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What teachers need to know to get started using Google Drive and Google Documents.

The following list represents some apps that may be of interest to secondary teachers. This list is based on personal use of the apps and from recommendations from other educators

Technology has been trying to 'revolutionize' education for a long time now. The mistake we've been making all along is placing all of the focus on the least important component of the revolution - the tech itself

In this day and age, where anyone with access to the internet can create a website, it is critical that we as educators teach our students how to evaluate web content. There are some great resources available for educating students on this matter, such as Kathy Schrock's Five W's of Website Evaluation or the University of Southern Maine's Checklist for Evaluating Websites.

"One of the core principles of good iPad usage that my EdTechTeacher colleagues have developed is the idea that educators should focus on creation apps rather than content apps. Most apps that are designed to teach specific content are terrible, so educators shouldn't think of iPads as repositories of apps but rather as portable media creation devices. Thus, educators don't need to review and master the hundreds of education apps that come out every year; rather, they should consider how a small suite of apps related to annotation, curation, and image, audio, and video production could support diverse student performances of understanding. "

We've written many times about the virtues of Evernote as a note taking, research and organisational tool. But Evernote also has a number of features that makes it ideal for use before, during and after excursions. Here's how it could be used:

"QR codes are a great and easy way to share digital materials and resources within your classroom. I use it in 2 different ways."

"ABC Splash is a new education website for Australia, packed with 100s of videos, audio clips and games. Totally free to watch and play at home and in school."

"as a parent, when I got up to say a few words I simply acknowledged that for many the whole technology thing is overwhelming and the audience's heads nodded in agreement. And, I didn't speak about iPads or how they could be used. I simply said that I had seen the number one reason why for this school and for our children a 1:1 iPad program was the way to go. That reason was because the teachers believed it was the way to go. And, we should back them."

One group of teachers' answer to keeping their students informed in this digital age.

Never mind the digital divide, it is the distraction divide from which we need to protect our students.

"Back in May Google added an integrated research tool to Google Docs. The research tool allows you to quickly find images, quotes, and links without leaving your document." Today, Google added the research too l to Google Docs presentations and drawings."

The final round of government funding is currently being distributed to schools all around Australia. So far over 967,000 computers have been bought, infrastructure built and (most) teachers up-skilled to benefit from the acquisition. But as the funds come to an end, many school principals are wondering if the process has been beneficial, and how can they continue to support and progress the Digital Education Revolution?

With many educational institutions choosing to use tablets for learning, it can be quite intimidating for teachers when faced with so many applications. The diagram below serves to illustrate that less than 20 core apps can play a significant part in the learning process and hopefully temper any trepidation.

Have you ever felt that your online students needed more direction on how to approach a discussion board? Have you thought that with just a bit more assistance students would really engage in the forum and take it to the next level, rather than just do the minimum required to get points?