ActivExpressions and BrainPop

BrainPop has partnered with Promethean. You can use your ActivExpressions with every quiz in BrainPop. All it takes is a very simple download from Promethean. After the download make sure that it is on and you will see ActivExpressions as a choice in the quiz. Choose it, and send those quiz choices to the Expressions. Go to the link below to download the Flash Bridge needed for this. Before you start the quiz, make sure you enable the Flash Bridge. You will know it's running when you see the Flash (ActivExpression, pictured) icon in your Windows taskbar or Mac dock.

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en/resources/partner-resources/brainpop/brainpop.aspx

TCEA Friday

Friday at TCEA I attended a workshop about the new Technology Applications TEKS for middle school.  Beginning in the new school year of 2012-2013 these TEKS must be met.  The biggest change is the break down into each grade level and scaffold student expectations.  These can be found at http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter126/ch126b.html

The biggest challenge has always been inserting all of these TEKS into the regular classes.  Many teachers manage to cover some of them with technology integration. However, teachers are so busy keeping up with their required curriculum they forget that TA TEKS are another item they are required to teach.  Do you blame them?

TCEA Thursday



Fabulous 50's:  50 Websites, Projects, and Ideas

On Thursday of the conference the “Dueling Duo” did a three hour workshop…...Fabulous 50’s:  50 Great Websites, Projects, and Ideas.  We had a great time and the participants left with over one hundred items to use in the classroom and computer labs. 



TCEA continues......

I have had some rest and a massage so now let’s talk about the rest of the TCEA conference.  I had a chance to be in a 3 hour workshop with the techchicks.  They have gathered immense resources for QR Codes.  Have a look at http://techchicktips.wikispaces.com/QRQrazy  While there check out their other resources.  It was a great workshop!

Mobile Me Up, Scotty

Today was another day of workshops at TCEA.  I saw many gadgets that would be great with the Promethean Board.  The problem….the product requires connection to an outside server which requires holes in the wall or something like that!!  Network guys are not crazy about these. I have used some of these products for at least a year in my presentations, like Remote Mouse. It is great!  It would remove the need for slates with the Promethean board and make the teacher mobile in the classroom.

Found the case…..by Griffin

 

Apps of the Day:

·        Show Me….records actions for a “how to” video

·        Educreations…same as Show Me but makes it easy by sending you a link to the video in email

·        I Tunes U…we all know about this but did you know that Texas has its own channel…great podcasts

·        Soapbox…any question that your audience may have during your presentation can be asked, and answered without interrupting your presentation….combines presentation with a twitter feed

Links of the Day:

http://www.recordmp3.org/

http://edudemic.com/2011/11/ipad-middle-school/?t=1320679010  100 apps for middle school

http://www.apple.com/education/apps/

The Day Continued

I think I will just list a few items for you from the rest of the day.

Apps you might try: 

·       MyCongress allows you to type in your zip code and access your senators and  representatives.  Click and view their website, their youtube channel, and their Twitter Feed.  You can also contact them through this app.

·       NASA is the official app that delivers an extensive selection of information.  This app has been around for a while but they continue to improve it.

·       The Night Sky has recently been updated.  As good as it was before it is amazing now.  Identify the stars, planets, constellations, and more…..Some others are GoSkyWatch, Skyview, and Star Walk.

·       Evernote Peek is a learning app that goes with the Evernote app.  If you have a Smart Cover then peek under the cover to see the clue, lift the cover higher to see the answer.  Close the cover and repeat.

Microsoft Office:

·       PowerPoint now allows you to edit video.  Right click on the video and go to trim.  You can then shorten the video to the length you would like.

·       Math worksheet generator from Microsoft generates multiple problems based on a sample problem you type into it.

·       One Note…..why aren’t we using this powerful tool? 

iPads, and Links, and New Tools Oh My!

Did you know there is a new iPad case that allows you to slide your hand into it and work? The yellowpages app does much more than you think. I do not know why I missed the 4 finger swipe to go from one open app to another.....well duh? What else have I missed? Some other apps....corkulus pro, class parrot, Skitch, grocery gadget.

Got to go...another session

The Day Begins

I start at 8am with a workshop on iPads and Multi-touch devices. Most workshops are really good at this convention but occasionally you get a bad one. Let's hope we avoid that today. Next 3 hours on my iPad......

TCEA Bound!

I am not sure when I became such a geek.  I was a dancer, majorette, cheerleader, and Miss High School.  What happened and when did it happen?  Beats me, but it happened nevertheless! I do know that one of my favorite things to do is go to TCEA (Texas Computer Educators' Association).  It is so great to hear other educators speak my language. I always learn and re-energize my love and passion for technology in education. I will be attending this conference this week.  Hopefully, there will be much to blog about.  Also, I will be doing a 3 hour hands-on workshop with  Angie, the other half of the Dueling Duo.  I will post some of that info as well.

iPhone in the Classroom

I know there are so many ways that students can cheat using their smartphones. Students may know ways we have not even thought about yet. However, if we can learn to work with the positive side of smartphones in the classroom we can save money.  With money being the driving force these days Iit may be worth a try. The phones now have such capabilities they have become mini-computers. Can you go through the day without using yours?

Let’s talk general ideas:  flashcards, polling students about understanding, video & photo opportunities, note taking, QR codes, voice memo, calendar/agenda, and scientific calculators are just a few.  Throw in the more than half a million apps that can be downloaded, and we have choices like never before.  I think it is time to dip our toe in the water and see what happens.