Tech Tips 2Day
"A little fun; a little business; a lot of learning."
February, 2014
A new tech tip for each school day in February. Some tips are web tools, some are trouble-shooting help, and some are just plain interesting and will help you deliver an interactive curriculum. Every tip shows a connection between technology and the curriculum. Have fun!
Jim
(For the list of contributors, go to the bottom of this calendar)
February 3, 2014
Curriculum connection: Student e-portfolios, subtitute information, community relations.
February 4, 2014
Curriculum connection: Games-based learning can bridge a student's thought-process from explanation to application. This site provides a high-quality math-games environment for students to apply what is being taught in the classroom.
February 5, 2014
Curriculum connection: A neat trick to help you speed-up your Internet searching.
February 6, 2014
Curriculum connection: Math, Reading, Fun, Playground... this site reinforces skills necessary for our students' future. This site may look a bit "elementarish" for Middle School/Junior High students, but it provides challenges for all students PK-8.
February 7, 2014
Curriculum connection: Show the students how easy it is to look up the meaning of a word. When students are using a device that can access Google, they have a dictionary at their disposal. Plus, it's quick!
February 10, 2014
In 1996, the founders of EducationWorld recognized the need to create a home for educators on the Internet, a place where teachers could gather and share ideas. They wanted to create a complete online resource that educators could visit each day to find high-quality lesson plans and classroom materials.
The result is EducationWorld.com, a resource that includes
- original content, including lesson plans, practical information for educators, information on how to integrate technology in the classroom, and articles written by education experts;
- Web site reviews; and
- special features and columns. (8)
Curriculum connection: When teachers have the opportunity to learn from other teachers, the results are higher productivity, new ideas, and a more efficient approach. This site provides many ideas for teachers and administrators. It is quite professional and will reflect the high quality you already demand.
February 11, 2014
Curriculum connection: This site is a wealth of information and materials for the educator. It supports subject curriculums and is easy to navigate. Basically, this site will give you ideas and assist in simplifying class preparation.
February 12, 2014
Curriculum connection: This tip helps speed you up (slightly) and helps keep you from searching for the "Home" link when visiting a site.
February 13, 2014
Curriculum connection: Saves you time! Also, some sites don't include a Search button next to the search box so teach the students that this is how they can start a search.
February 14, 2014
Curriculum connection: Your ideas can become an online presentation. Click here to see an example.
February 17, 2014
ZoomIt allows you to zoom in the screen, use a red marker to highlight text or graphics, as well as enable break time.
Once the tool is initialized, ZoomIt's icon can be found in the system tray. From the 'Options' area you can specify the initial level of magnification when zooming in. (10)
Curriculum connection: Creating a presentation you interact with is powerful. However, teachers have asked about quick and easy ways to zoom in on an Internet page or other resource with minimal amount of effort. ZoomIt allows you to quickly zoom in on a page and interact with the page. Effective delivery may mean more effective instruction!
February 18, 2014
Curriculum connection: There is a TON of valuable information on this site. It will appeal to students of all ages and will be a valuable resource for your classroom.
February 19, 2014
TeachersFirst is a free, advertising-free teacher resource web site offered as a service to teachers by The Source for Learning, a non-profit learning and technologies corporation. Their value-added reviews and teacher-friendly site have been helping teachers since 1998, sharing the best of the web and their own original content along with practical implementation ideas and best practices for effective integration of technology as a tool for teaching and learning. They have an international audience and a strong reputation for providing and recommending high quality resources.
TeachersFirst is written and edited entirely by experienced, professional educators. All their resources are reviewed by teaching professionals with relevant experience. TeachersFirst's own units and lessons have been developed for actual classrooms, in consultation with practicing professionals or by the teachers themselves. (12)
Curriculum connection: Learn from professionals and use their ideas in your classroom. Their "Planning Calendar" could give you classroom ideas as well as save you time.
February 20, 2014
Curriculum connection: We are responsible for the education of every student and this is one small way we can help. It's simple to do and requires a minimum of effort on your part. Give it a try and see what you think!
February 21, 2014
Curriculum connection: This is a favorite of mine! It is very easy to create interactive timelines in a really nice looking format. This would be a great tool for every teacher to add to their toolbox of ideas and lesson activities. A timeline is a wonderful way to relate concepts in a historical context that students can visualize.
February 24, 2014
Curriculum connection: We have teachers across the district who use this resource with excellent results. Create an account, search for a resource that another teacher has created, purchase it and download it. Maybe YOU have something you could sell to others! Technology is supposed to help us save time so why create a "new wheel" when someone else may have created what you are looking for? Afterall, your time is valuable so the expense may well be worth the investment.
February 25, 2014
Remember, it’s not about you! Your discomfort with technology may impact your students’ futures. Teachers need to be preparing students for the world they live in today as well as the future. Many jobs are dependent on a basic understanding of technology. Always ask yourself, “am I teaching something that is obsolete, or something that will help my students in the future that lies ahead?” (1)
Curriculum connection: Evaluating the content and/or delivery in your classroom is critical for the ongoing success of your students. Don't be afraid to try something new if it will enhance your curriculum.
February 26, 2014
Curriculum connection: This is a fantastic reading site designed for writers and readers. Join a group or create your own and share your thoughts about the wide-world-of-literature.
February 27, 2014
Curriculum connection: Learning through laughter can be a powerful tool. Not only will younger students enjoy this site but they will remember specific animals from the zoo. Sidenote: This is fun and interesting for older students and adults, too.
February 28, 2014
Curriculum connection: A wonderful resource for history teachers. Many of the resources view history from the British viewpoint. It offers alternative views which assists in expanding students' perception of the world. Sidenote: Learning about historical events from a different country's perspective is a valuable educational tool.
Resources:
3. http://www.ui-prototyping.com/tag/enter-key/
4. http://www.calacademy.org/sciencetoday/mouse-behavior/551154/
5. http://www.livebinders.com/
8. http://www.educationworld.com/
10. Elena Opris, Softpedia Editor,
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Desktop-Enhancements/Other-Desktop-Enhancements/ZoomIt.shtml