The iPads are Coming… (they’re here!)

It should come as no surprise to those who know me that: (1) I’ve had an iPad for nearly a year now, and me being me, (2) I’ve also been exploring ways to integrate it into instruction. I did my first iPad workshop on Wednesday and will also pilot an iPad project sometime before the end of the year (which I will chronicle here).

I had a fun time exploring apps to download and purchase. The full list is below (and yes, I know it’s a long list…I sort of got carried away). Of course, I’m already maintaining a running list of new apps to explore. The headings correspond to the folders I organized them into…some of which were plainly arbitrary on my part, admittedly.

Have a recommendation for me? Ideas are welcome!

Dock:

Safari

Camera

Terra

iPod

Settings

Office 2HD

Front Page:

Calendar

Google App

Google Maps

Facetime

Photo Booth

Dropbox

Skype

Evernote

iPad Tips

App Start

Polldaddy

iTunes

App Store

Mail

Good Reader

Keynote

Mobicip

Twitter

Apps in Folders:

Books:

Google Books

iBooks

Kindle

Kobo

nook

Nook Kids

Free Books

Overdrive

Reference:

Wikipanion

Dictionary

Utilities:

Contacts

Game Center

Timer

Calculator Pro

My Convert

Compass

News:

AP News

CNN

Media:

Ted Talks w/Subtitles

Brain Pop

Animoto

iMovie

Crackle

Vimeo

PBS

Story Corps

MIT Lecture Hall

You Tube

Videos

Storytelling:

Puppet Pals HD

FlipBoom Lite

Sonic Pics Lite

Flip Book Lite

Animation Studio

Strip Design

Story Pages HD

Writer’s Studio

Notes:

Blank Slate Lite

aNote Lite

UYH

Scratch Work

Penultimate

Replay Note

Notes

Music:

Garage Band

iDaft

Piano Free

Finger Drums

DJ Spooky

DJ Mixer Pro

Beatwave

Soundrop

Loop J

Vocoder Lite

Radio:

Stitcher

Sirius XM

NPR

Drawing:

Draw Free

Whiteboard

Adobe Ideas

Brushes

Voice:

iRecorder

Quick Voice

iTalk

Dragon Dictation

Brainstorming:

iBrainstorm

Mindblowing

Jot Free

Images:

Photos

PS Express

Life Magazine

Sonic Pics

Tilt Shift Generators

Lifecards

ELA:

Mad Libs

Bluster

Shakespeare

SAT Vocab

SAT Reading

Free Grammar

Wordventure!

iLibe

Instadict

Textropolis

Grammar Girl

ESL:

e-Touch Lite

iTranslate

Tap to Talk

Word Lens

ESL Beginners

Pencil Bot level 1

Health & Fitness:

Body Fitness

Fitness HD

Calorie Counter

Daily Burn

My Food

Everyday Health

Health Now

Yoga Stretch

Web MD

Math:

Math Ref Free

McGraw-Hill Fractions

Quick Graph

Khan Academy: Algebra

Touch Calc

HMH Geometry

Math Terms

Math Fractions Lite

Polar Sweep

Pocket CAS

Science:

Sky Orb

Molecules

Moon

3D Brain

SPARKvue

NASA

3D Cell Stain

Hubble Top 100

Elementals

Lab Timer

Science VL

Xperica HD

Star Walk

G

Social Studies:

Google Earth

All Countries

History Maps

Oregon Trail (free)

Geo Master US States

Civilization Revolution (lite)

National Archives

Tour Wrist

This Day

My Congress

US Constitution

Speed Geo Lite

Tap Quiz Maps

Manual for the U.S.A.

Web Tools for Elementary Schools

These are my favorite tools and methods for working with young students.

(1) Voice Thread – Voice Thread allows users to create narrated slide show movies that can be shared over the web. Older students could create and narrate their own digital story. Younger students could comment on a drawing they created or just tell a short story.

(2) Google Earth & Google Maps – Wonderful tools for students to learn about places, from their own community to locations around the world. Google Earth is software that works with the web, while Google Maps is entirely online, with maps that are customizable.

(3) Animoto – Students are able to produce their own videos with this easy-to-use web site. Animoto stores your videos online so you don’t have to worry about storing large files.

(4) Webquests – These inquiry-based projects can be created by teachers to allow their students to work collaboratively in the classroom. Webquests provide students with quality web resources and then ask students to complete a complex, project-based task.

