Monday, February 20, 2012

Class Dojo

REALTIME BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT                   
FREE


* keep a record of work completed
* reward kids for being safe, respectful, good learners
* positive behaviours and negative behaviours
* only use what suits your class's purpose
* select your own criteria-set your won rewards





ClassDojo- a review which outlines steps to setup


I am currently using Class Dojo for all of my library classes.  I use 7 positive behaviour criteria for classes from year 1-6 and 6 for kindies.

You can add points as you move around the room with your iPhone/ smartphone and your iPad.

Click on this link for  help with Class Dojo 

There is plenty of support and the set up is very intuitive.
To gain the ability to change avatars you can either pay $3 or invite a friend to checkout #ClassDojo! So easy...spread the word.
 It allowed me to upload other avatars which the kids can choose from when they earn a reward.


The specific features that qualify Class Dojo to be a “teacher-approved-technology” from 

Class Dojo Full Report include:

1. Flexibility (Allows me to decide criteria, point value, and rewards)
This program is teacher-centerd and therefore has greater flexibility to allow teachers to customize the reasons and incentive structure for each class. It allows me to not only decide the criteria and point value of rewards, but also add notes (not seen by students) at any point in time, which is particularly helpful when trying to keep track of follow-up to a particular event.
2. Mobility (allows me to be where I need to be, with my students and not at my keyboard)
What I particularly love about Class Dojo is the fact that I can control it with my iphone! No longer will I be forced to choose between standing near my keyboard or using a paper seating chart to record points that will have to deciphered, entered and analyzed at the end of the week!  This application allows me to be where I need to be-with my students, and frees me from being trapped at my keyboard.
3. Parent Feedback (enables me to tell each parent how their child did in class that day, and everyday)
Our circumstances often make it difficult for us to provide parents with as much feedback as we would like to. Class Dojo, however, is set up so that parents can access their child’s data and see how they performed in class each day.  Now I will be able to tell each parent how their child did in class that day and everyday.
4. Analytics
On a Friday afternoon, the last thing I want to do is enter student performance data into an excel spreadsheet and then use that data to update my grade book’s record of each student’s performance.
For more details go to 

Class Dojo Full Report

** EXCITING ADDITIONAL BENEFIT of using ClassDojo In schools the kindy kids are more readily recognising their names because of it!




Smartphone Connection:
Connect the ClassDojo classroom remote control by visiting the following website on your smartphone:
http://mobile.classdojo.com
You will need to log-in using your log-in details:
Email: your email address
Password: Your password


If you're using an iPhone, follow the instructions on your screen to add ClassDojo to your homescreen.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

No more picnik!! DO NOT FEAR- Try these

PiZap




BeFunky


Aviary is a suite of powerful creative applications that you can use right in your web browser. 
 "Aviary is a collection of ornithologically named online tools designed to bring creativity to the cloud. There is a strong focus on graphic work in the form of photo, vector and palette editors, but an online audio editor is also available." Tech Radar Review


100% free 
Aviary contains a number of terrific web-based  photo editing tools



Tools for lighting.

Brightness, Saturation, and Contrast.

Tools for adjustments.

Orientation, Crop, and Sharpness.

Tools for cosmetics.

Red-Eye, Whiten, and Blemish.

Tools for fun.

Stickers, Drawing, Text, and Meme (beta).


Effects
There are ten beautiful stylistic effects to make your users' photos pop.
Tools
Advanced users will love to use these tools: @ Aviary Tools
                                                                        screenshot

 Peacock is an impressive effects editor – also referred to as the Visual Laboratory. 


Myna is the suite's multi-track audio editor. You're provided with a large number of samples that can be dropped into a track, but it is also possible to upload your own audio files.
The Aviary editor is embeddable. Make sure you allow yourself plenty of time as the only real downside being the extra time it takes to save large files.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Mind mapping app for the iPad-Popplet


Popplet is place where you can post, curate and collaborate on your best ideas and random stuff all in one visual place


 Popplet is still in beta and is free to use. 



There is an iPad app available.
 There is a lite version for free and a full version available for $5.49 Aus.
 The lite version only allows you to create one popplet. 
The full version allows you to work with unlimited popplets and includes features such as online integration, realtime collaboration, PDF export, VGA support and more.

It is not a web tool but it is a favourite of mine-iBallz



and check out some fabulous posts about iPads in education @ Primary Education
 primaryedutech.com

Friday, January 27, 2012

Free photos for bloggers-PhotoPin

PhotoPin is another great search tool that lets you search for creative commons images to use in class projects and blogs. 

 Simply search for any topic using the search box , preview the photo, and click “get photo” to download the photo as well as the code with proper attribution link. 


So simple and easy to use. 


If you prefer to pay for your photos rather than linking to it, the results at the top will take you to a stock photo site where you can buy photos instead (currently fotolia).

For the newbies using Web 2.0

Friday, January 20, 2012

Could Doceri be an IWB Killer??

Have any of you tried Doceri?


