If you are using iPads in your classroom, whether you only have one for yourself or you have iPads for your students as well, you have probably wished you could display the iPad screen using your projector. AirServer is an inexpensive way for you to do just that. It is a software application that you install on your computer (Mac or PC) so you can send your iPad display to the computer and from there to a projector or interactive whiteboard.
You can model for students and display your content, but you can also quickly and easily share content from students. AirServer supports multiple connections at one time, so you can have more than one student sharing ideas and/or work with the rest of the class.
Other features that you will appreciate include a true full screen display (Reflector, a similar software application, shows a wide border around the display when mirroring content), optional password protection (useful to prevent teachers/students in nearby classrooms from accidentally sending content to your computer), and the ability to easily identify your computer on the network.
AirServer offers a free one-week trial. The application costs $11.99 for 3 licenses or $3.99 each when purchased in groups of 10 or more. For more information, visit airserver.com.
Showing posts with label Middle School. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Middle School. Show all posts
Monday, November 18, 2013
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Blogs vs. Wikis
As many of you think ahead for the up coming school year, one thing that teachers who are wanting to explore something new in their classrooms is an online tool that their students can use. We hear the buzz words of different tech tools all the time, and blogs and wikis come up often. What's great about both of them is that they are simple tools to use and have longevity of use...a project could last as short or long as you want them. So what are the differences? Which one should you use? Rather than explain it to you through written text, try checking out the videos below and see how they are demonstrated. Also, why reinvent the wheel, right?
What is a Blog? What is a Wiki? Also, check out this blog post on " 5 Ways You Can Use Wikis With Students"
Friday, May 3, 2013
It’s Project Season – Find some Inspiration to Update Your Projects
In this blog post access my interdisciplinary end of the year project (U.S. History and English) lesson plan here and the tech tools I would use to update the project if I were in the classroom today.
Nearing the end of the year students are ready to make the connections between concepts they’ve been learning all year, and across subjects. I teamed up with my grade level teachers to create interdisciplinary projects. Most of the students were ready to choose their own projects and partners, and I provided project selection oversight based on their needs. We created the project with student input and offered several choices in their mediums. I’m attaching the project directions my colleague and I created, which include objectives, options, rubrics, and daily progress monitoring checks.
If I were in the classroom today I would allow my students to create an online project (which I would add to my instructional resources for the following year) using the following content creation tools:
Online: Xtranormal – Turns your words into 3D animated movies.Prezi – Non-slide platform that transforms presentations into stories or conversations. Apps: Video Scribe HD A unique way to create engaging animated videos quickly. To see one that I created select the following link: http://youtu.be/fifWcNfFwycStoryKit - Create an electronic storybook.Haiku Deck - a free presentation app for iPad, makes presentations simple, beautiful, and fun.
Online: Glogster - Interactive posters loaded with text, graphics, music, videos, and more.Thinglink – Interactive photographsApps: Phoster: Make your own poster.
Study Stack - Create online flashcards and find flashcards for subjects already made.Jeopardy Game – Online creation of this gameWho Wants to be a Millionaire - Online creation of this game
5 Online Quiz Generators
Nearing the end of the year students are ready to make the connections between concepts they’ve been learning all year, and across subjects. I teamed up with my grade level teachers to create interdisciplinary projects. Most of the students were ready to choose their own projects and partners, and I provided project selection oversight based on their needs. We created the project with student input and offered several choices in their mediums. I’m attaching the project directions my colleague and I created, which include objectives, options, rubrics, and daily progress monitoring checks.
If I were in the classroom today I would allow my students to create an online project (which I would add to my instructional resources for the following year) using the following content creation tools:
For the Presentation Portion (Powerpoint is so old school):
Online: Xtranormal – Turns your words into 3D animated movies.Prezi – Non-slide platform that transforms presentations into stories or conversations. Apps: Video Scribe HD A unique way to create engaging animated videos quickly. To see one that I created select the following link: http://youtu.be/fifWcNfFwycStoryKit - Create an electronic storybook.Haiku Deck - a free presentation app for iPad, makes presentations simple, beautiful, and fun.
