Let's Get With The Program

Let's face it. In today's society all you hear about is using technology in the classroom. We go from podcasts to PowerPoint and from wikis to whatever comes to mind. It's enough to make your head spin! Many teachers don't know where to start or how to begin once they get an idea. It used to be that using a computer's software was all you had to do in your classroom to be considered an expert in technology. Knowing how to teach your students to use word processing, spreadsheets and presentation software made you look and feel like a Technical God. That cloud has blown away my friends and another storm has started raining on your parade, so to speak. Now there is more to the computer than using the software. In fact, today, most computer teachers rely on the Internet and teach more information technology in the classroom. There is more collaboration among teachers to incorporate the curriculum and standards in the computer lab. This blog has been created to help any classroom teacher with technology integration no matter what subject is taught.

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Educreations: A Must Have!

If I had to recommend one thing for my coworkers and myself to use this year, it would be Educreations. This is a free website and a free App for the iPad.  Ok, by show of hands...how many of you use PowerPoint or Keynote?  Ok, how many of you use a drawing program like Tux Paint?  Great!  You can put your hands down now.  Imagine having a free program that combines a presentation software with a paint program..... I know pretty amazing, eh?  This also has a recording option so you can have your students record each page.  You are able to set up a lesson and students get a sign in code to your lesson.  There is no need to set up an email account.  Let's face it, Kindergarten should not have emails anyway.  Think of all the possibilities for any grade.  Students can create pictures and record stories.  You can have ELL students practice speaking English or students who are learning another language practice that language.  You will then have audio documentation!  You can have middle school and high school students explain math concepts.  Instead of getting up and going to the board, they can create a video with their explanation.  You can have students create a library of "how to's" for absent students.  If you are a GAFE (Google Apps for Education) school, students can log in with their account.  Check it out and get creating!
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New Outlook

I've come to the realization that in order for me to get my students to understand the importance of blogging, I shouldn't be hypocritical about it.  It's important for my students to understand that what they post online is part of their "permanent record," so they should take pride in what they post, type intelligently and not "text type".  How can I push my students to do this when I do not blog anymore?  I have decided to take a blog that I don't use and put it to better use.  I named it Classroom Tech Tips for a reason, so I think I need to live up to the point of creation.  I am not the end all, be all of technology integration, but I know many people who do many great things in their classrooms.  I will, of course share some ideas that I have come across through self discovery, conferences I have attended and some ideas that friends have used.  I hope to grow this blog into a useful resource that many can use.  After teaching inner city youth in Philadelphia for over 20 years, I am always changing the way I teach technology.  I am hoping to give classroom teachers ways to motivate and engage their students on learning the curriculum.  So hop on my bandwagon and hold on.... your head will spin with ideas before we are done our journey.
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