Favorite Finds from TCEA

This was my second year to attend TCEA. The conference has quite a turnout, and I found it energizing to be in the midst of so many educators. It was also great to be able to follow the conference on Twitter (#TCEA15) so that my learning wasn't just limited to the sessions I could physically attend.

Here are my top 3 favorite finds:

1. Getting organized digitally: Greg Garner’s presentation provided a multitude of digital organization tools. With so much of our lives online, to say things can get overwhelming is an understatement. Greg’s main idea was that we need to “devise a plan and get organized.” If you are organized, you can be more productive. No brainer, right? There are a variety of organizational tools or plans such as GTD, 43 Folders, and IFTTT, but the trick is to find what works for you. Once you find it…be intentional about using it! You can find Greg's presentation with more resources here. 
2. Smarter Chrome: I have been using Chrome as my browser of choice for a while now, and I love the way it makes my life easier. Amy Mayer's session Smarter Chrome (session link) shared general Chrome tips along with extensions and apps that just made me love Chrome even more.  A few examples: 
• The omnibox is pure awesomeness: Want to set a timer? Just type in “timer 10 minutes” (or whatever amount of time you need) and BAM!, Chrome gets a timer going. Need a calculator? Just type in what you need...34*99 and BAM!, Chrome answers it for you. Click here for more omnibox tips and tricks. 
• Extensions are where it's at: We've talked a little bit about extensions on this blog before, and I have a growing list that I regularly use. Amy talked about a few extensions that were new for me, so I had to install them and give 'em a go. TabCloud saves the tabs you have open to reopen later or even on a different computer. Webpage Screenshot lets you take a screenshot, add annotations, or even edit the look of the webpage itself. Extensions can be found in the Chrome Webstore. Click here for some extensions to get you started. 
3. Touchcast: This is a wonderful little app for flipping your classroom or creating interesting video content. Touchcast allows you to pull in video, websites, images, polls, and more creating an interactive and engaging experience. See Touchcast in action below:

(link to video)

TCEA was a great learning experience, and I highly recommend it as a "must attend" for any educator. 

Blendspace

Blendspace (formerly Edcanvas) is the perfect, free web tool for organizing and streamlining your media materials. In a matter of seconds, you can sign up for a free account and begin creating lessons using video, Google Docs, images, web links, and so much more. Have a PowerPoint that you've created? Pull that in to your lesson too! The possibilities are endless! 

Classroom Application
Differentiated Instruction
Flipped Classroom
Project-Based Learning
Student Projects (They can create their own “lessons”!)
Sharing materials with colleagues

Creating Lessons
While users have the option of creating classes, it's not a necessary step for lesson creation. After choosing, “New Lesson” users can select a layout and get right to adding content. Content can be pulled from a huge variety of sources and everything is searchable right through the Blendspace site. Once you've found what you need, drag and drop it to your lesson. You can also search the gallery for lessons/collections created by other users. Click here to view a sample lesson from the gallery.

Want to assess your students as they progress through the lesson? No problem! Users also have the option to add multiple choice assessments. Want more options? Create a quiz in Google Forms and add the form as a web link in your lesson!

Sharing and Collaborating
Lessons may be shared to classes that have been created or through a link. Users may also share or embed lessons on the web. Privacy settings can be tailored to fit your needs, and teachers have total control over who can view the lessons. Do you want your team members to be able to add content? Add them as collaborators in settings. No need to worry when sharing lessons with others because the site is web based and works with any device that has Internet.

Creating Classes
Per the Terms of Use, students under 13 may use the program with parental permission. Teachers can set up the accounts or have the students use join using a unique code. No email is required from students. One of the benefits of creating classes is the lesson tracking feature. Students can add comments to the lesson, and they can also check the "Can We Go Over This In Class?" box to notify the teacher that some material may need further discussion. Teachers can view the stats and see feedback from the students.

How do you see Blendspace being used in your classroom? Let us know in the comments below. Then create your free account and get started!

** Shout out to Candice Karas at Old Union Elementary School for sharing this awesome tool with me this summer!

SAFARI MONTAGE

 

SAFARI MONTAGE

We know that SAFARI Montage brings digital video to the classroom to enhance the student learning experience.  We also know we can search by standards, keywords, grade range, file type, and other criteria.  Now SAFARI Montage can not only facilitate visual instruction in the classroom, but it can connect the student to district content at home.  How?  Come to one of the trainings that the Instructional Technologists are doing on all campuses this month.
                                Spooky SpecTECHular Safari is just plain spooky!!! 

