Featured 5-6-2014: AppInventor.org

 

Learn how to program Android mobile apps using MIT's App Inventor at AppInventor.org. An on-line book and video lessons walk you through the creation of successively more complex apps.

 

AppInventor.org is also intended to be used by teachers. The teaching materials included here have been used as a basis for middle school, high school, and college courses. The course-in-a-box provides structure and material to get a new course up and running quickly.

The book is designed for absolute beginners. It is organized in a way meant to motivate learning. The learner is walked through the creation of twelve successively more complex apps. The apps section is followed by a separate Inventor's Manual section which explains programming and computer science concepts in easily understood terms. Note: The book is a web document, not PDF.

These tutorials are refined versions of the tutorials that have been on the Google and MIT App Inventor sites since App Inventor's inception and have been used by thousands of beginners to learn programming.

 

 Go to the App Inventor YouTube channel

 

AppInventor.org is funded by the W.M. Keck Foundation and theNational Science Foundation. It is part of the Democratize Computing Lab at the University of San Francisco.

 

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/0

 

http://www.appinventor.org/

Featured 4-15-2014: 21Things4Teachers

 

21Things4Teachers is a free web-based professional development resource to educate teachers in the use of technology

 

The intention of 21Things4Teachers is to provide Just-in-Time training for K-12 educators through an online interface based on the ISTE Standards for Teachers, the basic technology skills every educator should possess.

 

 

21Things4Teachers covers a large variety of digital applications in the context of different educational practices, issues, considerations, and environments. The 21 modules, or things, include such topics as Cloud Initiation, Collaboration Tools, Visual Learning, Copyright and Creative Commons, Differentiated Instruction, and Flipping the Classroom.

 

 

With learning activities structured around the NETS•T, the modules provide an opportunity for participants to learn how to use various technology tools and how technology can support an educator’s professional development. Participants will broaden their own skills and discover what students need in order to meet the ISTE Standards for Students.

 

21Things4Teachers began in 2008, with four friends who were instructional technology specialists looking for a way to train teachers on technology in a timely and cost-effective manner.

 

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/0

Featured 3-13-2014: Vyew

Vyew is a free next-generation online collaboration and web conferencing service that brings people and content together.

 

With Vyew you can give a presentation to an entire class or post a document for review by your students in class or at home, facilitating a 'flipped classroom' concept. Vyew is extremely flexible allowing you to bring online collaboration and sharing into your teaching.

 

Vyew allows you to meet and share content in real-time or at anytime convenient to your viewers. Upload images, files, documents, and videos into a room that users can access and contribute to at no matter when.

 

Vyew is web-based, running in your browser, no downloads necessary. Consequently it's compatible with PC, Mac, and Linux. Vyew supports a broad array of file types: doc, xls, pdf, ppt, jpg, gif, png, swf, txt, rtf, mp3, flv, and more. Mix and arrange files any way you like.

Conferencing features include whiteboarding, video conferencing, screen sharing, and VOIP. Collaboration features such as contextual discussion forums, voice-notes, tracking and logging activity can be found. Continuous rooms are always saved and always-on. 

Key features of Vyew:

• Draw/Annotate – full set of drawing, commenting and discussion tools
• Desktop Sharing – Stream your screen in real-time to people in your meeting
• Instant Screen Capture – Take snapshots of your screen and insert them into a meeting
• Video Conference – Up to 5 people can broadcast their video to everyone in the room.
• Publish – Include read-only versions of your meeting on a web site, blog, in HTML emails, etc.

 View a demo of Vyew

 

Vyew promises the free version (unlimited use with up to 10 people) will remain free, however, it is ad-supported.

 

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/0

Featured 3-10-2014: Nepris

Nepris makes it possible for teachers and students to easily connect with the right industry experts, learn from them, and bring the real world to the classroom.

 

The vision of Nepris is to provide more opportunities for the average student to be inspired to choose STEM subjects and careers. With the support of industry leaders and professionals and by using technology solutions, they hope to bridge the gap between industry and schools.

 

Choose a curriculum topic or student project then let Nepris find the right industry expert to show how that topic is applied in practice, to provide guidance to students with their projects, and to assess final student products. Students can submit questions and take part in discussions. Each session is recorded and can be reused.

 

 

 Watch Nepris - Real World Delivered to Classrooms!

 

Through exposure to tech professionals and their related job skills, students can connect what they learn in the classroom to real people and real careers on a regular basis.

 

Sign up at Nepris for free as an educator or an industry expert.

 

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/0

Featured: 2-10-2014 Concord Consortium

Concord Consortium is striving to help students learn science through a collaborative, inquiry-based program that incorporates the best features of digital technology.

