COOL TECH TOOLS FOR LOWER TECH TEACHERS -FRONT COVER

COOL TECH TOOLS FOR LOWER TECH TEACHERS

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

INTRODUCTION

Isn’t Everyone a Lower-Tech Teacher?

What If Our School Can’t Do It Yet?

Why Should I Implement Technology Now?

C2S2 Kids and Their Learning Expectations

How Is This Book Organized to Help Me?

Small Steps Begin Epic Journeys

Begin Today!

Learn the Lingo

Start Small!

Partner Up!

Review the Acceptable Use Policy on the Internet

Begin Social Networking!

Enjoy the Journey!

References

Example

PART I FOUR TOOLS TO START WITH

TECH TOOL 1-WEB ACCESS, LAPTOPS, AND MOBILE DEVICES

What Do I Need to Know?

Data on Efficacy

Pros and Cons of Wired Teaching

How Do I Get Started Using Web Access, Laptops, and Mobile Devices?

Step 1: Do Community Relations First!

Step 2: Advocate for Usage Based on Common Core State Standards

Step 3: Emphasize the Acceptable Use Policy

Step 4: Start With Simple Communications to Parents

Step 5: Begin With Simple Student Assignments

Step 6: Emphasize Web 2.0 Tools and Collaborative Learning

Step 7: Teach Students Repeatedly About Acceptable Usage

Step 8: Seek Outside Funding

How Do I Differentiate With These Technology Tools?

Examples and Other Useful Resources

A Sample Lesson Plan Using Mobile Devices

Conclusions

References

TECH TOOL 2-WEBQUESTS

What Do I Need to Know?

How Do I Get Started Using Webquests?

Step 1: Select a Topic

Step 2: Write an Introduction

Step 3: Identify Appropriate Websites

Step 4: Develop Guiding Questions

Step 5: Identify Additional Videos and Websites

Step 6: Scaffold the Instructional Activities

Step 7: Create an Evaluation Rubric

Step 8: Plan a Minilesson on Evaluation of Internet Sources

How Do I Differentiate With Webquests?

Examples and Other Useful Resources

A Sample Webquest Lesson Plan

A Sample Rubric for Evaluation of the Webquest

Guidelines for Evaluation of Information Obtained From the Internet

Conclusions

References

TECH TOOL 3-BLOGS

What Do I Need to Know?

Blogging and Professional Development

Classroom Blogs

How Do I Get Started Using Blogs?

Step 1: Select a Blog Hosting Site

Step 2: Always Consider Student Security

Step 3: Consider Distinctions

Step 4: Follow Blog Host Instructions

How Do I Differentiate With Blogs?

Examples and Other Useful Resources

A Sample Lesson Plan Using Blogs

Blog Hosting Sites for Teachers

Conclusions

References

TECH TOOL 4-WIKIS

What Do I Need to Know?

Wikis for Professional Development

Wikis in the Classroom

How Do I Get Started Using Wikis?

Step 1: Select a Free Wiki Site

Step 2: Set Up a “Students Only” Wiki to Begin With

Step 3: Create a Wiki Homepage

Step 4: Add Videos or Digital Photos

Step 5: Add a Navigation Option

Step 6: Create Locked and Unlocked Wiki Pages

Step 7: Create Other Wiki Pages

Step 8: Adjust the Look and Feel of Your Wiki

Step 9: Why Not Add a Webquest?

Step 10: Invite Students (and Others) to Your Class Wiki

How Do I Differentiate With Wikis?

Conclusions

References

PART II TOOLS FOR STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND EMPOWERMENT

TECH TOOL 5-CLOUD COMPUTING

What Do I Need to Know?

Teaching on the Cloud

Open Source Tech Tools

How Would I Differentiate With Cloud-Based Instruction?

Conclusions

Reference

TECH TOOL 6-THE FLIPPED CLASSROOM AND KHAN ACADEMY

What Do I Need to Know?

Flipped Classrooms

Khan Academy!

How Do I Get Started Using the Flipped Classroom and the Khan Academy?

