Creating an online virtual experience for your students is easy with these great tools...Google Maps with Street View lets you explore places around the world through 360-degree street-level imagery. You can explore world landmarks, view natural wonders, navigate a trip, go inside restaurants and small businesses - and now even visit the Amazon! Get a demo or browse the gallery to see collections from around the world. Additionally, you can virtually visit 17 Museums in Street View and see incredible art around the world.7 Wonders Panoramas - 360-degree views of the Seven Wonders of the World.Arounder Virtual Tour of the Moon - 360-degree panoramic views of the moon, courtesy of the Apollo 11, 12 and 17 missions. (Many other Earth locations also available on arounder.com.)Connected Classrooms Map - This map shows all of the teachers and partners in connected classrooms including museums, classrooms, aquariums, magazines, etc. It's a great resource if you're starting to get connected.Frissiras Museum - A virtual art gallery from Athens, Greece that allows you to explore paintings by rolling your mouse over them.Google Earth - Explore the geography of both land and sea (free download).Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Vital Signs: Understanding Cardiovascular Diseases - A virtual gallery teaching about heart disease.Louvre Virtual Tour - Virtual tour of the world-famous Louvre museum in Paris.Mount St. Helens 360 - See how the volcano Mount St. Helens changed in the three-year span between 2003 and 2006 with these 360-degree panoramas.Mount Vernon Virtual Mansion Tour - Virtual tour of George Washington’s home, Mount Vernon.The Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago - Enjoy 360-degree views of galleries showcasing Egyptian, Assyrian, Mesopotamian and Persian culturesRare Book Room - A virtual library that allows you to not only view but read hundreds of rare and historical copies of books, from Shakespeare to Galileo.Smithsonian National Museum of National History Virtual Tour - Take a virtual walking tour of the entire Smithsonian National Museum of National History.Smithsonian National Museum of National History Dinosaur Tour - A virtual tour of dinosaur fossils.Smithsonian National Museum of National History Dinosaur Dig - An interactive virtual archaeological dig for dinosaur bones.Supreme Court Tour - A 360-degree exploration of the U.S. Supreme Court building.Taj Mahal Virtual Tour - Virtual tour of the Taj Mahal, featuring 360-degree panoramas.Tour of Colonial Williamsburg - A virtual tour of Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia.UAE Interact Virtual Museum - A virtual museum exploring the history of the United Arab Emirates through ancient artifacts like stoneware, jewelry, weapons, tools and coins.US Capitol Virtual Tour - Virtual tour of the US Capitol, with clickable areas to learn more about the building’s history.A Virtual Journey into the Universe - Explore our solar system with a variety of interactive tools (no jokes about what lies in the interior of Uranus).Virtual Museum of Iraq - Discover the history of Iraq through eight museum halls full of artifacts.The Virtual Museum of Traditional Japanese Arts - Wander down virtual hallways to explore traditional Japanese arts, from fine arts to martial arts.Virtual Tour of Rio de Janeiro - An amazing 3-D aerial virtual tour of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.Visible Body - Detailed, dynamic 3-D views of all the systems in the human body (7-day free trial).Virtual Worlds Almanac - A guide to online "virtual worlds," most with educational value.Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society Life-Size Blue Whale - Feel what it’s like to swim alongside a blue whale.Source: http://aceonlineschools.com/25-awesome-virtual-learning-experiences-online/

A Teacher's Guide to Keeping Up With Their Tech Savvy Students https://t.co/ajyNhRSBvv #edtech via @EdSurge— Patricia J. Brown (@msEdtechie) August 29, 2014

