Links to great media and more...

If you haven't already, you really need to take advantage of this great wiki called Copyrightfriendly. This wiki lists many resources to images and audio for use in media projects. They can also be used on your blog, wiki, or website. I went to Morguefile and downloaded the picture below. Morguefile automatically cites the source. It does all the work for you. There are different catagories of pictures to choose from. Math teachers, have students search for pictures showing examples of different angles. Then allow students to create a video using animoto. Free-loops is just one of many sites to go to for audio clips such as a mooing cow. Did I mention that they are FREE?  


Photo credit: pschubert from morguefile.com

More Animation Tools

Bryan came across these two fun animation tools. Xtranormal and Goanimate are free and can be used to bring student stories to life. As always, please explore the site to determine if it is something you can use with your students.

Thanks Wood River

Many thanks to Wood River Elementary for this Movie Maker Cheat Sheet. Many CISD teachers will be completing a Movie Maker online workshop through ESC 2 as a sort of pre-requisite for the claymation workshop. Although many teachers were already familiar with Movie Maker, they agreed to take this online workshop so that they can attend the claymation workshop to be held later on this year. The cheat sheet can be useful to those who are not familiar with Movie Maker. I am trilled to see that our teachers are eager and excited in building 21st Century classrooms. You're the BEST!!!

Love it!

This is an awesome blog, Rebecca. I love the sounds, colors, etc.

Rain Forest Math

Rain Forest Math requires a username and password. This information was sent out to CISD math teachers from Melana. Magee, Wood River, and East have their own usernames and passwords. Teachers from these schools in Calallen can contact Melana or Rebecca for that information if you don't already have it.

Math Links

Melana came across this wonderful resource of various math links from Michele Wiles. There are many great sites to choose from.You can print it out and place a copy near the student computers or send it home with them. This list will be located on the side bar under Math. It is titled More Links, or click here to go straight to it.

Big Huge Labs

Big Huge Labs lets you create lots of fun stuff with your photos such as the mosaic below.

New District Website

Take a look at the new website for Calallen ISD. It is AWESOME!!!

Super Teacher Tools

Check out the cool tech tools that are quick and easy to download for teachers at http://www.superteachertools.com/ .  Classroom review games include Jeopardy, Who Wants to be a Millionaire, Flash Board Game, Seating Chart, Group Maker, and others.

Registering for the Blog tutorial

Here is a tutorial to help you register for the blog when your invitation comes.

Record your screencast online

Eternal Sunset

Eternal Sunset is a great Science site, where you can show the kids about the Earth's rotation. It is a collection of webcams trained on the sunset all across the world, and its maps show how the Earth rotates, causing the sun to set at different hours all across the globe. Very cool!

Cumul.us

Cumul.us is a place where your kids can predict the weather for today. It's a great Science site.

Free Collaboration Tools For All...Take your Pick!

I came across some web-based collaborative tools this weekend. These tools will not only enhance collaboration between teachers, but they are also a great way to promote student-student collaboration. If used effectively, these tools can help viualize, explore, and communicate ideas. Dabbleboard  is an online whiteboard for drawing and team collaboration. I like the way it detects common shapes when drawing.  Rey told me about SKRBL, which is another online whiteboard. CoSketch is also similar, but you don't have to register at all. These are just a few, but I will have more listed under Collaboration. As always, these are completely free, some require registration, and others do not.

BITSTRIPS

Bitstrips is a fun and easy comic making tool that teachers can utilize in the classroom for student engagement. It's a great way to promote media literacy. Your kids will be focused while creating their own comic.

Teachers, sign-up for free and explore.

Bloom's Taxonomy Blooms Digitally, Andrew Churches

This is a great article explaining Bloom's Digital Taxonomy which addresses the emergence and integration of technology. It gives wonderful examples of how technology can be used to enhance what is being taught to our students. Click on the title below to find out more.

Bloom's Taxonomy Blooms Digitally, Andrew Churches

Posted using ShareThis

RockYou

RockYou is a free photo sharing site that allows the user to put together a pretty cool slide show with pictures, videos, and music. I put together a show about the life cycle of a butterfly. Here's an idea...students can create their own to express knowledge of complete and incomplete metamorphosis. It can be done in groups or individually. Students can really get into this!

A New Year...A New Way of Teaching

Welcome back everyone! We are getting off to a great start here in Calallen. Wood River Elementary has their blog up and running, and I can see many posted over the holidays. Hats off to you!

As we begin the new year, let us contemplate how technology can impact teaching and learning in the classroom. We are living in a digital society. Technology is an everyday part of our lives. Our students are technology savvy. Why not take advantage of that savviness and bring it into the classroom?

Technology can help make teaching and learning more meaningful and fun. Technology can offer teachers effective ways to reach different types of learners. As a bonus, students are more likely to stay engaged and on task, reducing behavioral problems.

How can you use technology to support and enhance teaching and student learning? What is your New Year's resolution...professionally speaking?