TECH-getherness
Spring Newsletter 2015
Latest News
The 2015 Technology Art & Learning Showcase is soon approaching! The Smithson Valley Feeder Showcase will be held on May 6th and Canyon Feeder on May 13th. This year promises to be another success with many projects focused on design, gaming, digital learning, cybersecurity and much more. Please see me if you'd like to discuss some ideas!
SVHS students have Q&A session with International Space Station astronauts
Smithson Valley High students had what some space enthusiasts might call the chance of a lifetime on April 6.
Thanks to a NASA downlink, they were able to have a question and answer session with two astronauts currently aboard the International Space Station. In addition, Apollo 16 astronaut Charles Duke, one of only 12 men to ever walk on the Moon, was also in attendance and answered questions from SVHS students.
More than 570 students, in physics, astronomy and environmental science classes, attended the event in the SVHS Performing Arts Center.
Web Wows- Great websites and resources for teachers
Audiopal- Easy online audio creator. Students or Teachers can create an audio file which is easily embedded on a website, podcast, keynote, etc. Best of all no account is required.
Holt Thinking Maps- This is a great collection of graphic organizers that teachers can print out or edit directly on the pdf in a whole class discussion. Excellent for use with smartboard or interactive whiteboard iPad app such as ShowMe or Explain Everything.
Into the Book -(elementary) is a reading comprehension resource for teachers and students that focuses on reading strategies and offers interactive activities, videos and other resources for both students and teachers.
Idea Mapper- An online Web 2.0 interactive graphic organizing creator. Offers templates and a variety of pictures for students to use. Can also be used in whole class discussion. Students can print, email or share link to their maps.
Need Ideas? Creativity is at it's finest with the following great ways to integrate technology into your classroom!
Digital Storytelling
Students can create a story digitally using a variety of tools. Simple tools such as keynote and iMovie are already loaded on your Macs. Or you can get fancy and use a variety of software out there such as ebooks on iPad and storybird and Storymaker. The last two are free for students and allow them to create their stories right on the computer. Storybird allows teachers to create accounts for students and edit their books right on the teacher account.
Online Animation Creation
Whether you are recreating a historic event, a cycle in science or a literary story or poem, animation is always fun! DigitalFilms is a free 2.0 tool that allows students to create scenes with a variety of backgrounds and characters. Free account and no email address is required! Zimmertwins is another free online animation creator. Students would need a parent or teacher to register them with a valid email. A teacher can simply create a generic email account in gmail. :)
DoInk is a great iPad app but is about 4.99. Goldiblox and the Movie Machine is another great one and FREE!
Drawing Activities
There's always room for students to express their creativity through drawing and art and it applies in any grade level or content. Give the crayons and break and reach for an app! Sumoware requires an account but it is free for all to create and save images to their computer. Basically it's like having Paint or Photoshop on the web.
NGAkids has some fabulous interactive apps for creating collages, drawings and other masterpieces. Most seem to run better on PCs but each app allows users to download the program onto the Mac or install the Adobe Shockwave client.
Faylynn McMahon
Instructional Facilitator-
Please feel free to contact me for help planning a tech lesson or to assist in a technology project in progress. If you have a chance, put in a work order so I can help you in an expedient manner.
Email: faylynn.mcmahon@comaisd.org
Website: http://www.comalisd.org/technology/index.html
Location: Smithson Valley High School, Texas 46, Spring Branch, TX, United States
Phone: (830)885-1000