hAppy Tuesday! Most Used Websites and Apps in My Class!

             

Zondle (Website and App)

• game based learning website
• provides assessment data
• students love the game interface (many games can be played from one question set)
• use already created games or make your own
• reward system that can also be used for behaviors

Groovy Grader (App) or igrader (App)

• no need to use the old cardboard graders, use your device

Edmodo (Website and App)

• learning platform I use in my class
• used for:
• posting classroom materials
• quizzes
• used for turning in digital assignments
• much more

Padlet (website)

• virtual wall where content can be shared
• I create a unit wall with all material for a unit on one wall.  I then share the wall via qr code and Edmodo
• walls can also be used for students to share ideas.  Privacy setting can be adjusted

Google Drive

• almost all of my classroom material and presentations are now created within my Google Drive because:
• can be shared easily
• you don't have to have microsoft word or other programs to view
• very easy to add videos, pictures, and links
• easy to collaborate with coworkers
• all documents have a URL so I can turn a doc into a QR code

Kahoot (website)

• classroom responses system (game based)
• create your own games or use already created games
• easy to use
• great for test reviews
• my students love a Kahoot day!

Smart Seat (app)

• great seating chart for iPad
• can use student pictures
• easily create charts and move students easily
• able to take attendance and keep notes on students 
• costs $4.99

hAppy Monday! Tips for using BYOD in your Classroom

• Use Devices for More than Just Apps
• research
• cameras
• video cameras
• stopwatches
• communication (polling, backchannels)
• Today's Meet
• Poll Everywhere
• assessments (Edmodo, Socrative, Infuse Learning, Zondle, ect.)
• educational games
• qr codes
• translator
• calendars

• Be Flexible
• things don't always go as planned, have a "plan B"
• sometimes thing work better than you planned and sometimes they don't work out be ready to adapt

• Be Ready to Learn from your Students
• sometimes students know more than you about devices, learn from them

• Keep Parents and Students Informed
• have a list of commonly used Apps for your parents and students
• let parents know how devices will be used in your classroom
• be aware of data plans make sure wifi is being used and students are not draining their data plans as school

• Have clear guidelines and expectations
• devices should not be hidden
• I have students keep devices on their desks face up when being used and face down when not being used 
• I have a policy, if you abuse it, you lose it.  Students will lose their device privileges if they do not follow expectations
• make sure to teach students cell phone etiquette

hAppy Friday! Solar System App. Walk

First I want to share some of my favorite free Solar System Apps and then give some ideas on how to use them in your classroom.  Here is a list of some of my favorite Solar System Apps:

• Planets app
• https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/planets/id305793334?mt=8
• 
• facts about the planets 
• shows location in 2D and 3D
• show planes visibility

• Space Craft 3D App (marker
• https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/spacecraft-3d/id541089908?mt=8
• 
• use augmented reality of view different spacecrafts
• facts are given about each craft

• Amazing Space Journey App (marker)
• https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/amazing-space-journey-3d-solar/id579895132?mt8
• 
• view the planets using augmented reality
• facts, location about each planet
• Best of ISS 3D (marker)
• https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/best-iss-interactive-edutainment/id537986979?mt=8
• 
• use augmented reality to view the space station
• students can also take the role of the astronaut on a space walk outside the space station
• videos, photos and facts are included about the space station
• Astro App
• https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/astroapp-space-shuttle-crew/id432366873?mt=8
• 
• facts about the astronauts and their missions
• The Solar System App
• https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/solar-system-planets/id495546462?mt=8,  
• 
• gives overview of each planet and the sun
• shows scale
• show orbital patterns

HERE is a link to a lesson I will use next week using these apps. I make sure to print of several copies of the markers associated with the apps. Please note that markers must be printed in color. While I ask my students to complete the linked worksheet, I encourage them to explore all aspects of each app. Students learn much more from this activity, than is displayed on their worksheet! I also give my students the list of apps ahead of time, so they can download onto their own devices.

hAppy Monday! Big Huge Labs

Big Huge Labs

Big Huge Labs is a great site for digital projects.  Students can use pictures to create a variety of projects such as trading cards, calendars, photo collages, and many others.  Educators can create individual student accounts. (no email required for students).  I have used this site in the past for several projects.  My favorite was having students create their own solar system trading cards.