For the Visual/Poster:
Online: Glogster - Interactive posters loaded with text, graphics, music, videos, and more.Thinglink – Interactive photographsApps: Phoster: Make your own poster.
For Review Games:
Study Stack - Create online flashcards and find flashcards for subjects already made.Jeopardy Game – Online creation of this gameWho Wants to be a Millionaire - Online creation of this game
For the Quiz Portion:
5 Online Quiz Generators
Monday, April 29, 2013
Blabberize it!
Looking for a new way for students to showcase their biographies or a creative way to present their research? Blabberize.com is a great tool that will allow students to do just that.
This site allows students and/or teachers to upload a picture of one to multiple people or animals, record their voices, and create mouth movements to match the voice of the recording. It's an engaging way for students to speak as if they are a historical figure or an endangered species...and so much more.
Check out this video tutorial on how to use this tool:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEtUu1r8Pe4
This site allows students and/or teachers to upload a picture of one to multiple people or animals, record their voices, and create mouth movements to match the voice of the recording. It's an engaging way for students to speak as if they are a historical figure or an endangered species...and so much more.
Check out this video tutorial on how to use this tool:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEtUu1r8Pe4
Monday, January 28, 2013
Student Webpages for Portfolios & More
Student webpages can open up a world of learning for you and your students. During my first year teaching I piggybacked on the work of a colleague who had students create webpages with links to all of their classes to showcase their work. I continued this practice throughout my time in the classroom as I saw few projects bring a greater sense of accomplishment and pride than their webpages.
Through Google Sites I created a homepage as an example for my students, but it has transformed over the years. I started posting assignments, videos and pictures related to the class or my students on the website. I used the student webpages to show exemplar work, generally yielding better student projects. (Through Google Analytics I have discovered that people all over the world visit my webpage! My entrepreneurial spirit wonders how I can capitalize on this.) Now my webpage is a home to some professional documents and resources.
When I helped my 11th and 12th grade students create the pages I taught them about cyber safety and encouraged them to use their online portfolio as they started applying for jobs and to colleges. Students also used their webpages to complete group projects, and were able to collaborate on their assignments real-time, even if they couldn’t get together by using Google Drive.
Webpages aren’t only for secondary students. Last year Round Meadow’s George Hees had his students create webpages through Weebly. The privacy feature that requires a password to enter the students’ site is one of the features that appealed to him about Weebly over Google. He too has created his own page, which he uses as an alternative to the teacher webpages provided by the district, to communicate to his students and their families. Check out some of the student’s webpage below at the end of this post.
The student directions for creating a webpage either through Google, or Weebly are attached. You will likely need to change the directions to fit your class. (Thank you for sharing George!)
*Note: If you decide to have your students create webpages you may want to inform their parents.
Student directions for creating a Weebly.
Student directions for creating a Google Site.
Through Google Sites I created a homepage as an example for my students, but it has transformed over the years. I started posting assignments, videos and pictures related to the class or my students on the website. I used the student webpages to show exemplar work, generally yielding better student projects. (Through Google Analytics I have discovered that people all over the world visit my webpage! My entrepreneurial spirit wonders how I can capitalize on this.) Now my webpage is a home to some professional documents and resources.
When I helped my 11th and 12th grade students create the pages I taught them about cyber safety and encouraged them to use their online portfolio as they started applying for jobs and to colleges. Students also used their webpages to complete group projects, and were able to collaborate on their assignments real-time, even if they couldn’t get together by using Google Drive.
Webpages aren’t only for secondary students. Last year Round Meadow’s George Hees had his students create webpages through Weebly. The privacy feature that requires a password to enter the students’ site is one of the features that appealed to him about Weebly over Google. He too has created his own page, which he uses as an alternative to the teacher webpages provided by the district, to communicate to his students and their families. Check out some of the student’s webpage below at the end of this post.
