CE14 ~ Web 2.0

Web 2.0 resources are the tools we use to do more than just read information on the Internet. Web 2.0 tools allow us highlight, evaluate, collaborate, modify, generate -- web 2.0 tools allow us to interact with and manipulate the information.

Web 2.0 tools are popping up everyday and that can become quite overwhelming. Over time, certain tools will become your favorite and you will gravitate to those, but don't let that stop you from exploring the new ones too!

You can access my previous blog post about Web 2.0 tools here.

Here are some great resources to check out to learn more about Web 2.0 tools:

~ Kathy Schrock's Guide to Everything - Online Tools and Web 2.0 Applications
~ Discovery Education Web 2.0 Tools
~ 35 Best Web 2.0 Classroom Tools

Some of my favorite Web 2.0 tools (at the moment) include:

~ Popplet
~ Evernote
~ Twitter

www.popplet.com

Popplet is a tool that I enjoy showing K-6 teachers. Popplet can be accessed on the web and on the iPad. They offer both free and paid versions.  Students are given a blank slate to create a graphic organizer/thinking map/bubble map -- whatever you call it. These maps can include text, images, YouTube videos, and drawings. The bubbles or Popples can be moved, outline color adjusted, and connected to other Popples.

What makes this resource even better is the ability to share the Popplet with someone else and collaborate on the same Popplet.

Here is my recent blog post about Popplet and digital writing.

www.evernote.com

I am becoming more and more of a fan of Evernote. I do use Google Apps, alot, and so I need to find my balance between the two programs.

Evernote provides a free and premium service. I am currently using free and it works great for me.  Evernote allows you to store just about anything in virtual notebooks. You can store typed notes, photos, web articles you have clipped, and then be able to search through all of it!

I can't do Evernote justice, but if you check out these sites you can learn (and fall in love) with Evernote.

~ Free Tech 4 Teachers - A Free Complete Guide to Evernote
~ The Ultimate Simplified Guide to the Use of Evernote in Education

You can also find some other Evernote resources here on one of my blog posts last year.

www.twitter.com

Oh Twitter, how awesome you are!  Twitter is just one of those tools that can make the world and all of its experts more in reach. Twitter has allowed me to connect with some many great edtech leaders and share what I have learned with others.

Enough about Twitter for right now though.. we will save that for another blog post!

What is your favorite Web 2.0 tool?

CE14 ~ Day 1

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Although I haven't personally heard it in a while, I think "You are only as strong as your weakest link" is a phrase that administrators and educators can relate to. The ASCD theme for October 1-10, Educator Observations, fits in with this phrase.  When conducting classroom observations, administrators can see the strengths and weaknesses of their faculty and staff. This information is vital for improving student and school performance. Several states are implementing teacher observation procedures and evaluation forms, but this shouldn't stop you from conducting evaluations and observations your school and staff need to grow. In my district, for example, administrators use a short observation forms when they conduct classroom checks through out the day.  These short observation forms were created using a Google Form. This allows the administrator to keep a live, running document of the observations conducted.

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Are you a connected educator? Better yet, how do you know if you are a connected educator? Connected educators are connected to the world around them. Connected educators use social media to connect with others, collaborate on projects and learning opportunities, and construct new connections within their current teaching tools and resources. Connected educators share their knowledge with others. Connected educators blog, tweet, pin, and present what they know and learn so that others can do the same.

The Connected Educators website provides a list of books that will spark your excitement about being a connected educator.

resources:
http://www.ascd.org/news-media/Press-Room/News-Releases/2014-connected-educator-month.aspx
http://connectededucators.org/

Connected Educators Month

http://stockmedia.cc/

So, I am challenging myself to become a more connected educator this month. I also want to help other educators become more connected with the world around them.

Since I am blessed with the opportunity to work with teachers and administrators, I plan to use ASCD and Connected Educators resources as my guide through out this month. My goal is to use take the time this month to share resources, thoughts, and ideas for teachers and administrators. I also want to grow professionally during this month, learning from and connecting with other edtech leaders around the world.

I hope you will join me on my journey to becoming a more connected educator!

ISTE - day 1 & day 2 take aways

It is that time of year again - ISTE! Its the time when ed techies from around the world come together to learn, grow, share, and connect with each other.  I have been fortunate to attend my 2nd ISTE conference.

So, with day 2 coming to a close (and day 3 just around the corner), I wanted to take a moment to get my thoughts about day 1 and day 2 out there.  Maybe you have the same thoughts. Maybe yours are completely different.  Either way, its a great start for a conversation on day 3.

Day 1 take aways:

~I was able to mark something off of my bucket list - present at ISTE.  Its amazing how slow 5 minutes can be when you are standing in front of A LOT of people!  Being part of the first Ignite Session was an honor and so powerful. I had the opportunity to share my passion and excitement for the Aaron Jones Family Interactive Center.
~The Bloggers Cafe is a great place .. period!  Last year, I was intimidated of the Bloggers Cafe and thinking back I should not have been. This year I embraced the Bloggers Cafe and had the opportunity to catch up with ed tech friends I connect with on Twitter and make new connections/friends.

