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.

                  The King of Random     

                                         

I came across this site because of my son. He was in the kitchen doing one of the experiments and when I ask him what was he doing he showed me the video on what he was doing. I watch him and the experiment work. He told me that there are hundreds of videos on different experiments you can do. I watch some more videos and that got me to thinking I needed to go to the website and see what this was all about. The website has so many hands-on learning activities to do I thought this would be a great program to blog about. The videos and the website could be look at as a resource for a science project because you can follow the video or even look at the instruction to do the experiments, somethings can even be done in a science classroom or at home as family fun time. The website has featured channels that has hands-on activities on woodworking, paper, kitchen hacks, puzzles, space, ice cream, homesteading, 3-D printing and sewing. These activities can fun and harmless and some made need an adult supervision. Check on the site and try out one of the activities for yourself. You can find the videos on YouTube as well.

http://www.instructables.com/member/The%20King%20of%20Random/

abcya.com

On the website abcya.com students or teachers can pick their appropriate grade levels and take part in interactive educational games involving math, language arts, skills, and strategy. There are countless games in each selection and grade level including crossword games, nouns and verbs, Spanish words, vowels, decimals, angles, educational holiday games, and many other games that build educational skill. This website has been featured on The New York Times, Apple, USA today, Parents, Scholastic, and Fox News. Students can access this website from a home computer, class computer, or mobile devices for easy access. This gaming website starts from Pre-Kindergarten and goes all the way up to 5th grade. This is a great website for interactive learning but the downfall is that it is not free. For a family plan, which includes over 300 games on desktop, over 200 games on mobile device, and can be used on up to three devices, is $6.99 per month. There is also an option teachers called the classroom plan which includes the perks of having no ads, over 300 games on desktop, 200 games for mobile devices, and can be used on up to 30 devices. Considering the amount of education games available to children and students, I would say it worth the price depending on how much it is used.