The student directions for creating a webpage either through Google, or Weebly are attached. You will likely need to change the directions to fit your class. (Thank you for sharing George!)
*Note: If you decide to have your students create webpages you may want to inform their parents.
Student directions for creating a Weebly.
Student directions for creating a Google Site.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
New Engaging Election App on Edmodo for grades 6-12
The Study Sync Votes 2012 Blasts App on Edmodo allows you to explore the presidential campaign with your students, and allow them to be a part of a national conversation with thousands of their peers. There are several differentiated lessons, that inform students on important issues in the upcoming election. New topics are released weekly. A few of the topics are the economy, money and politics, Iran, and powering America.
Components of the lesson: neutral overview of topic and how it relates to campaign, research links across broad spectrum of sources, writing assessment 140 characters long, read and rate other students, poll of students across the country.
Haven't used app's before, or want a little help with this one? We got you covered, click here for a Quick Start Guide, or watch the tutorial below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEgDMJKG9ko
Components of the lesson: neutral overview of topic and how it relates to campaign, research links across broad spectrum of sources, writing assessment 140 characters long, read and rate other students, poll of students across the country.
Haven't used app's before, or want a little help with this one? We got you covered, click here for a Quick Start Guide, or watch the tutorial below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEgDMJKG9ko
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
AC Stelle School Wide Electoral College Webquest & Free Election Resources
On Monday, the ACS Math Department rolled out a school wide, cross-curricular Electoral College Webquest. Department Chair Lynda Asher took the lead by creating the webquest and reaching out to myself and her colleagues for feedback. The webquest is posted on the ACS Math Department webpage, making it easily accessible for students, parents, and those that may be interested in running a similar project, as it includes all the directions, resources, and rubric.
The webquest is differentiated for the different grades, and for differing levels of complexity, allowing for the engagement and challenge for all students. My favorite challenge is figuring out the shortest road trip distance the candidate would need to take to receive 270 votes (assuming every state they visit will vote for him).
Students engage in writing, technology, and math skills, through writing prompts, the use of online resources and Excel spreadsheets.
The students were first introduced to the webquest in the classroom and they have approximately 2.5 weeks to complete it. Close to the due date the students work in the computer lab, and are expected to show up having most of their work organized on a USB drive, to facilitate a successful finish of the project.
Links to this webquest and other Election resources are listed below:
The webquest is differentiated for the different grades, and for differing levels of complexity, allowing for the engagement and challenge for all students. My favorite challenge is figuring out the shortest road trip distance the candidate would need to take to receive 270 votes (assuming every state they visit will vote for him).
Students engage in writing, technology, and math skills, through writing prompts, the use of online resources and Excel spreadsheets.
The students were first introduced to the webquest in the classroom and they have approximately 2.5 weeks to complete it. Close to the due date the students work in the computer lab, and are expected to show up having most of their work organized on a USB drive, to facilitate a successful finish of the project.
Links to this webquest and other Election resources are listed below:
- Electoral College Webquest: http://www.acstellemiddleschool.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=123&Itemid=288
- Edmodo Election Resources (for all subjects/grade-levels), including a presidential debate bingo http://lvusd.edmodo.com/publisher/electioninsights?language=en click on “Collection” next to “Community”
- Election based lesson plans and games: www.icivics.org
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Apple Offers Free Summer Camps
Apple is again offering free summer camps (http://macte.ch/44M89) for kids at its retail stores. Dubbed "Make Movie Magic," they focus on filmmaking using iMovie and GarageBand.
Here's how Apple describes the camps: "At Apple Camp, kids ages 8-12 learn how to shoot their own footage, create an original song in GarageBand on an iPad, and put it all together in iMovie on a Mac. This free workshop, held at Apple Retail Stores, spans three days and ends with campers debuting their masterpieces at the Apple Camp Film Festival. Space is limited and workshops fill up quickly, so sign up now for a super-creative adventure."
