Eclectic Technology

This is the new buzz world this year in our schools. But, is it really new or is it just integrating the computer lab into the classroom? Or is it doing what some of the best teachers already do? T...

We're hoping to save you some time by personally trying out these free video editing tools in hopes of making your life and projects a bit more magical.

There is a laser-like focus on cool tools and apps these days. Eric Patnoudes encourages you to take a step back and take time to focus on skills.

This post shares a robust list of "Online Interactive Thinking Strategies and Tools...designed to provide a scaffold which enables students to think with more depth and structure."

Each tool (and over 35 are provided) has a brief description which explains how the student would use the tool, often referring to Habits of Mind or Multiple Intelligences. Links to all are provided.

Learning how to write bibliographies and correctly cite sources has become much easier with the many tools that are available to help students through this process. This post looks at six tools available with options that "include browser extensions, templates, and online citation builders (where you plug in your resource and the citation is generated for you."

A slideshow of the "30 Best Web 2.0 Tools" that contains many popular tools. Most are free (although a few have costs involved) and chances are there may be one or two that are new to you. "Each slide...contains the name, description, link and screenshot of what each tool looks like and does."

Have fun exploring and bringing a new tool into your classroom.

This post contains resources to "help learners visualize their learning, lesson ideas, and more!" As well as a the Working with Images SlideShare, there is A Pearl Tree of More Resources (with links to sites with images) as well as Juliana's Bookr, a book  created in Pinpanpum (http://www.pimpampum.net/).

"It’s hard to find a field that hasn’t been radically changed by technology, and education is no exception. Few classrooms these days operate without digital tools, gadgets, or applications that have made it easier for teachers to track student progress and tailor lessons to student needs and interests. While the tools of today are great, there are even more great technological teaching tools and practices on the horizon, many of which are just starting to be adopted in the classroom or are just making it out of the developmental stages. These tools offer new and often very promising ways to connect with students and improve the quality of education offered in schools. Read on to learn about just a few of the websites, programs, and amazing technologies of the future teachers and students alike will soon be using."

A guide to more than 15 free tools to help detect plagiarized work.  Free download from Educational Technology and Mobile Learning.

We say information is free, but does that mean it's all easy to learn? How can you become a free-range learner?

The rough talk that goes with this presentation can be found here: http://bit.ly/nFKWrO

It's difficult to deny the promise that ed-tech holds, but educators must understand technology's limitations and best uses in education.

From Khan Academy to Haiku Deck, there's more than a dozen apps and tools you should give a whirl this year.

This 11-year-old could not find a good enough Facebook alternative so he decided to build his own social network, Grom Social.

iPads are quickly becoming a popular and powerful educational tool for classrooms. Beyond the immediate benefit of engaging students, iPads can improve education efficiency and standards.

This post provides a short description of eighteen case studies with links for additional information. The case studies cover a range of areas including:
* Showing math processes, not just answers (specfically algebra
* Going on virtual field trips
* Providing interacation with math and physics concepts (with a link to a list of 10 interactive iPad apps)
* Engaging the disengaged
* Enhancing physical education
* Assisting special needs learning
With another 12 studies provides chances are good you will find something of interest!

Google just keeps adding new tools...or you discover something that you never knew they had...such as a "massive library of free lesson plans." Perhas one of the best things about these plans is you have multiple wasy to sort them. You can sort by Google product, or by subject or by age. The post provides additional details as well as samples of a few lesson plans.

This is one of those developments that make you love technology and how it can truly benefit education. There's a free open font now available that may actually help dyslexic people read better. Whether it's true or not, this idea is incredible.

A font that may make more students successful...and it is free! In late June I posted an article that spoke about this font. If you search for the term dyslexic you will find additional information about this font and dyslexia.

Middle-class students tend to learn from their parents that asking for help is one way to problem-solve when completing assignments, whereas students from lower-income backgrounds tend to learn these skills from their teacher.

A teacher shares her experience with students in her classroom on ways to help students learn to ask for help. An inspiring article!

Can Six-Year-Olds Really Demonstrate Their Learning?

"A look at project based learning in a first grade classroom. Learn about:

* Why the teacher let the students take the lead in learning demonstration;

* How to set clear expectations and guidelines to promote success;

* How students exceeded expectations and demonstrated their learning; and

* How showcasing student work brings ownership, pride and expression to classroom learning."

Although written from the perspective of a first  grade teacher the lessons learned are applicable to many grade levels.