memory. After getting the baseline tests done they show you a comparison of results. After the results are given they then make you sign up for any games past the three you were allowed to play for free.
There are a few games that are education such as language, however for the most part the games are meant to help build memory and attention skills. Prices are not terribly expensive if you purchase the membership for a year or longer and they build games and test the stats to help you improve your skills.

Classroom Connectors

Clever

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS4txVq16Ss

What it is:
Clever streamlines the process of logging into educational apps by letting students log into all of their tools with a single set of credentials (instead of dozens).

Who would love it:
 K–12 teachers and students, although students cannot access it unless their school registers with Clever. It connects applications with the Student Information Systems (SIS) already in place for schools and districts.

Why it’s good:
Clever saves time in the classroom. The company claims that the average teacher spends 15 minutes logging in students for every 50 minutes in the computer lab.

Why it’s relevant:
 The Wall Street Journal reported that this year Clever raised $30 million, which it plans to use toward doubling its team and scaling up, with the ultimate goal of serving as a tool in all 132,000 K–12 schools in the U.S., and maybe abroad as well.


Check out the website.
https://clever.com/schools

• Swift and Simple Setup
• Technology You Can Trust
• High Impact Results

 

Instant Login

What if all learning software didn’t require different logins? Today, hundreds of applications are supporting Clever Instant Login — letting teachers and students focus on learning, not logging in.
You can use Clever’s free portal or use the built-in support for your existing systems such as Active Directory, Google Apps, Office365, Canvas, and more

The Educational Technology Plan By Luis Montenegro

In the United States there is a document that is considered a flagship for educational technology policy. This document is called "The 2016 plan, Future Ready Learning: Reimagining the role of Technology in Education". This document gives us a vision of equity, active use, along with collaborative leadership to make all-the-time learning possible . Everywhere it helps to provide a fair access to technology, calling in everyone that is involved with American education, ensuring a fair access to transformational learning experiences that are provided by technology.

http://tech.ed.gov/netp/

Science Kids

Science Kids is a website that provides educational resources for teachers and parents. It offers resources to make science fun and interactive for kids and turns concept ideas into something easier for kids to understand.  Fun activities, projects, and experiments can be the first step in creating a desire amongst kids to learn more about science and technology. This website is free and has many resources to offer. It has lesson plan ideas, games, quizzes, experiments and more. This website can be used at home and in classrooms for your students. Many of the experiments and lessons can be used in second graders or older.