Highlights of the training:

• My Locker:  a place to store digital resources you uploaded

• Creation Station:  allows for the uploading of digital resources that can be stored in your locker. Websites to PowerPoints to Flipcharts to Word documents can be uploaded.  You can add, share, and manage teacher/student created video content. 

• Some file formats that can be uploaded are:   

                Video-MOV, MP4, FLV, MPG
                Audio-MP3
                Image-JPG, BMP, GIF
                Documents-TXT, PDF, DOC, PPT, XLS       

• Home Access:  students can log into SAFARI from home to view a playlist you have created

• Add your own digital resources to Playlist:  upload documents then use them in a content specific playlist with the videos inside of SAFARI

• Bookmark a Video:  determine the start and stop points of all videos by the click of a button

• Share:  share your playlists with teachers in your school or in the district

Check out this playlist.  Click on the link, sign in to SAFARI, and follow the list of activities.

Ghost in your Genes

The video 'Ghost in Your Genes', questions the longtime belief that all inherited traits are passed on through genes.  A weblink follows with a simulation tool to test the effects of selection, mutation and chance on the evolution of a trait.  The PowerPoint on Changes in DNA with a worksheet on Identifying Mutations (with answer key) completes the science portion.  Challenge your math students with Halloween Candy Calories and Pizza Math.  Mary Shelley's Frankenstein has a cross-curricular weblink discussing the author, the scientists of her time, and includes lesson plans for middle and high school.

Flip it. Flop it. See Grades Skyrocket!

http://www.emergingedtech.com/

What is a Flipped Classroom?
Simply put, lessons and lectures are watched at home and assignments are done in class. The flipped classroom is a new, innovative teaching model which flips where homework, class lectures and instruction take place. It incorporates mobile learning by delivering what would have been classroom lectures and instruction to the students through interactive, collaborative, teacher created videos for students to view at home. What would have normally been a homework assignment, becomes a guided classroom assignment. Students spend their time in the classroom collaborating on assignments and projects with the help of their teachers and peers instead of getting the lesson via lecture in class then trying to figure out what to do on their own at home.

How Does it Work?
You don't have to think up new things to flip your classroom. Use what you have already created. You will just change the format. Using your computer, a microphone and your choice of software, turn your presentation into a video, broadcast, podcast, screencast, etc. You can easily convert PowerPoint and Promethean presentations to video with the software you have already on your computers and laptops.  Load your presentation on your website, blog or one of the tools mentioned in this week's websites below, and you are ready to go. Students will have on demand learning that they can watch again and again from their home computer, mobile device, even their phone! As a teacher you will be able to spend more of your time as a guide and a facilitator for student learning. Your instruction time will be free for more student-teacher interaction and the students will be able to focus more on content mastery. Not sure how to proceed? See your Instructional Technology Specialist and you will  be flipping in no time!

The Flipped Model Resources
For more information on the flipped classroom, check out these resources:

• The Flipped Classroom InfoGraphic - See how Flipping a Classroom works and the amazing results it yields.
• The Flipped Classroom Defined
• A Principal's Reflections: The Flipped Classroom Explained
• Seven Stories from Educators About Teaching in the Flipped Classroom

Websites of the Week: Online Presentation Tools

• Turn PowerPoint into A Video- You can now save your Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 presentation as a video, making it easier for you to distribute, and easier for recipients to view
• Record Your Flipchart - Scroll down and click on the Video Recorder ActivTip.
• Screencasting with Jing - Simple and FREE, Jing is the perfect way to enhance your fast-paced online conversations. Create images and videos of what you see on your computer screen, then share them instantly!

 New Tools:

Big Marker is a great online presentation tool. Host your own webinar, record your presentation and more.



Videosprout provides a place to privately or publicly share your video presentations. Stream videos instantly and no download is required.

Yodio allows you to put your voice with your photos and videos all online! No microphone needed. Record straight from your phone then share.

Tip of the Week: Google's URL Shortener & QR Creator
Want to make a long URL shorter and turn it into a QR code at the same time? Then head over to http://goo.gl. Shorten your URL. Paste that shortened URL into your browser and add ".qr" to the end of the goo.gl-shortened URL to create an immediate QR matrix barcode.