(5) Podcasting – Podcasts, similar to Voice Threads, are audio-based projects which mimic a broadcast radio show. Podcasts are excellent classroom projects since they touch upon a wide variety of skills, and are extremely motivating for students. Podcasts can be created with students of any age.

PS 79 Teachers, please take our educational technology needs assessment.

About my Workshop

Here’s a nice post by Rob Manning of AUSSIE about my Web 2.0 Workshop. Thanks for the write-up!

Web 2.0 Workshop

Welcome to the Workshop–

Please fill out my form to submit your Google Account. Below are accompanying links we’ll be using in the workshop today.

Video Links:

1. The Machine is Us/ing Us (You Tube)
2. An Anthropological Introduction to You Tube (Numa Numa song @ 1:55)
3. How Google Saved a School
4. Alike’s Ning Screencast
5. Shift Happens (Did You Know?)
6. NYC iSchool
7. School of One
8. Real-Life Twitter

School Case Studies:

1. Berta Dreyfus, Staten Island, NY
2. PS 170, Bronx, NY
3. South Brooklyn Community High School, Brooklyn, NY
4. CSI HS for International Studies, Staten Island, NY
5. IS 339, Bronx, NY

21st Century Skills:

Partnership for 21st Century Skills (Route 21)
Framework Overview (PDF)

Professional Learning Communities:

1. teachnetnyc.ning.com
2. Classroom 2.0
3. Youth Voices
   

Recommended Web 2.0 Sites:
-Gmail (email)
-Google Apps (complete array of apps)
-Flickr (photo sharing)
-Google Maps (mapping, location)
-Animoto (video editing, presentation)
-Ning (social networking)
-Blogger or WordPress (blogging)
-Weebly (web site creation)
-Google Sites (wiki & web site)
-Wikispaces (wikis)
-VoiceThread (storytelling, presentations)
-Vimeo (video sharing)
-Evernote (note-taking, web clipping)
-Diigo (social bookmarking, research, web clipping)

Please fill out the final reflection to provide feedback at the end of the day. Thanks!

Google Docs

Welcome to the Workshop on Google Docs!

Before we get started, please fill out the Pre-PD Form using GForms.

As I go through the presentation, please click here to be added to the chat.

During the session, I’ll share a Google Doc with you so we can collaborate on a brainstorm in real time.

At the end of the session, please fill out the Feedback Form.

Here are some helpful links for using Google Docs in the Classroom:

Google Docs
http://docs.google.com

About Google Docs
http://www.google.com/google-d-s/intl/en/tour1.html

Things to do with Google Docs
http://docs.google.com/Doc.aspx?id=ah7pzmd9d7gs_bacpff3h9vrjg

Google Docs for Educators
http://www.google.com/educators/p_docs.html

Google Docs: An Overview for Educators (online presentation)
http://docs.google.com/Present?docid=ddnctvgt_170cbskvf68&skipauth=true

“Peer Editing Using Google Documents”
http://www.teachersnetwork.org/ntol/howto/incorptech/googledocs_peer%20editing.htm

“Get Organized with Google Applications”
http://teachersnetwork.org/grantWinners/Teachnet09_AnneKornfeld2.htm

“Google Docs, Jing & Peer Revisions”
http://www.teachersnetwork.org/GrantWinners/Teachnet09_JenniferRygalski.htm

Technology & the ELL Student

Here are some links for the workshop today…a full post coming soon!

1) Elementary Web Sites ELL Students:
http://www.everythingesl.net/inservices/elementary_sites_ells_71638.php

2) Activities for ESL Students: http://a4esl.org

3) Brain Pop ESL: http://brainpopesl.com

4) ESL Reading: http://eslreading.org

5) ESL Cafe: http://eslcafe.com

6) ESL Galaxy: http://www.esl-galaxy.com/lessons.htm

7) 25 Quick Tips for Classroom Teachers:
http://everythingesl.net/inservices/twenty_five_quick_tips_classro_70733.php

8- Everything ESL: http://everythingesl.net

9) Picture Dictionaries:
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Dictionary.html

10) Graphic Organizers: http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer

11) Online Listening Labs: http://www.esl-lab.com

12) ESL Podcasts: http://a4esl.org/podcasts

13) Cloze activities: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/cloze

14) Quizlet Flash Cards: http://quizlet.com

15) Voice Thread: http://voicethread.com

16) Mixbooks: http://mixbooks.com

Graphic Organizers (http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer

The Netbook Revolution

I have a netbook myself (Lenovo S10e) and I have to say that (a) I understand why they’ve taken off, and (b) I really love mine, despite being a complete Mac addict (Mac tablet…where are you???). Netbooks have become pervasive in education for a number of reasons, but primarily being the confluence of web 2.0 and cloud computing, and the affordability–now going to a 1:1 student-to-computer ratio is more of a reality for many schools. Here’s a recent workshop created for Emma Lazarus High School in NYC.

