How To
This section of our site is to help you with your teaching experience. Included are some pretty neat things that we've learned and have helped us out tremendously.
SMARTboards/Interactive Whiteboards
SMART boards
SMART boards can be very useful to your teaching lessons. Now don't get us wrong, we understand that not every teacher has access to a SMART board. If you are fortunate enough to have one in your class, this paragraph is for you. There are a lot of cool lessons available at SMART Exchange. For one of our projects we had to do a lesson for a SMART board. We found a really cool lesson about rocks at the website previously mentioned. Below is our video.
SMART boards can be very useful to your teaching lessons. Now don't get us wrong, we understand that not every teacher has access to a SMART board. If you are fortunate enough to have one in your class, this paragraph is for you. There are a lot of cool lessons available at SMART Exchange. For one of our projects we had to do a lesson for a SMART board. We found a really cool lesson about rocks at the website previously mentioned. Below is our video.
Not everybody agrees that SMARTboards are a good piece of technology to use in the classroom.
Pros:
SMART Boards - The Smart Thing To Do
What We Have to Say About SMARTboards
Cons:
Why I Hate Interactive Whiteboards
Why SMARTboards are a Dumb Initiative.
What do you think?
Pros:
SMART Boards - The Smart Thing To Do
What We Have to Say About SMARTboards
Cons:
Why I Hate Interactive Whiteboards
Why SMARTboards are a Dumb Initiative.
What do you think?
PLN (personal learning network)
PLN (personal learning network)
What is a PLN? A PLN is your very own personal learning network. Each person's can and will be different (that's why it's personal). Below is a a 7th grader that shares her PLE (same as PLN). Connecting with other teachers through Twitter or by following their blogs are excellent ways to expand you PLN. The student below uses Symbaloo to organize all of her work and keep her on task. Think of a PLN as your own little web of influence.
What is a PLN? A PLN is your very own personal learning network. Each person's can and will be different (that's why it's personal). Below is a a 7th grader that shares her PLE (same as PLN). Connecting with other teachers through Twitter or by following their blogs are excellent ways to expand you PLN. The student below uses Symbaloo to organize all of her work and keep her on task. Think of a PLN as your own little web of influence.
Podcasts
Podcasts are a very simple way to choose what you want to listen to. They are also excellent ways to get out you information in short bits, often sort of like in episodes. There are tons of podcasts related to all kinds of subjects that you can use in your classroom. You can visit Eagles' Nest Radio and Class Blog to hear how these students use podcasts.
Skype
Skype is not just a way to see your family when you can't see them in person. Skype is a unique of interacting with teachers (and their students) from all over the world. It would be a good tool for you in teaching your students as well. For instance, if you have a lesson on different cultures, why not find a teacher (through your PLN maybe) and set up an interview and have their class interact with your class. Skype can be useful as a very hands on tool.
50 Awesome Ways to Use Skype in the Classroom
Using Skype in the Classroom
Using Skype at School-For Dummies
Cool Cat Teacher Blog
50 Awesome Ways to Use Skype in the Classroom
Using Skype in the Classroom
Using Skype at School-For Dummies
Cool Cat Teacher Blog
Twitter
Twitter
So a lot of people think Twitter is all about following your favorite celebrities and keeping up with their lives. What if we thought about it in a little deeper way? We have found that Twitter is very useful in using with your PLN. We use it to connect with other teachers and see what they are doing. A lot of teachers use it to show off their blogs or what their students have been doing. It's a great way to keep in touch and get some wonderful ideas!
So a lot of people think Twitter is all about following your favorite celebrities and keeping up with their lives. What if we thought about it in a little deeper way? We have found that Twitter is very useful in using with your PLN. We use it to connect with other teachers and see what they are doing. A lot of teachers use it to show off their blogs or what their students have been doing. It's a great way to keep in touch and get some wonderful ideas!
