Pickle Technology: Google Search Lesson Plans

Pickle Technology: Google Search Lesson Plans: Google in Education Being able to search is a great resource tools when doing all kinds of projects.  Using this web page can help you...

Web App

Looking to test out an app for student teaching. It is a toolbox of things that can help you out if your stuck.

Here's to the crazy ones'

RIP Steve Jobs.

Echo-Echo-Echo

I came across a new tool the other day for the classroom.  This tool has actually been around for a while but I just got my hands on it to try.  The Echo Livescribe smart pen is that tool.  I was amazed of the possibilities this tool has.

One of the biggest perks with the Echo pen is the ability to record everything it hears and records what you write.  This is great for many different subjects.  The ability to upload your notes or lessons to the computer and then giving access to the students to view later is awesome.  If a student needs a little extra help and did not take the best notes they can review what had gone on in class from an earlier date.  Both seeing and hearing can benefit those types of learners in a great way.  

I think the Echo Livescribe is a good tool for the teacher and even the student.  Its a must look at tool especially if you are searching for another way to connect with your students.

Check out the web site: http://www.livescribe.com/en-us/

Below is a short work sheet I did with a 1st grader on sight words.

Tyler's
brought to you by Livescribe

Your Personal Assistant - FLUBAROO

Find yourself looking like this when it comes to grading papers?  Try Flubaroo and use Google docs to do the grading for you.

Teachers, do you...

• Not have enough time for grading?
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• Need a free solution to help?

If so, then Flubaroo can help!

• Grade online assignments in a single step!
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• Designed by a teacher, for other teachers!

http://www.flubaroo.com/

Summer is almost over.

Its been awhile since I last wrote a blog entry. Boy there has been a ton of cool stuff that has come out in the tech world. I have also continued to accumulate tools and resources to help with my research in technology and teaching. While being only an average blogger I’m sure this site has been over looked many times. And yes some of my entries could use some work. But for those who found value I thank you.

These are just a short summary of what I have found interesting and useful.

1. Google+

This is the latest for tech news and an invite is needed to check Google+ out. Needless to say I have not been able to get one, like many others, but Google+ has gotten great reviews so far and possibilities in the education world seem endless.

2. Lion

Apple really knows how to write software that changes the world. Their new os completely makes sense in all the right senses for everyone. Packed with some awesome features I can’t wait to get my hands on it.

3. iPad 2

This one is not new to anyone but this tool keeps on amazing me with the uses in the classroom. Still not a one all tool but it can cover about 80% of your needs. I think.

I’m looking forward to the up and coming year and hope my knowledge grows so I can pass it on.  I’m going to slowly try and get into the swing of things so this was to kick that off.  See everyone real soon.

Mind Mapping-Never Get Lost

Spiderscribe is one of the coolest mind mapping program I have found. You have the ability to input not just plain old text but some really neat and useful tools. You can input documents, location map, and even images. For those visual learners this is a great tool. You even have the ability collaborate with others. Oh and its FREE!

Check it out tell me what you think. http://www.spiderscribe.net/

Trying out Jotform

I came across this free form creating site and found it great to use. You can even upload files. Sweet! Try it out and let me know what you think.  www.jotform.com

Scrible New Tool

I came across another great tool for anyone, teacher or student.  Scrible is a new Bookmarklet tool with no downloading or installing anything.  Its even very versatile and virtually works with all browsers.  Why would you use such a tool? Below is a great example and I got it directly from Scrible’s site.  I couldn’t have explained it any better then they did.

research with scrible

• Highlight & Annotate Web Pages
• Tag, Filter & Easily Search Web Research
• Save, Share & Collaborate in the Cloud

scrible: collaborate on research with power & ease

• richly annotate web pages in multiple colors & styles
• save web research online & access it from anywhere
• use simple keywords to search full text of saved research
• use tags to quickly and easily organize research by topic
• easily share annotated web research with others via email
• new create project-specific digital research libraries
• new set permissions to selectively share libraries with others

The software has only been out since may 4th so don’t forget to try it out and give feedback.  I have only been playing with it for a day but two things I think are awesome. One is the legend feature where you can label different colors for different things. Second is the export feature (only available in IE so far).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check our this video of the founder:

Edmodo

What is Edmodo?  I came across this while surfing other blogs the

other night.  Edmodo

 

 is not a name of a famous

 

 Spanish singer nor is it a type of fruit it’s better.  How great would it be if you had an interactive environmental were you and your students could interact, learn, and be informed all in one place?  That’s what Edmodo does and more.

 

Edmodo is nothing new and has been around for a while and I hope its here to stay.  It has the interface that resembles facebook so students are comfortable and have knowledge on how it works.

“Edmodo is a free, secure, social learning platform for teachers, students, schools and districts.

Edmodo provides teachers and students with a secure and easy way to post classroom materials, share links and videos, and access homework, grades and school notices.  Teachers and students can store and share all forms of digital content – blogs, links, pictures, video, documents, presentations, and more. There are also special institutional features for schools and districts that can be accessed for free by administrators.”

http://www.edmodo.com/

Check it out tell me what you think.  Leave a comment below and if you have any personal experience I would love to hear it, good or bad.  

Quick guide with the help of Edmodo.

Open publication - Free publishing - More edmodo

Having access to your blog from everywhere.