Just so you know, this season of my life is very busy.  As a mother of 5 boys, I am always looking for engaging and cool ways for my own kids to learn. I decided to dedicate this blog post to sharing some of those great resources I use at home. I have a KG, and two, yes I said 2, 2nd graders. (they are twins), an 8th grader, and.... wait for it.... A Newborn. (yup, I'm crazy) lol  here are some great tools my Kg & 2nd graders use at home.Looking for a great technology resources for Pre-K through Kindergarten?You have probably seen the commercials before for abcmouse.comABCMOUSE program is free now to schools. They have great learning activities for students they can complete in the computer lab, or in the classroom on the iPads. This is a  much better comprehensive curriculum program then websites like starfall. Its also great for center activity, or after school program.There are three ways for students to navigate through the program.Lesson Builder: Allows you to build lessons for whole class, learning groups, or individual students.Sequence Learning: Students travel step by step learning and follow the created learning path that covers all major subject areas. Each level builds upon the last. You can select the level each student starts.Independent Learning- Students are free to explore site on their own. They can select by subject or activity typeStudents can earn tickets through the reward system, it motivates students to complete learning activities, while teaching math concepts.Setup a free account for your classroom, and track students learning.https://www.abcmouse.com/schoolsOnline Digital BookA great tool that you can access free through various public library sites. The stories are animated and read out loud to children. Thousands of books to choose from.TumbleBooksEvery activity has been designed to teach a critical skill or strategy while providing the repetition and practice required for mastery. Most importantly, each stays true to the ideal that teaching and learning should be clever and fun. None of our games use non-math activities to incent students to play. The hook of every game is the math itself and students spend every second doing math. It is all math, all the time.http://gregtangmath.com/kakoomaMore Great Math ResourcesCounting and Cardinality :Think Math , AAA Math , Mr. Nussbaum , Fun School ,Sea Horse Counting , EduplaceOperations & Algebraic Thinking :Think Math , Mr. Nussbaum , PBS kids, Eduplace, Math Pickle Numbers & Operations in Base Ten:Think Math , AAA Math , Eduplace, Virtual Manipulatives   Measurement & Data:Think Math , Cool Math , Eduplace , Virtual ManipulativesGeometry :Think Math , Cool Math, Shapes,  EduplaceMATH DUEL APPMy kids love a good competition.  This app allows two players at a time to challenge each other two math problems. The person who gets the answer first in the time period wins. Great way to learn addition and subtraction facts.Check out this symbaloo for Grades K-2 This is a perfect compilation of Interactive Sites for all grade levels, and content areas. There are some great resources specifically designed for K-2 students.Ideas for active learning Rather your kids need time to play, learn, or explore. Hopefully, the tools I listed above will make learning more fun!

The Keys to Tech Savvy Teaching!As we begin this new school year, we need to evaluate our past teaching experiences,  and how effective they were. Start by taking a moment to reflect. Think about last year. On a scale from 1 to 5 (1 not well, and 5 being very well) How well did you integrate technology in your classroom? The key word is INTEGRATE. Notice I didn't say how well did you USE technology in your classroom. There is definitely a difference between using and integrating.  Here are just a couple of the main differences. Using technology-- usage tends to be random, arbitrary, and sometimes an afterthought.  True technology integration is seamless, it shouldn't be viewed as an add-on, an afterthought, or an event." P.BrownWhen technology is integrated, it is planned and purposeful, it is a routine part of the classroom environment. Questions to ask yourself: What tool did I use the most? What worked well? What didn't work? What are some things you would like to try this year? (Check out this chart below)So are you a tech-savvy teacher? Complete this quiz by Edutopia to find out http://www.edutopia.org/quiz-tech-savvy-teachingand see how you rankWhen exploring new technologies, you may be looking for ways to measure how effective the integration of the technology is. One way to determine ways to evolve your instructional practice is through the SAMR model.The SAMR model stands for Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and RedefinitionThe SAMR model eliminates teachers using tech just because, it allows you to evaluate why you are using the specific technology, design tasks that enable higher order thinking skills, it engages students in rich learning experiences which should ultimately impact student achievement.Watch the video below to learn more about the SAMR modelRead more about SAMR hereSAMR IN ACTIONWhat instructional objective do your students struggle with learning? How can using the SAMR model allow your students to meet the higher levels of thinking?Use the SAMR model to create a lesson that meets Transformation level of learning (Modification & Redefinition) Download this template to help get you started. Other routes to Tech Savvy Teaching....Subscribe to newsletters and online magazines like Edutopia, Edsurge, or Techlearning, or Edtech to have fresh technology integration ideas at your fingertips each week. Create a Dropbox account for your classroom. Link it to iPads, or laptops in your classroom to share documents, student work, or to create a classroom album.Create a classroom Symbaloo page of webmixes to bookmark resources for your students or even yourself.Create a video avatar using Tellagami, or Voki to introduce topics for your kids, or as a way to introduce the classroom rules.Think of ways to breakdown classroom walls and collaboratethrough resources such as twitter in the classroom, Google Hangouts & Mystery SkypeGoogle Apps for Education- collaboration in the classroom & with instructorBack Channels  like Today’s Meet EdmodoCheck out these social networking sites to help build your PLN (Personal Learning Network)Focus on blended learning to create personalized learning experiences through your professional Learning NetworkSocial Networking SitesGoodreadsEvernotePinterestTwitterFacebookFacebook BookLove Book TalkFacebook Centurions Book GroupDiigoShelfariVoicethreadBiblionasium

