by Doug Adams
Recently, the University of Kansas School of Education acquired a set of Activexpression learner response devices, commonly called “clickers.” These clickers are slightly larger than a cell phone, with a keypad and a number of specialized buttons. With them, a presenter can survey a class, get responses from the participants, and present the response data in real time. Results can be anonymous, or if the instructor assigns the devices to individual members of the class, responses can be logged and entered into a spreadsheet or database grading system.
April 11, 2010
Let Your Students Express themselves
March 7, 2010
Third Grade Teacher Discovers Innovative Use for Classroom Architect
Classroom Architect is a free online resource designed to help teachers determine the best classroom arrangement without the strenuous process of moving heavy furniture items around in advance. This unique resource allows you to put in the dimensions of the room you are designing and drag graphic representations of classroom furniture around until you find a layout that works best for you. You can then print your design and arrange your classroom. (more…)
February 7, 2010
Save hours of browsing using RSS
Really Simple Syndication (RSS) is a great way to gather the updates from all of your favorite Web sites in one place. First you download a free RSS Reader such as Google Reader. An RSS Reader is software that allows you to create a Web page that features all of the articles and posts from the blogs and news sites you have subscribed to, saving you hours of browsing time. Once you’ve downloaded your software, go to your favorite blogs and news sites, click the RSS icon and subscribe. (more…)
What’s a Plurk?
… uncovering the meanings of Internet terminology
It seems like new Internet terms are being coined everyday: Wiki, Plurk, Moodle, Today’s Meet, Twitter, Jog the Web, Web 2.0. Some of these terms are the titles of specific Web sites, others are tasks you complete at a Web site, and others describe a type of Web site. If you’ve ever heard one of these terms in a conversation and thought to yourself, “What’s a plurk?” You are not alone. This month I decided to explore the meanings of some of these popular Internet terms so that we can all get up to speed. (more…)
January 31, 2010
FEBRUARY TECH TO-DO LIST
Finding time to learn to use new technologies can be a challenge, here are three simple things you can do this month to learn new technologies quickly. (more…)
Skype in the Classroom
… discover the possibilities
Skype is free video conferencing software that can be downloaded to any computer and used with a Web cam that can be purchased for as little as $20 at any store that sells computer accessories. Although it has been around for years, the recent widespread use of Skype on the Oprah show has allowed teachers to see its ease of use demonstrated and find creative ways to use it in the classroom. Schools who thought that incorporating video conferencing into their classrooms would mean incurring expensive equipment and training costs are now finding that Skype software can easily be implemented by teachers or students in a matter of minutes.
January 24, 2010
Great Ideas for Spring Staff Development
The ALTEC Video Channel is a great way for staff development providers to learn to use high quality online tools and software directly from our own experienced staff of trainers. Watch the videos to learn to use a variety of online tools and educational software, then train your staff to use those tools to improve teaching and learning in their own classrooms. Here is a sample of what is available at the ALTEC Video Channel. (more…)
January 18, 2010
Money Saving Tips
Purchasing hardware and software on a limited budget can be a
challenge, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind.
What is the difference
between educational and commercial versions of software?
Aside from the price, educational versions of software are generally functionally identical to commercial versions of software. While functionally identical, the educational version of a software is often designed with extra features targeted toward educational and student use which would then make the software unsuitable for a professional production environment. (more…)
January 10, 2010
The Joy of Podcasting
by Isa Kretschmer
Learn about free tools to create podcasts in your classroom.
There are audio podcasts and video podcasts constantly being transferred from the web to devices everywhere without us having to do a thing. Learn a language on your ipod at the gym, get the latest science news on your computer in the den, and stream technology tips through a web browser in the classroom. But what if you want to make your own? Fortunately you and your students can create podcasts almost as easily as you can receive them using equipment that you probably already own.
(more…)
