My Blog Viewers

Through my graduate course this semester, we have explored various ways to find followers as we developed a blog.  I have to admit that this was a difficult experience in the beginning.  I was not very comfortable with the whole idea of putting myself out there, I reviewed, edited, rewrote, and stared at my first blog for hours before I clicked on “Publish Post”  Today, I have over 30 posts and still counting.  I hope that what I have blogged to date has provided you with some tips on how technology can be used in your own classrooms.  I appreciate your support and value your comments.  Please keep them coming.  

As I explore other avenues in my search for followers, I have provided quick links to Twitter and Facebook.  As you read and find posts that interest you, please Tweet or share it on your Facebook accounts and include a short message for others to join us.  Together, I would like to build a blog that will provide resources that are working in our classrooms.  This project has reminded me that we all have something to share and at times we just need to be reminded that we may have put it on the back burner to simmer. 

 

Other strategies I have initiated to gain followers are the use of Ping-o-Matic which will send information to other social networking services and I am now a member of Classroom 2.0 which provides great resources and opportunities for discussions. 

Please share your comments, questions, and insight with me.  Take a moment and consider providing a comment for all of us who are reading this blog.  You are a valued contributor to my blog and I look forward to reading your comments.  

Matt, thanks for a great semester. 

Grading with Google Forms Made Easy

I have been looking for a way to grade Google Forms that I have had my students complete on the iPods.  Through my search, I came across the following website:  http://www.flubaroo.com/flubaroo-user-guide

Check out the 3 minute demo below and see just how easy grading can be. 

 

See how I have used Google Forms with the iPods
 http://myedet650.blogspot.com/2011/02/ipods-and-google-forms-what-works-best.html

McGraw-Hill Free Math Apps.

All of McGraw Hill Everyday Math  $2 Games Apps are available for FREE download but it ends Friday, April 15th!    Download now to get these free.

Addition Top-It

Subtraction Top-It

Name that Number

Beat the Computer Multiplication

Equivalent Fractions

Tric Trac

Monster Squeeze

Baseball Multiplication

Divisibility Dash

Super Teacher Tools

Link to SuperTeacherTools.com

Everything on this website is free.  Link it to your website or blog.  Create a Jeopardy review game or play,  "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire".   Check it out.

GamesLab - Radford University

http://gameslab.radford.edu/iLearn/ -- Discover ways to use iPods in your classroom and see videos on management techniques from PreK through 7th grade.

Prezi -- A Great New Twist

Create your presentations or lessons with a twist.  Sign up at http://prezi.com

Prezi is a great way to spark interest.  It's free, give it a try. 

Still looking for followers.  Please share my blog: http://myedet650.blogspot.com/ with your family, friends, and colleagues.  Remind them to click FOLLOW ME!

Educational Apps are being purchased on Students' Personal iPods

You know the excitement of learning is taking place when your students go home and ask parents to purchase the apps they are using in the classroom.  Some of their favorites are  Fraction Factory, Motion Math, and Flashcard Touch.  They are also starting to use their iPods to read novels.  It's exciting to have your students ask if it is okay to read or study flashcards for an upcoming test using their iPods. 

I post announcements of which apps we are using in class along with cost on their homework page. 

Classroom iPod touches & iPads: Dos and Don'ts

Learning in Hand provides us with the Dos and Don'ts of using iPods, iPads in the classroom.  Check out their site, it offers some great suggestions. 

Thumb Tacks

I found this link on mini microphones from SwitchEasy.  You would only need to purchase a couple of these thumb tacks to use in class.  No cords to become knotted, use with a Nano 4G or Touch 2G.  Be sure to check it out.

Can anyone tell us how well these work and are they worth the $12.99 + $3.00 sh&h?

Math Resources

Looking for interactive Math activities.  Check out this website with a variety of math resources for grades 3-5.  They are also a good resource for 6th grade.  The site also provides a link to K-2 resources.  Math Resources Grades 3-5 

One of my students favorite is Banana Hunt.  We have a competition in class to see who can earn the most bananas in 10 tries.  I have a grand prize at the end of the week for the top winner.  The competition encourages my students while the game teaches them angles.  Playing the game, students learn to represent acute, obtuse, and straight angles. 

iTunes U

There are many resources available through the iTune Store.  Check out these Podcast Videos to help you get started using Google Docs and iPods.

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=413928903  --Tech Tutorials created by Radford University

http://deimos3.apple.com/WebObjects/Core.woa/Browse/k12.mi.us-dz.4769330708   -- Created by John Sowash, Google Certified Teacher