Google Hangout

Are you looking for another way to connect with classrooms all over the world?  Google Hangouts is an easy way to connect!  It took me all of 15 minutes to figure it out... but you must have a web camera and a Google + Account.  With the use of Edmodo and Google Hangout, my class was able to connect with 2 other school (at the same time) around the United States!  This was a great experience   All were on task and working diligently to share information that they had learned in their Bald Eagle research group!

Capzles

This was so easy to make!  I am going to use it this year for our American Hero timelines!  I can't wait to test this lesson and have my 6 GT kids test it at home for me before I introduce it to the class!

Capzels is easy and fun and best of all, FREE!

Personal Learning Network

What defines ones PLN?  

Having a "Personal Learning Network" is essential to those great first teachings!  It is also beneficial when students begin to collaborate with other children in the world.  A PLN is basically those connections that people make either by in passing, or by suggestion, or by locating them using the world wide web.  I have met many people that I converse with about my teaching.  I also have met people that help me to determine which platforms to use for productivity, or how to challenge students further in certain areas.  I seek to them for advice on what works or how to achieve certain tasks.

One of the greatest encounters of my profession, has been with Arizona State University.  They helped bring in some of the top ornithologist to my class without having to leave the campus.  Our walls were torn down and the children were able to travel outside to learn more in - depth into the world of birds.  ASU created so many sparks that fired off questions and answers - bringing those rigor and relevance lessons into real life situations.  It helped my students see that the sky is the limit!  All one really needs to do is reach outside for more answers!!!

This is a movie that was part of the 11.5 tools that the district posted.  It really helped me understand that it takes a network of people to create success.  It is those connections that are brought to the table to  help students achieve their goals!

The Networked Student - The Movie

Margaret Powers' PLN

easel.ly

Conducting an Ed Tech Audit

I'm using several technologies in my classroom.  On any day, it is not uncommon for my students to be using a desktop, laptop, iPad, iTouch, digital camera and a FLIP video camera.  Each device serves a different purpose.  Along those lines, the capacity of one's project / product will determine what he / she uses. In the past, I have had students publishing on Storybird, Xtranormal, Animoto, Glogster, and Edmodo.  I've tried Stupeflix for the first time this year but ran into some issues of the website having inappropriate content, so I've pretty much ditched that. It has been cleaned up so maybe this spring we will try it again.  I like it because the kids have access to it whenever they want.   I've also dabbled into GoAnimate but it was all too soon that my group of 14 boys realized how to make their character do inappropriate things (ie. pass gas  belch, etc...) and so I haven't promoted much of it since.  We need some sort more maturity to occur before we can try it again.  

(Eagle live cam!) 

Something new that I am doing is a collaborative, online study with Alcoa on the Bald Eagles.  
There is a live Eagle webcam available for the kids to watch.  It is of Liberty and Justice (bald eagles).  They live in Iowa and have 2 eggs in their nest.  It is so incredible to watch – I encourage you to take a peep!  
Study groups have been made using Edmodo that will help us collaborate with the people in their research group.  

I am in hopes that with the help of our librarian, Karen Harrell, we will be producing our very own podcasts to share with the rest of second grade.  

Recap of Today's Staff Development Using Xtranormal Technology

Prezi

Prezi is a webiste that offers free access to students / educators.  It is a very cool way to create slideshows and in the world of Web 2.0 - it is considered to be "Powerpoint on Steroids."
After having a conversation with the "powers at be at my school (Boss, etc..) I was persistent in finding more about what she was referring too.
I thought, at first, that I had done one - but now I am certain that I had not.  So, here is what I created.  I'm sure you could use it just like anything else - but I had a hard time with the "whitespace" that was associated with the program.  Maybe I'm just too ADD / ADHD...
Neat program for being free, none-the-less!

National Geographic Known Universe S03E06 Print Tools

This I found to be on the cutting edge!  It is a copy machine that actually takes an image of an object and duplicates it!  Wondering how it works, check out the video that was posted: