QR Codes

 used www.qrvoice.net to create a QR code the students can scan with their phone to get their homework assignment. I also created one just for fun. I'd like to eventually use this for a new twist on the metric lab. Rather than having conversion problems posted around the room, the kids could scan the QR codes to get the problem.

Try scanning the QR codes and see what you think.  You will need a QR scanning app on your phone  to do this.

Evernote

Evernote is a great way to access all your information in one spot from your computer, smart phone, or tablet.  Folders are used to organize anything from documents or pictures to web clippings.  Once it is installed you can begin to discover a new way of keeping all of your information together.  For web clipping, highlight any web page, right click and a option for Evernote web clipping will appear.  Choose this option and the information is immediately store in your Evernote account for easy access.  No need for a flash drive just an internet connection.

Go to http://www.evernote.com/about/video/#zHom6bgqg9Y|1|1 for a quick introduction to the amazing application.  You'll be amazed at how quickly this becomes indispensable.

Kikutext

This is one I am really excited about.  This website enables you to text parents on updates such as:

•  poor behavior
•  missing assignments
•  poor test scores
•  showing improvement
• great participation
• great test scores

Teachers can also text classes as a whole to remind parents or students of upcoming assignments, tests or special events.  I know we are always looking for an additional convenient way to communicate with parents.  This website allows teachers to easily use one of the most common means of communication today - texting.

Create a free account and then watch the short tutorial.  It's very easy.  I'd love to use this as a team in the 9th Grade Academy.http://www.kikutext.com

Sumanas,Inc. Free Science Animations

Sumanas, Inc. offer some great animations on many levels and topics. Animations can be found for Biology, Chemistry, Ecology, Microbiology, Environmental Science and Statistics among others. Some of the information is a little advanced but most of it is very applicable.

Vocaroo

Vocaroo is a free audio recording site.  Students can record their voice and then share with gmail, twitter, facebook or evernote to name a few.

Voice Recorder >>

Vitual Field Trips to over 50 Museums

Here is a great resource.  The link below takes you to a blog on 50 different interactive museum sites.  For science, you can visit the National Museum of History, the science Exploratorium in San Francisco or the New York Hall of Science.  They are grouped in to disciplines, so if you know a History teacher or English teacher who could use them pass it on.

http://www.accreditedonlinecolleges.com/blog/2010/50-amazing-museum-exhibits-you-can-enjoy-online/

Jing

Jing can be used for free to capture audio and the computer screen at the same time.  This provides the teacher with at tool that can be used to walk students through an assignment online while showing them what to do.  The above video was created to walk students through setting up their edmodo.com

Blabberize

Students can insert any picture and animate the mouth so it looks like the picture is talking.  They can record their voice or upload audio for the dialogue.

• Students research one of the kingdoms.  Using a species from the kingdom, they create a dialogue describing the characteristics of the kingdom.  Click to see an example.
• Students choice a scientist.  They record a brief narrative of the scientist contributions.www.blabberize.com

Google Docs

Google docs is a great website for collaborative projects.  Students can work on the same presentation (convertable), worksheet (excel convertable) or document (word convertable).  Create a document then click share.  Add emails of the students in the group.  This will send the members a link so they can access the document.  Students can work on the document at the same time and from any computer with internet access.

https://docs.google.com/

Glogster

Glogster is a creative, fun site where students create their own interactive posters.  What was once a flat and visual way to show information because interactive and exciting.  Students can add in their own photos, link to videos, or tape their own video.  Below is a link to one I created and links to several ideas for science lessons.

• Mine 
• Chemistry Project on an Element
• Biology Kingdom Project
• Physical Science Potential versus Kinetic Energy

Spelling City

This is a great website for quizzing and practicing vocabulary words.  You can search for  Vocabulary set by discipline and then by subject.  For instance if your class is studying cell organelles,  choose science then biology and then cells.  There are several different sets of vocabulary for cell organelles.  The student can practice vocabulary by listening to pronunciation or the definition.  Students can review through games such as hangman, complete the sentence, matching or word search.  Teachers can utilize the premade quizzes or create their own word banks.
www.spellingcity.com

Voki.com

Voki.com is an easy way to create avatars for presenting information to your students. Students can also create their own avatars for projects.

• Create an avatar based on an historical figure. Dialogue a conversation describing their contribution to society.
• Create an avatar for Gregor Mendel. Have him describe his pea plant experiments.
• Check out an avatar I created to introduce an activity on edmodo.

The Jason Mission

The Jason Mission is a site offering online gaming, lesson plans, live events, and digital labs. It gives teachers access to create their own assignments, observe the students progress and keeps track of assessments.

• Resilient Planet- This is a downloadabe game inviting students to explore a new environment and its biodiversity. The student can conduct a mission to rescue endangered species. It introduces the terms food web, carnivor and niche.


• The Invaders - a mini game investigating the role of invasive species and their effect on the environment. It introduces the concepts of predator/prey, adaptations, and competition.


• Monster Storm Tracker - The student steps into the role of a weather forecaster. They are responsible for predicting where and when the storm will hit. They also predict how strong the storm will be.

Xtranormal.com

This is a great website for students to use to create conversations or to present information. Students create a video using the scenes and actors provided. They provide the dialogue and can even choose camera direction, actors facial expression, and their movements. Unfortunately, there is some cost. A teacher pays ten dollars a month and the students 50 cents. This provides them with lots of options and the ability to publish there finished product to youtube, facebook or twitter.
Think of the implicatons:

• Students could create a discussion between a genetic counselor and a couple.



• An interview with a famous scientist



• A debate about stem cell research



• A reporter reporting on water pollution.

Check at the website to view a movie I did for a graduate class. I did it in an hour.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=am55yW7RSD0

In the beginning...

As a teacher, I am always thrilled to find new and exciting ways to teach my content. Unfortunately, many of us don't have the time to search the internet looking for it. Hopefully, this blog will provide a forum where we can share the ideas we have found and how we are using them. Working together we can do so much more.