Technology for Teachers
December 2015
Teacher Showcase
Jennifer Iverson says:
"I am trying to build technology into my own instruction as well as give my class some computer time. I have one of my stations set up as computer math. I started with IXL and xtramath.org but have since added Sheppard Software as an option. The class loves Monkey Math! They can practice math skills while playing a fun game. It’s very motivational and engaging for them. Plus, that’s four to five kids less tossing dice, talking math strategies, moving math manipulatives around and/or having to set up and take down activities. Not that those aren’t all important parts of Bridges, but this gives meaningful math time yet provides less “active” kids to have to manage. The Monkey Math keeps them focused (and quiet!)."
Amy Gray got her interactive white board up and running. Below, Rickquel Castro is practicing her letters. I can only imagine how engaged her Kinders must be!
Wonderful Websites
Educators can sign up for free (after providing your district e-mail address and a few other pieces of information).
For more information about Prezi, click here.
Here are some examples:
- Fractions (made by a teacher)
- American Revolution (compiled student work, made by a teacher)
- Solar System (created by a student)
Below are some ideas for use in the classroom:
I was thinking this would be an engaging way for students to present information to the class, or perhaps I could create lesson reviews to post to my classroom Facebook page for parents to show students over the summer.
What are your ideas?
Features of this website:
- There are multiple versions of each worksheet, which is great for progress monitoring.
- Each worksheet has an answer key.
- There are built-in rubrics at the bottom of each worksheet for easy grading.
- There are modified versions of worksheets for lower learners, or for when you are first introducing a topic.
- You can save them to your computer.
- The "One-atta-Time" feature allows you to display one problem at a time, similar to a PowerPoint.
- You can enter and store your students' names, then the website will replace the default names on word problem worksheets with your kids's names! (Enter them here).
- They are working on expanding their resources to include Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Writing, and Spelling.
Valuable Videos
Prezi Tutorial
Interactive Whiteboard
Snappy Apps
Songify
Songifying a speech or presentation is a great way to bring it to life. It would be a great tool to use at the beginning of the year to get students to introduce themselves to the class. I am sure any teacher could find many creative ways to use Songify to get students more interested in expressing themselves in class.