Instructional Technology
Exploratory
Wikipedia
It is a quick reference to find information. It summarizes multiple sources to one more descriptive, tied together page.
Culturegrams
This is a great reference product that allows users to find out about other cultures. It has a collection of reports about other countries including flags, maps, videos, and more. The site also contains a report to help visitors understand the United States culture. I have done country reports for my Geography class for many years. This is a good source.
Wall Street Survivor
First, You get a chance to have your students learn how
to build a portfolio and research stocks. Second, you set up a strategy for investment by assessing your risk tolerance
and what your financial goals are and finally you learn to invest with key investment strategies like diversification,
growth investing, index investing and more
BrainPop Jr. & Brainpop
a lower level on the education spectrum would be brain pop. BrainPop and BrainPop Jr. is an online program filled with educational videos and games. It is filled with videos on all subjects (social studies, science, math, reading, writing, and social situations). This program is a great way for students to explore and learn from two fun characters (Moby and Annie). Students can watch videos independently, and it is also great for watching as a whole group. BrainPop Jr. can be compared to an online encyclopedia, but in a student-friendly, interactive way. After students learn about a topic, they can choose to play a game, take a quiz, do word work, etc.
Google Earth
Google Earth is a wealth of information. It is a great way for students to explore the world beyond their own backyard. You can use it in many ways. You can use it to identify different types landforms, or for geographic purposes.
Applications
Microsoft word
Microsoft word is used to type
papers. It does a great job helping with spelling and grammar.
Edhelper
This program will create crossword puzzles with words and definitions you enter. This can help students learn both spelling and vocabulary
words. Since the teacher is entering the words and definitions it is easy to match class objectives and lesson goals to the activity you are creating.
Inspiration
Inspiration is a great tool for students to organize information prior to completing projects. This software allows students to outline, write and make presentations using visual graphics and text.
Microsoft excell
This program creates spreadsheets to keep various types of data organized. It is very useful to organize the census data required to write Individual Education Plans (IEP's) for the Special Education students. Other district employees could find information regarding a particular student using the excel spreadsheet from the IEP plans. We use Excel for spread sheets and statistical programs to make things easier for everyone to read. Excel also provides charts and graphs to enhance reports and presentations.
Powerpoint
Microsoft.com
Power point is presentation software that allows an individual to prepare slides of text, images, movies, etc. The most important part of the Powerpoint is to bring the kids interest and keep the kids up to date on what your are trying to cover and get kids involved. Microsoft PowerPoint allows users to combine text, graphics and multimedia into a slide show. PowerPoint's slide show can help students organize a presentation to the class and even help visual learners better understand skills being taught.
Communication
It is a good place to go for people to communicate, I worry about cyber bullying or just unintelligent comments. Also this social media has the capability for kids to get to know others much better then just what they see in class. Good to communicate and kids are comfortable with this form of communication.
Skype
It is a video/chat - real life instant message system all in one. It comes in hand especially for the people serving our country to chat with their family via video for free back to the US. I have yet to use with class but as in the Flat Classroom would be great. I use Skype to communicate with my brother in Seattle and my daughter in Portland, OR. But it could be used to work on presentations and things like that also with live discussion about topics for class.
First Class- E-mail and conference chat
We have our whole school system on the same e-mail, messaging and chat-room available to 12 people chatting at one time, We also use first class to post all paperwork and forms and all news and job postings that go out to all the
school district employee’s. We are also working on school closing updates and school emergency emails, though these are in progress as of this moment.
Linked In
Linked In is a professional social network. It allows professionals to create a profile and find colleagues to add to their connections. It also gives professionals a chance to network with other professionals in the same field. The only draw back is you must become a member. Depending on the level the cost changes.
Moodle
Moodle is a free course management system. You can communicate with your students and parents about daily assignments, grades, and upcoming events via moodle. You can upload homework assignments so student can download and print if they got left at school. You can also hold class discussions on the site as well.
Tutorial
Discovery Education
This site can provide administrators, teachers, parents, and students with tutorial on such subjects as professional development, assessments, progress monitoring tools, puzzel makers, lesson plans social issues, motivational ideas and PTA tool kit, and homework help.
Hudl
BAsicall set up for coaching and working with teams to go over film and teach players correct techniques, exchanging films with opponents and setting up scouting reports. Hudl could also be used to video presentations and exchange information. Hudl has the capability to be e-mailed to all players or students for their review at home online.
Khan Academy
: This site has tutorials we use for our U.S. History classes and Economics classes. An example would be for our Micro-Economics class you can go on line and they have a 6-10 minute tutorial on things like the Supply curve or just explaining the concepts of Demand or supply. Great little supplements to add to a lesson. This is a great site for almost any subject but math and science may be their specialties.
U-Tube:History for Music Lovers
They have 53 Music videos of History events and Topics. They are historically correct and interesting to my students.
Mind Point Quiz Show
This software uses a smart board and allows students to be givena question with time to answer. It is a good resource to revie for tests get students ready to do well on tests and then you can see what needs to be reviewed again.
Collaboration
Wiki Spaces
Wiki Spaces is a safe site where people in the education, business, or personal world can collaborate, create, organize, discuss ideads, and provide feedback to each other while working in a group. I was very impressed with our group work on Wiki and it is a wonderful tool to get students to collaborate, which is what we want.
Global School Net
This site engages educators and students by using e-learning projects worldwide to develop science, math, literacy and communications skills. It also helps to foster teamwork, collaboration, and prepare individuals for the workforce. It is a great way for student to engage with other student on a global spectrum.
Collaborative Learning Inc.
clihome.com
The program empowers the students, teacher and parents and administrators. The program differentiates Instruction to accelerate learning. MAny free programs to look at to choose which one fits what you are looking for.
Blackboard Collaborate
Blacboard offers a more collaborative, interactive and mobile experience that is constantly evolving and keeps everyone engaged in learning and thinking like never before. the idea is to get the students talking and thinking on their feet and working together.