It is no secret that students of today live in a multimedia world where they use video as their primary form of engagement and communication. Teachers and administrators are looking for ways to present information to students that will not only spark their interest, but also encourage them to explore a subject more thoroughly. Meaningful exploration usually means deeper understanding, which translates into higher student achievement, whether measured via standardized tests or an increased graduation rate.
The advent of affordable 3D technology promises to bring into reality the dream of fully engaged students. Are you ready?
"While many of you may be heading for the beach this week, it won't be long before you're ready to start exploring some new tools to help your students be better creators and collaborators when you go back to school in the fall. This week we published a new video on Nicole Dalesio, a fifth-grade teacher who uses all kinds of free technology tools in her class to keep her kids engaged, and it inspired me to go hunt down the best tutorials for all these great, free Web 2.0 tools. Did I mention most of them are free?"
This guide is part of a series from NWREL to assist in
school improvement. Publications are available in five
areas:
Assists schools, districts, and communities in reshaping
rules, roles, structures, and relationships to build capacity
for long-term improvement
Provides resources and strategies for teachers to improve
curriculum, instruction, and assessment by promoting professional learning through reflective, collegial inquiry
Promotes child and youth success by working with schools
to build culturally responsive partnerships with families
and communities
Assists educators in understanding the complex nature
of literacy development and identifying multiple ways to
engage students in literacy learning that result in highly
proficient readers, writers, and speakers
Helps schools identify, interpret, and use data to guide
planning and accountability
This project has been funded at least in part with federal
funds from the U.S. Department of Education under contract number ED-01-CO-0013. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of
the U.S. Department of Education nor does mention of
trade names, commercial products, or organizat
"Every day, more and more teachers are using the world-building game Minecraft to engage and educate. The game is a true phenomenon and gamers young and old are using it in countless creative ways. Practitioners of Games Based Education have realized the potential and have embraced Minecraft in classrooms around the world. Now you can too!"
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* The Learn and Earn Program with the Secret Millionaires Club and Warren Buffett inspires and enables your students to learn good financial behavior in a fun and engaging way.
* The program includes nationally aligned educational extensions of Warren Buffett's animated series teaching financial and entrepreneurial lessons.
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"Overview
The CUE Conference collection contains videos featuring the best of curriculum technology solutions, resources, and techniques presented by outstanding educators. Through engaging interviews, panel discussions, or keynote presentations, leading education and technology experts discuss the ways that innovative uses of technology are making a positive impact on education."
"Microsoft offers free tools to help engage students in a variety of subject areas-from moviemaking to collaboration to science and beyond. Teachers can download these tools for free, the majority of which require no special training. "
"SchoolTown is a Social Learning Platform for:
Engaging learners
Blended learning
Sharing & rating resources
Leveraging experts
Professional development
Building community
Connecting members
Differentiating instruction"
"Subtext is a free iPad app that allows classroom groups to exchange ideas in the pages of digital texts. You can also layer in enrichment materials, assignments and quizzes-opening up almost limitless opportunities to engage students and foster analysis and writing skills. Watch video »"
NRICH is a website featuring activities to challenge and engage kids with math problems, games, and projects set in relevant contexts. The site is divided into four student homepages representing the "5 Key Stages," or grade bands within the British education system, and corresponding U.S. K-12 grade level info is available.
Created by the National Center for Family Literacy, Wonderopolis focuses on subjects of which children are curious. This immediately engages the child and encourages them to learn more. A video is included in each topic of information.
We often read that there are 4 C's in a true 21st century education: critical thinking and problem solving, communication, collaboration, and creativity and innovation. The iPad is a success at engaging individual students in critical thinking and creativity, but how about collaboration? After all, tablets are consumer products, designed to be used by one person at a time, not by teams of students. It's up to teachers and instructional technologists to figure out how best to deploy them in the classroom in a way that supports project-based learning and fosters teamwork. We asked several teachers involved in iPad initiatives which apps they've had the most success with on the collaboration front. Here is what they told us.
"What is it? In this video elementary school teachers in Toronto, Canada talk about how they use Google apps in education, especially Docs, and PBL to engage students and improve project work.
Why do we like it? This video features the authentic voices of teachers on the benefits of having students use technology in PBL, with clear examples and snapshots of various projects in grades 2-3 and 5.
How can you use it? You and your colleagues can get tips from these teachers on how to use Google Docs and other apps for education in your own projects."