Looking for some interactive sites to make Math fun?Check out these Interactive Protractor Sites for Mathhttp://www.mathplayground.com/measuringangles.htmlhttp://www.mathplayground.com/alienangles.htmlhttp://www.ezschool.com/Games/Angles.htmlhttp://www.kidport.com/grade6/math/measuregeo/measuringangles.htmhttp://www.amblesideprimary.com/ambleweb/mentalmaths/protractor.html I think this one might be my favorite because the protractor can be manipulated pretty easily!  Be sure to click on the "Teacher Controls" because you can differentiate the skill.            http://www.mathplayground.com/mv_using_protractor.htmlThis is a short video. http://www.brainpop.com/math/geometryandmeasurement/angles/"True technology integration is seamless, it shouldn't be viewed as an add-on, an afterthought, or an event." P.Brown

Digital Camera Scavenger Hunt Project Lesson -KindergartenObjectives:Students will learn how to use a digital cameras, learn the parts, and how to take pictures.Students will take pictures of commonly used objects found in the classroom.Students will complete puzzles using the digital images they created.Students will label the pictures in a presentation created in Keynote.Lesson Steps:In the classroom: (during computer lab time)Mini lesson on using digital cameras (There is a great brainpop jr video on digital cameras and video)They discuss stuff like...What are the parts of a digital camera- power button, lense, zoom, shutter button, flash, screenWhat are some tips to follow to take good photos?What is framing?Students are put in groups of 3-4. Each group is given a digital cameraEach group is given index cards with the names of commonly used objects  found in the classroom. ex: paper, crayons, book, smartboard, table, desk, carpet, etc..Students will take turns taking pictures of those individual objects in the classroom.In the Lab:Follow-up session 1 (during computer lab time)Day 2: We  (Teacher, Technology) will use Jigsawplanet.com to create puzzles prior to computer lab class. The students will complete puzzles using the digital pictures they took with the digital cameras in the computer lab.Need a Bigger Challenge?Day 3: Students will use the Keynote/PowerPoint template: Essentially a keyboarding exercise, they will navigate to each slide and type in the name of the object (which is  shown on the photo itself.) They need to spell the words correctly and capitalize their names before we print the presentation out in handout form to take home.Classroom Teachers role: Place students in small groups (4-5 students)Write on index cards the name of commonly used objects found in the classroom. (4-5 objects, 1 set for each group)Create an account on jigsawplanet.com for your classroom, share the log-in information with the technology teacher.Work with technology teacher to upload images to the website to create puzzles for the students.Technology Teacher’s role: Mini lesson on using the digital cameraWork with teacher to upload images to the website to create puzzles for the students.Create a Keynote/Powerpoint template of the images for students to create their slide show.Get ready for some cool projects! Be sure to upload your pictures to a website so they can share their work with the world!