Don't make your audience victims of death by PowerPoint any longer. Take a look at these highly effective and recommended alternatives to using Powerpoint for creating presentations. Ready to try something different?In no particular order, here they go....1) EmazeTired of those same  old Powerpoint and Keynote templates? Try Emaze, an online presentation software. Emaze is the next generation of online presentations, empowering you to create an amazing impression through design and technology.2) Videolicious- This FREE tool is very user friendly  and  great for taking pictures to tell stories.  This is available in the APP for version as well as a website.3) Google Presentations- This FREE tools is simple to use to make quality presentations that can be shared out with the whole class. Google's  interactive features allow you to collaborate, as well as add graphics, pictures, colors, fonts.. the list goes on. Create a presentation, or have students create the together.4) Educreations- This FREE app and website, allows you to make cool presentations using an interactive whiteboard format on the app. You can use text (keyboard) to type, or write directly on the whiteboard with their finger or a stylus using various forms of ink (crayon, pencil, marker, etc..) They can insert photos, and draw images directly on the app. You can record yourself talking on the app. This is great for teaching a lesson in the flip classroom format. Use it to teach a unit, and share it to the Educreations community site.  5) Voicethread This FREE app and website is great for creating digital stories, or interactive presentations. Have a class discussion by commenting, or writing directly on the slides. Create a presentation using video, photos, or text.6) Present.me Record a lesson on Present.me, students can watch in their own time, over and over again if they need - leaving you extra time in class for more interactive work.  View your image on one side of the viewer, and display your slide presentation on the other side.7) Tellagami a mobile app that lets you create and share a quick presentations. Create easy tutorials, or animated anticipatory sets to introduce a unit or lesson animated Gami video. 8) PowToon  A FREE tool with super cool graphics. Create animated presentations and videos as easy as PowerPoint, but way cooler!Flip your classroom, inspire, engage and delight your students9) Slideshare - Share what you know and love through presentations, infographics, documents, and more. No more worries about your presentation being to large to share via email. 10) PhotoPeach -With PhotoPeach you can create a rich slideshow in seconds to engage your friends or family. We also support background music, captions, and comments so you can elaborate on your story further.

We have certainly come a long way from using traditional cameras in the classroom. We no longer have to wait for photos to be developed, or even to sync a camera with a computer. We now have instant ways to share photos easily! Capturing special moments in the classroom is ideal for any classroom at any grade level. Rather you are using a digital camera, iPad, or smartphone, you can instantly open up your classroom walls to the world. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words.Here are a few simple ways you and your students can use Digital Photos in the classroom.Meet the Teacher Night Selfies- Get to know your new students and their families right away. Setup a photo booth in your classroom on Open House, or Meet The Teacher Night. This is a fun way to get families involved. Post them in your classroom, or on your website or blog.  Check out 3rd grade teacher Ms. Wolgamot's page.Student Portfolios with Thinglink   Take class photos, or individual or group selfies, and link them to projects students create throughout the year.If you touch the image, it links you to each students' project. What a cool way to share special student projects at the end of the school year.Personalized Portfolio Webmixes You can do the same thing with Symbaloo for individual students. Create a year-long digital portfolio using this tool to share with parents throughout the year.Check out the tutorial herePicture Collages -  Create individual pic collages while students learn their 5 senses, or maybe to visualize a writing project, or to share images from a  field trip. This one was created using the app PicCollage Another great way to make cool things with images is http://bighugelabs.com/Do fun stuff with your digital photos. Create and print personalized motivational posters, calendars, movie posters, magazine covers, badges, mosaics, collages, etc.Other ways to use Digital Photos in the ClassroomMaking History Come Alive-  Have students dress as a famous person in history. Have students take pictures of each other in costume. Use them in historic journals, diaries, or posters they create.  Instead of celebrating Halloween, a school in California celebrates Historical Figure Day  School or Classroom Expectations Have students take photos showing proper ways to handle equipment in the classroom, and/or classroom rules and procedures. Photo Lab Report  Instead of the usual write-up reports, kids can create a photo- lab report  (demonstrate through photography) the process in their science experiments. Keep track of what's happening in long term experiments or investigations. Plant growth, lifecycle of a chicken, bird feeding station observations. At the end create cool slideshows using an app like a AnimotoEngaging Field Trips Allow students to take iPads, or cell phones on field trips to take photos. Take it step further and use audio boo to add audio to their images. Or use twitter to share their learning experience. Document field trips and class activities simply.Creative Writing  Have students take a picture, and have other students write about what they see.Take Mystery Photos that show parts of something, and other students in the class have to try and figure out what it is. They could also write about it.Social Values, and Manners - Role play problem situations through photographs and captions. Capture facial expressions, and create posters or slide shows. How To's- Help students organize their writings through photos. Put together the photos to tell a story, or "how to" do something.There is no limit to the types of projects your students can do with digital photos. Photos are a perfect way to engage students. After all, Who doesn't love a good selfie?

