Doc Cam and Smartboards

A Doc Cam and Smartboard are very popular in classrooms today. Although this equipment can be very helpful, it is a bit outdated. The iPad can actually do what both of these things can but is much smaller and easier to use. It also allows for much more movement around the classroom. By linking the iPad with the projector, the teacher can walk around and take video or pictures of student work, or examples of what they want to students to do similar to a Doc Cam. Teachers can also use a whiteboard app on their iPad to write things while walking around the room that will show up through the projector. There are also many apps that the students can use that would be similar to the things they could do on Smartboards. Although Doc Cams and Smartboards are great tools, the iPad is an awesome option to allow more mobility and variety in teaching with technology.

Special Project

This exploding box is a special project for students to make or give to someone. They will love the unexpected surprise when they open the box. It can be made using different colored card stock or scrapbook paper. For the project above we filled the inside flaps with pictures but there are many possibilities for this project!

Apple in Education

The Apple in Education website offers many helpful resources for using Apple products in the classroom. The resource that I found especially helpful was the apps in the classroom. It breaks down some of the best educational apps divided by different subjects. I found this easier than going through the app store to find things. This site also gives information on how to use Macs, an iPod touch, or an iPhone in the classroom. Finally, it has links for options on how to fund the use of their products and the financial services the Apple offers. Overall, this is a very useful site for those considering the use of Apple products or those that are already using them and would like further suggestions.

Cupcake

This cupcake was edited using Photoshop. Using the magic wand tool, the entire cupcake can be selected to make the background transparent. Then, I used to the magic wand tool to select different parts of the cupcake. Once I selected a section, I used to paint bucket tool to fill in the area a different color. Finally, different colored sprinkles were added using the paintbrush tool.

iPads in the Classroom

iPads are becoming more and more common in elementary classrooms. They are an awesome learning tool that really fosters the use of technology! Teachers are using iPads for many different things in the classroom. There are many apps for behavior management available in which teachers can reinforce positive behaviors. Teachers can also take attendance, keep track of student progress, and record grades. Another thing that can be extremely helpful is using a whiteboard app that can correspond with what is being projected to the front of the room. This way teachers can walk around the classroom while still writing information that all students will be able to see. It is also beneficial for teachers to be able to take photos and videos easily at any given time throughout the school day. For the students there is an extensive list of educational apps and games available to foster learning. This could be used within a lesson, at centers, or as a reward for students.

Snagit Video

Snagit offers an easy way to make tutorial videos on how to do something on the computer or internet. The video above is an example that Kelsey Fercho, Casie Antony, and I made about how to use Fakebook in the classroom.

Blurring Out Faces

Blurring out faces is a great option when you would like to show certain images on a class website but want to respect the student's privacy. It is very easy to do using Gimp. You simply need to use an oval or circle shape around the faces and use the blur effect.

Forms in Powerpoint

PowerPoint is an easy to use tool for making forms or worksheets for the classroom. Simply find a blank slide, change the size to 8.5x11, and add whatever shapes and text necessary. I chose to make a worksheet on the main parts of a story with allowing space for students to draw their own picture from the story. This is a great way to customize what your students are working on so that it fits perfectly with your objectives. It is also an easy way to make forms for the students or parents to fill out.

Poster Programs

QR Codes

The item on the left is an activity that I created for the classroom using QR codes. For this activity I printed this worksheet out on sticker paper, cut them out, and put them on poker chips. The problem was put on the front with the corresponding QR code on the back. Using their iPads, students can figure out the problem and scan the QR code to see if they got the answer right similar to using flashcards. There are endless possibilities for using QR codes in the classroom that the students will love!

Polaroid Photos

Polaroid photos are a fun project for students! After being given the templates, the students can add their own digital photographs into the frames. This is great because it gives students practice in using digital photography and Photoshop. Once the students have added their photos, they can be printed using standard 4x6 photo paper. This would be perfect for an about me project in the beginning of the year!

