My favorite apps

My latest app that I ended up downloading was GoAtlantis. Wtith the final space mission coming to a close, this app allows me to see the docking of atlantis and the ISS along with their orbit path. I am able to position where I am located and then see when the ISS is going to fly over and when I would be able to see it up overhead.

Another site - not necessarily an app- would be the donking.net site. There were so many links to go through and many are grade level with some flexibility to find what is appropriately.

Polls, polls, and more polls!

1. Poll Everwhere  --  http://www.polleverywhere.com/ 
2. Likes:  
1. ease of use:  5 out of 5 
2. effectiveness in the classroom:  3 out of 5
3. Audience: any group with computer access & readability
4. Tools needed: computers, smartphones
5. Other notes:  Downside to Poll everywhere is that students would have to be able to get computer access for the present.  It's a great program and option to use, however, the feasibility of it is dependent on the age/grade using it.  While I would see this being more beneficial for upper grades, it is something that younger students would be able to use.  It lacks the element of spontaneity that would make this site the best there is.
3. How you can use this tool in your classroom
1. This would be great to find/gather information of prior knowledge, concepts, and opinions.  
2. One way I could see this as an example is to have student answer a morning question or beginning hour question.  Poll would be up on the SMARTboard/Screen - students come in, sit down at the computer - answer the question while they wait for their class to begin.
3. Another way would be to use this as a simplified exit slip for when students leave the class.  Since there is an option for "texting" and not just multiple choice - it allows the students to leave a "deeper" answer upon leaving - giving the teacher an idea of where the student is at.

Another polling option is Hot Potatoes.  I did not download this site as I find that if it is more of a web poll, it would be more highly used than downloading it.


Polleverywhere.com is the place to go when thinking about having an online polling take place.

Some Interesting Sites

While reading my favorite blog Free Technology for Teachers written by Richard Byrne (and who I am sure I will reference more than once!), he shared a few sites that I wish to pass on to you.

I'm always stumped as to how to create safe passwords.  Richard looked at 4 sites.  I particularly liked the first one.

Password Bird
so simple!

PassPlex  - not as fun but does the job!

Random.org - okay but by far not one of my favorites!

New Password Generator - easy to use but "words" I would never remember...

Good luck and enjoy!

Online Photo Editors

I'm always nervous about putting photos on the web.  Not because of what they are about...well, yes it is...it is usually about my family, my home events, and my more so my children.  It also comes down to their safety and who can or cannot see it.  I have shied away from using online photo editors for that purpose.  If I do, it is private and a special password is needed.  I don't usually put them on Facebook either - How's that for being "tech savvy?" :)

Now, what exploring these sites, I tried all of them:
Cloud Canvas is quite interesting...  It reminds me a bit like paint.net except that it isn't a downloadable file.  The other cool thing about Cloud Canvas is that you can animate it.  Once you figure out how to use it, it's pretty neat.  I wouldn't necessarily put it with younger kids maybe 4th grade at the earliest?  It would take some time to know what you, the instructor, is doing well before the kids get in there.  I could see a lot of questions in this site!


Splashup I found to be easier and a little more fun than Cloud Canvas.  I'm wondering if the Art department wouldn't find this more useful than a classroom.  I would be interested in hearing what others have to say on this topic and how they would use it.  Right now, I'm not see a purpose for it in the Elementary level.

Picasa...a download...will have to explore that one later.

PreZentit

The name of the tool that I looked at tonight was PreZentit!  You can find it at PreZentit!

Likes/dislikes of the tool or ease of use?

• Likes:  easy to use, very similar to PowerPoint, can share it with others, can download it

• Dislikes: Username/email/password  (this can be difficult for kids who don't have email), not a very large gallery--the feature itself is great; however, it wouldn't be a tool in which you would be able to use it if you didn't have Internet access at home and thus not a project that a teacher should make as a requirement without some other resource or modification along with it.

How you can use this tool in your classroom?

I think that if students can have an account, this feature would be usable when it comes to collaborating on projects, being able to have a "powerpoint/presentation" accessible at home or any place that you can get the internet.   It might be a nice change from using PowerPoint, Open Office Impress or Google Docs presentation -- just another tool to have as a resource.

I haven't tried it on an iPad but wondering if it would be doable.  

To Blog or Not to Blog?

One of the links shared during Intech 2011 was a blog site done by a 2nd Grade Teacher.  This is fabulous to read and look at!  Are you hesitant to start a blog with your classroom?  Why not check out the following link and see what she has to say...you may be surprised!

http://www.fortheloveofteaching.net/2011/03/how-and-why-to-get-your-class-blogging.html

Intech 2011

Tonight is the start of the 2011 Intech program.  What a great way to learn about the new 2011 web2.0 tools. Come back and see what great tools are available for your classroom and how you would use them with your students!