Adding Voice Comments to a Google Doc

This gem of a find comes to you via Susan Reeves, Instructional Specialist, Digital Age Learning for the Education Service Center, Region 20 in San Antonio, Texas. Google Docs is one way for you and your students to easily collaborate in real time. By adding this extension, you now have the ability to leave voice comments, which can be helpful for struggling readers. You can also use it as a tool to improve fluency by having students read a passage that you have uploaded. This is by far one of the easiest tools to add to your arsenal.

Productivity Tools and Podcasts: Take 2

Below you will find a re-recording of my recent Productivity Tools and Podcasts webinar with Dave Mullinix. Needless to say, we happened upon a few technical difficulties (hence the name: Take 2). The 3 apps featured are Dropbox, iBooks, and Podcasts. All can be used with students or as administrative tools to make life a little easier. Enjoy!

Productivity Tools and Podcasts Webinar from Laura Moore on Vimeo.

Teq’s iPad Appy Hour: 5 Apps for Creating and Sharing Content

One of my favorite resources for integration ideas and instructional tutorials is www.teq.com. They recently shared a recording from the April 15 webinar showcasing 5 apps for creating and sharing content. I’ve embedded the recording below. This is a wonderful example of using the iPad to promote higher order thinking skills in iLessons. All of the apps featured in this webinar are free and very easy to use. As with most apps and web tools, an account is required. I would suggest creating a generic classroom account with an easy to remember password. 

The Richter Report

Kelly Richter at Northwood Elementary in San Antonio, Texas uses her blog to showcase student learning, share technology integration ideas with other teachers, and to communicate with parents on a regular basis. Her class recently visited Honey Creek in Guadalupe State Park where students were able to see various lifeforms found in healthy water and even created their own fossil rubbings. This was a great way to share the field trip experience with working parents who were unable to attend. She also models math problem solving strategies for students who may need additional practice at home. Check out Miss Richter’s blog at http://blogs.neisd.net/kricht/. Be sure to leave a comment and encourage the continuation of their blogging journey!

Standard V for NEISD

What is Standard V?

All Teachers know how to plan, organize, deliver, and evaluate instruction for all students that incorporates the effective use of current technology for teaching and integrating the Technology Application TEKS into the curriculum.

Where Have We Been?

 


An Introduction to Technology Integration




Implementation Timeline
  • Year One (2012-2013): Provide professional development for all campus administrators. Administrators are required to attend three 30 minute Standard V professional development sessions presented during Principals Meetings scheduled between November 2012 and May 2013. Professional development will be geared toward identifying and recognizing good technology practices based on the Texas STaR Chart and ISTE national standards.
  • Year Two (2013-2014):  All teachers will be required to attend one session of Standard V professional development and include one student technology project in their teacher self-report to be shared and discussed during the summative of their PDAS. The quality of the product and administrator walk throughs will be used to accurately access “Domain II-9. Use of Technology” of the teacher summative instrument.
  • Year Three (2014-2015):  Same as previous year, but the number of student technology projects increases to (2) two.

Patterns of Classroom Use (Texas STaR Chart)


Early Tech (I use District required administrative tools.
I sometimes display electronic agendas and/or lecture slideshows. My students practice on the computer
)

I occasionally use technology to supplement instruction, streamline management functions, and present teacher-centered lectures. My students use software for skill reinforcement.

Developing Tech (I teach students how to use software applications. I design and facilitate my student’s technology products.

I use technology to direct instruction; improve productivity, model technology skills, and direct students in the use of applications for technology integration.

Advanced Tech (My students work in cooperative groups.
My students collect and analyze data gathered through advanced technology such as spreadsheets, databases, and data collection equipment. My students occasionally have choice in the form of their final product.) 

I use technology in teacher-led as well as some student-led learning experiences to develop higher order thinking skills and provide opportunities for collaboration with content experts, peers, parents, and community. My students evaluate information; analyze data and content to solve problems.

Target Tech (My students design and structure their own learning. Students communicate with practicing experts to formulate solutions. Technology is available and used seamlessly.)

My classroom is a student-led learning environment where technology is seamlessly integrated to solve real world problems in collaboration with business, industry, and higher education. Learning is transformed as my students propose, assess, and implement solutions to problems.



Technology Application Standards for Grades K-12



Online Tools and NEISD Applications Available to Assist in Meeting Standards

Technology Services Can:
  • Provide Professional development to be geared toward identifying and recognizing good technology practices based on the Texas STaR Chart and ISTE national standards.
  • Campus ITS will continue to provide model and co teaching experiences.
  • Campus ITS will continue to plan with grade levels and assist with the creation of technology integrated lessons that support classroom instruction.
  • Please note that you may not submit a student technology project for your PDAS portfolio that your campus ITS has modeled. 
Other Tools and Resources:
Suggested Online Tools for Portfolio Submission:

TagMyDoc

What is it? TagMyDoc is a web application that revolutionizes the way we share documents. At its most basic form, we apply a QR Code on a document so when readers scan the tag, they can get the virtual copy of said document. Also, TagMyDoc offers numerous other modern ways to share documents such as sharing to social networks & email.

