Teach Differently

While checking my Google Reader, I found a blog post about Edublogs going email free. Usually, when setting up and interacting with most web 2.0 tools/accounts you must have an email to authenticate. Now, while using Edublogs for educational blogging you will not need an email to set-up your account. This can very helpful to the teachers, schools, districts, etc… who would like to integrate blogging, but can’t assume all students have email access for authentication (Note: Many districts are going with Google Apps which has the Gmail option. This lessens the barrier for web 2.0 authentication and use.)

Thanks! http://goo.gl/a1G6

I have been gathering feedback on SMARTMath tools for this post as I have a strong K-8 background, but wanted a 9-12 viewpoint. I have heard nothing but rave reviews about this tool from Math and Science teachers. What do you think? Do not take it just from me…ask around. Take a peak below at a short SMARTMath Tools demo.

Also, an FYI…..SMART Response 2010, with all of it’s new features, is now available for MAC AND Windows! I have seen this product grow in front of my own eyes. I critique all technology before adopting it, SMART included, but the Formative, Summative, and Instant assessment options are great for all teaching practices. Have this tool grade 150 summative assessments for you or ask an instant question to drive a current lesson or to truly seek the current knowledge of your customers (students).
How do I download the update? Click Here

When will Google stop?  They keep on coming up with new and better ways for instant communication of varying forms.  Today, it was announced that you will soon be able to make calls via Gmail.  What relevance does that have for the casual and professional user?  I can see this replacing a lot of other tools in the future because of the ease of use and the fact that so many tools are under one interface.  For the K-12 market, I wonder if this will be an option for Google Apps or not?  I can see how many administrator, if included in Google Apps, will want this option unchecked.  Either way, a great discussion to have….Please see the video below for giggles if interested.

Wow, has it really been this long?  I have not posted in months…I guess work and life have gotten the best of me.  I have been doing some research, work related and tech integration related, and will be sharing resources more frequently…I promise!

This is a personal blog that I have used as a vehicle to share resources for educational professionals.  About 6 months ago, I accepted an Education Consultant position where I work with SMART a lot.  The transition was easy because the power of the SMART products.  Well, I want to stay true to the original mission of this blog and share great resources no matter what company, provider, etc…  This post if going to focus on the SMART Table and Sync and I want my reader to understand that these products have passed my tests and are not being blogged about simply because I work with SMART often.

Now that is out of the way, now the tools!  I recently learned via collaboration that the Gen 2 SMART Table(s) and software comes with the SMART Table Toolkit and Sync.  This is awsome!  What the syncing features allows for is interchangable displays.  For example, you can share the treachers SMART Board or computer display with the SMART Table users and vice versa.

Classroom Integration Ideas:  There are many I can think of, but the first that comes to mind is using this functionality to create a true learning community in the classroom.  What I envision is the students collaborating and solving problems on the SMART Tables, then the teacher, via SMART Sync, able to bring up any table  in the room for the students to demostrate their learning.  Rememeber, demonstration leads to true understanding!

*Note…You can’t get the software off of the SMART website, but instead you copy the software that comes with the Gen2 SMART Table and paste/load onto you teaching computer.

As I continue to ponder thought and learn through collaboration with other educational professionals, I have decided to implement a standard outline for my future posts (unless it does not make sense, of course)! Below is the basic outline. Please share your thoughts and/or feedback on what you have seen as far as blog outlines that works for you as an adult learner.

Outline

Post Title:
Tool and Theory Alignment

Content:
Tool and theory alignment descriptions
Implementation tips
Rationale for implementation
Inside and outside of the physical classroom implications

Happy Reading!

I always consult with the attendees prior to a professional development session to see what their needs and wants are.  I take that formative data and feedback into account when creating the customized sections of the professional development.  Below is an example Tagul Cloud based on the feedback received from  Northwestern College.  How can you use this in your classroom?  Formative and/or Summative data?

Just an FYI…all the SMART Professional Development sessions that I am offering through August are on the Tierney Brothers website at http://www.tierneybrothers.com/training/.  There are many great options, so stop by the website and check out the opportunities.  Also, let me know if there is a PD session you want me to add for the future.

While at WEMTA I ran into an education video provider, SAFARIMontage.  I did not take much to see that this option easily, in my mind, overtakes United Streaming and Learn360 as the best educational video solution.

I ran into a great list of resources for Art teachers to use with their IWB!

12 Art Resources for your IWB