Step 1: Explore Khan Academy

Step 2: Get Signed In

Step 3: Use This Tool in Class First

Step 4: BYOD

Step 5: Share Khan Academy With Parents

Step 6: Use the Knowledge Map

Step 7: Assign as a Preinstructional Assignment

Step 8: Record the Content

Step 9: Require Note-Taking

Step 10: Try a Flipped Lesson

How Do I Differentiate Using the Flipped Classroom and the Khan Academy?

Other Online, Broad-Scale Curricula

Conclusions: Game Changers in Education!

References

TECH TOOL 7-WIFFITI

What Do I Need to Know?

How Do I Get Started Using Wiffiti?

Step 1: Create a Wiffiti Account

Step 2: Set Up a Wiffiti Screen

Step 3: Choose Content for Your Question

Step 4: Display the Wiffiti Screen for the Class

Step 5: Keep Up With Wiffiti Changes

How Do I Differentiate With Wiffiti?

A Sample Wiffiti Lesson Plan

Conclusions

References

TECH TOOL 8-JING

What Do I Need to Know?

How Do I Get Started Using Jing?

Step 1: Download Jing

Step 2: Capture Images for Instruction

Step 3: Edit the Image

Step 4: Capture and Edit Videos

How Do I Differentiate With Jing?

Conclusions

A Sample Lesson Plan

References

TECH TOOL 9-GAMING, ARGS, AND VIRTUAL WORLD INSTRUCTION

What Do I Need to Know?

Alternative Reality Gaming for the Classroom

A Sample ARG Lesson

3D and Virtual World Instruction

Advantages of Games, ARGs, and Virtual Worlds

How Do I Begin Using Gaming, ARGs, and Virtual World Instruction?

Step 1: Carefully Select Several Games or Virtual World Websites

Step 2: Match Games or Virtual Worlds to Your Content!

Step 3: Preview the Game

Step 4: Beware of Fee-Based Games or Sites

Step 5: Relate Game Themes to Nongame Content

Step 6: Teach Cyber Safety!

How Do I Differentiate Using Gaming, ARGs, and Virtual World Instruction?

Conclusions

References

TECH TOOL 10-DIIGO

What Do I Need to Know?

Diigo: A Social Bookmarking Tool

Professional Development with Diigo

Selecting a Social Bookmarking Tool

How Do I Get Started Using Diigo?

Step 1: Create an Account

Step 2: Install the Toolbar

Step 3: Create Groups

Step 4: Add Student Accounts

Step 5: Bookmark One or More Articles

Step 6: Create Content-Specific Lists

Step 7: Use Other Diigo Features

How Do I Differentiate Using Diigo?

A Sample Lesson Plan Using Diigo

Conclusions

References

PART III TECH TOOLS FOR STUDENT CREATION AND COLLABORATION

TECH TOOL-11 GLOGS

What Do I Need to Know?

How Do I Get Started With Glogster?

How Do I Differentiate Using Glogs?

Examples and Other Useful Resources

A Sample Lesson Plan Using Glogs

Project 1: Final Product

Project 2: Final Product

Project 3: Final Product

Step-by-Step Guidelines for Creating A Glog

Conclusions

References

TECH TOOL 12-PODCASTS

What Do I Need to Know?

How Do I Get Started Using Podcasts?

Step 1: Finding Podcasts for the Classroom

Step 2: Review the Podcast First

Step 3: Set Up an RSS Feed

Step 4: Upload Podcasts for the Class

Step 5: Create Your Own Podcasts

Step 6: Publish the Podcast

How Do I Differentiate With Podcasts?

Other Useful Resources

A Sample Lesson Plan for a Podcast

Sources for Free Podcasts to Enhance Instruction

Conclusions

References

TECH TOOL 13-SCRIBD

What Do I Need to Know?

Scribd and Web 2.0 Publishing

Other Web 2.0 Publishing Options

How Do I Get Started with Scribd?

Step 1: Creating an Account with Scribd

Step 2: Uploading Your Documents

Step 3: Downloading Documents

Step 4: Creating Collections

Step 5: Considering Security Issues

How Do I Differentiate With Scribd?