 

Concord Consortium is a nonprofit educational research and development organization based in Concord, Massachusetts, whose mission is to "ignite large-scale improvements in teaching and learning through technology."

 

Hundreds of the Consortium’s resources are free, research-based, and available to use right away. A simple interface enables STEM teachers to easily find activities that correlate with the Next Generation Science Standards.

 

STEM Resource Finder helps locate standards-based activities encompassing a large variety of science topics and time-tested math interactives. Models and simulations can make complicated topics easier to understand. Most of the activities let you see assessment feedback after students do the activities.

 

Use your probes and sensors with one of many probe-based activities and start collecting data seamlessly. Students need not learn how to use complicated graphing or data analysis software, even use probes from different vendors within the same activity.    

 

 Watch Concord Consortium - Inquiry Space

Teachers have the opportunity to pilot test the Concord Consortium software. Sign up to be a pilot teacher or subscribe to updates about their cutting-edge classroom technology. 

 

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/0

Featured: 7-18-2013 CoderDojo

Coderdojo is a global collaboration providing free and open learning centered around free, non-profit coding clubs and regular sessions for young people.

CoderDojos are set up, run by, and taught at by volunteers. Young people learn how to code, develop websites, apps, programs, games and more.

CoderDojos organize tours of technology companies, guest speakers who talk about their careers and what they do, and other events.

There are hundreds of CoderDojos around the world. Click here to see a list of where CoderDojos are currently located.

As well as learning to code, members meet like minded people and share what they’ve been working on. CoderDojo makes development and learning to code a fun, sociable experience.

 Watch a Silicon Republic report on CoderDojo

CoderDojo is a non-profit organization founded by James Whelton and Bill Liao in early 2011.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/0

Featured: 4-29-2013 Autodesk 123D [3D Design]

The Autodesk 123D family of apps makes it possible for users to design, make, and share 3D projects on the web, using a computer, or with an iPad.

Autodesk 123D includes five apps: Design, Make, Catch, Sculpt, and Creature.

The 123D Design web app can be used on any computer with access to the Internet. Or, create designs and play around with shapes on your iPad. Powerful but simple creation and editing tools allow you to develop more sophisticated designs.

Make awesome objects with 123D Make. Select from stock 3D models, then experiment with different configurations, or upload your own and try out various construction techniques. Print the plans yourself,  cut-patterns and assembly instructions are automatically generated. Alternately, you may choose to have the parts cut precisely and delivered to you. Either way, you can then assemble your 3D project using simple tools like glue and pins.

Catch turns ordinary photos into 3D models. With Shape, push, pull, pinch, paint, smooth, grab, tug your designs into just what you want. Bulge, flatten, or refine your creation to achieve dramatic, comic, or frightening effects with Sculpt. Creature lets you design and 3D-print incredible characters right from your iPad.

Watch the video: Autodesk 123D: Create. Share. Make.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/0

Featured: 3/27/2013 Easygenerator [eCourse Authoring]

Online eLearning course authoring with easygenerator allows designing flexible courses that meet learners' needs by facilitating the development process.

Workflow assignments, course development version control, content reuse, and the ability to reformat eLearning for mobile delivery are some of the features of easygenerator's SaaS eLearning authoring tool.

eLearning authoring with easygenerator starts with a design process that includes:

1. Determination of the learning objectives.

2. Planning how to assess learner comprehension.

3. Identifying content needed so the learner can meet objectives.

Easygenerator supports collaboration between instructional designers, developers, and subject matter experts through its workflow and role assignment system. Because of its approach in using learning objectives, easygenerator can help you create better, more effective eLearning courses.

Watch a video demo of easygenerator

Elearning authoring with easygenerator is available through a free option or a subscription option. The free authoring software has all the functionality you need to create adaptive eLearning courses, that you can publish on the web, in any LMS, and on mobile devices.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/0

COD - 8/16/2012 - QwertyTown [Keyboarding]

QwertyTown teaches an essential aspect of literacy for today's students, keyboarding. QwertyTown reinforces skills through safe online communication, addresses Common Core literacy standards, is entirely web-based, and is customizable for learners with different abilities

Reasons educators use QwertyTown:

• They understand the importance of keyboarding skills.
• They can control student communications.
• Students appear highly motivated and excel at digital assignments.
• It’s easy to track student progress.
• Lessons move at the student's pace.

Teachers and administrators are able to oversee and guide their students’ experiences in QwertyTown. Teachers can view full transcripts of their students’ Qmail messages and chats. They can add or remove individual students’ access to features of the Chatterbox, and can regulate who their students add to their Friends Lists.