Twitter isn't going away!When I first started using twitter, I used it purely as a social outlet. I kept up with all of my favorite celebrities, watching their every move,  chatting with my friends, and participating in trending topics while watching my favorite reality show. It's also a great way to build relationships.Twitter has changed so much from the "What are you doing now" tag line  to becoming one of the largest Personal Professional Learning Networks available to educators. I have participated in numerous hours of professional development, and graduate courses, but I have learned more from my twitter friends then all of those things put together. I had an interesting conversation with some educators about the purpose and use of twitter.  That saw little value in using twitter, and thought of it as just another social media to take up their time. I love to share all of the things I am learning on twitter, but often times I get that puzzled look from  because they have a hard time understanding the twitter lingo, and have a difficult time seeing it as Professional Development. It is really a mind-shift, and it takes a little bit of work understanding it all.So I will break down twitter as simple as possibleWhat is twitter?Twitter is an online social networking service and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based messages of up to 140 characters, known as "tweets". Think of twitter as a "chat room" you are having a conversation with people of like-minds sharing their ideas and great resources. Its a place to share ideas, and get ideas. (Sometimes you are even just chatting with yourself)Imagine a room full of people who all have something to share. One person stands up and says "Hey, I found this great article on differentiation", another person says I found a great resource for 3rd grade students struggling with reading" another person jumps in and says "Please share, I have been looking for strategies to help my students with reading." All of these individuals can communicate and share with one another easily through twitter, and the beauty of it all is that they don't have to be in the same room, they can be in different parts of the world.Getting Started with TwitterCreate a unique twitter name that represents you. Keep in mind your audience, and who your followers will be, and who you might follow. You also want to make sure you don't have a long twitter name, because when people respond or retweet you, your twitter name counts as part of the 140 characters.Other things to keep in mind: Always upload a picture to twitter. The infamous egg screams newbie, or I'm just not that into twitter.Also, complete your profile. Give a really nice description of who you are, or what your purpose is on twitter. This is extremely helpful when you are looking for followers.  Reading their profile descriptions is a great way to weed through potential twitter friends.Twitter LingoWhen you post to twitter, you are "tweeting" you send a "tweet". You only have 140 characters to post in your tweet, so you try to come up with clever and innovative ways to get your point across. Some people use twitter to share information, some use twitter to retrieve information. Some people post articles, some post quotes, and pictures. It can be whatever you want it to be.How to communicate on twitter When you send a tweet out on twitter. Your followers canRespond to your tweet by @username , or Retweeting (RT) the message, continuing the conversation by sending out another tweet, or they combine all of the above.@ symbol is what you use when you are referring to another twitter user. (mention)  For instance @msedtechie means you are sending @msedtechie a message, or mentioning them in your tweet.Retweet (RT) is when you share a tweet from another twitter user with your twitter followers.  If someone you follow posts a great article that you feel should be shared with your followers, you will RT (retweet) it. Or if you really like or agree with a quote you can also Retweet it.  But you should always remember to give the person who originally posted it the credit, by retweeting it, and leaving their twitter name in the Retweet. Most of the time, you will get a nice Reply, or retweet back for sharing the quote, because your retweet will show up in their notifications. Retweets are usually prefaced with "RT @username."Reply - This is when you respond to a tweet from a particular user. The @username is placed in front of the tweet. For instance if you wanted to send a message to me you would tweet "Hey @msedtechie, do you have any websites for 1st grade math?"Direct Message (DM) This is a private message sent through a discussion board. You can only send a DM to a person that is following you.Follower- Unlike facebook, twitter relationships are not required to be reciprocal. You can follow someone on twitter, but they don't have to follow you back. Twitter allows you to have one-way relationships. Most of the time when you find a twitter user that has very interesting posts, and you interact with them, they usually will follow you back. When a person follows you, your tweets show up on their timeline for them to read. If you follow them back, their messages appear on your timeline. Hashtags #- is used when people are tweeting about the same topic or are attending the same event. An acronym or words/phrases are prefaced with the # symbol. Example at the ISTE conference this year, conference attendees were asked to tweet during the event using the hashtag #iste2014, this way all of the attendees, regardless if they are following each other can all participate in the same conversation and be connected. A lot of trending topics show up on your feed on twitter based on your location, or usually what's going on in the world. Prime example during the 2012 political debates #presidentialdebate2012 was trending all around the world.View my Twitter presentation hereIn all, twitter can be whatever you make it.  A great resource to learn more about Twitter