Netbooks have become very popular in education. Why?
-Inexpensive, easier to create a 1:1 student-to-computer ratio
-Greater access to student hands-on use
-Apps are moving to the web, cloud computing, Google/power of computer matters less
-Platform matters less
-Software matters less/open source
-Very portable, manageable
-Usually long battery life

Some Downsides:
-Limitations: not great for large software programs, SMART Boards, Google Earth, Second Life
-Theft more tempting, easier to tuck away
-Often not as sturdy as a regular laptop
-Keyboards can pose a challenge for students with large hands

Managing a Classroom with Laptops:
-”Lids down” as a signal to pay attention
-Sign-out process that is clear and efficient
-OR always assign 1 laptop per student & keep a record
-Students directed to report tech issues immediately/setup an online form to report problems/class chart
-Desks/room arranged so teacher can see screens easily
-Timer projected for independent work
-Build in time for distribution and putting netbooks away
-Remember to recharge/plug in netbooks, leave cart in good order
-Have a check-in, check-out process for all classrooms
-Keep a print binder on the cart to report problems, as well as an online form to report tech issues
-Assign a student tech leader (which can rotate) who can assist students, facilitate the process
-Remove and secure cart keys–keep in a safe place with a check-in/check-out process as well
-Agree upon a management and sharing system for laptop carts if equipment is much in demand

Recommended Open Source Software:
-Open Office (complete Office suite)
-Audacity (audio editing)
-Gimp (photo editing)
-Firefox (web browser)
-Google Earth (mapping, but not always compatible with netbooks)
-Picasa (photo management)
-Skype (VOIP, communication, conferencing)
-Moodle (e-learning)
-Linux or Ubuntu operating system…if you’re ready

Recommended Web 2.0 Sites:
-Gmail (email)
-Google Apps (complete array of apps)
-Flickr (photo sharing)
-Google Maps (mapping, location)
-Animoto (video editing, presentation)
-Ning (social networking)
-Blogger or WordPress (blogging)
-Weebly (web site creation)
-Google Sites (wiki & web site)
-Wikispaces (wikis)
-VoiceThread (storytelling, presentations)
-Vimeo (video sharing)
-Evernote (note-taking, web clipping)
-Diigo (social bookmarking, research, web clipping)

Google Docs (docs.google.com)
-Complete replacement for Microsoft…and goes one better. Able to collaborate on a single document and has form creation.
-Online and offline access, will sync up when offline to update your work.
-Can achieve a paperless classroom: good method for students to submit assignments, presentations, quizzes and worksheets
-Great for group work (no lazy group members–revision history)
-Peer editing and collaboration truly possible, no longer artificial process
-Teacher to student feedback is terrific
-Students able to see and compare drafts, revision process made clear
-Have access to documents anywhere, anytime, from Mac to PC–no more compatibility issues
-Completely compatible with Microsoft & Open Office in both directions (can upload from and download to)
-Great for students who do NOT have a computer at home or may be jumping on when they can–keeps a central place for their work
-Completely free, education edition nearly same as corporate
-Have to work up your own classroom process with students/how to title documents/sharing with the teacher=what works best for you

Resources to Learn More:
-Netbook classroom experiences (ISTE Connects)
-Peer editing using Google Docs (Teachers Network)
-Classroom 2.0 (Ning social network)
-Web 2.0 for the Classroom Teacher (links)
-CoolCat Teacher (blog)
-Google Docs for Educators (Google)

Don’t Let the Board be Boring: Interactive Use of IWBs

Pedagogy of Interactive Whiteboard Use
Designing Effective Notebook Lessons

Flight Plans for Learning: Making Inferences from Online Resources

Activities Well-suited to IWB Use

Engaging Learners the SMART Board Way

10 Ways to Get Smarter with SMART Boards

6 Brainstorming & Mapping Sites

Subject-area Suggestions

Science:
The Molecular Workbench Database

-brainstorming

-Google Earth

Great General IWB Resources
SMART Boards in the Classroom

Background Thing on Ning

Sorry, it’s hard to resist coming up with goofy rhymes when you’re talking about Ning. I love Ning. Ning is a free web 2.0 site that allows you to create a custom social network for your own needs. It’s a terrific site, one that can be used to communicate on all levels with colleagues, parents, students, and even to use as a tool for learning. A teacher I know created a Ning to help her students understand the relationships between European countries during World War I. Students broke up into groups and became countries, creating their identities and friending their allies. Another teacher I know created a Ning to demonstrate the Indian caste system.