"Doceri is the ultimate tool for presentations and lessons. Through the Doceri Remote iPad app and Doceri Desktop software, you can control a computer (Mac or Windows), easily launch any document or application, and annotate over them at any time. You can save drawings and play them back in the future allowing even better presentations to be created from your existing PowerPoint or Keynote slideshows. If you just want to use it as a whiteboard, you can create any handwritten/drawn content on any background of your choice. And with additional room control hardware, Doceri can even be used as the remote control for projectors, DVD players, and all other audiovisual devices in your room." 
 Doceri 

Read what Nik Peachey has to say in: Doceri: IWB Killer  


I like the idea that you can pass your iPad to any student, allowing them to present to the whole classroom comfortably without performance pressure.


Can you see this being a tool worth considering for your classroom? 

Sunday, January 15, 2012

We all love a freebie!! Enjoy these :)


 Welcome to Primary Treasure Chest

We are NOW a FREE teaching resource website!

All of our primary school teaching resources are now FREE to download.
There is NO need to subscribe/register/login
English Poster for Primary Treasure Chest


You may download all of materials on this site and use them for free as long as their use is for personal, non-commercial purposes; permission has been obtained from the creators to make them available to you through this website subject to this restriction on use

The following four sites look to me to be the most likely to be helpful:

  • Internet Archive - Moving Images - library of free movies, films, and videos containing thousands of digital movies which range from classic full-length films, to daily alternative news broadcasts, to videos of every genre uploaded by Archive users.
  • Wikimedia Commons - a collection of over 180 video files.
  • The Open Video Project - repository of digitized video content for the digital video, multimedia retrieval, digital library, and other research communities.
  • Public Domain Comedy Video - a large collection of TV shows and vinatge movies.
Watchknow.org Home - educational videos, school, free, share, teachers, students, educators, education, parents, home school, homeschool, homeschooling, preschool, k12, k-12, preK-12, kids, children, watchknowlearn.org, watch know, watchnow, watch now, wiki, collaboration, online community
Thousands of free videos suitable for students.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Check out http://historytech.wordpress.com

Check out http://historytech.wordpress.com

Six Great Ways to Publish Student Work

We know that the world is moving online and that to prepare our kids for that world, we need to train them to use that world’s tools.

We know that publishing student work beyond the classroom encourages authentically engaged kids who create high-quality work.

We know that integration of writing and visuals increases cognitive activity


Publishing student projects online in visually stimulating formats is now easier than ever.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Get the drop on Dropbox.....


I love my Dropbox. 
'It save files on your home computer and open up and read them on your iPad or any internet connected computer. 
Don't miss out! For plenty of howtos and tips and hints:

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Publish writing to iDevice Using Smashwords and Bluefire Reader.

Smashwords
Ebook By Kristin Fontichiaro

Publishing Student Writing to the iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch Using Smashwords and Bluefire Reader 

Cover for 'Publishing Student Writing to the iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch Using Smashwords and Bluefire Reader'


"This short work describes how educators can gather student work into an eBook, quickly create cover art using PowerPoint, format it for uploading to Smashwords (including links to Smashwords Style Guide), upload it, and then invite students to download it to their iDevice via the free Bluefire Reader app. No cables, syncing, or iTunes required! " 


Read more about this eBook and download @ http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/98070


It is available in a number of different formats.
Read this eBook online
  

Apps, apps, apps.....however, not all apps are educationally sound.....

There are so many lists and guides that offer us apps to use in school but what about their quality? In times gone by all resources that were included in a school library underwent evaluation by rigorous criteria before inclusion, or exclusion. Times have changed so much due to many factors including the influx of learning technologies, but we still owe it to our students to ensure that we offer them high quality apps. 



Visit Kathy's iPads in the Classroom site. 



Try this  CRITICAL EVALUATION OF AN IPAD/IPOD AP from  Kathleen Schrock (kathy@kathyschrock.net) to ensure what you offer your students meets high quality criteria. Thanks  


For those of you who tweet Kathy suggests if you are tweeting a URL of your site dedicated to the use of the iPad in support of teaching and learning, use the hashtag #edtablet 


Kathy has a tremendous range of weblinks available for anyone interested in learning about, or implementing a program into their classrooms or schools. Many thanks Kathy for all your collating. 

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Struggle with Word 2010 no more.

A useful resource for Word 2010 -Free Word 2010 Videos

The Microsoft Press® Step by Step video series teaches Microsoft software and technologies visually, in an easy-to-follow visual format. Each video in the series is based on a specific book in the highly successful Step by Step print book series, and adds best practices, tips, tricks, and enhanced explanations and commentary.


There are 16 videos in the series at this point. Playlist 

Downloadable, Short, Free, and Australian. What more could you ask for?

The ABC Video Library is a new library of downloadable short video clips for teachers, students and parents. The current collections are in the learning areas of History and Science including environmental issues, post-war Indonesian history and the history of the conservation movementABC Video Library (BETA) Australian 





This website maps ABC content to the secondary science curriculum in NSW and the Australian curriculum. You can search for audio, video and online resources by subject, year and keyword. A useful resource for secondary science teachers.


                        EdPod



EdPod presents a mix of education stories, from early childhood to the end of secondary school. It's a jargon-free look at the experience of educators, researchers, parents and students.
Check out even more at ABC Learn
Learn Home