The SAMR Model

How are you using technology in your classroom?  Here is a description of the four different ways technology can be used in the classroom.

Classroom for Google

Happy Summer Break!

Google Classroom is coming.  Below is a  a short video which will help you begin to learn what it can do.

Using Google Docs

This excellent article shows how Google Docs can change your classroom:

EDUCATION

Teaching In The Cloud: How Google Docs Are Revolutionizing The Classroom

• Tue, Nov 12, 2013
 
• by Mike Kalin
 

Schoology

Schoology is a free and easy to use Web 2.0 application that can help you and your students

• share work 
• have discussions
• collaborate with peers 
• analyze data
• integrate third-party programs such as Google Docs

So if you are looking for an easier version of a learning platform and something not quite as public as google sites, Schoology might be for you.  Last year, one of our middle school foreign language teachers started using it as a solution for students using iPads to share work with him.  He quickly began using all of the functions.  Quizes, collaboration and more.

You can find out more by clicking:  Schoology

Learn more about Google Mapping and Earth through a MOOC

Mapping with Google

Discover new ways to navigate the world around you with Google Maps and Google Earth.
Improve your use of new and existing features of Google's mapping tools.
Choose your own path. Complete a project using Google Maps, Google Earth, or both, and earn a certificate of completion.

Register

Google Maps Lessons & Project

Explore features of the new Google Maps. Learn to create and share custom maps using Google Maps Engine Lite. Taught by Google Maps Product Managers Daniel Demetri andBeth Liebert.

Google Earth Lessons & Project

Discover the world using Google Earth. Learn how to create and share a tour of interesting locations that tells a 3D geographical story. Taught by Google Earth Product ManagerPeter Birch.

Course Information

Mapping with Google will be offered from June 10 - June 24. It is a self-paced, online course where you will watch videos (or read text lessons) and apply the skills you learn.
During this course, you will be able to collaborate with a worldwide community of learners and experts in the class forum, Hangouts, and via Google+.
Course completion requires an internet-enabled desktop or laptop computer.

XtraMath in the classroom and at home

Allison Donovan, our Watertown elementary curriculum coordinator, recently clued me into XtraMath. This is a free, online application that helps students become fluent with their math facts.  It is easy to use and can be used online in the classroom and at home.  Teachers can set up classrooms for their students, access progress reports about how all students are doing and students can even do this work online at home.  Whether they are working in school or online, as long as they are logged into their classroom account, teachers can watch and assess students' progress.  To learn more and watch helpful videos about how to set up XtraMath for your classroom, go to https://www.xtramath.org/

Read&Write Chrome Extension

Today I met with Leandra Elion, the Watertown High School reading specialist who utilizes many great tools to help her students.  I showed her how to add extensions to student accounts (students have to sign into Chrome).  She wanted to add Read&Write to a student's account. It was shown to her by our elementary OT and resident assistive technology specialist Beth Lloyd.  Read&Write is a multi-faceted assistive technology free extension from Chrome that supports Google docs by supplying

• Text To Speech with Dual Synchronized Highlighting.
• Talking Dictionary
• Picture Dictionary
• Vocabulary Tool
• Study Skills tools to capture Google highlights

Here is the menu

Here is a screen cast showing you more about Read&Write