Social Media is not just a buzz phrase! You must stay connected in this GLOBAL society!Here are some Powerful TECH TOOLS EVERY educator should be using!1. Google Apps For EducationA new way of learning and collaboration. Connect through email, calendar, and documents. All your work is saved in the cloud, so there is no need to worry about losing work. This means that emails, documents, calendar and sites can be accessed - and edited - on almost any mobile device or tablet. Anytime, anywhere. Within Google Apps trySimilar to Skype, Google Hangouts is a free video chat for group chats up to ten people at a time. Google Hangouts are already proving invaluable to educators who wish to connect and collaborate on common projects.Connect with educators from around the world 2. Twitter! (Wait! You aren't using twitter yet?)Twitter has changed so much from the "What are you doing now" tag line  to becoming one of the largest Personal Professional Learning Networks available to educators. I have participated in numerous hours of professional development, and graduate courses, but I have learned more from my twitter friends then all of those things put together.Think of twitter as a "chat room" you are having a conversation with people of like-minds sharing their ideas and great resources. Its a place to share ideas, and get ideas. (Sometimes you are even just chatting with yourself)Follow me on twitter @msedtechie3. Pinterest A place of ideas!! Think of Pinterest as a virtual bulletin board. Pinterest allows you to save everything from pictures to blogs, in one easy accessible place. You can find ideas for classroom organization, lesson plans, edblogs, and more.Ready to explore? Send me an email, and I'll provide you with an invite to Pinterest.Check out my Top Pinterest EDTechboard of Educational Technology37 Ways teachers can Use Pinterest in the classroom4. EvernoteEvernote for Teachers- use this tool to take notes, organize lessons, collaborate on class projects, create portfolios for students, snap photos, and much more. The beauty of this tool is  everything you add to your account is automatically synced and made available on all the computers, phones and tablets you use, at home or at school. 10 Tips for Educators using Evernote5. EdmodoCreate a unique learning experience for your students through Edmodo. Edmodo helps connect all learners with the people and resources needed to reach their full potential.  There are great PLN's already in place.6. SymbalooSocial Bookmarking at its finest. What a great way to organize web resources. What I love about Symbaloo is that the websites are images, not just word links. This is especially cool for young students who can't read the words, but would recognize a symbol or picture. Overall it's just much cooler! Create and share webmixes with anyone.7. Padlet (formerly Wallwisher) Create a virtual brainstorming wall. There are so many ways you can use Padlet. Create a wall, and allow people to post easily to it. http://padlet.com/gallery We've used this many times in our staff meetings.8. Skype in the Classroom - Connecting Classrooms Around the WorldMeet new people, talk to experts, share ideas and create amazing learning experiences with teachers and students around the world. Participate in a Mystery Skype, Skype with authors, classrooms, professionals, etc... the list is endless. 9.  YouTube Find videos in your classroom and bookmark them directly in Youtube. Create a channel for your classroom to post videos easily accessible by your students and parents.10. Thinglink- Connect content to images. Take an image of the  St. Louis Gateway Arch. Add a video explaining how the Arch was constructed, and the history behind it. The user clicks on a spot on the image and it takes them to the link of the video. They are quick and easy to make.Create interactive links on mapshttp://www.thinglink.com/action/store/educationCreate and share individual student projects through interactive linkshttp://www.thinglink.com/scene/398481287716798465Want more??Thought you would... Here are some bonus Tech Tools11. AurasmaThink of QR code on steriods! Rather then just a two-dimensional bar code. you can take an image and transform it right into a video through the device. Hold up a mobile device next to an image of the Gateway arch, and that Arch magically starts to move, and becomes video. It blends virtual reality and reality. Try one out here12.  WeVideoWeVideo enables engaged learningOnline video projects in and outside the classroom are a great way to encourage student creativity and storytelling, as well as increase student involvement. Video creation projects enable engaged learning and develop 21st century skills. You can link to storage devices like Google Drive. Web-based video editing tools allow for easy access of student work anywhere!13. Animoto ( LOOOOVE THIS)Make quick and easy professional videos from video clips and pictures. Wow your audience with the simple yet professional production. Hint: Teachers get a free pro account, and students don't need real email addresses to create accounts. Check out one of my recent videos here.

