Pinewood December Tech Newsletter
Tech Resources That Bring Holiday Cheer!
Show Me The Resources!!!!
The best way to start is to not look for an app, but to ask yourself what you want the students to do. What is the learning outcome you are guiding them towards?
I will highlight some apps in this newsletter, but for those who want a good starting point, you can take a look at the iPad Primer I put together for a full writeup of some websites to help you find apps for your class.
Finding Apps, Where Do I Start?
If you want the quick version, try one of these two websites:
EdShelf
EdShelf is sort of like a Pinterest for Apps. I like the graphical way this website presents the apps as well as links to tutorials and ratings by other teachers.
EdTechTeacher
http://edtechteacher.org/apps/
I like the way that EdTechTeacher presents apps. They begin by asking what you want your students to be able to do. From there, they guide you to decent apps to take a look at.
Pinewood K-6 Resources
My hope is that many teachers will add iPad apps that they like as well as website that have been successful in the classroom. These could be resources that were used with students or that have made teaching easier.
If you would like to help me add resources to our EdShelf, let me know. You will need to create a free EdShelf account and then I can add you as a curator!
Upper Campus: I will make one for you as well. Stay tuned!
App Spotlight of the Month: Book Creator (Grades K-12)
Book Creator
Book Creator has recently added some much needed features.
- It is now MUCH easier to share books
- Books can be saved as PDFs and movies
- Comic book style tiles are now an option!
I was at a conference the week before Thanksgiving and spent quality one-on-one time with Dan & Dan the developers of Book Creator. They were really interested in how we are using their app at Pinewood and wanted to hear our feature requests and needs.
Book Creator Resources
- The Book Creator Blog has examples, tutorials and lesson plans!
- Book Creator Pinterest Boards with subject area examples
- 10 Ways of Using Book Creator
- Using Book Creator to Design and Publish Student Books
- Book Creator on Twitter: @BookCreatorApp
K-6 Apps in Action: Padlet & KWL Charts
Padlet is a collaborative digital wall that allows students to post comments or questions on a topic. It basically works like an virtual sheet of butcher paper where students can put any content such as, images, videos, documents and text. The Padlet can be viewed or edited from both a computer or an iPad.
Padlet is free. There are paid versions of Padlet for both education and business, but you don't need the paid versions to use it with your class.
Padlet Examples
"Teachers use K-W-L charts during thematic units to activate students’ background knowledge about a topic and to scaffold them as they ask questions and organize the information they’re learning." (From Education.Com)
You can see KWL charts using Padlet here: Using Padlet, QR Codes and iPads, Oh My!
Side note: If you have never been to Mrs. Wideen's Blog before, it is a tremendous resource for using technology ion the classroom. I have had the pleasure of meeting Kristen a few times and she is a great presenter, instructor and a wealth of ideas.
Show Me The Apps Quick List
Canva
Website: http://www.canva.com/
EdShelf Review: https://edshelf.com/tool/canva/
PicCollage
Digital collages never looked so good!
Website: http://pic-collage.comEdShelf Review: https://edshelf.com/tool/pic-collage/
Seesaw: The Learning Journal
Share work with parents and other students with this student-driven digital portfolio.
Website: http://web.seesaw.meEdShelf Review: https://edshelf.com/tool/seesaw-the-learning-journal/
Questions, Comments, Feedback?
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!!!
Bill