The Texas Computer Educator Association's Annual Convention and Exposition is held annually at the convention center in Austin. This event features a host of training sessions, events, and exhibits for educators. With funds from our Vision 2020 grant, we were able to send four teachers- two from New Summerfield and two from Troup- to learn about technology integration, instruction, and new products. Here, those who attended will share what they learned.
Notes from Mr. Bryan
Web 2.0 Sites (I learned about most of these from a presentation given by Randy Rodgers of Birdville ISD)
Great for helping students organize tasks into checklists that can be accessed anywhere. Students can develop planners for themselves and teachers can develop groups and assign tasks to the entire group. These items can be integrated with iCal or can be used on mobile devices.
This application allows you to clip most anything you want to remember, store it, and then search it.
This tool allows students to create mind maps online. According to the site, "Users can create, manage and share mind maps online and access them anytime, from anywhere."
This tool, like Mind Meister, allows students to create a variety of mind maps online. This company also created Kidspiration and Inspiration, which we have on lab computers throughout the district.
Weebly - Create your own web pages with this easy tool
Children can publish their stories and artwork online and can order their book in print form
Forvo - Hear the pronunciation of any word in any language
Spelling City - Online Spelling Practice
An online program that makes practicing for spelling tests fun
Popfly - Kids can create their own mashups and games on this Microsoft site
Cloudo - An Internet-based desktop (Imagine a fully customizable PC on your browser rather than on a piece of hardware)
Google News Archive - Great place to find old news items from papers around the world. Most are for a fee, but some are free.
Tabbloid - Want to see your RSS feeds in compiled newsletter form? Use this tool.
Diigo - A place to store your favorites/bookmarks so that you can access them from any browser and share with others.
Bookglutton - Use this application to discuss the books you and your students are reading.
Cloudo - An Internet-based desktop (Imagine a fully customizable PC on your browser rather than on a piece of hardware)
Google News Archive - Great place to find old news items from papers around the world. Most are for a fee, but some are free.
Tabbloid - Want to see your RSS feeds in compiled newsletter form? Use this tool.
Diigo - A place to store your favorites/bookmarks so that you can access them from any browser and share with others.
Bookglutton - Use this application to discuss the books you and your students are reading.
The Broth - This site allows users to collaborate on art projects and to carry our artistic discussion.
I got these ideas from Grace Blasingame, teacher at Sam Rayburn HS, who did a presentation called Google SketchUp Across the CurriculumGoogle SketchUp should already be installed on all MacBooks. Do a Spotlight search for it if it is not on your dock. This is a free tool for drawing all kinds of things. These drawings can even be made three dimensional and can be shared. For information about SketchUp, go to http://www.google.com/sketchup
You can find video tutorials at http://sketchup.google.com/training/videos.html and self-paced tutorials here.
Potential applications for SketchUp
- LanguageArts - Sarah, Plain and Tall - Draw Sarah's house from contextual clues found in the story
- Math - Geometric shapes
- Drama - Set design
- Social Studies - Create and/or download and study historical structures
- Ag Mechanics/Shop - Construction plans for projects and campus beautification
- Design - Draw a milk carton that would be more appealing to elementary students
- Chemistry - Draw a 3D model of sugar, CO2, or H20 molecules
The Sketchy Physics plugin is a great addition to SketchUp for Physics classes
These Sites were Recommended by Panelists at the Gaming in Education Forum
Panelists included
Lee Wilson - Principal Consultant for Headway Strategies
John Rice - Director of Technology for Iola ISD
Dr. James Bower - Founder, Chairman, and CVO of Numedeon Inc.
Donna McKethan - CATE Director for Waco ISD
- Wolfquest - An ecology simulation game developed by the Minnesota Zoo and Eduweb
- Quest Atlantis - A 3D multiuser environment that engages children (ages 9-15) in educational tasks
- Whyville - A site geared towards preetens and children, engaging these learners in a broad range of topics, from science and business to art and geography
- Real Lives - A simulation that educates young people about the lives of people in all countries (Works only on Windows)
Interactive Websites
This website was created by Mary Miner a Librarian and Pine Springs Elementary in the Spring Branch ISD. It contains hundreds of interactive websites for all levels of education.
