Tech Tips 2day
"A little fun; a little business; a lot of learning."
November 2013
The purpose of this "calendar":
What better way to learn about a technology than with a light-hearted technology tip for each school day?! If you would like, you only need to read one tip per day or as many as you would like; you decide based on your available time. So, take a look at this calendar each day and learn something new... or something old... or something just plain different. Let me know something YOU think could be included. I'll be happy to add it!
For each day, I have included a "Curriculum Connection" so you can see how the resource could be used in your classroom. Don't be afraid to share how you use the resource in your classroom with me or other teachers!
Jim
November 4, 2013: Pixton Comic Creator
It seems that most students like reading cartoons or comics. Pixton provides the opportunity for students to create their own comic. It's fun and easy to use. Don't forget to share the comics that the students create!
Curriculum connection: This is a different way to engage learners. It provides the opportunity for students to demonstrate their knowledge as well as you being able to present your content in a different format. It, also, promotes reading. It's a win-win for everybody!
November 5, 2013: Coupon math
One of our goals as teachers is to teach students that the skills they learn will be applicable in the real-world. How about creating an authentic learning experience using coupons from the newspaper? The students can sort them, match them, and even write story problems about them. Even better, let the students create their own ideas. Who doesn't want to save money?
Curriculum connection: Through this activity, students are able to practice real-world math skills in a practical setting. You can teach about budgets, money, research skills, and so much more.
Graphic courtesy of http://www.connections.coop/about-coupons
November 6, 2013: Spiderscribe
Web diagrams can be a valuable tool for every teacher. SpiderScribe is easy to use and provides an awesome way to diagram research or thoughts.
Curriculum connection: Create MindMaps and Graphic Organizing Webs. Use this site to teach students the skills necessary to organize their research or thoughts.
November 7, 2013: You don't want that pop-up window on your screen when you receive an Outlook email
Outlook is a fantastic email service for our district. However, teachers have expressed concern that emails are sometimes sent with a student's name in the Subject or in the beginning of the message. Then, when the email arrives at its destination, you may be using your white board and the message will pop-up in the lower right corner and every student in the classroom can see the student's name and part of the message. This is not a good situation and can be embarrassing for everybody.
Here's what you can do to avoid this situation:
- Never include a student’s name in the Subject of the email: just use the word “Student” in the Subject line
- Place your signature information before the message body if the email contains a student’s name
- Disable the pop-up message feature
- Always remember to be professional with emails that discuss specific students.
- Emails can become public information at some point. Be careful what you include.
Here’s how to disable the pop-up window. This pertains to the desktop Outlook program that you open from the bottom tray of your desktop:
- Click the “File” tab
- Click “Options”
- Click “Mail”
- Click “Message arrival”
- Deselect “Display a Desktop Alert”
- Click “OK”
If everything works correctly, you won’t have the little pop-up window any longer. Try sending yourself a test message to make sure the setting change worked.
Curriculum connection: Student privacy is a huge concern. An audience shouldn't see a student's name being broadcast on the white board. Take a little time to ensure student privacy and confidentiality by double-checking your message before you send it.
Graphic courtesy of http://www.netregistry.com.au/support/index.php?/article/AA-00304/0/Email-setup-tutorials.html
November 8, 2013: Quick Keys
- Ctrl + C: Copy highlighted objects
- Ctrl + V: Paste something you have copied
- Ctrl + P: Print
- Ctrl + Z: Undo the last thing you did (but it only applies to your computer; not real life :-)
- Ctrl + A: Select everything on a page
- Ctrl + S: Save (Jim lives, breathes, and sweats this one)
November 11, 2013: Create a Googly Eye Reading Stick
Curriculum connection: A tool to assist in the reading process.
Photo courtesy of http://glitternglue.com/2011/10/03/faboolous-diy-googly-eye-slingbacks-inspired-by-christian-louboutin/
November 12, 2013: Wh Monkey
Curriculum connection: Helps students understand the "WH" sound and connection with who, what, where, when, and why. Excellent for young students.
November 13, 2013: Bullying
Curriculum connection: Schools are supposed to address bullying, technology safety, and substance abuse education. Helpful sites like those included above provide information that will assist the teacher lead discussions and educate students.
November 14, 2013: Let's Get Barefoot!
Curriculum connection: A LOT of information that assists in reading excitement and imagination. Supports our reading innitiatives and is available to the students on home computers and devices.
November 15, 2013: Classroom.4teachers.org
Curriculum connection: Be an organized teacher and create room flow charts. Help yourself (and your substitutes) with a diagram of your classroom.
November 18, 2013: Tactile Number Lines
Curriculum connection: Sensory input is a powerful thing. Don't forget that our students need to touch items to make them "real". If you've ever taken a young child (or even older one) shopping, you know that they want to touch everything. You don't need an iPad, computer, or other device for this one: Just dots and a line. It helps make Math real!
Photo courtesty of http://www.numeracycd.com/contents/main/lines/picture/picture.htm
November 19, 2013: Flipchart and PowerPoint
Curriculum connection: Students have always liked graphic representations over text but today's youth are even more connected with graphics. Trust yourself and use graphic representations tools for comprehension when presenting.
Photo courtesy of http://www.tradeyouredge.com/5-reasons-why-trading-less-is-better/
November 20, 2013: Pie Chart Rubric
Curriculum connection: You are providing a clear, concise, visual representation of your expectations to the students. Use Excel (or online program) to create your pie chart. If you need help with this one, ask Jim to show you how your rubric could be converted to a pie chart.
November 21, 2013: District Specific Tutorials
Curriculum connection: Teaching is enhanced when you learn something that is relevant to your classroom needs. Short tutorials provide mini-professional development sessions where you learn a lot in a short amount of time.
November 22, 2013: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Toolkit
Curriculum connection: UDL is essential for reaching all of the students in your class. It builds on the multiple intelligences we have emphasized in the past.
November 25, 2013: Your screen or monitor needs to be cleaned
- Never spray directly onto the screen
- Use a soft towel or rag (100% cotton is excellent) or a special screen towel
- Spray any approved monitor or screen cleaner onto the rag and then clean
- Don't push too hard. Be gentle and repeat the process for heavy smudges
Curriculum connection: If you can't see what's on the screen, the technology isn't going to help you. Also, cleaning the screen will help reduce the transfer of viruses and germs from one person to another.
Photo courtesy of http://www.glogster.com/sillylilly16/computer-screen/g-6ma77ufdif892oijfmscea0
November 26, 2013: Create your own puzzles!
Curriculum connection: Puzzles have long been know to be an effective method for brain stimulation and higher-level thinking development. Create tools that reinforce vocabulary, facts, important events, etc. Instruction is better when it reinforces exactly what you are doing. When it's this easy, why not give it a try?