Tech Resources

Sometimes we just need a great idea to inspire us!  Here are some sites from which you may find some great tech-inspired learning resources.  Check them out...

  http://www.technologytailgate.com/2013/04/40-ipad-lessons-and-resources-for.html   

http://appsineducation.blogspot.com/

 

http://ipadapps4school.com/

 

http://www.iteachwithtechnology.com/

   

bookPress

The bookPress app is a free tool to create digital books. There are templates to create a children's book, poetry book, cookbook, a picture book, or a storybook. You can also use a blank template to create any kind of book you wish. Bookemon, the publisher, provides bCloud storage for your books.  Your completed books can be viewed through this app or read online. From the app you can also choose to order print copies of your book.


Bookemon also provides edCenter, a free, private, secure environment for teachers and students to create, collaborate, and share their books. Email addresses are not required for student accounts. This video provides a brief introduction and overview of this app:

Classroom Connections:

• write a class book about a field trip
• research and write biographies of historical figures
• create a class memory book
• publish student narrative writing
• create expository "how to" manuals
• publish student poetry anthologies
• create a book to document STEM activities and scientific explorations
• create a leadership book of ways students demonstrate the 7 Habits

Qrafter - QR Code Reader

Qrafter is a free app that enables you to scan a QR code to receive links to websites, text messages, a link to a Dropbox file, a Google map location, and more!

Scan - is another free QR Code reader app. It works well with the plain text QR codes. Just skip or ignore the prompts to sign in.

There are many websites you can use to create a QR code. One site that is easy to use is http://www.qrstuff.com/. QR Voice will create a QR code that will say the "message" in a computer generated voice. http://qrvoice.net/


Here are links to a couple of resources to learn more:
QR Codes in the Classroom  - includes how to tips and classroom applications
Schrock's QR Codes in the Classroom
Anderson's QR Codes in the Classroom Livebinder

In this 2 minute video, some students explain one way they use QR codes in the classroom to enhance literacy.



Classroom Applications:

• Have students create QR codes for book review videos they create.
• Create QR codes for preselected research websites. Students could collaborate to collect sites for a particular topic.
• Use QR codes to provide exemplars for student projects or an example of mastery of a learning target.
• Provide differentiation by using QR codes to link to remediation or extension activities.
• Use QR codes to share a morning message or a daily quote.
• Personalize learning by using QR codes to provide multiple resources students can use to enhance learning.

Tech Tip: Accessing Free Images on Your iPad

Many project apps include an opportunity to insert an image.  It's important to make sure that our students use copyright-compliant pictures.  There are a number of websites that offer free use of images for educational purposes (see the list below).  You can add bookmarks to the home screen of your iPad and drag the bookmarks into a folder labeled Picture Resources. Then your students will have easy access to safe images that will support their learning. Here is a short video that will explain what to do:

Scan this QR Code with your iPad to access the resources listed below:

Discovery Education Clip Art
Florida ETC Clipart
NASA Images
National Park Geology Images
NOAA Photo Library
Pics4Learning
The Library of Congress Photographs
 

Trading Cards

Trading Cards - This is one of my favorite new apps! It allows students to show what they know about people, places, or things in an original format. This even has an option to practice and show learning of new vocabulary!







Here is what the developer said about this cool app:

Create trading cards for any number of categories, including:
• Fictional person
• Real person
• Fictional place
• Real place
• Object
• Event
• Vocabulary word

Each category has  guiding questions for creating the card.

You can send the completed trading cards to the camera roll and then save it to WebDAV so you can move it or print it later!

Classroom Applications:

* summative project on famous historical figures

*culminating project-based learning activity

*formative checks for new vocabulary terms

*formative/summative assessments of literary characters

and, MUCH MORE!

Pixntell - Digital Storytelling

Pixntell

Pixntell is a simple, easy to use Digital Storytelling app!  The free version allows you to use up to 5 photos and saves as an MP4. (You can upgrade for $.99.)

Tell Your Story in 4 Easy Steps!!

* Pick Your Pix - Use photos from your camera roll or take new pictures as you go.

* Arrange Your Timeline - Drag & drop photos to order them or delete photos.

* Record Your Voice (or Music) as you swipe through photos.

* Save your Story and Share via Email, Dropbox, YouTube, Facebook

Classroom Applications:

*  Take photos of science experiment; students narrate the process

*  Field trip photos with explanation of location

*  Take photos of artwork with student narration

*  Narrated photos of student work

*  Photos depicting a historical event, math concept, or other subject related idea

Skitch for iPad

Skitch for iPad (by Evernote)

Annotate - Create - Edit - Present!

Skitch for iPad is an app that allows you to add text notes, sketches, arrows, shapes, and more to photos, screenshots, maps, and web captures....or create a blank page to begin!


Classroom Applications:
*  Label the parts of a cell, a plant, the heart, etc. 
*  Point out locations of interest on a map.
*  Draw a route to a famous location.
*  Add a picture to a vocabulary word. 


WebDav

The Webdav app is a great way to get student work, pictures and video from the iPad to the network for printing, sharing and saving. See your TIS for assistance in setting up this app to connect to the network if you have not already done so. Click on the WebDav links below to see how to copy files to the network using this app.

Webdav with Keynote and Pages

Webdav with Pictures and Video

Classroom Applications:

Publishing

Printing

Collaborating

Puppet Pals HD App

Puppet Pals is free iPad app used to create simple animated shows.  Choose actors and backdrops and record! (There is an option of purchasing additional content as well.)

Creative - Fun - Engaging!

Classroom Applications:
*  Creative writing

*  Book Talks

*  Historical events or biographies

*  Share Project Information

*  Collaborative Stories 

Pages App

Pages is a word processing app (provided free by Lexington1 for teachers). It's the Apple version of MS Word.  Use this app to create, edit, and view documents.
You can send a Pages document as a Word doc or as a PDF.

Activity: Your Favorite Time of Day
Create a Pages document that includes a picture and paragraph.

Step 1: Take a picture of a clock or watch in your classroom.
Step 2: Open Pages on your iPad.
Step 3: Create a new document (Tap the + icon, top left).
Step 4: Choose Blank template
Step 5: Tap the picture icon (top right) and insert the clock photo.
Step 6: Write a paragraph below the picture about your favorite time of day and explain why it is your favorite time of day.
Step 7: Share with your classmates.

Classroom Applications:
1. Student takes a picture of him/herself and writes an autobiography.
2. Student takes a picture of a plant or animal and writes a paragraph describing what type of plant or animal.
3. Student takes a picture of a math problem and explains how to work the problem.