YouTube for Schools

Many school districts block YouTube for various reasons. To assist in encouraging schools to utilize YouTube in the classroom, YouTube for Schools is now an option. YouTube for Schools contains entertaining Science Experiment Videos, Math tutorials, lectures and so much more. You do not have to see comments or related videos displayed; only educational content. Learn more about this opportunity at You Tube’s Blog (http://tinyurl.com/cggskrp).

I have been using ZimmerTwins, a resource that enables users to create movies, with students . Let me tell you, this user friendly tool must be added to your technology repertoire. ZimmerTwins enable users to create movies by inserting text clips, animation clips, close-up clips etc. Story prompts are available for students who need additional writing support. The students I assisted have created cause and effect videos and movies to enhance their book reports. Students may use the resource to highlight what they have learned about a particular skill, and teachers may use the resource to introduce various concepts. The website has a movie that demonstrates how the videos may be easily created. There is a free and paid version available.  Do not hesitate; visit ZimmerTwins today and add pizzazz to your curriculum.

(picture courtesy of diary-of-a-wimpy-kid.wikia.com)

If you are familiar with Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series, then you are fully aware kids gravitate towards his books.  Kinney is offering a free webcast where his audience will find out information about him and his books. Furthermore, students will be provided with opportunities to ask the author questions.  The free webcast will take place live on Friday, December 2^, 2011 from 2:00 – 2:45 pm GMT. The webcast will be archived as well. Register and reserve a spot today at http://tinyurl.com/6mpoyhy.

 Today was Day 3 of EdTech 2011 in Myrtle Beach, SC. During the conference, I had the opportunity to listen to the distinguished Will Richardson, an author of several instructional technology books, and many phenomenal presenters who challenged and encouraged me to endeavor to be a “life-long learner.”  In addition, I presented a session called Technology Remedies that Will Rejuvenate Your Curriculum and Have Your Elementary Students in Awe on Day 2. My session contained information about the utilization of digital picture frames, QR Codes, free videoconferencing opportunities with NASA, online comic strips, FakeBook and Museum Box.  You may access the presentation by clicking on the links below. An ActivInspire Edition is available. If you do not have the ActivInspire Software on your computer, then you may access the PowerPoint Edition. Once you click on the version of your choice, select the download button on the divShare website you will be taken to.

Thank you for attending my session and I wish you well on your technology endeavors. Remember, your technology missions are possible if you only believe.

ActivInspire Version: http://www.divshare.com/download/16058811-a36

PowerPoint Version: http://www.divshare.com/download/16058826-d54

Students all over the world are participating in videoconferences with authors, meteorologists, scientists, students in other areas and many others via Skype, Polycom, Elluminate and other videoconferencing resources. Several classes at one of my schools will participate in a videoconference with one of NASA’s astronauts in November. NASA offers k-12 teachers an opportunity to schedule a standards-based videoconference with an astronaut, engineer, educational specialist or a scientist. Pre-conference and post-conference Math and Science activities are provided to assist in preparing your class for the videoconference. Furthermore, users are informed of what will take place during the session.

If you are interested in this opportunity, then register at http://tinyurl.com/2wtvw7l. Once you access the Digital Learning Network Website, look to the left and select “new user registration”. To assist you in obtaining additional information about the videoconference, view the introduction video at    http://tinyurl.com/63mmavh. Do not delay, get started today.

Do you want to motivate your students to write? Would you like to locate a resource that will enable students to create an online book for free? Are you interested in finding a resource that provides parents with the opportunity to purchase books written by their children? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then you need to explore StoryJumper. This user-friendly resource provides users with the opportunity to utilize drag and drop props, images, scenes and texts to design a book. In addition, users can upload images and documents from their computers. Teachers can create a class account, and view sample books on the website. Visit StoryJumper today to motivate your students right away.

Today I had the opportunity to present at the ActivCarolina Conference in Bluffton, S.C. Teachers from various school districts came to be a part of this event sponsored by Promethean. My session was called Hidden Treasures: “ActivLearning with ActivInspire”. This session contained information about some of the most underutilized, yet significant resources in ActivInspire that enhance any curriculum beyond belief. Users learned how to use the recording tool to enhance students’ reading fluency, take pictures of video scenes to enhance retellings, create flashcards via ActivInspire, attach URLs and documents to their toolbar and learned additional tips and tricks that will add pizzazz to any curriculum.

Access the flipchart that was used at my session by clicking on the link below. Once you click the link, click on “download”. Remember to click on the page notes in the flipchart to access the instructions. http://www.divshare.com/download/15798912-3bc

Instructional technology leaders and teachers all over the world frequently endeavor to locate resources that will assist students in meeting technology standards. Web 2.0 Tools that Support the NETS is a website that list the NETS and provide a galore of websites that will assist students in meeting the technology standards. Visit http://tinyurl.com/2bl7bup to access these phenomenal resources that will have your students in awe.

Many educators around the world will return to their classrooms with enthusiasm and new acquired knowledge. Oftentimes, we spend our summers reading professional literatures or attending workshops to learn about the latest educational practices that have the potential to enhance student achievement.

If you have not read professional literatures or attended workshops this summer, then SimpleK12, an online resource that offers webinars, electronic books and additional resources pertaining to instructional technology, is offering free opportunities to you.

Some of the available webinars are:

• Classroom Management: Don’t Just Survive – Thrive!
• Control the Uncontrollable Student
• The Right Tools for the Right Job: 30 Tools  in 50 minutes

Visit SimpleK12 to take advantaged of  these free resources and many more opportunities that will contribute to your students’ educational success.

In a previous post, I mentioned the Upstate Technology Conference that was held in Greenville, S.C. in June. One of the sessions I attended was “Ramp up Reading with Technology” by Fran Bullington; a librarian from S.C. Bullington’s session was one of my favorites. She encouraged teachers and librarians to promote reading by using digital picture frames and QR Codes. Bullington stated she created PowerPoints that contain book trailers, trivia question and other interesting information to enhance reading. Bullington downloaded the PowerPoint on the digital frame, and placed the frame in an area visible to her students. Furthermore, Bullington placed QR Codes on books in her library. When the students scan the bar code, they will be sent to a book trailer or a website that contains information about the author and text. Visit Fran Bullington’s wiki to learn additional ways you may enhance reading.

I want to hear from you. How are you creatively promoting Reading in your school?