TED Talks

Technology Tip of the Week: TED Talks

TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) is a nonprofit organization that is focused on spreading ideas to a global community.  This is done mainly through a series of short talks...videos that are 18 minutes or less.  TED invites some of the brightest thinkers from various industries and fields of study to talk about innovations, new ways of thinking, and change.  While a very broad range of topics are covered by TED, many touch on the field of education.  Talks on educational leadership, design, mindset shifts, learning styles and technology in education can be found.  TED Talks are wonderful resources that fit well in personal professional development plans.  These talks will challenge and inspire you to continue down the path of a growth mindset.

Below is a TED Talk given by Sir Ken Robinson, a leader in the area of creativity.  Sir Ken advocates for radical change in our education system to better support creativity and multiple intelligences.  His Talks are well worth a look.

App of the Week: TED

App Store Link:

• Click here to download TED

Professional Learning

Technology Tip of the Week: Google Edu Training Center

Google for Education Training Center is designed to help teachers learn how to meaningfully integrate Google Apps For Education (GAFE) tools in the classroom.  It includes lesson ideas, facilitation tips, and resources for using GAFE.  Training is offered to support all levels of users.  If you are looking to get started or learn more about GAFE, this is a great resource for you!

Check out this video overview for more information about the Google Edu Training Center.

App of the Week: Twitter

App Store Link:

• Click here to download the Twitter App

Twitter is a growing and respected tool for creating a Professional Learning Network (PLN). We encourage all staff to create professional Twitter accounts to create and grow their own PLN.

Check out this video to learn more about PLNs.

Hashtags are a great way to connect with other educators on Twitter.  Check out these two articles that may help you better understand hashtags.

• 10 Things to Know About Twitter Hashtags by Alice Keeler
• Twitter for Teachers: Discover #hashtag PD! by Patti Grayson

Stick Around App

App of the Week: Stick Around 

If your campus has some money to spend on apps, we suggest Stick Around. It is $2.99 and available with a discount for volume purchase. This app is a great way to turn a worksheet into something digital; but the really great thing about Stick Around is that students can design an interactive puzzle for their classmates. There is an assortment of created puzzles and templates that can be used. Also, you can bring in your own images to create projects. Play, design, and share sorting and labeling puzzles!

App Store Link:

• Click here to download Stick Around by Tony Vincent and Explain Everything 

Support:

• Tony Vincent's Blog, Learning in Hand, is a wonderful resource for Stick Around.  It has video tutorials, a user guide as well as many ideas for using the app.

Storybird

Technology Resource of the Week: Storybird

Storybird is a wonderful online storybook creation site for kids of all ages.  Storybird has a large selection of images that students use to spark their imagination and unleash creative writing skills.  Once on the site, students choose images for their pages, add ideas to the pages they insert, and then spend time turning those ideas into a wonderful finished product.  Students’ books can be shared out for others to read and enjoy.  Storybird gives teachers the ability to create a classroom for their kids.  In this classroom, teachers can make assignments, provided feedback as students move through the writing process, and monitor all student progress from a teacher dashboard.  Click the following link for more information: https://storybird.com/educators/

Examples:

• https://storybird.com/books/animal-alphabet-49/
• https://storybird.com/books/i-dont-feel-so-good-2/

Integration Ideas:

Storybird can be used in multiple content areas that allows for story writing.  This six weeks is all about research utilizing skills in ELAR and Science is asking elementary grade levels to research biomes.  Storybird could be a way to let students publish what they have learned.

Support:

• How to use Storybird
• Storybird Tutorial

App of the Week: Lark by Storybird

Make and share art inspired poetry with the app Lark, by Storybird. This app is available in the App Store in the "iPhone only" section but will work on an iPad.

App Store Link:
Click here to download Lark by Storybird