Instagram Images

The photo strips above were made using Photoshop. The photos could have been taken from Instagram so that they will fit in the frame without needing to do any cropping. These photo strips are great as they are or cut into the individual pictures. Another idea for this is to cut out the pictures, use mod podge to stick them to inexpensive 1'x1' tiles, and hot glue a magnet on the back. This idea could be used with student photos for many things like centers, lunch choices, or student jobs.

iPad Rules

iPads are a great tool for the elementary classroom! They offer many educational apps and foster the use of technology. However, since they are very expensive, it is important to make sure there are clear rules for use. The image to the left shows an example of iPad rules for the classroom.

Germ Cover

Keeping kids healthy in the classroom can be a bit of a challenge! One way to encourage students to stay healthy is to give them hand sanitizer. I made this cover for a spray on sanitizer using Photoshop. All you have to do is print and use mod podge to stick it on. When kids can't wash their hands they can spray the germs away!

iSpy

By putting together a variety of small, cheap items, classrooms can put together their very own iSpy book. This is a fun option for students to work on their writing. It also fosters the use of technology by using digital photography. Once all of the photos are done, they can be printed off and bound into a classroom book. Overall, this is a very fun way to get the children involved in a variety of areas and the final product is something the children can enjoy the entire year!

Magazine Cover

The image above is a magazine cover I created on Photoshop about thrill-seeking activities such as bungee jumping and skydiving. This is a great project for learning the basics of Photoshop, especially different layers!

Thanksgiving Plans

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! This is one of my favorite times of the year. What can be better than a day to gather with family, reflect on all of the positive things in your life, and celebrate by eating lots of home cooked food? This year for Thanksgiving I am going to my grandma and grandpa’s house in South Fargo. I am very thankful to be celebrating with them this year because they usually go to Texas from October to April but decided to stay in Fargo for winter this year. It is nice to be with them for the holidays again this year! My dad, brother, aunt, and uncles will also be there to celebrate. We usually don’t do anything too fancy for Thanksgiving. It is nice to just catch up on each other’s lives, reminisce on old times, and enjoy a meal together. I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season! J

Paperless Education

I think that paperless education is a very positive practice. It encourages the use of technology and is good for the environment. However, there are still some situations that require paper paper in my opinion. I don’t think that students should solely rely on technology. There are some situations in which using paper allows for more creativity. I think that most things involving art need paper as well. Also, we should not completely get rid of paper because students will not get the required practice for handwriting. That being said, there are many ways teachers can cut down on the use of paper in the classroom to be more environmentally friendly. The following is a list of ideas that teachers could try:

• For writing, instead of using journals that use a lot of paper, students could write a blog. An added bonus is that parents can have access to their child’s writing!
• Use Google Docs or email as a way for students to turn in assignments
• Use Microsoft word or applications like Evernote to take notes in class
• Give tests or quizzes online. Zoho offers an easy way to do this.
• Create presentations online by using a website like Prezi

Build Your Wild Self!

The build your wild self website allows students to create themselves as a mix of many different animals. It is a fun and educational tool for students. Students start out by making a character that looks like them. They can choose from things like different hair and eye colors, hairstyle, and clothing. Then, there are options for different animal parts. Students can add tails, ears, and other things unique to many different animals. An example of the wild self that I created is on the right. This could be used when doing a unit on animals in science. Students can identify the different animals that they chose and identify if they are mammals, birds, reptiles, etc. Overall, I think students will really enjoy this creative 
website!

Poster Programs

Buying posters for the classroom can get to be expensive! There are many great resources online to get ideas or quotes to make your own posters. I found the idea on the left from Pinterest which let me to the blog technology rocks. seriously. I made this poster about thinking before you speak using Photoshop. You could also use Microsoft Word, Photoshop, or Gimp to make your own poster. This way you can add your own personal touch or make sure it goes with the theme of your classroom. Once you finish a poster you can order it online. Vistaprint is usually a good option because it is fairly cheap and offers a lot of options. These posters are great for the classroom used as little reminders for students! You can make them for various things from posting directions on how to use something, rules for the classroom, or positive quotes for inspiration. The possibilities are endless!