How about using http://ifaketext.com/ to teach vocabulary or to have a conversation.  Students will pay attention to a text.

ClassFlow ... The Newest from Promethean

As of January 2014 teachers are able to sign up for a complimentary ClassFlow account. They got my attention with the ability to use my 5 iPads, 6 netbooks, 12 students with Smartphones, 12 ActivExpressions, and 3 laptops all within the same lesson in ClassFlow.  The ability to send graphs and images to the students (similar to InfuseLearning), have them complete a task, and send it back also got my attention.  The website states that with ClassFlow, teachers can build and access interactive lessons from any web browser, share lessons with other peers, and collaborate using the latest mobile and student response technology. Not only will ClassFlow help teachers save time at the planning and setup stages of lesson development, but it can also facilitate a more connected classroom.

 Ron Clark says ClassFlow really makes lessons more engaging. The kids get feedback on their work and everyone collaborates together. ClassFlow really connects us all.

Points of Interest for the classroom teacher:
•    Deliver, create, and easily organize lessons from any web browser
•    Develop lessons by seamlessly incorporating a variety of teaching resources and formats–video,  PowerPoint, documents, webpages, new content and more
•    Collaborate with a community of teachers by sharing lessons online
•    Unify your classroom technology, from your interactive whiteboard to tablets or any student devices.
•    Make edits, save changes, assess students, deliver and even share your lessons. 
•    Information goes two ways with ClassFlow. Send and receive feedback from your students - even photographs

The following Youtube video shows ClassFlow in action.  https://classflow.com/how-it-works
Check it out at https://classflow.com/ and let me know what you think.

I am at TCEA again and in a workshop with the fabulous Tammy W. Tang  http://tammyworcester.com/  As always she allows me to expand my knowledge.  Today she is talking about using Blogger for student  portfolios.  I can see this, especially since Blogger changed some security settings, and students can now turn their blog off so that it is not searchable.

I also think Evernote could be used as a portfolio as well.  Pictures could be taken of products and kept inside of Evernote.  The searchability (is that a word?) of Evernote is awesome.

Since I have another blog I have not posted on this one since the last TCEA Convention.  So, I will use this again to post while I am here.  In the past it has been a conference that fires me up......follow me as I search for new technology tools.

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!