Scribd in the Classroom

Conclusions

References

TECH TOOL 14-COMIC LIFE

What Do I Need to Know?

How Do I Get Started With Comic Life?

Step 1: Consider Purchasing Options

Step 2: Practice With Comic Life

Step 3: Choose a Template for the Assignment

Step 4: Identify and Upload Photos

Step 5: Storyboard the Comic Strip

Step 6: Enter Text Content

Step 7: Print Out the Comic Strip

How Do I Differentiate With Comic Life?

Extra Resources

A Sample Lesson Plan

Helpful Websites for Comic Life

Conclusions

References

TECH TOOL 15-GOOGLE APPS

What Do I Need to Know?

How Do I Begin With Google Apps?

Step 1: Select a Google Apps Option

Step 2: Create Student E-mail Accounts

Step 3: Create a Wiki

Step 4: Create Documents for Collaborative Work

Step 5: Upload Your Podcasts or Other Videos

How Do I Differentiate Using Google Apps?

Other Comprehensive Teaching Tools

Conclusions

References

TECH TOOL 16-VOKIS, AVATARS, AND ANIMATION!

What Do I Need to Know?

Animation in the Classroom

Other Teaching Ideas Using Voki

How Do I Get Started With Voki?

Step 1: Complete One or Two Tutorials

Step 2: Select Your Voki Service

Step 3: Create an Avatar

Step 4: Modify or Tweak The Look of the Avatar

Step 5: Select a Background

Step 6: Select a “Voice” Option

Step 7: Create Content for the Avatar

Step 8: Save and Publish the Avatar

How Do I Differentiate With Voki?

Other Resources for Your Classroom

A Sample Lesson Plan

Beyond Avatars! Animation Options for the Classroom!

Conclusions

References

TECH TOOL 17-VLOGS

What Do I Need to Know?

How Do I Get Started With Vlogs?

Step 1: Three Necessities for Vlogging

Step 2: Identify Your Video Tech Options

Step 3: Editing Options in Vlogs

Step 4: Consider Student Security Prior to Posting a Vlog Entry

Step 5: Video Creation

How Do I Differentiate With Vlogs?

Other Resources and Ideas for Vlogs

Conclusions

References

TECH TOOL 18-ANIMOTO

What Do I Need to Know?

Vlogs or Video Presentations?

Available Plans and Options

Sharing Animoto Presentations

How Do I Get Started With Animoto?

Step 1: Creating a Teacher Account

Step 2: Choose Video Background and Photo Content

Step 3: Sequence the Images

Step 4: Add Music

Step 5: Add Limited Text

Step 6: Create and Edit the Video

Step 7: Creating Student Accounts

How Do I Differentiate Instruction Using Animoto?

Conclusions

References

PART IV TOOLS FOR SOCIAL LEARNING AND NETWORKING

TECH TOOL 19-FACEBOOK

What Do I Need To Know?

How Do I Begin to Use Social Networks in Teaching?

Step 1: Investigate School Policies on Social Networking

Step 2: Consider Ning, Edmodo, or Other Network Options

Step 3: Inform Parents

Step 4: Set Up A Teacher Account

Step 5: Investigate Potential Firewall Problems

Step 6: Create Initial Content

Step 7: Invite Students (and Parents) to Participate

Step 8: Post Daily

How Do I Differentiate Using Facebook?

Conclusion

References

TECH TOOL 20-TWITTER

What Do I Need to Know?

Twitter for Professional Development

Twitter in the Classroom

Other Classroom Applications for Twitter

How Do I Get Started Using Twitter?

Step 1: Begin by Setting up a Twitter Account

Step 2: Use Twitter Initially for Professional Development

Step 3: Consider the Other Social Networking Issues

How Do I Differentiate Using Twitter?

Conclusions

References

PART V THE TEACHING REVOLUTION AND A BRAVE NEW WORLD FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

The Teaching Revolution

C2S2 Kids and the Learning Revolution

What Do I Do Now?

C2S2 Adults and Our Future!

References

INDEX