Techie Tuesday - Version 1.8 - 1815 Technologies vs. 2014 Technologies

In 1815 there was a concern for Principals regarding technology in the classroom.  It was paper.

It is kind of funny how things have changed from possibly running out of paper to nowadays running out of bandwidth.  Not too long ago I can easily remember learning how to use a technology phenomenon known as the graphing calculator.  Now...it's learning multiple technologies for the classroom!

Whether you want to believe it or not, we have a duty as teachers to give our students multiple chances of using technology to help them in their academic endeavors.  Check out this video of a 7th grader!

Can you say WHOA!?!?  It is understood that this student had to learn the use of these technologies from somewhere.  I can't imagine it was from her friends.  Can you imagine how resourceful this young girl will be when she goes to interview for a job in the future?  Now, is it expected that you know ALL of these technologies and share them with your students...NO.  But you can start some place, right?  Where is that "some place" then?  I know it will be different for each of us.  But the real question is, if you don't know where to start, will you even start at all???

FEATURE TECHIE OF THE WEEK:  Mr. Michael Tetrault

"I particularly love using technology in class because it brings French to life for students.  A common complaint I hear is that "you just can't use French in Indiana/White County/Monticello/etc."  But with social media, Skype, YouTube, extensive online dictionaries, and language forums, students very easily connect with authentic French speakers and create links with people around the globe.  

I have a French friend who teaches English in southern France, and we have had several Skype sessions between our classes.  The TL students speak face-to-face, in real time, with the students in France.  Both sides speak both languages as needed to help each other understand, and students can get answers to their cultural questions if they want to hear straight from another teenager.

We also have a cart loaded with some iPods, and there is an app we use to create video slideshows with accompanying audio.  Students record their voices while they arrange pictures from their summers, and they tell the story of how they spent their summer break.

Recently I created a Twitter account (@TLHSTetrault) to post interesting videos or news from the French-speaking world in order to reach students who use Twitter extensively.  I have also created a Facebook page for use with my travel groups.  The bottom line is that students are using French and being exposed to the language outside of the 88-minute window every other weekday.

For several years, I have also had students complete a recipe project, where they make a food, create a recipe in French, then bring in the food and present their recipes.  I started to get bored of seeing the parade of poster boards, so I encouraged students to think outside the box.  The results were a lot of fun; for example, students created videos on their phones and added music and text overlays to add a lot of interest to the project.

I have students in 3rd year search the internet for French news articles on a regular basis, and it is a ton of fun for me because A) they're exploring at their own pace as they find what interests them, B) when they present their findings, we get to have in-depth conversation about topics and cultural perspectives that our textbook would never discuss, and C) students take ownership of the things they find, and they enjoy presenting their materials and leading the conversation.

Of course, YouTube is a great resource as well, because I can show all kinds of videos that pique students' interest: French commercials, news reports, comedians, French pranksters doing funny things (speaking French the whole time, and kids still want to see it!), and music videos.

Frankly, I am jealous of students today that can use technology and the internet to see and learn anything they wish.  Even though Google existed when I was in high school, my learning was mostly confined to whatever was found within the binding of my textbook.  Now that the social aspect of the internet is much more vast, students can take their learning as far as their imagination reaches."

WOW!  Thanks for sharing, Michael.  Exciting things happening in French!

Techie Tuesday - Version 1.7 - Socrative and GroupMaker

Welcome to this week's edition of the Techie Tuesday.  Last week we covered using Audioboo and Quizlet in the classroom.  I had not tried the "Scatter" option in Quizlet before, so I decided to try it.  Let's just say that students were ENGAGED to the max!  I made it a little competitive by letting the lowest time be the winner of a "prize" when we return this week. The first time, most students took about 40 seconds or more to complete the task.  After a couple more attempts, the students really started lowering their scores.  To the right is a picture of their times.  I put up different time intervals for students to write their names and their times as they went through the activity.  It was a lot of fun watching the students keep working to improve their times...and their skills!  How do you think you could use this activity to review specific facts or skills in your classroom?  Please share with the rest of us!

Socrative - Online Quizzes, Exit Tickets, & Space Race

Socrative is a wonderful online quiz platform that teachers use across the world.  It is both an app AND a website.  There is a Teacher App for you, and a Student App for the students to use.  You may choose to have the students attempt your questions via the phone app or by using their laptop.  If they use their laptop, then they need to go to the web address:  m.socrative.com  Here they will use the Room Number that you provide to the class.  Then you can choose to have the students participate in the quiz as a Teacher Run activity, or Student Run Activity.

As the teacher, you can create multiple choice, true/false, and short answer questions.  They have also added the function of being able to include an image with your question.  Once the activity is complete, the teacher can download a report via email or through Excel.  Teachers can use Socrative as an Entrance Ticket to check student prior knowledge, or they can use it as an Exit Ticket to see what the students learned during the day.  My favorite feature is the Space Race.  It really gets the competitive juices flowing for the students!  

FEATURE TECHIE OF THE WEEK - Mr. Joe Vought - Social Studies

GroupMaker - I think cold-calling on students helps keep them more engaged, because they know they could be called on at any time.  However, I sometimes struggle with a self perception or student perception that I'm favoring certain students.  Here is an app that can help with randomizing groups or randomly selecting students from a class list.

If you think such a tool might be useful to you, please read the following (only one short page with a four minute video tutorial).

http://splaysoft.weebly.com/groupmaker.html

Below are two screenshots of me using the app.  One shows my 1920s group project groupings, while the other shows how to open a saved class list from your email.  

