62 Ways to Use an iPad

62 interesting ways_to_use_an_i_pad_in_the_cla from deang33

Hashtags - How Do They Work?

Here is something I found off of Pinterest. I want to learn more about #Hashtags too!!! Can someone please tell me how they work?

Source: edtechmagazine.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Pinterest in Education

I admit, I have really not been much of a fan of Pinterest.  I have some friends, however, that seem to be addicted to it!  I guess whenever I don't know a lot about a particular platform of social media, I tend to shy away from it until I can't stand it any longer!!!  It's the curiosity that kills the cat!  My goal over the next few months is to try Pinterest out and collaborate with others about all the cool things that teachers (all over the world) are doing!  I've decided that I'd follow:
Kathy Schrock
Vicki Davis
Ted Ed News
ISTE
Kristin Rynteson

There are a whole lot of other people that you can follow at: The 20 Best Pinterest Boards About Education Technology!  Be sure and check them out!!!

QR Codes

Mrs. Trevino's 2nd Grade Blog

After reading, 7 Fun Ways to Use QR Codes In Education, I learned that there is so much more interaction I could do in my classroom using our iTouches and iPad devices. Here are some of the ideas that the article provided

1. Worksheets ~ Create a 3 – In – A Row worksheets for students to play with another student. 

2. Scavenger Hunts ~ Post codes around the school have student solve problems and find the correct answers. 

3. Pass It ~ You can create several problems on one worksheet, cut them and play Pass It. Each student/group solves a problem and them pass it to the next student/group. 

4. Contact Information for Parents and Students ~ Post in classroom for students and parents to obtain phone number, email address, class website, etc. 

5. Notes ~ Such an easy way to post notes and great for students to always have access to them at all times. 

6. Assignments ~ Post Homework assignments in codes for students to scan before leaving class. 

7. Hints/Tutorials to assist on problems ~ Use when students are solving problems. They can scan the code when they are having trouble or need help.

The article also suggested this QR Generator.  It was easy and I liked how I could place images on it... Made things look a interesting!Who would have ever thought that QR Codes stood for "Quick Response Codes?"  It makes total sense!!!  I am thinking that this next year, I'll create several that easily connect the kids with different "databases" that our district supplies so that they can easily complete their research on birds...  

I can also see myself using this for other things that help me "Flip My Classroom."

Why Use Twitter?

As a mother of 3 and full time teacher - getting regular work done, on top of being a "mom" can be tricky. After reading, The Beginner’s Guide To Twitter, I feel more motivated now to explore using Twitter this summer! It seems that during the school year, it gets to be hard to juggle time for professional growth. Here are just a few reasons in a nut shell...

Because the social media tool will let you grow your personal learning network into a worldwide force able to mold your lessons and classroom projects into efficient uses of time that enhance learning for your students. Simply put, you’ll get more ideas on how to teach XYZ subject, how to deliver exit slips, how to meet other teachers with similar interests, how to get the most out of your next professional development, and much more.

This I have already been doing on a novice level. I interact with just a few educators that help me tear down my walls and speak to experts around the world. By using Twitter, we can set up meetings and share neat content!

Twitter has blossomed into a social media tool that lets parents keep tabs on just about anyone and anything. That means it’s pretty easy for parents to see what their children are tweeting from school, who they’re having conversations with, and what they’re thinking about. In this age of over-sharing online, the openness of Twitter is a good thing for parents.

I haven't yet had the opportunity to explore this with my personal children, but I have noticed a huge trend in the number of adolescent aged children - young adults using this platform more than Facebook. I do follow my nieces and some of cousins - who all happened to be up North. So, I am wondering if this is more of a Northern trend...

But where Twitter really shines is connecting students with the outside world. They’re given a chance to collaborate and learn online from the comfort of their own smartphone.

"Visual" from Pinterest

For younger students, there are better, more controlled tools out there that connect students in a safer manner. (Edmodo, Pinterest, and other sites that don’t have as much direct communication between people who may not have the best intentions toward younger students – to put it nicely).

Edmodo seems to be working within our set school district. I found it a little more challenging to break down the walls and create groups to the "outside." However, with a quick email, the IT department helped get my class to join a collaborative study on the Bald Eagle. That was very cool! I haven't explored Pinterest expect to communicate with a select few - as I'm overwhelmed with the "pins". A few times I was also surprised to learn how I personally could use Pinterest to lead my classroom discussion on inferencing!

ZooBurst

Sweet Class!