PowerPoint...It's Just Not For Presentations

Students use PowerPoint over and over again for presentations. Give them something new to do utilizing this very versatile tool. How about allowing students to create their very own bookmark? They can create one on just about any topic. The example below is one that was created using PowerPoint. The first page is upside down because I wanted a front and back bookmark. I printed out both slides, then using a copier, I created a 2 to 1 copy. Print that out and lamininate if you wish. Calallen teachers...I will be placing a bookmark in your box next week.

A few other ideas include creating fact flippers, greeting cards, post cards, sticky notes, pattern books, and more.

If you would like step-by-step instructions on how to create a bookmark using PowerPoint, click here.

Create a Brochure in Publisher

Create a class brochure for parents. You can pass these out during Meet The Teacher Night, Teacher/Parent conferencs, ect. You can include class rules, homework links, email address, conference time or other information. Another idea is to have students create a brochure over a certain topic. How would you use a teacher or student made brochure in your class?

Fun with Pics

Visit one of these picture sites to have a little fun with your pics. If you have any pics that have been sitting in your digital camera, this is for you! Take a look at the sidebar to explore some other cool pic sites for your student projects.


Some personal favorites include: Big Huge Labs, Photofetti, Yearbook Yourself, Image Chef,  and Image Mosaic Generator.

As always, check appropriateness first as these sites are constantly changing.


 








Dumpr - Photo Fun

Museum Box

Let your students have some fun at Museum Box, and they won't even notice that they are working on a school assignment. Have your students argue or describe an event, person or historical period. All they have to do is research and place the information in a virtual box. You or your students can display text, pictures, or videos. Teachers can view and comment on the museum boxes or have the students peer review one another. Click here to view an example of how a middle school student used this tool to debate on the topic of animal testing. Click here to view an example of this tool can be used in math. 

Tutorials & training: Podcast + Videocast Essential Training with Garrick Chow

Tutorials & training: Podcast + Videocast Essential Training with Garrick Chow

Take a look at this weeks featured videos on podcasting and videocasting from Lynda.com: Want to create video podcasts to provide students another resource for TAKS tutorials? Demonstrate how to workout particular problems or teach hard to grasp concepts or have students conduct presentations/demonstrations that can be shared to build on real world collaborative skills and critical thinking.

Need a Timer...Here's a Free One

Cool Timer is a free stopwatch download. If you are in need of a timer for your class and can't afford to go out and purchase one, then go to cnet and download one for free. It is easy to understand and can be programmed to the hour, minute or second. You can also choose the sound when the time is up. Another favorite is The Hat. Just enter student names, shuffle, and randomly draw a name from the hat. This is a great way to make sure all your students have a chance to answer and no one is left out. Don't want names, enter student numbers...the choice is yours. Take a look. Not what you need, go to cnet   and look under the free education software category. There might be something there you can use.

TCEA Workshop Handouts

The TCEA Workshop Handouts is a list of the many workshops that took place this past February in Austin. It lists the title of the workshop, the presenter's name, and files that can be downloaded. Many of the files include powerpoints and links along with handouts. There is an abundance of information here. Whether you are tech. shy or tech savvy, there is something here for you. Take a look and share with us something that you are already using or hope to use in your classroom.  

TXDLA Workshop Videos

Want to view some of what we saw at TXDLA. Click TXDLA and veiw some of the videos. The videos are high quality, and you can get some very useful information from them.

Collect All T3 Lists...Check!!!

I am so happy to say that I have collected all the T3 Wish Lists. I thought I was never going to get through this, but it is done. I have also completed inputing all that data from the lists and passed it on to Rey.
Good Luck Rey!!! We can now order all this stuff.

This is so exciting...Calallen teachers will soon have all these cool tools in their classrooms to enhance lessons and student achievement. Our students will have access to cutting edge technology. Lots of training will come with all this too. We WILL get through this!

Have a Safe and Happy Easter! Enjoy your time off!

Day 2 @ TXDLA

Dimdim is a videoconferencing tool that has several uses. Some ideas include conferencing with parents who can not make it to the school or as an online afterschool tutorial. The way that I saw it being utilized was as an online afterschool math tutorial by Kiesha Taylor, a teacher for Aldine ISD. Many thanks to Mrs. Taylor who shared this information with us during her workshop. I love how she incorporated dimdim into Moodle.

A few things I picked up today.

Dimdim is free, but the free version does not allow you to record the session. Not happy about that, but if you do not want to record your session, then you're good. If you want to use dimdim and you also want to record your session, then you would have to use a screen capture tool such as ScreenToaster (also free) to record your session. The free version allows a teacher to have up to 20 students. Hope that makes sense.

The teacher will first sign up and create an account in DimDim. Students do not need to create an account. All they have to do is click on the join meeting button and then type in the teacher's username. Once they have located their teacher, the student can then type their own username and join the meeting.