Monday, May 14, 2012
Say hello to the free agent learner!
by Sandra Miller
TBLOGICAL
Say hello to the free agent learner—also known as a typical middle school student!
Students are not waiting around for educators to provide a new type of environment for their learning. On the contrary, they are creating opportunities for themselves—especially middle school students who view learning in new, often very different ways, from even today’s high school students.
High school students are more traditional in their use of technology, using it for things like checking grades, taking notes, accessing online texts, writing papers and doing homework. By contrast, middle school students who participated in Project Tomorrow’s “Speak Up” survey are more apt to use their mobile or other devices to:
Collaborate with classmates on problem solving
Tap into Facebook for schoolwork help
Text their teachers with questions
Solve real-world problems
Find podcasts/videos to learn about something
Access online textbooks
Use mobile apps to self-organize
Access online tutors
Use online writing tools
Take online tests or assessments on their own.
Teachers and administrators will need to work together to re-create learning environments for these “Free Agent” learners. Many have smart phones and want to use them. Parents support these students’ use of technology, using smart phones themselves and often using technology in their own jobs.
Administrators hesitate to embrace mobile technology due to concerns about Internet safety and district liability, digital equity, network security, and teacher training. Teachers hesitate with worries about distraction, digital equity, cheating, and knowing how to integrate new devices. At the same time both recognize that there are potential benefits to integrating new technologies such as:
Increasing student engagement
Personalizing instruction
Reviewing classroom material and extending the day
Providing access to online resources
These “Free Agent Learners” need new paradigms for learning. Can we as educational leaders shift our thinking? As Charles Darwin (English Naturalist 1809-1882) said, “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.”
The Free Agent Learner has already incorporated an expanded vision of education into their own learning beyond the school walls. It is up to us as educational leaders to help teachers incorporate these new learning environments. Let’s get on with it!
TBLOGICAL
Say hello to the free agent learner—also known as a typical middle school student!
Students are not waiting around for educators to provide a new type of environment for their learning. On the contrary, they are creating opportunities for themselves—especially middle school students who view learning in new, often very different ways, from even today’s high school students.
High school students are more traditional in their use of technology, using it for things like checking grades, taking notes, accessing online texts, writing papers and doing homework. By contrast, middle school students who participated in Project Tomorrow’s “Speak Up” survey are more apt to use their mobile or other devices to:
Collaborate with classmates on problem solving
Tap into Facebook for schoolwork help
Text their teachers with questions
Solve real-world problems
Find podcasts/videos to learn about something
Access online textbooks
Use mobile apps to self-organize
Access online tutors
Use online writing tools
Take online tests or assessments on their own.
Teachers and administrators will need to work together to re-create learning environments for these “Free Agent” learners. Many have smart phones and want to use them. Parents support these students’ use of technology, using smart phones themselves and often using technology in their own jobs.
Administrators hesitate to embrace mobile technology due to concerns about Internet safety and district liability, digital equity, network security, and teacher training. Teachers hesitate with worries about distraction, digital equity, cheating, and knowing how to integrate new devices. At the same time both recognize that there are potential benefits to integrating new technologies such as:
Increasing student engagement
Personalizing instruction
Reviewing classroom material and extending the day
Providing access to online resources
These “Free Agent Learners” need new paradigms for learning. Can we as educational leaders shift our thinking? As Charles Darwin (English Naturalist 1809-1882) said, “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.”
The Free Agent Learner has already incorporated an expanded vision of education into their own learning beyond the school walls. It is up to us as educational leaders to help teachers incorporate these new learning environments. Let’s get on with it!
Web 2.0 Tools for Each Subject and Grade-level
Escondido Union School District has put together a comprehensive list of links, broken down by grade level and subject, with web 2.0 tools. It has so many resources...so why reinvent the wheel?
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