Why I Love Feedly

Want to learn more but don't have time to hunt?   Find a great blog but lost the site?   Well then my friends, Feedly is for you!
At this year's IETC conference I spent some time in a session all about RSS feeds.   RSS feeds make your life easier.   What they do is keep a website link the RSS feed constantly updates and bring you the newest articles or blogs at that site kind of like a newspaper.   There are many RSS Feed Sites, but I love Feedly.   Feedly links with your Google account which is great.   One less username and password for you to remember.   My Feedly is organized also by categories.   Makes it easier for me to find my Techie blogs, recipes, and everything inbetween.
If you would like to learn more about how to use Feedly read my blog HERE and HERE .
Go out there, set up a feedly and start reading!

Day 3 with the Gen 1 Project

Using skitch to annotate over images

Today was the third day working with a middle school science teacher at one of my buildings.
Quick background:  This teacher and I had been working and working on getting more technology to her building or classroom.  Our hard work paid off with a cart of 20 Gen. 1 iPads this year.  The plan is to integrate technology into the science curriculum via Google Drive, Edmodo, and a few Apps.  Day 1 we learned about Google Drive.  (Click here to learn more about what Google Drive is)  Day 2 we learned how to use iPads, and set up user names and passwords.
So back to day 3, it was awesome!  Every day that we work with the technology gets better and better.  Today we learned how to use Skitch which can be a finicky app.  The students really worked together, helped each other out and were able to get the job done.  I was super pleased with today.

Use Edmodo to share links and
assign tasks!

The teacher, although excited to be working with the technology, found it very stressful.  We talked about this.  Integrating tech is a HUGE job!  Many say they feel like a first year teacher all over again.  She and I spoke about how this is a huge change and change can mask itself as feeling out of control.  In her words, "the change is coming", it's scary, but we're in this together!  I'm so proud of where we are going, where we've come from, and where we are at!

Use Google Drive to create presentations
and store documents

Today we gave the students a google form to find out what they thought, and what they were thinking about this Gen 1 Project so far.  I'm excited to reflect on the feedback with the teacher and keep moving forward!

To learn more about the Gen 1 Project please follow the teacher's blog and follow her on Twitter!

Why QR Codes?

Scan this QR Code using an app like
QRafter

This summer I have spent a lot of time participating in, planning, and delivering professional development.  Throughout the course of the summer I have received a lot of feedback from teachers and found out more of what they want to learn.  One of those things that teachers wanted to learn more about was QR Codes.
QR Codes, in my opinion are pretty awesome.  You can find them everywhere from magazines, nutritional labels, and packaging.  In the classroom they can be very useful. QR Codes can link a user to a variety of resources.  You can link to anything with a web link.  I have seen teachers use QR Codes for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to:

Create wearable QR  Codes!

• link students digital work in the hallway, like a digital bulletin board
• direct students to morning work
• share 'I'm finished with my work now what" extension activities
• Scavenger Hunts
• Links to parent resources outside the classroom
• Links to the school or teacher's website

The next question I get after what can I do with them is how do I make them?  They are surprisingly simple to create!  There are a variety of free websites that will generate them for you.  Simply google 'Create a QR Code Free' and many options will be found.  I like to use Kaywa.  You have to create a username and password, but then it saves QR Codes that you have created.  Copy the link of whatever you would like to create a QR Code for, and paste it in the field that asks for the URL.  On Kaywa you will need to be sure to switch the slider to static, this site allows static codes for free**, and click generate.  Your QR Code will be displayed.  You have a variety of options as to how you can download the code which is also nice.  You now have you QR Code to display!

If you are looking for an app to use to scan QR Codes, I recommend QRafter.  It is free and works with apple products.  Happy scanning!

**Stay tuned for a blog post on the difference between dynamic and static QR Codes

Addicted to Aquiring Apps?

One of the best things about technology is that things are constantly updating, constantly changing, and evolving.  That can be one of the most frustrating things as well.  I know many teacher some to me with the feeling of exhaustion because it feels like as soon as they master one thing, the next new must have tech is out and should be in their classroom.  Apps are one of the worst offenders of this.
Working at a District with over 1000 iPads out student hands it can be very tempting/overwhelming for teachers to develop an addiction to acquiring apps.  Its really because they don't want students to miss out on an opportunity to experience all that the iPads and apps have to offer!  In all my experiences visiting successful school districts where a 1:1 program have been successful there have been key variables.  One being, that there is a core expectation of 3 or 4 apps that all teachers must use and master.  Beyond that enter at your own risk.  This gives the students to also have a sense of familiarity from room to room.  All teachers use the same program to explain work, all teachers use the same programs to submit work.  When a student goes from Mrs. Smith, to Mr. Jefferson they do not have to worry about how to work a program, just want to put into the program. 
When I think of the MUST HAVES of apps, and technology I think of the purposes first.  You need to have a way for students to know what to do, submit work, and receive feedback, a workflow.  I recommend an app/web based program like Edmodo or Schoology.  Both allow for workflow to become a true possibility.  Even in a non-1:1 environment this help to give students direction, and focus when in the computer lab. 
Another purpose you may need technology is creation.  Students' full potential is accessed when you allow them to create.  Apps that are drill and kill do nothing more than flash, buzz, and help with rote memorization.  A few FREE creation apps that I recommend are Educreations, and Splice.
Educreations is an interactive white board.  There is an app, and a web based program.   Students can type, draw, import pictures, and record their voices to demonstrate different concepts.  On the web version there are also teacher made presentations that students could watch to learn a skill.  Flipping your classroom?  You need to check out that site. 
Splice is a few video editing program.  Its an app on the iPad, be careful when you search it is listed as an iPhone app.  The reason I like this software is that it is a no frills way for students and teachers to put together pictures and video to create a finished film.  Sometimes I see students spending a ton of time on iMovies.  That software is great, but it is not free and can be overwhelming.  If you want a quick movie to put together Splice is the way to go. 
Both apps are very easy to export and submit as well. 
I hope I have convinced you to not worry so much about having a different app for each grade, subject, topic, and skill.  Slow down a little bit, get good at a few and use those in the classroom.  Student do well with consistency and routines.  Set these up with those few apps and students will soar.   See you next week!