Here's a list of some of the most worthless, time-wasting, brain cell killing websites that my middle schoolers recommend. I won't describe them. Try them for yourself!
www.ducksarethebest.com
www.taghua.com
www.thisissand.com
www.trypap.com
www.eelslap.com
http://burymewithmymoney.com/
For a great place to find even more wonderful time wasters, check out this clearinghouse. :)
I recommend checking them yourself before sending kids to them. I take no responsibility for inappropriate content...
www.theuselessweb.com
Friday, May 1, 2015
iPad Tracking
When using classroom technology that is easily portable, it's incredibly important to make sure you keep track of what you have. Seems obvious, doesn't it?
Unfortunately, due to time constraints, teachers tend to let that piece of paperwork slip past them. Then a mobile unit disappears and panic ensues.
An absolute must is to enable "Find my iPad" when setting up the tablets for your classroom use. In our district, each teacher uses their district email to log in to their class set. Once you turn on Find my iPad, your tech department can get a reading on where each of your iPads is located. Make sure you give each tablet a unique name to assist with this process!
Our campus has instituted a Google form for teachers to enter each iPad's serial number, so there is a record of that information. We have students who are trained to find the SN, record it, double check it, and give it to the teacher to keep a record. While this won't deter theft, this does help immensely with record-keeping and returning the iPad to the correct cart when it wanders. It's also important to label each iPad on the outside so it's easily identifiable. Teacher name or classroom number, as well as an individual iPad number, make returning the walkabouts to their correct location!
What works at your campus?
Unfortunately, due to time constraints, teachers tend to let that piece of paperwork slip past them. Then a mobile unit disappears and panic ensues.
An absolute must is to enable "Find my iPad" when setting up the tablets for your classroom use. In our district, each teacher uses their district email to log in to their class set. Once you turn on Find my iPad, your tech department can get a reading on where each of your iPads is located. Make sure you give each tablet a unique name to assist with this process!
Our campus has instituted a Google form for teachers to enter each iPad's serial number, so there is a record of that information. We have students who are trained to find the SN, record it, double check it, and give it to the teacher to keep a record. While this won't deter theft, this does help immensely with record-keeping and returning the iPad to the correct cart when it wanders. It's also important to label each iPad on the outside so it's easily identifiable. Teacher name or classroom number, as well as an individual iPad number, make returning the walkabouts to their correct location!
What works at your campus?
Saturday, April 18, 2015
Great Sites for Great Information!
Check out some of these sites and blogs. Subscribe to them! They are constantly adding information that is helpful, time-saving, and sometimes, just plain fun. (We DO need that!)
I'll be adding to and updating this list!
Career & Technical Education
Are you a CTE teacher looking for more training? Check out the free webinars offered here!
A great blog with lots of tips and ideas for every level.
Links to free webinars and info.
Awesome ideas for the classroom.
Career & Technical Education
Are you a CTE teacher looking for more training? Check out the free webinars offered here!
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Too Much For Your Campus Tech Crew?
Recruit your students!
I've been blessed this year with an 8th grade class we call the Tech Commanders. We follow the Mouse Squad curriculum, with the caveat that if we need to learn something NOW, we learn it! These students have stripped and rebuilt old PCs and studied app creation. They've researched which OS is more appropriate for which need. They are currently creating infographics and studying troubleshooting techniques in order to provide tech support at a community coffee shop after STAAR testing is complete.
These kids are the first line of tech support when teachers can't get a printer installed, speakers don't produce sound, or keyboards are missing letters. While it may not sound like much, imagine having 15 extra assistants on your campus!
All you need is a teacher who is willing to learn along with the kids, one elective period, and one group of kids who are willing to help!
I've been blessed this year with an 8th grade class we call the Tech Commanders. We follow the Mouse Squad curriculum, with the caveat that if we need to learn something NOW, we learn it! These students have stripped and rebuilt old PCs and studied app creation. They've researched which OS is more appropriate for which need. They are currently creating infographics and studying troubleshooting techniques in order to provide tech support at a community coffee shop after STAAR testing is complete.
These kids are the first line of tech support when teachers can't get a printer installed, speakers don't produce sound, or keyboards are missing letters. While it may not sound like much, imagine having 15 extra assistants on your campus!
All you need is a teacher who is willing to learn along with the kids, one elective period, and one group of kids who are willing to help!
Google Classroom
Google Classroom
posted Nov 6, 2014, 8:34 AM by Kathy Blankenship [ updated Nov 6, 2014, 8:34 AM ]
This site has recently come out of beta, and if your district uses Google Apps, this is a great tool for parking and accessing your resources. Students can access classroom.google.com and complete assignments, find information you've shared, and see grades on assignments you've set up through Google Classroom. It's constantly being updated and revised, so I look for this to become a better resource every day.
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Edmodo
This app and site is accessible from most devices. It is full of ways to communicate with, test, quiz, and teach your students. It can be used for tracking and anecdotal records, as well as parent communication and real-time quizzes. Edmodo has TONS of resources available, and you can pick and choose what works for your needs.
Check out www.edmodo.com and see which piece you'd like to implement.
See the following sites for reviews and ideas of how best to make Edmodo part of your classroom.
Videos
Support/Manuals
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Images:
If you want to use a picture for a project, you need to make sure that there are no royalties or fees attached. To do this simply, go to Google, type in your search term, click "Images," then "Search Tools." Another menu will appear under your search bar. Click "Usage Rights." Then choose the last item, "Labeled for noncommercial reuse." This will seriously limit your image choices, but it will leave you with only those items that are LEGAL for you to use. :)
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If you want to use a picture for a project, you need to make sure that there are no royalties or fees attached. To do this simply, go to Google, type in your search term, click "Images," then "Search Tools." Another menu will appear under your search bar. Click "Usage Rights." Then choose the last item, "Labeled for noncommercial reuse." This will seriously limit your image choices, but it will leave you with only those items that are LEGAL for you to use. :)
Welcome!
The goal of this site is to present simple changes you can make to your curriculum to enhance your lessons, assist your students, and generally make your life easier with a little technology assistance.
We're all striving for true technology integration. Do not try to implement everything at once or you'll make yourself crazy. Add a little, try it out, add some more. It will be uncomfortable at first, but the end result will make it all worthwhile.
***Disclaimer: All sites, programs, and apps are listed here based on recommendations or personal experience. I do not own or control any of them. They worked when I posted them! If any of the recommended sites are broken or not working, please let me know and I'll remove them.***
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