Communicate .. Create .. EdTech

iGoogle,  Google's very nice 'start page' that doubles as an extremely flexible RSS feed reader, is being retired on 11/1/2013. Google Reader goes away sooner than that, on July 1st! Here's a short tutorial I put together about how to move your iGoogle RSS feeds en masse to igHome, which has a very similar look and feel to iGoogle.


I looked into a few replacements for iGoogle (and Reader for that matter). igHome fit the bill for me. What are you switching to? Inquiring minds want to know!

Telling stories is a terrific way for students to collaborate, communicate and create!  There are numerous ways to tell a story digitally.  Slideshows provide an engaging opportunity for students to share what they know.  Here are some of our favorite slideshow applications.  

If you have others you like, please let us know!

Here's a nice list of apps that work across Android, iOS and the web for BYOT schools, from Jill Thompson at Inside the classroom, outside the box.

I've been waiting for someone to create a high quality list like this - great stuff!

Please also look at our Android 5 great search tools post, as well, for more options to find great apps on Android (a couple of which also search for iOS apps, too!).

Here's a great list by David Andrade from Tech & Learning - mostly about Chromebook and Chrome, with some Android spice thrown in. Lots of great details here. Accurate info and well worth the time to dig in!

Don't forget our review of Chromebooks in the 7th Grade Classroom.

Here's a Google Group called Google Chromebook Schools - I just asked for membership, but it looks like there are a significant number of posts.

Here are a few of the resources available from Chromebook Classroom:

Extensions and Web Apps
Classroom Use
Website Resources

There are MANY more resources available at Chromebook Classroom.

Thanks to  of Chromebook Classroom for pulling together this fabulous collection of tools, techniques and tips for Chromebook uses in education! Great stuff...take a look!

Here's an interesting article about issues and opportunities managing tablet apps - both iOS and Android.

THE Journal June 2013 Page 14

I was fortunate to be one of the people interviewed for this article. I hope you enjoy reading it!

Happy Summer! Trying hard not to fall into the 'here are 100 websites for summer' lists that are sometimes seen, we instead provide a short list of some fun, useful (and in some cases, offbeat) websites.


PBS Kids - Many fun games to play and shows to watch. Also check PBS Kids Mobile Apps (including some Android!).

For teachers, PBS Learning Media website has, I believe, just gone through a redesign, and it's cool.  Gobs of training videos and other good PD for teachers, many other resources like lesson plans based upon Common Core and other standards. "Customize" it for your region/state when you get on.

From the We Are Teachers blog: 10 things every teacher should try this summer (NOT tech, NOT classroom related!!!). Must read!

An extremely good Pinterest summer fun list, by Hope Benson.

For boys ... exploding things, mud and other fun, dirty summer stuff to do, from the Reading Confetti blog.

A unique photo scavenger hunt from The Chaos and the Clutter blog (I love that name btw).

And now, for something COMPLETELY different (hopefully the above were, as well). This was written by Maynard Webb, a well-known Silicon Valley Executive, about teaching kids to dream big. Take 5 minutes to read it; you won't regret it.

That's it - 8 links to go explore. Now, go out and do something! Cheers!!!

For teachers, summer allows time to reflect on what went well during the school year, and where change can take place.  With the need to redefine units to reflect CCSS and 21st Century skills, you may be looking for some new resources.  Those listed below are not only great classroom tools, but are fun places to visit this summer!  Bookmark this infographic and refer to it often!

National Library of Virtual Manipulatives This free site supports K-12 math students - tons of online exercises in Number and Operations, Geometry, Measurement & more! Each major concept is organized by grade (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 8-12); once you click the appropriate tile, a long list of applicable practice items from which to choose will be listed. This is a MUST see!

I've been meaning to write something about the SAMR model, and I just found an awesome 120 second video by Candace M. posted to the #4thchat Daily News . What IS the SAMR model? Essentially, it's a progression describing the 'type' of tech being used. Check out the graphic, which I borrowed from this presentation by the creator of SAMR,  Dr. Ruben R. Puentedura,...

Educators who want to inject ed tech tools into their curriculum to truly augment student learning need to ponder SAMR.

For instance, the "Substitution" level is using Google Docs  as a word processor to replace paper and pencil - that is the "Substitution" level. No doubt a good start, but, uh, insufficient in the grand scheme of things. You can probably get the sense that moving 'up' this chain is a good thing for students.

Watch the short video to learn more! If you're still curious (hint: you should be!), page through Dr. Puentedura's preso, which provides context and some good examples in different subject areas. It'll take a minute to load up in your browser.
As we wind up the school year,  it's a good time to evaluate what you're trying to accomplish with your 'program' in general, where tech can and should fit, and also to try to work your way 'up' the SAMR model. Or, at least plan, and then DO, this evaluation during the calm(?) summer months.

For some additional resources, go to this page  on the Technology & Learning website.  There is a wealth of information beyond SAMR that's worth spending some time exploring as well.

If you're already on summer break, congratulations on a job well  done, and if you are still wrapping up the year: hang in there, the finish line is in sight! Cheers to all!!!