Tech Tools for Summer Learning

[Zach Guy]

There are only so many days in the year.  As the 2010-2011 school year winds down what tech tools are you looking forward to mastering during the Summer?  Share your links, your apps, your tips and techniques with us in this forum.  Thanks!

[jim alvaro]

I am going to work on two things.   I was to become more familiar with my new ipad2 and all it can do.

 

I am also going to look at the way I am using technology in my classroom.   I think I've been approaching it backwards.   I want to come up with a thematic curriculum approach and then figure out how to use some technology rather than the other way around.

 

jim

[Lisa Knott]

I teach fourth grade.  I am currently working on my masters in educational technology.  I am excited for some time to create lessons and rework some of my units so they include some of the web 2.0 tools (glogster, voicethread, animoto, jing, and live binder)  that I am learning about. 

I also agree with Jim.  I think before I was very teacher-oriented with technology.  I would focus on how to use technology for instruction.  I want the technology I use in my classroom to be focused on student learning.  It would be more effective if I created blended lessons instead of just using technology because it's there.

[Deborah D Therriault]

Teaching in special education, I want to explore the many technology rich sites to enhance my student's school experience and learning opportunities.

[Justine Koszela]

Throughout taking technology courses, I have learned that it is important to teach through technology.  There are so many wonderful things out there that can enhance student learning and mastery.  One thing that I would love to integrate more in my classroom are digital story telling and wikis.  I have also used Glogster for animal reports  with my primary aged students.  They loved it!

[Renee Lubaway]

I'll be developing SMART Board lessons in Notebook and online learning using Articulate for a couple of contract projects I have this summer. Several teachers have already attended our workshops in Novi this summer for SMART Board training.  They're planning to dive in, learn the tools, and explore lessons available online through sites like exchange.smarttech.com. If you are among the lucky teachers who will be getting a new SMART Board in the Fall, ýou don't have to wait till then to learn the software that will come with your board. It's amazing how you can actually "practice" using your interactive whiteboard from your home computer without actually being in front of your board. You can download the 30-day trial for Notebook on your home computer. Math tools, too.

Lisa mentioned Jing, a favorite of mine and also available free from TechSmith (a Michigan company). Jing is a handy tool and easy to use. Here's a link to download Jing. Don't summers go by fast with so many new tech tools to learn and explore?

[Brian Jenks]

The website below links to download.com, a site where you can download free (and free to try) software from a wide-range of areas; my link points to Free Educational Software.  To the left you can search by categories (Teaching Tools, Math, Language, Science Software and more), select/narrow search results by what Windows or Mac operating system you are interested in, and get specific details on each software (what it offers/does, editor and user reviews, number of times downloaded, etc.).  This site is hosted by CNet, which also provides in-depth reviews on electronic and other technical products.

Free Educational Software

(Or start your own search of software by accessing the site:  http://www.download.com and selecting a category.)

[Terra Kirsch]

I just joined Museum Box which is a program out of the UK based on Thomas Kincaid's boxes.  I plan to use it for elementary social science projects.  I like the layers you can build for each side of the box. It reminds me of a diorama.