Schools may sign up to try out QwertyTown with a free 30-day trial that includes one free teacher account and thirty student accounts. QwertyTown runs in Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and IE7+ and requires Adobe Flash Player 10 or newer.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/0

COD - 2/21/2012 - Creating a Cell Phone Plan [Lesson]

From The Innovative Educator blog, Creating a plan with students to use cell phones for learning presents a complete lesson plan in which your students will address cell phones as learning tools.

Starting with a discussion of the potential uses of cell phones as learning tools, students will then decide for what educational purposes their cell phones may be used.

Teachers will have students use their own phones to participate in a Poll Everywhere multiple choice poll and a free-text poll, thereby modeling what they are presenting.

Students will develop a plan for educational uses of cell phones and design a contract for cell phone use in the classroom.

The lesson includes a sample planning worksheets, NETS standards, and research-based instructional strategies.

COD - 2/20/2012 - Poll Everywhere [Tools]

Poll Everywhere uses cell phones and other mobile devices to create stylish real-time response experiences.

Poll Everywhere makes text-to-screen applications for SMS voting and text walls that can be displayed on the web or in Keynote/PowerPoint. Poll Everywhere can be used anywhere an audience can text or tweet. All the students in a class can now communicate with the teacher in real-time during the lesson through the use of cellphones.

Poll Everywhere is a low cost alternative to expensive classroom response systems and clicker keypads.

Watch An Educator's Introduction to Poll Everywhere

Poll Everywhere's products are used by Fortune 500 companies as well as K-12 teachers. Their customers include Google, TED, McDonalds, and others.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/0

Catch of The Day - The TechMatrix - 11/7/2011

 

The TechMatrix is a web-based tool to help locate educational and assistive technology products for students with disabilities.

The TechMatrix is searchable by keyword and lets visitors find and compare educational and assistive technology products side-by-side to help them make informed decisions. Resources are grouped into four main content areas: math, science, reading, and writing.

The TechMatrix offers these tools to educators of students with disabilities:

• Consumer Guides (downloadable PDFs) help school administrators and educational technology vendors learn what questions to ask and how to make informed decisions.
• The EdTech Locator for Technology Implementation and related materials are designed to help you evaluate where you stand in the integration of technology.
• Hot Topics InfoPages help you find more information on specific topics by accessing targeted resources, research, professional development materials, and custom-designed searches.

The TechMatrix is a product of the National Center for Technology Innovation and the Center for Implementing Technology in Education with support from the US Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs and the NEC Foundation of America.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/0

 

Catch of The Day - GM Education - 9/26/2011

The General Motors Education website offers teachers and students resources and activities that highlight energy, environment, and sustainability topics.

Teachers can find many resources at GM Education, including free lesson plans, that have been developed for the classroom through partnerships with Weekly Reader, Junior Achievement, and Keystone Center covering a variety of topics around energy, advanced technologies, and alternative fuels.

GM Education lesson plans are designed for specific grade levels and meet national education standards for a variety of subjects. Games, articles, technology animations, and career information designed specifically for students can also be found on the site.

GM Education's Teach Green blog is a place where educators share their tips and inspirations for teaching lessons about the environment. Teach Green encourages conversation, information sharing, and the exchange of advice among teachers who want to promote "green" lessons in their classrooms. The blog was recognized with an Impact Award by the New Jersey Technology Education Association.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/0

Catch of the Day - Tech4Learning - 1/26/2011

Tech4Learning is an educational technology company innovating and marketing professional development programs and creativity products for K-12 education.

Since 1999, Tech4Learning has been developing award-winning software tools to support effective use of educational technology and help build 21st century skills. Through strategies like project–based learning and differentiated instruction, Tech4Learning hopes to improve classroom technology so that students are actively and creatively engaged in the learning process, and will be prepared to use their skills and knowledge in the real world.

Among the 21st-century skills that Tech4Learning tools are designed to develop are Creativity and Innovation, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, and Communication and Collaboration.

Tech4Learning software tools:

• Frames - animation and digital storytelling software
• ImageBlender - powerful photo editing software designed for education
• Pixie - a paint program with text options, clip art, voice recording
• Share - create interactive presentations, PDF and Flash® files, and web sites
• Twist - easily create vector graphic images and text that scales without losing resolution
• Wixie - online authoring tool students can use to construct knowledge and communicate ideas
• Recipes4Success - set of online resources designed to help infuse technology into your curriculum (go to a previous post)

Tech4Learning software tools provide a platform students can use to share knowledge and understanding, communicate original ideas and solutions, and share their interests globally.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/0