My kids absolutely love super heroes. Well, what boys don’t? Even though I can't physically fly, jump through buildings, or stretch myself to the back of my car while driving, I still like to consider myself a superhero when it comes to using technology. Becoming a tech super hero didn't happen to me overnight. It took some specific planning, and dedication to improving my craft. Focusing on one tool or a few tools at a time is key to making sure you don't find yourself knee deep in tech craziness and overwhelmed, but in fact, you find yourself ahead of the game, and you want more, and you can handle it! Are you ready for the challenge?One of the simple ways to begin to unleash your tech superpowers is to build a strong PLN, your Personal Learning Network.  A personal learning network is people/places you go to gain knowledge, share knowledge, and collaborate with others of like minds and interests. Let's face it, as awesome and fabulous as we all are, we can always learn something from each other. Why re-invent the wheel? If you find someone who has great ideas that they are sharing through their blog, why not try them out? Well some of you might say, "they make it look so easy, there is no way I can do that with my kids!" Let me let you in on a little secret; most of us had no clue what we were doing when we first started. We practiced trial and error until it worked. Some lessons turned out fantastic, others were a flop, and that’s okay. We took a look at those lessons, figured out why they flopped, then tweaked them, so when we did it again, it turned out better. The most important thing is you can't be afraid to try. Pretty soon, you will feel comfortable with what you are doing in your classroom, and you want to blog yourself. You are doing fantastic things in your classroom everyday; why not document them through a blog.Twitter is one the easiest and common ways to develop a strong PLN. In order for it to be valuable, you also need to be a contributor. You have awesome things to share with others. Following people who share the same role you do in education, or what you aspire to be, is key to staying connected, and current with tech trends. When corporations want to get the word out on their new products, they usually take to twitter and other social media first. Twitter allows you to create your own learning opportunities, anywhere, and anytime. The connections you make through social media lead you to a wealth of knowledge that is not made possible without it.Other simple things to try this year, Remind(formerly Remind 101)- This tool allows you to send text messages to parents and students without providing them with your phone number. Send scheduled test reminders, open house, or homework reminders automatically. Bringit- Have parents schedule their parent teacher conferences digitally, and send automatic reminders as the time gets near. Class Dojo- A behavior management tool for the classroom, that has a reward system built into the app and website that motivates students; it also has features to share data with parents.Still looking for ideas of tried and true ways other educators are using technology in the classroom? Try searching on Pinterest. There are so many edtech pinterest boards, where people post apps and blogs to try out, as well as ideas for using and iPads, and other technologies. If you are a visual person, pinterest is perfect for you.Teachers Pay Teachers- If only I would have thought of this! Teachers are taking what they have created for their classroom and sharing it with others. Some items for free, some are at a low -cost. Let's just face it, a lot of us don't have the time to spend hours developing lessons and projects for our students, due to various reasons, but having access to thousands of projects and lessons at your finger tips delivers a powerful one-two punch. Save time by browsing through resources other teachers have perfected, and use them to provide meaningful learning experiences for your students.Learning from other educators or tech superheroes is a sure way to strengthen your tech knowledge, and help you unleash YOUR tech savvy super powers.

#HouseofEdTech ep 19 coming tomorrow! Great #edtech convo with @msEdtechie #mustlisten | http://t.co/xz8KnxyinT #njed #edchat #satchat— Mr. Christopher Nesi (@mrnesi) September 14, 2014

 I had the great opportunity to participate in the podcast The House of EdTech with Chris Nesi this past weekend. I got to share some of the ways I have integrated technology when I was a classroom teacher, and as a technology coach. It was such a fun experience, and I had a great conversation with Chris. Tune in to my featured podcast, but also the other podcast episodes. Subscribe via itunes, or listen on Stitcher. Chris is doing great work. Check out his websiteEducation: the Nesi Way: 19 Elementary #EdTech with Patricia J. Brown (@msE...: Patricia J. Brown  is a technology integration coach at Ladue (MO) School District , an adjunct professor at Lindenwood University , and...