Classrooms Without Walls- Connect Your Classroom With The World!My last post on 10 Powerful Media Tools Every Educator Show Be Using Yesterday was all about how educators need to create a Personal Learning Network, but our students need authentic audiences too. Most of these same tools can be used to connect your classroom with the world. Our students need to   connect with other students in the classroom down the hall, down the street, across town, or even across the world! How do you do this? By introducing new concepts and activities to your students using creative measures, and by using Web 2.0 tools, such as Social Media. Social Media tools are changing how people, including our students interact with the world. This makes way for changes in the strategies and tools we use for teaching and learning.  The challenges of the new millennium require that students are 21st century thinkers and doers. The world has changed and traditional classrooms are not up to par with teaching our 21st century learners.20 years ago the "Dog ate my homework" excuse was the top excuse for students not doing assignments, Scott McNealy  came up with the top 10 reasons why the students of today can’t turn in their homework.10- Tech support for my PC was outsourced offshore9- I had to delete it to make room for my iTunes8- I’m still handwriting it. The MS Office license was too expensive7- I emailed it- didn’t you get it?6- I couldn’t afford the HP ink cartridge,5- It took too long to type it on a regular keyboard. Can I text it to you instead?4- The cut and paste keys on my keyboard are worn out (Google, cut, paste)3- I plan on "open sourcing" from the kid next to me.2- I had a visit from the Blue Screen of Death.1- The dog chewed my laptop.Well how do we do it? It just takes some creative thinking and doing. Follow me on this journey as we explore ways we can truly transform learning for our students, and at the same time transform how we teach!So, how can you create a classroom without walls? Here are a few tips! Try setting this up before school even begins, and setting the tone on the 1st day1. KidBlogCreate safe and controlled digital footprints, promote digital citizenship, have students blog and improve writing.  The best part is as the teacher you have full control.Great way to teach kids about blogging2) AudioBooDocument your field trips using AudioBoo. (What a cute name) This free app allows you to create a channel that you can record and share audios and photos. The app is free to download, and users can access the website as well. In advance provide chaperones with information on how to download, and access to the channel. Chaperones can take pictures right from their smartphone, record students' audio talking about the picture, and upload their "boo" to your channel. It is a great way to share students individual experiences on the field trip with parents, or others who weren't able to attend.  If a picture is worth a thousand words, a picture WITH accompanying audio narration is worth one thousand! Behold, the power of narrated photos!" Here are a few samples of how its done. more3) Create a classroom twitter account.- This account is separate from your PLN. Share what you are doing with your students daily. Have your students tweet about their experiences. Get parents involved. Ask questions, have students tweet their answers with their parents for homework. Tweet about upcoming events. Twitter can also be a great way to teach students how to organize their thoughts and give specific but detailed answers. You only have 140 characters to tweet, so this is perfect way to do it.Students can easily share and learn with others using twitter. More ways to use twitter in the classroom4) Skype in The Classroom What an awesome way to connect with others. Rather it be Mystery Skype, Skyping with live authors, Professionals, or other students. Skyping is a very authentic way open your classroom walls and allow people to engage in your classroom safely. What about Read-Alouds? Invite parents, business professionals who may not have the time to leave the office and come into the classroom, but could easily connect via their computer, cellphone or ipad, and read books to your classroom.There are even websites like Global Read Aloud and the list of Authors the Skype for FreeHere are 10 ways to get started with Skype5) Create a classroom Youtube ChannelUpload slideshows, and videos of exciting things happening in your classroom. Parents will enjoy being able to subscribe to your channel and see. Have you even tried emailing a video to your parents? Most likely it was too big. This eliminates the need to email, and the new feature to create slide shows right within Youtube allows you to create a slideshow with your photos easily within Youtube. Another great thing is Youtube is embedded in just about every App, or website, so you should never have a problem sharing your videos from your phone, ipad, or computer. More hereDon't be afraid to open the windows of technology to your classroom, you have many things to share with the world!

