FPS Integrating Technology into Your Classroom

"Certainly one of our goals as educators is for students to write more. However, that does not necessarily mean to write more words. Quite the opposite, there are actually several benefits that come from having our student write fewer words. By that what I mean is having students distill their ideas down to just the most important, relevant, clear, and concise words. By putting limits on the number of words or characters our students can use, this forces students to: Summarize key points Select what is most important Choose words that best convey meaning Restate concepts Avoid unnecessary filler and fluff"

"Screencasting tools are a popular option for use in schools. At their most basic they allow you to record a video of what is on your computer screen, along with your voice, and depending on the program perhaps your webcam as well. Some may go further to provide you with annotation tools to write on or highlight portions of the screen while recording."

"If solving story problems brings back grade school anxiety, you are certainly not alone. Many students struggle with word problems. Such problems are more challenging because they require skills higher on Bloom's Taxonomy, including evaluating, analyzing, and creating. We may feel comfortable (relatively speaking) with math when simply given an expression to evaluate, but it can be quite a bit more difficult to decide what is important, determine relationships, see what is missing, and construct a plan to solve a problem. A while back I did a blog post on "Highlight Tool", an add-on for Google Docs that allows you to assign meaning to colors with which you can highlight text in your document. In that example I primarily applied the tool to language arts situations." This is not just limited to mathematics. Have students use the Highlighter during active reading time in all courses.

"TwistedWave is a browser-based audio editor. You only need a web browser to access it, and you can use it to record or edit any audio file. All the audio is stored and processed on the server, so you don't need to download anything, or save your work when you are done. Close your browser window and your work is saved. Open TwistedWave somewhere else, and all your audio files, with the complete undo history, are still available. With a free account, you can edit mono files up to 5 minutes in length."

Toontastic 3D is a playful storytelling app that scaffolds the creative writing process and empowers kids to create their own animated cartoons. While Toontastic was not specifically designed for schools, we have heard from a lot of educators over the years that they love how the app sparks their students' imaginations and uses the Story Arc to help frame their writing. Their students use the app for creating everything from book reports to news broadcasts and foreign language skills.

"Recap provides teachers with new, creative ways to gather evidence of student thinking using video. It helps create new learning connections between students, parents and teachers, and foster more transformative dialogue by everyone."

"The New Google Sites now delivers the simplest way to show Google Drive files in context on the web. Every page is now an easy-to-read single column of content. Every page works well on a desktop, tablet, or phone. And the elements of every site work together, thanks to themes, fonts, and color choices that help you create a coherent design."

"a list of 10 signs of a 21st Century classroom"

"Doodle simplifies scheduling The scheduling tool you'll actually use. Find a date for a meeting 2x faster!" See this YouTube video for help: https://youtu.be/Mh1tLSdRhxE

BackStory is a public radio program & podcast that brings historical perspective to the events happening around us today. On each show, renowned U.S. historians Ed Ayers, Peter Onuf, and Brian Balogh tear a topic from the headlines and plumb its historical depths. Over the course of the hour, they are joined by fellow historians, people in the news, and callers interested in exploring the roots of what's going on today.

Pixiclip is an online canvas that lets you communicate using a webcam or a mic. Just click record and you're ready to go. Pixiclip is your message in motion!

"Web Whiteboard is the simplest way to instantly draw and write together online. Nothing to install or learn. Passwords and accounts are entirely optional. Just create an online whiteboard with one click, and share it live by sending the link to people. You can use this whiteboard in conjunction with a Google Hangout."

HOW DOCENTEDU WORKS: Turn almost any website into an engaging lesson by adding questions, discussions, insight, and more into the text.

"The Bloom's Digital Taxonomy Cheat sheet we posted awhile ago does feature a collection of educational apps for both iOS and Android (and the web), however, we went ahead and created this visual incorporating some of what we think are the best apps and tools aligned with each of the thinking levels of Bloom's digital taxonomy."

"When using Bloom's Digital Taxonomy (a revised take on Bloom's devised by educator Andrew Churches), it helps to have a list of verbs to know what actions define each stage of the taxonomy. This is useful for lesson planning, rubric making, and any other teacher-oriented task requiring planning and assessment strategies. The Bloom's Digital Taxonomy verbs in this handy infographic apply specifically to each stage of the taxonomy. They progress from LOTS (lower-order thinking skills) to the HOTS (higher-order thinking skills)."

60 videos of technology tips for teachers we used for a professional development at our district. Videos to be watched on YouTube...great resource for various web tools.

We noticed users have used HSTRY to tell other stories - from travel logs to a blossoming romance. Businesses have also adopted the tool and have created product roadmaps, onboarded clients and shared their team strategies. A change in product philosophy could therefore help a broad swath of teachers, their students and learners of all kinds. We've been working hard over the last couple of months to introduce you to our new identity: Sutori. Sutori is the easiest and best way to create and share your story. In a few clicks you can add any type of media to your story and create with your friends and colleagues in real-time. All stories can be shared and embedded onto any website or blog.

This site aims to provide students and teachers with information and ideas to assist them apply the Habits of Mind. Each of the sixteen habits is presented along with information on when to use each habit and strategies to make the process easy. Each page includes a short video that demonstrates the Habit of Mind and could be used as a starting point for discussion. The pages combine ideas from Making Thinking Visible by providing a set of thinking strategies relevant to each habit. Each of the Sixteen Habits are paired with a series of Thinking Routines modified to encourage application of the relevant Habit.

"Nimbus Screenshot can capture the whole browser window or a selected section of it. Or maybe you want to simply draw a picture or sketch a mockup? Nimbus Screen Capture can help with that!" Link to Chrome Web Store to add extension: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/nimbus-screenshot-and-scr/bpconcjcammlapcogcnnelfmaeghhagj

"Ormiboard is a web-based whiteboard for schools that lets teachers create content and collaborate with students - on any device with any OS - making teaching and learning seamless, hassle-free and more inclusive. Instantly transform your classroom, home or anywhere you roam into one giant canvas to engage students like never before!"