Some other free tools.
Xtranormal
ToonDoo

Day 1 @ TXDLA

It was a long day, but we all learned so much. I will be listing some great videoconferencing sites. Some free, others come with a fee but very worth looking into. Some of the crew that came along, Caroline and Joann from Calallen. Also in the picture, Bert, Ron and Walter form Mathis.

Stacks...A Book Review Site for Kids

Stacks is an online book review site for kids created by Scholastic. It is set up like a blog. Many thanks to Kristi Nix who shared this site. I was in the Magee Computer Lab last Thursday while Mrs.Nix assisted her students. She did a great job guiding her students as they set up their profiles. The students were excited and really enjoyed creating their Avatars. They are now ready to start reviewing books and sharing that information with others. Take a look at Mrs. Nix's page.

Copy Right Use/Fair Use

Have you ever wondered what in the world can be fairly used from copyrighted material? What is a copyright and why do we have it? What is fair use, and well, it is really fair? Well, here is a great example of what is fair use of copyrighted material, talking about...well...copyrights!

Fair(y) Use

AVerPen...How Does It Work?

As I visit each campus to talk about the T3 List, there have many questions concerning the AVerPens. Rey and I have done our best to describe the features of these interactive devices. I understand how hard it is to picture something you have never seen nor used. If our description of these tools left you somewhat confused, I hope the following videos will give you a better understanding of the functionalities these pens possess.

Also, please make sure you have the updated price for the class set (1 teacher pen and 8 student pens) if you are ordering these pens. They are now $953.

Downloads: Views: 503

Downloads: Views: 256

iPhone/iPod Touch as an Instructional Tool

The iPhone/iPod Touch document from TCEA lists many apps (some free) that may be used in the classroom. There are many to choose from, and they are also catagorized by subject. I thought this would be beneficial to those of you who are contemplating an iPod Touch on your T3 list. This PDF from TCEA provides more detailed information. Parents can benefit from this information too, so please pass this on.

The 1st powerpoint below demonstrates how one school district, MISD, is utilizing iPods. This shool district presented at TCEA. The 2nd powerpoint offers some more examples. Hope this helps.

iPodTouch-TCEA

See more presentations by coffas | Upload your own PowerPoint presentations

iPhone/iPod Touch Education Presentation

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MathTools...A Math Forum for Teachers

Math Tools is a community library of technology tools, lessons, activities, and support materials for teaching and learning mathematics. There are many software tools, mostly free, together with reviews and discussions by teachers. Registration is free.

Below are some homework help websites to share with students and parents.
Encarta.com, AOL Step-by-step Math, Hotmath.com, Nutshellmath.com

T3 Collaborating Partners...Calallen & Odem/Edroy ISD

This past Saturday, both Calallen and Odem/Edroy ISD teachers came together to work on the Technology Applications TEKS. This team consisted of PK-2 teachers from both districts.

From Calallen, the East Primary teachers were Deanne McClure, Lori Vasquez, Kimberly Jones, and Emily Grimes. Also from Calallen, the Wood River teachers were Odilia Torrez, Dayla Hearon, Susie Cloud and Lauren Kiddy.

The teachers from Odem Elementary included, Lecretia Ann Witten, Yolanda Chapa, and Jena Hunter.

These teachers had the task of aligning the TA TEKS and adding specificity. They did a great job! It was great to work with such an awesome group of teachers! Thank you ladies for your time and effort!!!

Also included in the picture are Faye Stone from ESC2 and Gay Palmero from Odem/Edroy ISD.

 

Website Builder

I was asked by a colleague today about teacher websites. This prompted me to include a category of free website builders. A website is a great way to provide a static resource of information to your students and parents. This led me to do a little research and provide you with some sites that will allow you to build a great teacher site. You can link your blog (great for frequent updates) or wiki (excellent for collaboration) to your site.     

K-8 T3 Teachers

CISD K-8 teachers are attentively selecting technology tools for their classrooms. There have been many questions, which is a good thing. Rey and I are here to help. We will do our best to answer all your questions.   

As you make your choices about the technology tools you would like for your classroom, please keep in mind that you will be required to describe how it will help you enhance your teaching and student acheivement...make the lessons more effective or efficient. Tell why and how you will use the technology in your classroom. (Make a detailed outline of how you will use the equipment selected.) This should all be included in you teacher plan.

This is a classroom technology integration project.   

T3 & Teacher Wish Lists

Things are moving along here in Calallen and teachers have started to prepare their technology wish lists.

As part of the T3 Grant initiatives, K – 8 teachers are given approximately $1,000.00 to spend on technology resources for the classroom to increase 21st Century learning skills and accelerate student achievement. The list of technology resources to purchase for your classroom is found in the district’s new online Moodle platform, called “Student Portal”. Instructions on accessing the list and creating your classroom technology plan have been emailed to all CISD K-8 teachers. Please contact Rey or Rebecca if you need any help.