Day 2 take aways:

~There are some words that come to mind in a big way when I look over my notes, images, and the ever scrolling #ISTE2014 Twitter feed. Those words (for me) are:

connect
create ..and share
collaborate
cultivate

CONNECT - If you want to grow and learn, you need to find people and groups that will help you out. By connecting with others that have the same passion or interests, you can learn about different perspectives on a topic which will in turn help you grow and expand your knowledge and understanding. Connecting also shows you that you are not alone. There is no excuse for leaving ISTE without making at least one new connection!

CREATE - I have yet to see a session about how to create awesome worksheets. When I say create, I mean something beyond a multiple choice test. Create a video. Create a blog post. Create a visual for a project you do.  When you create, then you next step (hopefully) is to share what you created.  Don't be afraid to share.  In one session, I believe Adam Bellow's, he said to share and don't worry if its perfect or complete, just share.  Someone will find what you have to say interesting and relevant.  Don't assume everyone already knows what you have to create and share.

COLLABORATE - This goes along with connect.  I get excited when I see a group of teachers in an area connecting and collaborating on an idea to make something happen.  Find someone who gets excited about the same thing as you and collaborate on making whatever that thing is happen.

CULTIVATE - We need to work towards cultivating thinkers in the classroom. This includes students and teachers. Does the classroom allow for students to just learn from you say or do they have the opportunity to think and explore for themselves. Are you cultivating future leaders or followers? The session on the Genius Hour and 20% time was such a great "you can do this .. so go did it" moment.

I am excited for day 3 of ISTE. I will enter the day knowing I will learn, grow, and meet others just like me!

safely showing YouTube videos in class

YouTube offers a wide variety of educational videos that can enhance a lesson or activity.  Unfortunately, you can also have non-educational ads and/or videos that may pop-up.  There are resources out there that will allow you to show educational videos and remove the unwanted, non-educational stuff.  One of those resources is safeshare.tv

Safeshare.tv is simple to use and should be a must resource for teachers that incorporate YouTube in their classroom!

Click here to see a quick video on how safeshare.tv works.

a partner for digital writing - Popplet

Common Core State Standards ~ Writing Standard #6

~ Kindergarten-2nd Grade - With guidance and support from adults, explore a variety of digital tools to produce and publish writing, including in collaboration with peers.

~ 3rd Grade - With guidance and support from adults, use technology to produce and publish writing (using keyboarding skills) as well as to interact and collaborate with others.

~ 4th Grade - ....demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of one page in a single sitting.

When you read this standard, there are a few words that stand out most teachers are not 100% comfortable with - digital tools, technology, collaboration/collaborate, keyboarding. Popplet is one of many web resources teachers can use to help address those uncomfortable, techie words!


Popplet is a web resource that allows the user to create a graphic organizer/thinking map/bubble map. Popplet has a free and paid edition.  I currently use the free edition, and love the potential!

First things first, you need to create an account.  Once the account is created, you can start make your first Popplet. When you make a new Popplet, you will need to provide a title and select its background color.

       

You will start off with a blank screen, which is great because you have a blank canvas to work with! The bubble within Popplet are called Popples. These can be made by either double clicking on the screen or selecting "new popple" found under the tools icon.

Each popple can be moved by simply clicking and dragging. You can also increase and decrease the size of the popple.

A popple can include typed text, an image/video from either the web or your computer, or a drawing. You can also change the color of the popple. These four options are located on the bottom. The upper right corner provides a place for comments related to the popplet and the four gray circles will create and connect a new popplet.

Do you notice my name in the upper left corner? This is because I made the popple using my account.  You can invite other users to join this Popplet. This will allow for collaboration among multiple users on one "document".

    

I have just touched the surface of what Popplet can do!  Below are the other options until the tools icon.  Popplets can be printed, exported, viewed full screen, etc!

Do you already use Popplet?  Share your thoughts and ideas!

mobile learning on mobile devices - Infuse Learning

So far I have talked about two mobile learning resources, Kahoot and Socrative. The third resource I have recently learned about is Infuse Learning.

I first heard about Infuse Learning at ISTE 2013 and then again at FETC 2014.  I figured it was time for me to check it out!

Infuse Learning is a cross platform assessment platform for teachers and students. To start, teachers create a free account at www.infuselearning.com. Once the account is created, teachers could start with on the fly questions or dive in a little more with creating assessments and classes.

Lets go back to the account creation. Once created, you will see this screen...

The enrollment type for my session is open. In order for students to join, they go to student.infuselearning.com on any device that has Internet access. The screen will prompt the student to enter the Room ID (located on the upper left corner) and their name.

The Quick Assessment question types are what I call "on the fly" questions. You can ask these at any point during a lesson or activity. These do not require any prep before hand, hence the name.

For example, if you were to ask a multiple choice question, the students would see this on their device's screen.

 Notice, there are no answers next to the multiple choice options. The students either have something in front of them or something was asked verbally.

The other Quick Assessments include:
- Draw Response - The students can draw their answer and submit it.
- True/False - The students can select true, false, or don't know.
- Multiple Choice - The students can select from a section, depending on how the teacher creates it.
- Sort in Order - The students can place multiple items in order, depending on how the teacher creates it.
- Open Ended Text Answer - The students type in their answer.
- Numeric - The students type in a number answer.
- Likert Scale - The students select depending on how the teacher creates it.

If you want a more formal assessment, you can create a quiz within quiz management.

There is more to Infuse Learning than I have talked about, so if these features excite you then I encourage you to check it out!