I’ve created a few social networks, one being the Teachnet Institute Ning from last school year: teachnetnyc.ning.com. It’s not currently active, but come check it out to see the work we did, and sample some of our fabu ideas.

This year, the Teachers Network Leadership Institute asked me to prep a Ning tutorial for the teachers in TNLI this year. I’m a tech advisor to the group, which focuses on policy issues in education and how the teacher’s voice can become an essential part of educational decision making. They have a 21st Century initiative this year, and I’m happy to say I’m a part of it. We created a Ning as our main vehicle of communication and therein lies the reason behind the tutorial.  I’m reposting it below, but you should also check out the TNLI Ning at tnlinyc.ning.com.

1) Ning: What is it? How are other educators using Ning?

(NCTE, Classroom 2.0, Ning in Education, NYC Teachers)

2) Our Ning: Getting to know our site and how it works

-Notifications: follow sections of the site or subscribe to RSS

3) Possibilities:

-Create your own group for an advocacy issue

-Create your own Ning for classroom use

-Social networking for policy change/organizing/getting the word out (Howard Dean, Social Media Strategery, The Internet and Civic Engagement from PEW, Obama & Social Networking from the NY Times)

4) Help:

-Ning video tutorials

-Creating a Social Network

-Social Media in Plain English (video)

-RSS in Plain English (video)

Managing Laptops and Carts in the Classroom

Many times I am asked the best ways to manage laptop carts in the classroom.  I do have quite a bit of experience using laptop carts successfully, but have also worked at schools where the carts quickly deteriorated into disarray.

My suggestions follow, but with one disclaimer: each school has its own culture. What works well at one school might be disastrous at another–develop a plan that will function well with your school’s students, teachers, and physical building.

1) Come up with an agreed-upon sign out or pick-up procedure. How does a teacher reserve a cart? Can any teacher use the laptops or do they need to attend a training/PD first? Try to keep the laptops in an easy place that’s accessible to all. Keeping them in a classroom may be disruptive. I’ts a good idea to also have a “check in” policy–teachers review the cart before using to see if it was returned in good order.

2) Create an Acceptable Use Policy for both teachers and students. What responsibility does a teacher have for the carts? What rules should be enforced for students? Come up with these collaboratively and make sure everyone knows about them. Ask teachers who use the carts to review these policies with their students and have consequences for students who do not follow the rules.

3) Communicate and notify admin/tech staff about any problems or tech difficulties. Keep an “incident report” tracker either online or directly on the cart. Many schools keep a binder/folder on the cart that contains policies, sign-up information, student sign out forms, and incident reports. Tech staff should check the carts at least once a week to make sure reported problems are taken care of.

4) Classroom Use/Management of Carts
There are many possibilities depending on class size/number of laptops. In NYC, most carts do not contain enough computers for every student. Teachers mostly work with laptops as stations, in the workshop model, or using them in groups. It’s important to shuffle roles and usage to ensure all students have time on the computer–and they will almost always want to have access. Devise a plan that is fair and transparent, and may include a physical sheet or chart to keep track of access. Design student-centered activities and project-based learning activities to facilitate effective laptop use.

Class Management Tips:
- Have students sign out the laptops each time they use one.
-Arrange the desks so you can see their screens by just walking around.
-Walk around frequently.
-Create a class tech team to for other students who may need help so you can circulate.
-To get students’ attention, have a “lids down” signal. A projection device can also be very helpful.
-Create consequences for improper use; denying access to the technology can be a significant motivator.

Related articles:

Mac Book Cart Info page from Wissahickon School District in PA

1-to-1 Computing and Classroom Management from TechLearning

Classroom Management in the Digital Age (PDF)

Teacher Interviews on Classroom Laptop Use (video)

Scheduling & Rotating Ideas for Classroom Computer Use (PDF)

Managing Computer Use  in the Classroom from Intel