Technology Tip Tuesday: December 17, 2013

RESOURCE OF THE WEEK: Skype (in the classroom)

To review this resource, I will give it the "FRAGALE 5."

 

1. What? (A brief overview of what the resource does)

According to the Skype in the Classroom website, Skype is a software that allows you to speak to, see and instant message other people who have Skype accounts wherever they are in the world. It is an application you download which allows you to make calls and send messages via the internet. In the classroom, Skype can be used to collaborate with other classes, no matter where they are; find guest speakers and invite them into your classroom; and take a virtual field trip anywhere in the world.

2. Who? (Audience, which grade levels can really benefit from this resource?)

Skype can be used in every classroom. In our school, classes have held “Mystery Skype” lessons, collaborated across the globe, and even taken a virtual field trip to the Channel 5 News Studio! This is NOT a resource for only upper grades – it is really for everyone J

 

3. Where? (In what learning context would this resource be relevant?)

Below, I have listed some ways to use Skype in the classroom. This is just a sample of some ways to use the resource, but really the possibilities are endless!

·         “Mystery Skype” - a lesson in geography, research, and collaboration to determine the location of the class with which you are Skyping.

·         Virtual Field Trip - visit a zoo, museum, explore oceans, mountains, and faraway places – no money, buses, or parent permission forms required!

·         Guest Speakers - connect with an author, historian, or an expert of some kind to learn more about a particular subject.

·         Literature Circle - meet with another class to discuss a reading assignment.

·         Story Hour - be the readers or the listeners in your own online “Story Time.” I’ve seen this used for ‘Read Across America’ on Dr. Seuss’s Birthday and one idea that I absolutely LOVED was having a “Grand-Friends and Fairytales Reading Hour,” a time for elementary classes and elderly people in the community to connect and share with each other.

 

4. Why? (How can this REALLY help me?)

Using Skype in the classroom can really transform the way you reach children. It has the possibility to take students places they have never been and teach them in ways that seemed impossible. It is FREE which just makes everything better, and with the use of AirServer, Skype can be projected on your interactive whiteboard without any cords!

5. How? (Basic instructions)

The following link directs you to a basic “getting started” packet for Skype in the classroom:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5GoWygcrC1RdnVHRVptWEhiNTQ/edit?usp=sharing

 

If you are interested in a one-on-one or small group tutorial, please schedule a meeting with me at your convenience - simply fill out a Technology Coach Request form on my website (https://sites.google.com/site/reestechcenter/teacher-technology-center-requests).

In closing, I will leave you with a video that gives a brief introduction to a “Mystery Skype” lesson from a Connecticut news program. Enjoy, and have a great holiday J

Technology Tip Tuesday: December 10, 2013

RESOURCE OF THE WEEK: AirServer

 

To review this resource, I will give it the "FRAGALE 5."

1. What? (A brief overview of what the resource does)

According to the website, AirServer is an AirPlay receiver for Mac and PC. It allows you to receive AirPlay feeds, similar to an Apple TV, so you can stream content or Mirror your display from your iOS devices or Macs running Mountain Lion or Mavericks. In regards to the classroom, AirServer allows teachers to show content and to the class and engage students using an iPad. With AirServer you can wirelessly beam your iPad display to your Mac or PC and from there to your projector or interactive whiteboard. This gives you the freedom to move around the class with your iPad in hand. * AirServer also supports multiple simultaneous connections, so one or more students could mirror their iPads to share their ideas and their work with the rest of the class.

2. Who? (Audience, which grade levels can really benefit from this resource?)

All grade levels can benefit from using AirServer. If you use the iPad in that subject area, you will LOVE AirServer. This could be anything as basic as a game to a higher order thinking “product creation” app like Educreations or VoiceThread.

3. Where? (In what learning context would this resource be relevant?)

This resource would really work in any learning context. AirServer could display a math problem solving app during one part of your day. Later, AirServer can allow the teacher to move around the classroom while displaying a dramatic presentation of a text in reading. Furthermore, AirServer gives teachers the ability to FaceTime and Skype using the projector, thus involving the entire classroom and allowing them to actively participate.

4. Why? (How can this REALLY help me?)

AirServer gives teachers the freedom to move around the room (manage behavior!) while manipulating the interactive whiteboard. In this regards, the iPad becomes like a slate giving the classroom projector access to all of the wonderful tools that you can use on the iPad.

5. How? (Basic instructions)

 

You can find a starter guide for AirServer here. I will be activating every class’s AirServer account if I haven’t already done so. During this time,  I will also give you a tutorial. If I have not already done so, please schedule a meeting with me at your convenience - simply fill out a Technology Coach Request form on my website (https://sites.google.com/site/reestechcenter/teacher-technology-center-requests).

In closing, I will leave you with a video that gives a brief introduction to AirServer. Enjoy, and have a great week J

 

 

 

Technology Tip Tuesday: December 3, 2013

APP OF THE WEEK: Educreations

To review this resource, I will give it the "FRAGALE 5."

1. What? (A brief overview of what the resource does)

According to the website, Educreations is a recordable interactive whiteboard that captures your voice and handwriting to produce video lessons that you can share online. Students, colleagues, parents, and really anyone (given a permission like a login or a link) can replay your lessons in any web browser, or from within our app on their iPads.

2. Who? (Audience, which grade levels can really benefit from this resource?)

All grade levels can benefit from using Educreations. This product creating app is fantastic for both students and teachers to use. It is fairly user friendly, and, in our school, I have personally seen Kindergarten, Third, and Fifth really utilize this wonderful resource.

3. Where? (In what learning context would this resource be relevant?)

This resource would really work in any classroom as a way for teachers and students to create presentations, therefore demonstrating higher level thinking. Also, this resource could be a great way to keep track of classroom instruction, providing you with the opportunity to then upload the lesson onto a blog for student review.  This could give absent students access to missed instructional time and even differentiate for struggling learners.

4. Why? (How can this REALLY help me?)

This app is an easy and effective way to boost student interest and activate genuine excitement about learning. Also, this technology will help teachers organize teaching and differentiation, a great way to show just what a dedicated teacher you are. In addition to personally created presentations, there is also a public directory (http://www.educreations.com/browse/) that displays other teachers’ presentations from which you can borrow and use to address the wide range of learners in our classrooms.

5. How? (Basic instructions)

 

You can find a starter guide for Educreations here (http://www.cvisd.org/cms/lib/TX01001642/Centricity/Domain/23/PDF/educreations.pdf).  I am also available to give you a tutorial at your convenience - simply fill out a Technology Coach Request form on my website (https://sites.google.com/site/reestechcenter/teacher-technology-center-requests). In all honesty, there are some little quirks with Educreations. To create a lesson, you MUST record audio and the lesson must be completed in one sitting. You are NOT able to save and finish the work at a later time. However, with a little practice and patience, Educreations can really become a favorite app in the classroom.

In closing, I will leave you with a video that gives you a hands-on look at Educreations in a first grade classroom. It’s pretty amazing! Enjoy J

 
*BONUS LESSONS LISTED BELOW*

- Here is a link to a sequencing activity for Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? that uses Educreations. Pretty neat! http://zigzaggingedtech.blogspot.com/2013/09/brown-bear-educreations-task-card.html

- Here is a link to a Kindergarten Math Activity using Educreations to demonstrate proficiency in CC standard K.MD.A.2 to describe and compare measurable attributes in which they compare to see which group has more than or less than. http://www.iteachwithtechnology.com/2013/10/ipad-lesson-educreations-math-for.html?spref=tw