Varina High School Diigo

These tips help add to the teacher's resources to move from the cooperative to the collaborative learning environment - which is key to students mastering 21st century skills for the workforce.

These are the fundamentals of good group work in the classroom that will help you develop small 20 minute lessons that can teach students in a more powerful way. Students will also learn the skills they need to work together to solve problems and create outcomes.

"Word Dynamo is an academic review exercises site hosted by Dictionary.com. The Word Dynamo name might make you think that it only offers vocabulary exercises, but there is more to it than that. In addition to vocabulary quizzes and flashcards, on Word Dynamo you will find quizzes, games, and flashcards for studying topics in social studies, science, math, and fine arts."

"A collection of rubrics for assessing portfolios, cooperative learning, research process/ report, PowerPoint, podcast, oral presentation, web page, blog, wiki, and other web 2.0 projects."

"So you have heard about blogging with your students and you are considering taking the plunge but just not sure what or how to do it?"

"Analog Twitter Wall to Build Relationships and Digital Citizenship" -- this can be a good introduction into using Twitter in the classroom to train students on good norms.

Communicate with other classes nationally and globally.

Did you know that HCPS has its own blog system for teachers to use with students? Or students to have their own blog? Here is some basic information about the instructional uses of blogs.

Animated GIF maker web app.

Interesting story about how The Hunger Games appeals to students in the areas depicted by the book.

This is a pretty cool event being run by our Math division. Teachers are encouraged to participate.

Everything records on-screen drawing, annotation, object movement and captures audio via the iPad microphone. Import Photos, PDF, PPT, and Keynote from Dropbox, Evernote, Email, iPad photo roll and iPad2 camera. Export MP4 movie files, PNG image files, and share the .XPL project file with others for collaboration.

"Create beautiful short video stories using your photos, set to music you love!"

Pinterest has a whole page on Socratic Seminar.

Found this whole page of videos from the Virginia Historical Society on Vimeo.

Teachers, There is a great professional development opportunity on January 27, sponsored by the Department of Instructional Technology. UNConferenceRVA will be held at Glen Allen High School from 8am-4pm, bringing together teachers from all over the region to share ideas and strategies on how 21st century skills and digital tools are used in the classroom. The event is FREE and lunch is provided. You will need to fill out a school-related leave form to attend the event. If you have any questions, let me know.

This is a very interesting story and may even be a good exercise in how students see the world through a geographic lens.

A very interesting article that simplifies technology integration in the classroom. Don't forget -- your ITRT is a great resource to help plan and implement this.