Why is it green? When someone wants a copy of your document, and chooses to scan it in order to retrieve its virtual copy, it relieves you from the burden of having to print it physically. You’ll save precious energy, time and paper.

Can I modify a tagged document without changing the tag?  Absolutely! It is very easy to tag a new version of a document without changing the QR code. Once you browse to your document in your account, you will see the “Versions” tab that you need to select. After, a big blue “Tag a New Version” button will be shown. That’s where you want to select the new version of your document.

Here is an example using a handout from one of my classes: Google Earth Placemarks:

QR Code Storytelling at Windcrest

Mrs. Williams’ 4th Grade students at Windcrest Elementary used 3 digital devices to create their own stories based on the book Dog in Boots, by Greg Gormley. Here is a brief description of the book:

Inspired by his favorite story about a cat with fantastic boots, Dog heads to the local shoe store and emerges with some splendid footwear. But Dog soon discovers that his fancy shoes won t let him do doggy things. He tries flippers, high heels, even skis, but can t find anything that is just right. Could the perfect solution be right under his nose?

The students wondered what would happen if Dog tried on a variety of hats. Would he take on the personality of the hat? What if the hat were occupationally related? Would he still act like a dog or take on more human characteristics? After writing a rough draft in the classroom, students were taken to the library and each given a Neo AlphaSmart unit to publish their story. These word processing units have a built in spell check and Thesaurus tools to assist in the editing and revising stage of the writing process. Once their final draft was complete, student sent their text via a USB cable to QRstuff.com, a free website that generates a QR code from many different data types. Instructions for using this site can be found at the bottom of the post. The QR codes were put on display in the library for students and teachers to scan using a QR code scanner app on their iPads. 

Here are some links to more ideas for using QR codes in the classroom:

Kathy Schrock’s Guide to Everything

Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne

TechChef4U

Creating a QR code for student writing

Got iPad? Create eBook!

Over the past few months I’ve really been moving away from specific content drill and skill apps to more open ended, product based apptivities. I stumbled upon this fantastic resource from Silvia Rosenthal Tolisano via Scribd: 

 

Create your own E-Book for your iPad

There are many free book creator apps that allow for digital storytelling or documentation of learning. Below are some of my favorites:

Snapguide Now Offers Embedding

What is Snapguide?

Snapguide is a free iOS app and web service for those that want to create and share step-by-step “how to guides.” The service provides easy to understand instructions for a wide array of topics including cooking, gardening, crafts, repairs, do-it-yourself projects, fashion tips, entertaining and more. Educators are now utilizing this tool to deliver content and assign engaging student-created projects that promote collaboration and 21st century technology skills.

This site has recently made it very easy to share teacher or student created guides. Just copy the embed code in the HTML section of your blog or Teacher Web. Check out how to create a book using iBooks Author.

Check out How to Create an Interactive Book With iBooks Author by Timothy Brown on Snapguide.

Share your favorite apps with Appsfire

I was looking for a simple way to share my favorite educational apps with teachers when I stumbled upon this invaluable resource. Appsfire lets you recreate what your iPad or iPhone looks like and automatically generates a description of each app when moused-over. It even generates HTML code so you can embed and share in your blog. VERY COOL!

Poetry Palooza at East Terrell Hills

Over the past 6 weeks I have had the pleasure of working with a group of 4th grade students at East Terrell Hills Elementary, San Antonio. We spent 3 days exploring the different types of figurative language poets use as well as the elements of poetry. The students worked very hard to create this “poetry palooza” project using various iPad apps:

  • Inspiration Lite graphic organizer template helped us explain the elements of poetry
  • Sock Puppets was used to create a video of onomatopoeia examples identified in various poems
  • iCard Sort allowed us to categorize  similes and metaphors
  • Corkulous helped to showcase different ways authors use the 5 senses in their poems
  • Songify produced a “Personification Rap”
All of the above apps are free in iTunes except for iCardSort, however, iBrainstorm can also be used for this task. Glogster was used to showcase a digital poster of all completed activities. Special thanks to Mrs. Navarro’s students for all their hard work!

20 Apps in 20 Minutes

20 Apps in 20 Minutes Ipad Edition from TJ Houston on Vimeo.

In this webinar @tjhouston and @llacrosse will overview 20 apps in 20 minutes. These are the apps that were used in the classroom and found to be effective supplements to the curriculum. They were used with 5th grade science students while working with ipads for an entire school year.

While there is no perfect list of apps that will be guaranteed to work with all students in all classrooms, this list may be a good starting point for seeing the variety of apps available for the classroom. The types of apps available to teachers and students range from basic consumption of information apps to creation apps that allow teachers to provide a platform for students to showcase growth and learning. Each teacher and group of students will benefit from working to individualize their class with app usage. The best apps are those that work for YOUR content, YOUR class structure, and YOUR needs.