I don't think Apple had a clue how the iPads in the Classroom initiative would take off. Originally designed as a single user device, the iPad has become one of the most innovative tools educators can find.The problem is, when you do have multiple users on a single device, it makes it difficult to get the work off of the student ipads into the hands of the classroom teacher, and keep things organized. I have a few tips/tricks that will help this become an easier process for educators and students.Now if you are lucky enough to have an iPad for each one of your students, you may have easier ways to share assignments, but if not, check this out.Due to ios management programs like Filewave that are used to supervise iOs devices, it is not possible to plug-in an ipad to a laptop/desktop to transfer documents, pictures etc (sync).. However there are plenty of other ways to do so. Wifi AlbumA free APP that allows you to transfer images, and videos via wifi from mobile devices and computers without iTunes. (Mac or PC) DropBoxConnect a DropBox account to your iPad and have images, and video automatically synced between devices. Utilize the website, ios APP, or Desktop APP to manage files where-ever you are. Take a Screenshot- With your students assignment on the screen, take a screenshot of their assignment, and save it to the camera roll on the iPad. To take a screenshot. Simply hold down the iPad home button and the Sleep/Wake button at the same time. You will see a flash on your screen signaling the iPad's screen was captured.Camera RollDon't underestimate the power of the camera roll. Most APPS allow you to share files to the camera roll. Once you do this, you can easily use Dropbox, wifi album or other Apps to transfer the files.Printopia  $20 APP Print through Airprint ServerEdmodo has added an app that allows you to do quite a bit on the iPad.  Edmodo app for the iPad now has the ability to upload images and video from the Camera Roll into the student library on Edmodo. They can turn in these as assignments to their teacher.Enabling sharing through Google Drive and sync documents on all devices.It enables you to easily edit notes, embed audio recordings, and much more.1:1 iPad Solutions with EvernoteUsing Skitch and Evernote Together

Happy Saturday!I know we all have ways to manage behavior in our classrooms, ex: compliments, clips, debits, credits, hits, strikes..  etc...I would like to share a new technology resource that is being used in classrooms for behavior management via the website, or an APP that you can download on your smartphone or iPad, and still use your current behavior management strategy. (You can control it from your phone, and it instantly displays on your SmartBoard)ClassDojo Features:Make it simple to do positive behavior management by providing instant recognition in classClassDojo enables you to easily award and record points, achievements and rewards for behavior and performance in class in real-time, with just one click of your smartphone or laptop. Social and emotional learning finally gets brought to life!Check out the website, and view the Demo. http://www.classdojo.com/tour  (the app is free to download too)This would be a great tool to begin using this year, or maybe you want to try it out for few weeks of school on a trial basis. Either way, its worth checking out!Have a great weekend!

Audio Boo is a social media platform that allows you to combine audio and social media to create  podcasts called "boos". (It's an APP and a website)You can also access a library of content specific channels from BBC, CNBC, The Guardian, and UNICEF.This free app allows you to create a account with specialized boards that you can record and share audio and photos.Here are a few cool ways to use Audio Boo in the classroom:Create audio podcasts of a lesson to share with students using a platform like edmodo. Students who are absent can easily access your boo, and makeup their work.Students can show what they know by creating their own boo's and sharing them with the class. They can summarize the lesson for the week, day or unit. It can be a great resource for test study guides, and end of course exams.Document class activities. Take pictures and share audio of the exciting learning activities in your classroom.My FAVORITE way to use Audio boo is to document a field trip.Check out these examples:Document Class Activities w/ pictures and recordingshttps://audioboo.fm/fuglefun Document Field Trips https://audioboo.fm/users/1251407/playlists/7401-oklahoma-history-centerCan't wait to use this tool when the 4th graders go to Jefferson City!

