EdTech @ETHS Volume 1, Issue 7
April 2011
Using Student Response Systems “Clickers” at ETHS
Student Response Systems (“Clickers”) can be used to gather real time data from students, serve as tools to check for student understanding, and offer a method to collect formative assessment data. Many teachers use clickers regularly in their classroom instruction, while others utilize the devices for facilitating review sessions and team games. This week, several math teachers will utilize clicker sets to administer pre-made ACT and WorkKeys sample questions as part of an organized initiative by Margaret Petrof.
4th Quarter Tech Tools
With only a few months remaining in the school year, the final push before summer often involves class collaborative projects and this could be a great time to introduce a technology tool to engage and motivate students. Some common tools currently used by ETHS teachers include:
Voicethread – Teachers have been using Voicethread to allow for discussion featuring multimedia (files, images, videos) and commenting via text, voice, and video.
Discovery Education Streaming (DES) – Teachers use DES to show clips or entire videos of topics from the 80,000+ library of resources. ETHS users also have the ability to create assignments that fully integrate the media, as well as upload their own sources.
Prezi – Teachers use Prezi as an alternative to PowerPoint. The zooming presentation editor allows for non-linear thinking and brainstorming, as well as real time collaboration between up to 10 users.
Animoto – Teachers use Animoto to have students create short films using text and images, without the learning curve of a fully featured movie editing program.
xtraNormal - Teachers use xtraNormal to allow students create animated cartoons on topics ranging from cell biology to world religions. Students have the power to create the script, direct the action and share their creations through this online program.
If you would like to learn more about Clickers or need a refresher, please email or call to setup a meeting.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1
Using Clickers @ETHS
1
4 Quarter Tech Tools
2
Summer is Coming
2
Featured Posts from Chanatown.net
2
Quick Tech Tip/Ed-Tech Conference Update
2
Next Issue
th
EdTech @ETHS 1
SUMMER
IS
COMING
Last summer, over 50 unique ETHS teachers attended multiple workshops geared towards integrating technology into classroom instruction. This summer, we hope to build on this momentum as we begin planning for another two rounds of exciting and informative technology trainings at the beginning and the end of summer break. Here is your chance to have a say in the topics and timing for the summer offerings. Please complete this form to offer your suggestions and we’ll use your feedback and ideas in preparing for a summer of professional development opportunities.
FEATURED POSTS CHANATOWN.NET
Quick Links: Ever have a bunch of websites that you want your students to access but don’t have a way to organize them all? Try weblist.me, and you can compile all of the website URLs into one list which you can then share with your students. Try it out today at http://weblist.me. Speaking of website URLs, if you want to quickly share a website address, but the URL is much too long and complicated, try using a URL shortener. My current favorite is tinyurl.com because you can assign a custom URL if available. Try it out at http://tinyurl.com/
Ed-Tech Conference Update
FROM
SOFTWARE REVIEW: MICROSOFT MATHEMATICS 4.0 Microsoft recently made a previously subscription based program available for free, and math and science teachers alike are encouraged to begin using the suite of tools that include a graphing calculator, an equation solver, a formula library, and much more. Read more here for my initial thoughts after downloading and exploring the free robust program.
WHAT
WILL IT TAKE FOR IPADS TO
BE IN EVERY CLASSROOM?
Several teachers, administrators, and certainly this Technology Integration Specialist will freely rave about the wonderful workings of Apple’s iPad. Several have casually inquired about the possibility of integrating a 1:1 initiative in future years. Although not out of the question, I argued a few other things need to happen before we’ll see an iPad in every classroom. Read more here.
INTERNET SAFETY – TEACHABLE MOMENTS I had the pleasure of serving on a PTSA panel focusing on the topic, “Does My Teenager Need Help?” During our discussions, I referenced how teens may not know as much as we give them credit for when it comes to technology, especially when dealing with Internet safety. Some additional reflections can be found here.
Upcoming Meetings and Conferences: ISTE: June 25-June 29 – The education technology conference to rule them all. Take a look at the conference program, and let me know if there’s anything that interests you and I’ll try to attend/network and report back NCTE: I’ve been invited to present on Teaching with a Tablet PC at the NCTE conference in November. I’ll be reaching out to English teachers in the next few months and will be running a sample session prior to the conference as well. IETC: The Illinois Education and Technology Conference (November 15-16, 2011) is open for proposals. If you would like to present or co-present on an ed-tech initiative, please let me know. More details can be found here.
Next Issue: In May, we’ll reveal the summer technology workshop schedule, open up signups, and offer ideas for final exam technology integration. For additional newsletter requests, tech support, comments, or just to say “hello”, please email or call at ext.7366. Thanks for reading.
David Chan Technology Integration Specialist EdTech @ETHS 2