Nice, chatty, friendly explanation of what QR (quick response) codes are, how to get a reader, and how they can be used in the classroom. Note that the YouTube list of suggestions in the sidebar has many more suggestions for using QRs educationally. (thanks to Vance Stevens)
"With the advance of web 2.0 technologies, there emerged a wide range of educational tools that we can use with our students in and outside the classroom.Collaborative web tools is one example. Using such websites, teachers will be able to help in holding online and real-time discussions with their students, help them in their projects and assignments, guide their learning, do backchanneling, and synchronously moderate discussion threads and many more."
The focus here is on tools for collaboration. Many are new and interesting, such as virtual whiteboards, search team to do online searches together, browse websites together, create online projects collaboratively, create your own chatroom, etc. Some of these will be gone quickly, but they all appear quite useful. About 30 in the list.
"Many schools are currently using Forms as a way to easily and quickly record data from teacher observations. The advantage is of using a Google Form is that it compiles all the data into a spreadsheet which allows school leaders to quickly and easily see trends in the school's classrooms."
Suggests that the administrator can also use the Google spreadsheet to collect data on what teachers are doing in the school as a whole. Video shows how to go to the Template and create your own by copying the document. Links to template, which has an auto-mail feature.
We all have had many years of experience in learning in face-to-face settings in both classrooms and seminar rooms. Although the face-to-face learning environments are often complex and unpredictable, we are very familiar with them and have developed high levels of skill in working in these environments. We cannot assume, however, that the skills, strategies, and techniques that we so effectively use in face-to-face learning environments will also work well in online learning.
"This list of five things that you may not know about QR codes contains some simple ideas that definitely pack a punch. These tips include strategies for differentiating instruction, distributing materials, and keeping families up to date on classroom activities. If you've tried one of these QR tips or have another to add to the list, the comments section of this post is the perfect place to share!"
The article also tells how to make dynamic QR codes requiring a login, for example, for a daily lesson assignment, using Kaywa.
Tom Preskett's blog is well worth following. Of special interest are articles on Using Social Media for Personal Learning (11 June 2012), and Tablets: Finally a Technology for the Classroom (18 May 2012). He suggests that "Dynamic content can be created, delivered and actively engaged with by each student."
This is BBC's short science videos page. You can find all kinds of topics on physicas, the brain, biology, genetics, etc. Very helpful stuff for use in classes or flipped classrooms. Thanks to R.Byrne's blog.
This article has a nice video that shows a teacher in class explaining copyright and fair use to students using a document linked from the article.
I tend to disagree that teachers making multiple copies for classroom use is a "fair use," however. Always check what the author says, and use Creative Commons if you don't want your ideas ripped off without permission.
This chat room tool might be useful for your classes, or as a backchannel if several teachers are working on a presentation together.
The interface can be mounted on your own website, ensuring that students don't wander off. You can easily save a transcript of the chat, and it lets students join from home or other classrooms.
T/H to H. Dilatush who let us in EVO know about it.
"Classroom Clipart: The Source for Free Clip Art, Illustrations and Photographs" has a huge list and a search engine. Very useful for students creating presentations and projects.