This blog is committed to giving educators great technology resources and tools to use in their classroom! Check back weekly for the most updated online tools, with tips on how to implement them in your classroom.
If you got as excited as I did about the Facebook groups for educators, just WAIT until you hear about what I have to tell you next! This week, I learned that there is an entire "Facebook" world out there specifically for educators. You haven't heard of such a world before you say?? Check out Edmodo and you will be transported to a whole new world of free lesson plans, ideas, on-line tools, and educators galore waiting to answer your questions. For a quick tutorial on Edmodo, check out the YouTube Video below.
With Edomo, you can join group made by other teachers or communities that are area specific. A few of my favorite are Brain Break, Grades 1-3 (because I teach 3rd grade), Computer Technology, Classroom Inc., and Hooda Math. Honestly though, there is a group for anyone--art teachers, social studies teachers, technology teacher, administrators and more! You can also create your own group. I recently created a group specifically for my third grade team. With Edmodo, we can now share resources and post about other great websites, links, or ideas. When you create your own group, you must send others the link and code to join. If you join another group, you must send a request to be a part of that group. For a complete list of teacher created groups, click here. The video below will show you how to join groups.
I will also be implementing Edmodo with my students and parents next year. After entering all students, they will each be given a code to my group. That way, I can post to parents about any upcoming dates, reminders, or important information. I can also add resources to the group library for easy access to all parents with internet. With students, I can post polls, quizzes and resources for them to use as well. What are you waiting for? Explore this new world now!
I have always had mixed feelings about social networks. For some, social networks have become a place to find out "Who's cheatin' who, who's being true, and who don't even care anymore. It makes you wonder who's doing right with someone tonight...". Not that Alan Jackson was thinking about social networks when he wrote that song, but you get the point. Recently, however, I have discovered a better way to use social networks. Instead of making the online tools a way to socialize or "find dirt", why not make it your very own PLN. Now for those of you that are not up to date with all of the lingo, a PLN is short for a Personal Learning Network. The two YouTube Videos below will you give a glimpse of what a PLN is, how it works, and explore just a few that are out there. Personal learning networks allow you to connect with others around the globe, become a lifelong learner, understand trends and resources available, and give you FREE resources for your classroom! Now who doesn't like FREE!?
I also recently discovered that there are some GREAT, resourceful groups on Facebook for educators. The first is under the name Technology in Education. Often times the website will post free apps, or apps that would be very beneficial in your classroom at a low cost that you may have never heard of. The post goes into detail about the app and what it could be used for. I have seen anything from writing apps to matching animals apps and everything in between! Another great one is The Network for Public Education. There, you can find a ton of great articles related to the struggles, concerns, and triumphs in education today. One of my favorites--simply because I loved bringing home the Scholastic book orders every month in elementary school-- is Scholastic Teachers. Although you would typically think a Scholastic group was limited to reading, they post all sorts of helpful tools, tricks, and articles on their page. On one post, the taught educators how to turn old rackets and measuring cups into meaningful items for their classroom. The group also looks in to Common Core, world wide holidays, and more!
Now, as if your not already incredibly excited with all this new information, there's more! I for one have never been a fan of Twitter. I don't need to spend my time reading up on what celebrity is where, who they are dating, or what they are eating for lunch. But, once I realized I can follow other educators who post about today's topics in educator, free resources, and other items of interest I was hooked! I could go on and on with a list of who to follow and what they offer, but to save some time, i'll just give you a few. If you are reeling for more in the end, simply search for #education or other education related to terms to find others who are tweeting things of interest to you. The first person to follow is Lloyd Dean. He tweets daily, if not more than once a day, with useful links and resources for additional information related to education today. You can also find him on Facebook! A few of his recent tweets included the e-agenda, education papers, and conferences to join to listen in on. Another great person, or group shall I say, to follow is Flip Your Classroom. If your not sure what it means to flip your classroom (and no I don't mean turning over the desks to confuse your students), then check them out and find out how you too can flip your classroom! I won't go into detail on the rest--mainly because I want you to check them out for yourself-- but do keep in mind they are related to education. The following people are suggestion on who to look up on Twitter: Wendy Thomas, Diane Main, Helen Crompton, and Laura Deisley. Trust me when I say, the list goes on! If you have a Google account, check out this ginormous compilation of others to follow! Click here for a list of names of other educators to follow. After you're done looking into those stellar people, check out some of my favorite PLNS listed below. Each one is unique, but to just give you the tip of the iceberg, they include free lesson plans, awesome educators around the world to connect to, places to sell and buy items for your classroom, job postings, classroom projects, and much, much more!
You must have a Google account to view SMART Board Revolution. If I haven't enticed you already, you should PROBABLY sign up for a Google account now. The possibilities are endless! A recent post includes my Professor, Marica Jeans, highlighting her new book Creating Smart Board Lessons, which can now be found at Barnes and Nobles!
