Creating a BackChannel or Exit Ticket on Google Docs!

We are a Google Education school, so when I saw this, I was excited!

Giving our students the tools they need to communicate "behind the scenes" is important.

It is also important that we have a quick and easy way to determine what they know.

Check out what Ms. Tolisano has to offer!

photo credit: [phil h] via photopin cc

Narrable: Images with a Voice!

I was really excited when Narrable was introduced. A presentation of images where you are able to add your voice. My mind raced thnking about the number of ways I could implement this tool in my classroom! But my excitement soon turned to disappointment when I realized I would only be allowed 5 Narrable presentations. That didn't sit well with me, and as much as I loved it, I left it alone. Apparently, I was not the only educator with this concern. Fortunately, Narrable founders listened to the feedback from educators, and changed. Yeah!:)

Introducing Narrable for Teachers. If you are an educator, and already have Narrable, you can upgrade. If you never signed up for Narrable, sign up, and then upgrade. Educators have access to unlimited Narrable presentations for FREE! Narrables can be shared using social media, embedded, and emailed.

They are in the process of creating Narrable + EDU, where your students can have accounts, log-ins with no email, collaborate,etc.... This will be a premium version, and will cost $49 a year.

I know there are tons of digital storytelling tools out there, but I think this one is worth a look! (The example above was embedded from the Narrable website.)

Phrase.it: Speech Bubbles on Photos!

It started with the Teacher Tip of the Week I received in an email from WeAreTeachers.
"Add speech bubbles to famous paintings or photographs as a thinking/writing prompt!"

That link led me to Pinterest where there was a picture of "When Washington Crossed the Delaware" with speech bubbles on it. How cool! What a great idea to motivate students to think about what is going on in the picture. You could use this in every subject!

Teachers were leaving comments about printing, paper copies, and I'm thinking there must be a way to do this online.
So I Googled it, and sure enough, there it was. A speech bubble site, Phrase.it  mentioned on FreeTech4 Teachers. Very simple to use. I created one of my own using a Civil War photograph. If it's not your own photo, be careful about copyright issues. Everything is free, so donations are welcome!

Phrase.it is a great way to promote critical thinking and writing in any subject!

Infusing Technology into the Common Core Curriculum!

I attended a workshop hosted by Classroom 2.0 LIVE today. I always say I am going to make it to their Saturday workshops, I never do because... it's Saturday. But, I made it today, and after listening to Tia, and just getting a chance to glance at her resources, I am glad I did! Take a look through her "Top 10" Livebinder and see if you can't find something you can use!

Infogr.am: Infographics and Charts!

Following #iste has it's perks!:)


Infogr.am is a tool I am going to enjoy using! Very simple.You have the option of creating infographics or charts. After you choose, you have the option of adding. You can add a chart, a map, text, a picture, or video. How cool is that?

Your work is stored in a library, so you don't have to worry about losing it.  You are able to attract followers, who can admire the great stuff you make!:) My mind is whirring thinking of the impact of this site in my classroom! How about yours?
And of course, like so many wonderful websites nowadays, you can share via Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, you can embed it, or view it on the web. If you would like to download your infographic or chart, you have to come out-of-pocket.

Here's an example of a little chart I made in, literally, five minutes!

PLVRoom 11 Birthdays | Infographics

121Writing and " A Google a Day" Challenges! Help with Writing and Searching!

121Writing:  As I was perusing the tweets on #iste13, this app caught my eye. Apparently it used to be called Learnly (found this out on the FreeTech4Teacher's site). I wish I had heard of it sooner. It would have saved me a lot of typing this past year.
It is a voice comment app.It is very simple to use, and I will be using it often in the upcoming school year.It will make it easier for  me to "conference" with my students, even when we are not face to face. I am sure it will be easier for them to revise/edit their work when listening to my voice and seeing what I have highlighted. Looking forward to implementing 121Writing in 2013- 2014!

"A Google a Day" Challenges   Culture, geography, History Science. These are the key concepts covered in the "A Google a Day" Challenge. I think this is an excellent way to start the morning or end the day.

Google's lessons are set up as a presentation. It has the category, question, things to think about as you get started,the answer and how to search for it, and background discussion of the topic. If you are trying to teach your students how to search effectively, and you are squeezed for time, the "Google a Day" Challenges is a perfect way to do it!

Edshelf: A Virtual App Shelf!

Apps, apps, and more apps! Here are some apps I use, or intend to use , in my classroom. Learned about Edshelf from my tech workshop presented by John Kuglin. 

Edshelf not only lets you choose which apps you like, but it also suggests the latest , and best, apps out there. You can read reviews, see how many people are using it, or write a review of your own! Here is a collection I created in 5 minutes!

Of course it can be shared using the latest in social media. And,  if you update your shelf, it updates the shelf wherever you have posted or embedded it. (I think the term is flow-through)Try some you may like it!