FPS Integrating Technology into Your Classroom

"Build better video lessons, together Find a video and make it yours" Crop YouTube, Khan Academy videos, explain the video with your voice including audio notes for clarification, introduction, etc., and add a quiz/check for understanding at the end.

Interested in what an infographic is and what it can do? Check out Kathy Schrock's website on infographics. Great possibilities with the PLDs. Consider doing this in your classroom.

"The days of foldable paper maps are numbered but the world wide web is opening up the potential of maps by offering an amazing variety of cool websites that teachers should take the time to explore. Below are ten great mapping sites for you to use in the classroom."

Our belief is that technology should empower teachers. Each student has unique learning needs and teachers don't have the tools to personalize their lessons to those needs. The eduCanon platform is a tool for teachers to build lessons with interactive timed questions and engaging video content. Already, we've been amazed by the creative and inspirational uses of eduCanon by teachers--for flipped and blended learning environments.

Field trips generally venture only as far afield as the local heritage village, where you're likely to catch pilgrim 'Ezekial' behind the butter churning hut sneaking a modern-day cigarette. Google wants to offer a more far-reaching experience, with a new Connected Classrooms initiative that lets classes take "virtual field trips" using Google+ Hangouts. So instead of learning about pioneer times from a local drama student who has to keep the goat stables clean in addition to infotaining the kids, you'll check out the Seattle Aquarium, Minnesota Zoo or the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Google says that teachers already employ its social network in classrooms, but the Connected Classrooms program is designed to make it easier for more of them to do so. It offers not only those virtual excursions mentioned above (along with a number of other destinations), but also provides teachers a chance to work together on class plans and learning experiences for use both in the classroom and out.

"What does student engagement look like? I have received this question from teachers in a number of different forms. Often the words "apathetic" or "unmotivated" are used in place of "disengaged." But the point is the same. Many of us have had students in the classroom whose stubborn lack of interest or motivation threatens to undermine the positive learning environment we've tried to create. How do we turn this around?"

"Want to Make Your Own Set of Flashcards? Step 1: Modify the Google Spreadsheet Template Copy this template into your Gmail or Google Apps account. Enter as many terms as you want. Name your set of flashcards by changing the name of the worksheet (at the bottom)."

"The Maker Movement, a technological and creative learning revolution underway around the globe, has exciting and vast implications for the world of education. New tools and technology, such as 3D printing, robotics, microprocessors, wearable computing, e-textiles, "smart" materials, and programming languages are being invented at an unprecedented pace. The Maker Movement creates affordable or even free versions of these inventions, while sharing tools and ideas online to create a vibrant, collaborative community of global problem-solvers. Fortunately for teachers, the Maker Movement overlaps with the natural inclinations of children and the power of learning by doing. By embracing the lessons of the Maker Movement, educators can revamp the best student-centered teaching practices to engage learners of all ages."

"Managing tablets as learning tools in the classroom is not easy, especially when many kids use them largely as toys outside of school, if they have access to a tablet in their home environment. Kids often come to school and instinctively want to engage with a tablet as a toy, expecting to be free to play the games they want to play and explore the apps they are interested in. To get kids to shift into tablet as learning tool, teachers are finding that instilling fair, reasonable and consistent classroom habits in tablet learning environments is key."

"The fully automatic bibliography and citation maker. Save time by creating a cited page instantly in the MLA, APA,or Chicago referencing styles! It's easy, fast and it's free!"

The Buck Institute is a national leader in Project-Based Learning. There are a number of great rubrics on the website that assess 21st Century Skills (collaboration, communication, critical thinking, creative thinking, problem solving, and citizenship). As we look for projects to assess students' 21st Century Skills, this resource is a one-stop-shop for those rubrics.

"You may feel like it's just one more thing to add to your plate. In reality, figuring out more efficient ways of working means you have more time to devote to your students, more time to be creative, and more time to relax and recharge your batteries."

"Kahoot! empowers educators and captivates learners. Through the creation of a trusted learning space, educational content is delivered by asking meaningful questions in real-time, creating a social, fun and game-like environment. Kahoot! flips the classroom with a pedagogy based on encouraging a loop from 'learner to leader' within the learning space, which maximizes the precious learning time spent in the classroom and empowers learners to lead."

"In an effort to bring my own classroom to the present, I've put together a list of 10 icebreakers that use technology and fit with 21st century students"

"After years of experimentation and reflection, here's my current take on smart-and not-so-smart-ways to use technology in the classroom."

"The Background Burner quickly removes the background from any image or photo. Our patent-pending technology does all the work for you, automatically."

"Fun, interactive, research-based simulations of physical phenomena from the PhET™ project at the University of Colorado."

Here are some nifty modifiers to type in your Google search box to refine your searches and get the best results.

"Empower your students to think critically about data, ask meaningful questions, and communicate their conclusions." Conduct inquiry-based activities and lessons in Math, Science, and Social Studies topics aligned to the Common Core Content and Practice Standards.