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Fab read. I've only highlighted a few paragraphs... then it goes into concrete ways to improve tech integration using the example of the iPad. ---- "n: Just bringing new technology in your classroom and working it into day-to-day routines isn't enough. The iPads arrived two days before my students, and I quickly made plans to integrate them into our curriculum. Despite my high hopes, the next two months were less than successful. A casual observer would have witnessed a sea of students glued to glistening tablets, but the effects were superficial. The iPads were not helping my students make substantial progress toward self-efficacy, academic achievement, or social-emotional growth. Around the end of September, I took a step back-it was time to evaluate and reflect on what was happening. I asked myself: "What have we been doing so far with this technology?" Students used math apps instead of math card games. They'd made slideshow presentations for isolated units. They'd done some research on the Internet. In short, things were going ... OK. Nothing to write home about. Not what I would consider "worthy" of a $20,000 grant. Clearly it was time for a change. The problem, I began to realize, was my own understanding of how the iPads should be utilized in the classroom. I had seen them as a supplement to my pre-existing curriculum, trying to fit them into the structure of what I'd always done. This was the wrong approach: To truly change how my classroom worked, I needed a technology-based redefinition of my practice."

Fab read. I've only highlighted a few paragraphs... then it goes into concrete ways to improve tech integration using the example of the iPad.

science, technology, research, engineering, arts, and math Can search by grade level: K-5; 6-8; 9-12 Can search by topic: biomedical tributary; engineering tributary; logistics, manufacturing and construction; architecture, digital media arts and tech; 3nergy, emerging sciences and math; agriculture, plant and animal science

Connect with teachers and scientists doing research in the polar regions. Great resources for science, PBL, global connections.

"You can use Google Images to search the web for images that have been licensed under Creative Commons or  GNU Free Documentation licences (GFDL).  Images licensed under Creative Commons or GFDL are still subject  to copyright, but the creator or copyright owner has chosen to allow other people to use their material under certain  conditions. These images can be freely used in teaching material, as part of research publications, on blogs, wikis  and other websites, and in University publications.  Not all images on Google images are available under Creative  Commons or similar licences; this guide explains how to limit your search to Creative Commons and similar  material." Then the rest goes into how to search Google Images, and how to give proper attribution. It's a tutorial walking you through step by step.

Educational search engine. Makes it easy for students to visualize their research subjects.

"All students and educators participating in the challenge will have their name flown on the Exploration Flight Test-I mission as a member of the virtual crew. This mission will be unmanned and will launch in late 2014. So, kids can be a "virtual explorer." There are 4 challenges, age appropriate, to help design protective radiation protection for astronauts. We need to get students interest in space travel for a variety of reasons. This is a lovely real world project for students to join. "The goal of the Exploration Design Challenge is for students to research and design ways to protect astronauts from space radiation. NASA and Lockheed Martin are developing the Orion spacecraft that will carry astronauts beyond low Earth orbit and on to an asteroid or Mars. Protecting astronauts from radiation on these distant travels is an important -- and very real -- problem that needs solving. NASA would like your help!"

Google Drive Apps and Microsoft Office FREE tutorials (screenshots) The tutorials were developed through a research study funded by the U.S. Dept. of Education

Assessing Projects is a no-cost, advertisement-free online resource to support the implementation of effective assessment practices. Visit to: *Create an account in the Teacher Workspace where you can save 21st century skills assessments to your Personal Library *Learn about the research and theory behind successful assessment. *Browse Assessment Plans that illustrate how different units incorporate ongoing assessment *Explore explanations and examples of assessment strategies

Grade/Subject: 9-12 Language Arts Description: Students will research the American Dream, what it means to different people and cultures, how it changes, and how it manifests itself in politics, religion, education or entertainment. In addition, students will define their own American Dreams and explore obstacles and adjustments they might need to make. Benefits: The student will apply pre-reading skills and comprehension strategies, while extending independent reading, and will organize and synthesize information that will be used to plan, create, organize and present an age appropriate media product. Students will also become more aware of the way culture changes across the decades. Possible Pitfalls: Finding an authentic audience could be an issue. However, some front work could solve that problem.

Project FeederWatch is a winter-long survey of birds that visit feeders at backyards, nature centers, schools, community areas, and other locales in North America. FeederWatchers periodically count the birds they see at their feeders from November through early April and send their counts to Project FeederWatch. FeederWatch data help scientists track broadscale movements of winter bird populations and long-term trends in bird distribution and abundance. This project gives an authentic reason to learn how to record data using graphs and charts, research, and writing. All of this can be done using technology. Since areas all around North America are involved, it ties into the global community. Teachers within a school or district could work together to promote collaboration. The biggest pitfall would be finding a location that would be appropriate to place the feeder.

Free database of articles for Arizona residents. Good for finding quality research sources. Check out the Point of View center for persuasive pieces.

Wow! Tons of resources for blogging and Google!

Submit your best images to the ThingLink Interactive Image Contest to win an iPad Mini and a Rosen Database subscription for a year. Images must be submitted by May 1, 2013. Enter your images at ThingLinkContest.com!

Great opportunities here for authentic learning...