March 2019 Technology Newsletter
EdTech News You Can Use!
We Meet Again
Not. Any. Longer.
I am bringing them back! I have collected a lot of resources and information through conferences, blogs, podcasts and user groups and this information can no longer be hoarded. It is time to share!
Featured App of the Month
Who doesn't feel anxious or stressed from time to time? This time of year can also see our stress level ramp up. March really is the calm before the storm, especially at upper campus. AP tests are right around the corner, end of year activities are on the horizon, and don't get me started about May! May is crazy at all three campuses! There is an iPad/iPhone app that you may find useful.
There has been growing talk about mindfulness, but what does that actually mean? Well, mindful.org says, "Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us."
Meditation may not be for everyone, but the company behind the very popular Calm app is giving away free premium subscriptions to all teachers. It is called The Calm Schools Initiative. You can use the app for yourself or use it with your class. From their website, "Teachers will have unlimited access to our growing library of guided meditations and mindfulness exercises, including Calm Kids, our programs tailored for age groups from pre-K through high school."
I don't know a lot about the program, but I thought it was worthy of passing along. Click the logo above or the link above to take you to the Calm website with more information. If you do try the app with yourself or your class, let me know. I'd love to hear your feedback.
PLN Spotlight
I want to help you add to your own PLN. In my spotlight this month, is one of my favorite education blogs/podcasts/websites. It is all three rolled into one! I do not always agree with them, but it is always thought provoking.
Cult of Pedagogy
As the website will tell you, "Cult of Pedagogy is run by a team of people committed to making you more awesome in the classroom." Topics are broken into categories like Learning Theory, Classroom Management, Working Together and Technology. There are topic categories for everyone from K-12. Within the hundreds of articles, audio podcasts and videos, there is something for new teachers, veterans and everyone in between.
To give you a taste, here are some blog posts and podcast examples that I found enlightening:
- 5 Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Unmotivated Students
- Rubric Repair: 5 Changes that Get Results
- 7 Easy Ways to Support Student Writing in Any Content Area
- Find Your Marigold: The One Essential Rule for New Teachers
- 6 Ed Tech Tools to Try in 2019
Visit cultofpedagogy.com for more.
BoClips - Advertisement Free Videos for Teachers
Right now they are giving away free lifetime accounts to teachers. The user interface for BoClips is pretty sparse, but free is free. It is worth a look.
Quick Takes
Wheel of Names
Classroom Screen
Remove BG
Bill Bates
Pinewood School
"Be the EdTech Superhero you were meant to be!"
Email: bbates@pinewood.edu
Website: https://medium.com/@thetrainingguy
Twitter: @TheTrainingGuy