Do you ever wonder how a toddler can pick up a cell phone, or another mobile device, and easily navigate the device without ever having to be instructed on how to use it? Or how students can multi-task with technology by texting, social media surfing, and watching television all at the same time? Our children are digital natives, and we are digital immigrants. They are being raised in a technology driven society that provides them with quick and easy access to just about anything at anytime. Parents can no longer use the, "I’m too old to learn tech" excuse, because technology is here to stay, and your kids are using it. As parents it is our job to protect our children from the dangers that exist, and help them develop healthy tech habits, and become responsible digital citizens. Not sure how? Try these:Tip 1: Talk about it: Parents ask their children where they are going and who they are going with before they leave the house. This same approach should be used when your child is using technology.  If your child is talking on their cell phone, texting, or on facebook, talk to them about whom they are interacting with and the conversations they are having. Explain to them the dangers that exist online, and discuss appropriate and inappropriate behavior. Empower them with the knowledge to protect their personal information, and to be aware of their digital footprint. Talk about cyberbullying, and remind them that what they post has an impact on others whether good or bad, and just because you shutdown your computer, doesn’t make it go away. Teach them the T.H.I.N.K. acronym when deciding what’s appropriate to share online. (T- is it true? H- is it helpful? I- is it Inspiring? N- is it necessary? K- is it Kind?) A great resource to help kids learn healthy ways to use the Internet is www.netsmartz.org.  This site has useful information for kids, teens and adults. Tip 2: Put Your Game Face On! You may not know everything there is to know about technology, but your child doesn’t have to know this. Make an effort to understand the basics of technology. The simplest answer I can give you if you don’t understand something, Google it! Educate yourself and stay informed about new devices, and websites. Talk to their teachers, and other parents about things kids are doing online. Become a part of this ever-expanding digital world by exploring technology for yourself. You will be surprised what you might find. Tip 3: Set Rules! Establish ground rules for using the computer and or mobile devices like cell phones, and tablets. Create a public area for using technology devices so that you can monitor exactly what your child is doing. Do not allow your child to be locked in their room with a computer. This is a very unhealthy practice. You should also set daily time limits for using technology, and require them to share with you their usernames and passwords for their social media accounts. Create a technology contract or a Family Media Agreement together. Always be aware of your child’s social media activities, and know whom your kids are interacting with. Common Sense Media(http://www.commonsensemedia.org) is a non-profit organization that provides practical tools and curricula for parents to support the digital generation. Tip 4: Empower yourself and be proactive! Set parental controls; use apps like handy filter, and computer monitoring software. Periodically view browsing history, chat logs, and text messages. I’ll let you in on a little secret: There are many free cell phone apps like SMS Backup and Restore for android, or xillisoft for ios,  that allow you to backup cellphone text messages so you can read them online. I can’t stress enough how important it is to monitor the conversations, and activities your children are having online, and address your concerns with them immediately. You won’t be able to police everything they do, but you can have a discussion with them, and provide them with knowledge, and wisdom to make smart decisions when you are not around.Tip 5: Learn through Technology! Technology is more than gaming, and web browsing.  It can be a positive learning tool. This digital world we live in allows our kids to easily create, explore, collaborate, share ideas, and discover learning opportunities that weren’t accessible 20 years ago. There are more powerful technology tools today than in any generation before. Allow your kids to use their tech knowledge to create real-world learning experiences inside and outside of the classroom. Ask your kids to show you the wonderful things they can create with digital media like, sharing a class digital project with a family member who lives in a different city, or skyping with a classroom in another part of the globe.   As your child’s first educator, you can equip them with the 21st century skills they need to thrive and compete in a global society. Starting with these five tips will help equip you with the resources you need to help your child make smart decisions in the digital world where they live, work, and play.Parents Top 12 Back to School Tech QuestionsMore resources for parentsAbout the author: Patricia J. Brown is a wife, and mother of four sons. She has advanced degrees in Educational Technology, and has been an educator, and technology integration specialist in the Saint Louis area for 13 years. For more information about her work in educational technology, visit her website at msedtechie.com or her blog msedtechie.blogspot.com.

Using ThingLink is a cool way to embed videos, websites, and other tools into an image. Check out this iPad Mania thinglink created to share useful iPad information.Try using Thinglink to highlight student projects, using a class picture. Sort of like a digital portfolio for your classroom.Check out the example hereMore examples here