Importing class lists was the trickiest part, because you have to save the class list as a plain text (.txt) document and then press and hold on the list to bring up the "Open In ____" option.  It took me awhile to figure out how to drag and drop students to rearrange groups if desired, also.  You have to press and hold the students avatar to move them.

Thanks, Joe!  Great way to use the iPad in the classroom!  (And I'm not just saying that because we are related.)  Another great reason to try GroupMaker is because it makes the teacher more mobile by walking around the room.  

Don't forget to leave your ideas of how you use your iPad in your classroom in the comments section below.  Share YOUR knowledge!

Techie Tuesday - Version 1.6 - Audioboo and Feature Techie of the Week

Welcome back, all!  I'm hoping that by now you are getting a little more familiar with your iPads.  I know you are not "Techie Pros" and I do not expect you to be.  I would not consider myself a "Techie Pro" either.  I prefer the term, "Techie Enthusiast".  Learning new technologies takes a certain time commitment that not everyone has at this moment.  We have been "blessed" with some snow days as of late, so I am hoping you have taken a little bit of time to get familiar with your iPad.

When working with your iPad, it is easy to get overwhelmed by the capabilities, shortcuts, uses, apps, etc. In fact, some of you might feel like doing this to your iPad.

IT IS OKAY TO BE OVERWHELMED!  How many times have you said that to one of your students in class???  Just take a deep breath and prioritize your needs/wants for your classroom.  What is the main activity that wish you could make more streamlined and easier?  If you have an idea, there is an app for that. You just have to have an idea of what you want to do, and don't hesitate to ask!

Audioboo is a recording app that can be used in so many ways in the classroom. ”Schools and universities around the world are embracing Audioboo as the easiest, most effective way to give teachers and students a voice.” The corresponding website has education channels, examples, and some great ideas. The app is available for iOS devices and Android devices and has an Edmodo app as well.  (Credit:  www.lastbackpack.com)  This past week I had my PreCalculus classes record something they remembered about exponential or logarithmic functions from when they took Algebra II.  This would be a pre-test before we started the next chapter.  Then they shared their recordings with me, which I put into a ThingLink image.  The classes really enjoyed the final product as they were able to listen to their classmates recordings.  (There may have been some ribbing going on as well.  Ha!)  The goal is to revisit these recordings at the end of the chapter to see if the students can add to their original knowledge.

Here are some other great ideas for using Audioboo in your classroom are:

• Students read a book and record a review.
• Music students record practice time.
• Foreign Languages record fluency practice.
• Teachers record assignment feedback.
• Social Studies have student recite the Preamble.
• Computer teachers have students create step-by-step instructions of how to create something using Microsoft Office.
• FACS teachers have students record how to follow a recipe.

What could you do in your class?

FEATURE TECHIE OF THE WEEK:  Mr. Painter

I'm excited about the prospects of more technology in my classroom.  As educators, we can never become complacent or approach an "I've got this teaching thing figured out!" point of view.   At this point, I've taken a "no fear" approach. I'm experimenting with new apps on the iPad everyday. I'm trying not to allow the technology to intimidate me. Some of the apps I like, some I don't. Some of the apps that I DO like, may not be ideal for my classroom yet.

One thing that I am excited about is the prospect of shifting all of my written assignments to digital submissions. I really like Evernote, Dropbox, Pages, and Top Note Pro for student writing in a digital environment.  None of these apps are perfect, but they do coordinate nicely together, providing plenty of options for both student and teacher. My hope for later this year or next school year is to operate in a digital environment where my students can easily submit writing to me and I can effectively annotate/grade their work digitally.  

Techie Tuesday - Version 1.5 - Digital Learners--Students, and Teachers

Good day to you all!  Sorry this is a little late for your Tuesday, but I figured better late than never, right Lance!  I'm hoping that you are staying safe with all this wonderful snow we have been having.  I think an email from Cindy really sums it up for everyone.

Well, with all your "FREE" time, take the time to brush up on some of your technology!  Last week I mentioned the wonderful website/app named ThingLink.  I know a couple of you have looked into it and have found how interesting and useful it is for the classroom.  I decided to give my PreCalculus classes an activity that required them to create their own ThingLink.  Below are a couple of their finished products.

(Created by Destiny D. and Edgar E.)

(Created by Luke S., Nick L., and Derek C.)

I'm trying to create more activities similar to this so my students can show their creativity.  If you have not seen the Model Schools Rigor/Relevance Framework, you will notice that this activity falls into a higher category than just memorizing content.

NEW to the Techie Tuesday blog post!  I am going to start having a "guest" post each week.  My goal is to get a teacher in our building or corporation to share an interesting app or website they use in class.  These posts can include a success story, or better yet, a failed attempt at implementing technology in class.  Some times these are the best stories!  Sharing a "fail" can help a teacher learn how to make adjustments to what is a neat activity.  Remember, it is okay to fail, and to let the students see you fail.

FEATURE TECHIE OF THE WEEK - Mrs. Desiree Swaim

"Quizlet is a FREE app with flash card sets for all different subject.  I can type in "Mitosis" in the search bar and many different sets will come up.  I set up review stations and use Quizlet at one of the stations.  Here students can study key terms in Quizlet.  They can quiz themselves in the 'Learn' feature or study in the 'Scatter' feature.  You can also save your favorite sets to use from year to year.  Students can also get this app on their smartphone or ipod."



Thanks for sharing, Dez!  I'd like to add that you could have students create THEIR own flash cards through this website as well!  Next time you think about having the kids create flash cards for class, have them try their hand at creating digital flash cards using Quizlet.  Much more fun, and accessible, for the students.