Tech Tuesday: Resources for Collaboration

This article has great information about collaboration between students. We read about this in the TWEENS book. Examples of good discussions are in the article. There are some downloads available as well.

http://www.edutopia.org/stw-collaborative-learning-resources?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=download-stw-collaborative

I personally thought the resources brought out the boundaries for discussions.
Hope you get something from the article!

Tech Tuesday: Resources for Brainstorming and Promethean Boards

I just wanted to give a few new resources that I have found through other school systems.

Answer Garden
Answer Garden is a super simple brainstorming tool. No login is necessary but teachers can add an admin password which allows them to edit the results. Students add words or phrases to the "garden" and the results "grow" the more frequently they are answered.

A QR code can easily be created that will make it easy to access and then the results may be exported to either Wordle or Tagxedo.

http://answergarden.ch

Promethean Resources
Since we have several teachers with Promethean Board I wanted to give a few websites that would help you use your board more effectively.

Promethean Planet(FREE Resources): www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/
There are lots of already created interactive lesson.
You can sign up on the website for free.

Forsyth County Schools Promethean Resources page: http://www.forsythcountyschools.org/its/kadkins/activ/pb.htm


Enjoy your Technology!

10 Tips to teach kids to be nice online

I thought this article was a great reminder that we all have a responsibility to teach digital citizenship.
http://www.weareteachers.com/community/blogs/weareteachersblog/blog-wat/2013/07/10/teacher-helpline-how-can-i-teach-kids-to-be-nice-online-

Professional Development

Please go to STI PD and register for today's session.  The number for your session is MEM1302. It is called Technology Integration Introduction. 

The link to STI PD is below:
https://pdweb.alsde.edu/PDWeb/login.aspx?navarea=entry&ReturnUrl=%2fpdweb%2fdefault.aspx

FactFlipper using PowerPoint

I found this idea on another blog. This is old but really easy to do.  It fits right in to the Writing Common Core Anchor Standards. This could be used for any subject.

This idea is from 50 Quick and Easy Computer Activities for Kids by Tammy Worcester, published by Visions Technology.

The Fact Flipper gives students a great way to publish facts and research on any given topic. The Fact Flipper is a PowerPoint presentation with six question slides and six answer slides, printed in handouts six per page. The first six slides on page one are the question slides and when they print, students cut around the two sides and bottom of each slide to form a flap. That page is then glued on top of page two which has the six answer slides. The student is then able to read the question and lift the flap to find the answer.

Directions: Students do research on their topic and compose five questions and answers. Open a blank PowerPoint presentation Choose "Title Only" slide layout Slide One - Click and type in the Title and instructions for your fact flipper Click on the striped text box border (not the handlebars) and drag your text box down to the middle of the slide Insert > New Slide > Choose "Title Only" slide layout for Slide Two Click and type in your question Click on the striped text box border (not the handlebars) and drag your text box down to the middle of the slide Repeat steps 6,7,8 for remainder of slides. Slide Three is a question Slide Four is a question Slide Five is a question Slide Six is a question Slide Seven should have the students name, date, class, etc. Slide Eight is the answer to Slide Two Slide Nine is the answer to Slide Three Slide Ten is the answer to Slide Four Slide Eleven is the answer to Slide Five Slide Twelve is the answer to Slide Six. Students should add images wherever they want by clicking "Insert" > "Picture" > from File or Clipart Save the Fact Flipper Print as Handouts - Six Slides per page. Page One - cut a slit on the two sides and bottom of each slide to create a flap and then glue Page One on top of Page Two.