Leave Your Work At Work

As I begin with the building of my blog I’ve quickly found out that I can blog with every device I own.  I mean from my phone, ipad, and even my computer.  Even if its not my computer as long as I have access to the internet I can update my blog.  So what does this mean?  It means when you experience something unique you can blog about it instantaneous.  No longer do you have to write down notes so you can remember what you want to share. 

Obviously there comes a time and place to leave your work at work so monitor it appropriately.  There is nothing more frightening than when your family gets mad cause you can’t put down your phone.

CyberBully

This is a video I had made for middle school students to talk about cyber bully.

.

Live Feed

Cyber Bullies

If it isn't enough for students have anything more to deal with the threat of a faceless bully is lurking in the shadows on the Internet.  After reading this last chapter in our book on student safety it brings to light a problem that has gotten way out of hand.  No longer are students just afraid of being harassed at school in front of friends and peers.  This is being done in the privacy of their own homes.  Through social media such as facebook, instant messaging, and even texting students are being bullied to the point of true fear.  I'm passionate about this topic have done alot of research and have found some disturbing facts.  I even created my digital story on this topic.  If interested please click on the link and watch the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvqQK3x2MNc

6 of 6

Through the past several weeks I've been visiting and observing several schools. Like other education students these observation hours were for many other classes on different subjects. As I visited these schools Ikept in the back of my mind all of the technology tools that I have been learning about and coming across. One thing began to stick out I say no technology being used at all. Now it's only been a half a dozen od classes but 6 out of 6 seems to be a trend in the wrong direction. As I being to explore this topic more and ask questions I realized that I just wasn't visiting on the wrong day but non of the teachers used technology but just a few times a year for major projects. Wow what a wasted opportunity for these kids. I'm trying to find the common link between these teachers and their non use of these tools but haven't found anything yet. I hope it's not just a case of being lazy or overwhelming feelings of prossure from TCAP scores.

Now that I have that off my chest I continue to descover more tools in technology. Two things I have discovered are tools by Microsoft and their office products. The first is "mischief mouse" which is an interactive game which uses PowerPoint and gives a game atmosphere to the class and gets every student involved by using a mouse. The other by Micrsoft is incorporating presentation and office one note. Both these tools I have played with and find them very Esau to use and very intertaining. I hope you find these too,s as useful as I do.

If Your Bored With Powerpoint.

         While being swamped with all this technology assignments I came across something that I thought was very cool.  Its a site called Prezi.com and it is an alternative to powerpoint.  This is really cool and will keep the attention of your students.  Check it out below.  This is an example that someone made on Google.  Thought it was appropriate for the class since we have talked about all of these.  Wait for it to load and by putting the mouse over "more" you can autoplay or full screen.  Or click the arrow hope you enjoy.

Google For Educators on Prezi

All the help I Can Get.

I come the realization that having a great support team and ones you can count on is going to be my greatest supporter. Using all these resources that are available to me is what I have realized. Using a blog in the classroom is one of those support tools that needs to be utilized. No longer can a student say I don't remember you saying that or I didn't hear that for an excuse. I can use a blog to repeat lessons that students need help on or have missed due to illness.

Finding a way though to make sure the student visits the blog could be a challenge. One way is to have the answers to some bonus questions listed in the blog could work. For those students can visually see the lesson might benefit from it more as others. This, blogging it just one of those tools that should be utilized in a classroom.

Blogs What Are They Good For?

While creating this blog it never occurred to me the uses that could come from this tool.  The only thing I know about blogs was they are a place to write whats on your mind.  It suddenly became apparent to me the power of the blog and its use in the classroom.  If you only use a blog for one purpose it should be used as a communicator between you, the parent, and your students. 

No more have the student saying, "I didn't hear you say that."  Or a parent try to explain that they didn't know your classroom management.  It is all right there for them to read at their will.

To Use or Not to Use?

I like to think of myself as a person who is fairly knowledgeable about technology.  I that guy in my family that when there is a computer problem or question I get the call.  This class, tech 3300, definitely has pushed my creativity to a level that it has not been at in a while.  At first I didn't understand why teachers didn't want to take the time to learn this new technology and what it can do for them and their students.  Now I can easily see how senior teachers can shy away from this tool and not take full advantage from it.  It very much so takes a dedication of a teacher to education themselves on this tool which is not easy to learn, especially when the students know more than the teacher.

This class has helped me, so far, in showing me all that is available and what this technology can do for my class.  I've made a commitment to rededicate myself to this new technology and embrace it and not to leave it just sitting on the shelf.  I look forward to the up coming assignments and the things to learn.

Tools for Success

A carpenter uses a hammer and a saw to complete his job.  A baseball player uses a ball and baseball bat for their job. There are many professions that require tools to be able to successfully complete the job.  Even teachers use tools to do their job but I never thought of students using tools to successfully go through school.  As I read this chapter the potential of the Internet became very apparent to me.  The Internet has such potential for the success of students that it would be silly not to use it as teachers.  The numbers that are presented in the chapter on how many students are using the Internet is growing every year.  It is very important for us as teachers to keep up with this technology and keep our knowledge up to par.  To use this technology as a tool for learning is key for success its also important to use it as a communicator between students.  This was a great chapter to help me create a web page for my classroom.

How will you walk the fine line between traditional teaching and Internet incorporation?  I look forward to the challenge to finding ways to help my students succeed.