Week 6

Week 6 - App-tastic!

I just recently left the blackberry world about a month ago to join the iphone family, and I was given an ipad just a couple of weeks ago. Needless to say, I'm a bit new to the whole app idea. However, I'm trying to embrace it whole heartedly! Here are a few of my favorites:

ClassDoJo - This is a really neat classroom management tool. I simply used it on my computer before I knew "there was an app for that" :)  You can give and take away points for each student and the program keeps track of the reason they were awarded points or lost them. You can view a percentage of each student's behavior or the whole class. You can even e-mail a behavior report card to the parents! You've got to check this one out!
About ClassDoJo

BrainPOP Jr. - I downloaded this app days after getting my ipad. The BrainPOP Jr. is for students ages 5-9. I teach 3rd grade, so some of my students were uninterested. However, my lower achieving students really love it! They have a movie of the week that you can access with the free app. After the video, it asks questions for the kids to answer. There is also a BrainPOP for older students.
More on BrainPOP Jr.

Miss Spell's Class - I have not yet downloaded this one, but it looks really neat! It will give you a list of 20 words, and students must tell if the words are spelled correctly or incorrectly. I thought this would be really great for my higher achieving students who may grow tired of the regular spelling lists each week. This would give them something a little more challenging.
Info About Miss Spell's Class

ArithmeTick - This app is pretty simple. It's basic math flashcards, but you can choose the skills and level you want to work on. You are competing against the clock, so you've got to stay sharp!
Info on ArithmeTick

I know a ton of teachers who like Khan Academy. @KhanAcademy recently released a free iphone app!

Week 5 - Instructional Software

Drill and practice-
ixl.com
This website allows students to practice math skills and concepts. You can specify the grade level and actual skill you want students to practice. Students can earn awards for completing problems correctly.


Tutorial-
http://www.khanacademy.org/
This website uses videos to teach the lessons chosen. Students may then practice the skills learned. The computer will offer hints if needed and has the students repeat the lesson if they answer a certain number of questions incorrectly.


Simulation-
http://www.kidwings.com/owlpellets/flash/v4/index.htm
This website is a simulation of an owl pellet dissection. It is fabulous! It lets students read about information regarding owl pellets, how to dissect owl pellets, and then provides a virtual dissection. We dissect owl pellets in 3rd grade, but I'm going to use this as a before activity.


Instructional games-
http://people.uncw.edu/ertzbergerj/ppt_games.html
This website has SEVERAL instructional games to use in your classroom to help make practice more fun for your students. I have used Big Wheel, Sunken Treasure, and Allign the Stars. They're great because you don't have to type in the template. I use them for vocabulary practice.


Problem solving-
http://www.kidsmathgamesonline.com/problemsolving.html
This website has some fabulous problem solving activities. I tried some myself and had some difficulty. I had to play them a couple of times to be successful. I'm very interested to see how my students do.


Integrated learning systems-
http://www.classworks.com/
This website allows students take a diagnostic test and an individualized learning path is assigned based on those test results. Lessons and practice are given based on the student's needs. Teachers may adjust those paths as needed. There is a cost for this learning system.

Twitter reference

tweeted by @pbskids:
Have fun practicing addition skills in SPACESHIP POWER-UP, a new @Cyberchase game! http://to.pbs.org/SqMgZs #games #math

The website has some neat games for students. I played some math and problem solving games. I think my 3rd graders will really enjoy this!

Week 4

HOORAY!

My school has been purchasing ipads a few at a time since August. Today was my lucky day! I have a brand new ipad for my classroom and I have no idea where to start. It's all a little overwhelming. While I was searching for ideas I came across several videos of classrooms that were supplied with multiple ipads. Students used them for a listening station, flashcard practice, QR code activities, brainstorming/organizing, and journaling. I feel my options are not as broad with one classroom ipad. However, I did find a couple of resources that would help get me started.

There are several apps that I have found that are, sadly, not free. I have yet to purchase those. Here are a couple that are free:

Free Apps

Brain Pop and Brain Pop Jr. - it has a video of the day and related quiz
Math Evolve - you choose to play as a game or simply practice facts. It allows you to choose what operation to practice as well as the speed and level of difficulty.

Video

You can view a video of math evolve here:

Twitter

@JasonSmithCSBO My ten favorite… #ipad #apps #classroom

ED 505 Week 3

Welcome!

My favorite pieces of technology are my Smartboard and data projector. The data projector is great for short stories or poems that you want the whole class to read. I can't begin to count the number of copies I have saved by projecting something instead of passing out 22 copies. It's also fabulous for picture book read alouds. By using the data projector, I won't have to worry about everyone being able to see the illustrations. The Smartboard is the best way to engage students before, during, and after a lesson. It can be used for small groups or whole group. I especially like having my students play review games. I often use it as a quick assessment. Special needs students really benefit from using this technology. I have a student that has a real difficulty writing, but really thrives on being able to use the Smartboard (Roblyer & Doering, 2012 pg. 18).  My kids love the Smartboard even more than I do!

References:

Robyler, M.D. & Doering, A.H.(2012). Intergrating educational technology into teaching. (6th ed.). Columbus, Ohio: Merrill Prentice Hall.

Video

A video for new Smartboard users:

 

Link

A great site with lots of resources:

Smartboard lessons

 

Twitter

Follow me on twitter!
@cprice038