Got a SCRATCH? Itch it!!
Scratch from MIT is one of the best and most simplistic way to teach and learn how to graphically program or create the code for flash animations. You create through a visual platform that is drag and drop. Oh yes, and it’s all free!! Here is what they have to share about the program. Download it and install it for free.
“Scratch is a new programming language that makes it easy to create your own interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art — and share your creations on the web.
Scratch is designed to help young people (ages 8 and up) develop 21st century learning skills. As they create Scratch projects, young people learn important mathematical and computational ideas, while also gaining a deeper understanding of the process of design. “
Historical Aniversaries!!
Wow this is a great list of dates, times, and events. If you teach anything about historical events, you will be able to use this huge wealth of resources. Check it out it’s worth using this resource.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_anniversaries Wikipedia is worth using, just double check the info. if you don’t believe it’s authentic.
iGoogle for Every Student
I am sitting here thinking about all of the things possible with iGoogle and I am getting totally pumped about the possibility of having every student at the high school with an iGoogle account. iGoogle is now my home page, don’t know about you guys, but I was tired of going all of over to find my favorites. Blogs, news, weather, to do lists, calculators, dictionaries, maps, docs, calendars, and more!!! Why spend the time looking when you can create and customize what you need at your finger tips. Kids are the same way, they really don’t want to waste time either. Allowing them to customize their browser pages with content rich stuff will provide them with quick and effective 24/7 access to what they need and are interested in. Drawbacks could arise with this just like anything else, but it’s worth it. I believe that the benefits will greatly outway the drawbacks. I will never go back to surfing or typing in the addresses, I can simply find what I want on my delicious tags, blog tab, calendars, docs, links and more. Students could create a browser page that would suit them for classes, interests, sharing. Why not give them a chance to customize their browser. If you let them build it they will come!!! It’s worth giving it a shot.
Top Ten IT Tools
Just came across this blog and the wealth of resources. This site has a ton of instructional resources recommended by some of the best in instructional technololgy. Check it out. http://www.c4lpt.co.uk/recommended/. Some of them you will probably already know if you are an avid Web 2.0 person like myself, but some may be new to you. It’s worth taking a look at. Enjoy.
My Sites with Ed Tech Resources
Since I have so many resources and things that I post in a few locations, I thought that I would add them to my blog. I will also add them on my pages. There are so many resources that can be utilized for collaborations and interactive lesson plans. One such site is one that can be used for online browsing together. Visit www.browzmi.com to register free and surf the net with friends or colleagues. I loved testing this one with friends. Imagine students surfing together to complete projects and research. A really powerful tool to keep them working together in a safe environment.
Concepts of Leadership
We are here in Hershey, PA with Steve Sassaman discussing effective leadership and the roles of a great leader. It is quite obvious that someone who would possess these traits, self discipline, ability to prioritize, develop trust, and effectively cast vision. It is our responsibility as inovators to try to develop these traits as best we can. In this role, we must lead by example, tolerance, and integrity.
Mogulus – NewTeeVee
You have to get an account now. This is so awesome. It’s happening right now. Online TV streams more dynamic!! Check out the speakers. This is the wave of the future. It keeps evolving. www.newteevee.com
Collaborate with Scriblink!!
Trying to get kids to collaborate and work in small or large groups?? Check this site out. www.scriblink.com real time collaborations. Students can share ideas and information and discuss things from anywhere. Create a simple topic and task for them to complete and watch your students take off with initiative, creativity and solid results. Print, save, share. What a great way to get kids engaged in new topics.
Create with Kerpoof
We are currently integrating www.kerpoof.com at the elementary writing level and the students are loving it!! It’s amazing what a simple web application will do for reluctant writers. Kerpoof offers an interactive alternative to writing a simple story. Story lines, character callouts, scene descriptions can be created with this fun tool. We created teacher accounts so that the students could save their works in one location. It’s completely free and takes very little time to teach the kids how to use. One worth bookmarking!!!
Free Rice
Learn vocabulary and end hunger at the same time!!! You have to check this one out. The sponsors will pay for the rice to end world hunger for every answer that you answer correctly. http://www.freerice.com/ I was a little skeptical about this one, but it is actually a reputable site. Test it out yourself.
