Group items tagged

"One of the tasks I have in my to-do list for this month is to write a post on the difference between the digital behaviour of Generation Y and that of Baby Boomers. However today as I was sifting through my Feedly feeds I came across this interesting infographic entitled " Data Footprint by Generations ". Going through its content I found that it, partly, clicks in with the post I am working on. The graphic provides data about technology usage by the different generations. It particulalry tracks the digital footprint of these 3 generations in terms of their video viewing habits, Internet usage , and connected devices. I think it would have been way better if the designers of this infographic provided some more clarifications on the definitional elements of these 3 generations and not just limit the data on them to age-range."

"An innovative, free resource is now available to educators across the nation to help them ignite student interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Spark 101 inspires students to thrive in college and future careers and helps teachers bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world applications."

"Project-based learning (PBL) - an educational approach in which students work together to solve real-world problems - is redefining how many kids learn. Vine, a social video app purchased by Twitter, is growing in popularity - and fast. What happens when the two collide? PBL teachers across the country intend to find out."

"Nunook Interactive Inc has released the BrainNook Grade 2 Arithmetic 1.0 app for iPad. BrainNook is the next generation of learning games for schools and homes. It is a social educational game that allows students to strengthen critical math and language skills in real time with their classmates. The web-based version of BrainNook is used by 100,000 students in thousands of classrooms across the country."

"Today while I was looking for a citation from " Making Thinking Visible: How to Promote Engagement, Understanding, and Independence for All Learners " , it dawned on me to compile a list of the popular iPad apps that promote visual thinking. Making Thinking Visible is by all means a must read for those of you interested in knowing how thinking can be made visible at any grade level and across all subject areas through the use of effective questioning, listening, documentation, and facilitative structures called thinking routines. Another book I have in my shelf and which is more or less similar to the one cited above is " Blah Blah Blah: What To Do When Words Don't Work " in which Dan walks his readers through the different practices of making thinking vivid with less words."

"AppCrawlr mines app data scattered all across the web to learn everything about apps. AppCrawlr knows good alternatives to Angry Birds are physics based, challenging, addictive games with great sound effects, solid replay value, and super fun. "

" It's one thing to use Evernote, but it's entirely another thing to master Evernote. If you're new to Evernote, I don't want to come across like it's something complicated - it's not, in fact, it's the complete opposite. But there is a lot to Evernote - more than most of its users probably don't take advantage of."

"In recent times, though there has been a proliferation of Web 2.0 collaborative tools that have the potential for full class interaction. My favourite at the moment is Padlet. Formerly known as WallWisher, Padlet started out as an online pinboard where unlimited users could post notes on topics being discussed en masse."

"Around this time last year, I wrote a post about the lack of engaging Maths apps on the iPad that went beyond "skill and drill" number activities. Since then, developers have introduced a greater range of apps across all areas of the Maths curriculum that can be used to enhance the Maths teaching and learning in your classroom. Here's a selection of 20 apps that cover Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry, and Statistics and Probability ( these are the Content strands (CS) Australia's Mathematics curriculum has been categorized under ). They also cover the proficiency strands (PS) of Understanding, Fluency, Problem Solving and Reasoning. I'm sure other countries' curricula are similar in many regards and you will be able to make the connections"

"Technology is all around us. In the ever-expanding digital age, we are inundated with tools, websites, and devices. While it can seem overwhelming, especially when we are used to a traditional way of learning and teaching, technology has made many aspects of a teacher's job easier. Soon we will get to a day where we can't remember how we ever taught without a computer! The latest and greatest technology in the classroom is the iPad. The slim, sleek, shiny tool is not only good for slinging disgruntled birds across the screen, but also for making our jobs as teachers easier. Here's a summary of some of the FREE apps that I can't live without:"

"Pictures convey meaning in profound ways. I'll illustrate this using a free word cloud program called www.wordle.net. Below I have a series of favorite quotes on visualization, with references. Attached I have a word cloud of the quotes (minus the source). Please read the quotes and then look to the word cloud. I ask you: which is more powerful? Which gets the point across quicker, stronger, and faster? Which would your students prefer to read?"

"With the Common Core adoption in the United States, teaching vocabulary is no longer strictly the domain of the English-Language Arts classroom. While Robert Marzano has been promoting the instruction of academic vocabulary for years-and many school literacy plans have included reading and writing across the content areas for years-it is now a matter of standard and law. Which makes it kind of a big deal."

"ChemDraw is fantastic iPad app for Chemistry teachers. This is an app that can be used by HS/College students and is ideal way for them to create/draw molecules and then share them easily w/ others. Also, this is a nice app for educators to use to help engage their students and help w/ them studying for tests. Best of all this is a very user friendly app that has users creating drawing of molecules and reactions by simply touching and dragging their finger across the iPad screen!!!!"

"Here are some interesting graphics I came across in fortheteachersblog and thought you might want to have a look. These visual graphics feature a set of useful pieces of advice to parents on how to help their kids with Math, reading and spelling. I invite you to explore them and share with your colleagues. The graphics are also available for free download in PDF format in case you want to print them out and use them in your class. Make sure you give credit to the owner of these visuals anytime you use them."

A Marble Machine is a creative ball-run contraption, made from familiar materials, designed to send a rolling marble through tubes and funnels, across tracks and bumpers, and into a catch at the end.

"Last week we looked at some extremely useful science boards on Learnist. This week, we'll do the same for math. As the United States ramps up its drive towards increasing proficiency in math and numeracy across curricula, these Learnist boards on mathematical topics and Math Common Core State Standards should prove invaluable."

"More and more children will be read stories about the legacy of residential schools in the classroom this year. Provinces are changing curriculums and educators across the country are developing resource guides in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) recommendations."

"Every new classroom project must satisfy available resources within three dimensions: 1) time, 2) money and 3) physical space. The 2016 New Media Consortium Horizon Report for K-12 Education anticipates that makerspaces will be highly adopted in schools across the country within the next year. Maker education and makerspaces are the hot topic in STEM education right now. Over the last year I have worked with many teachers in a professional development environment who are simultaneously enthusiastic about the idea of a makerspace, and frustrated by the limitations of space in their schedule, budget and classroom layout. We all want a makerspace, but how do we make that happen within these constraints?"