SMART Response

I got to play with a SMART response system in class today! My little head is reeling with possibilities. There were some technical difficulities but nothing that playing a bit more won't solve. This program produces the most beneficial data about students, that along with the ease of use makes this my new favorite toy!

5 minute videopedia

AWESOME! AWESOME! AWESOME! This web source is sooo cool. It is a collection of videos that are all around 5 minutes that cover a variety of topics. I found quite a few that related to my content area. Now you have to do some searching but it is sooo worth it. I found three videos that I can use to highlight events that occured in the civil war! It seems more like a collection of movie maker videos made by people who are professionals. I found the content page much more helpful so I have included it Here! Really check it out! It is really cool. I am not sure yet if I can get it at school because of the firewalls but I sure do hope so!

Facebook use idea

Since most of our students are familiar with facebook and the formatting it would be a great idea to capitalize on that. I read an article on a blog I follow History Tech about how to use it to do research about people. If we do a print screen copy and paste to a profile and then block out the information and pictures to replace it with our own information (like with info about Abe Lincoln). This could be a way to encourage our kids. My only issue is how to publish it so that they can edit the page to add things but not change what is already there (like moving the boxes that hide the information). Any ideas please comment! On the blog I found this on he also mentioned using it for twitter as a discussion piece for classes but I am not familiar enough with twitter to grasp that one! :)

opportunities for Pen Pals around the world

I found a great site that enables teacher from around the world to put out ads for correspondance with classes around the world for various reasons. There are hundreds of different countries participating and all are looking for penpals for thier students. This seems like a great opportunitiy for student to student communication in a safe enviroment! Students of the World Seems soooo cool!

SMART Exchange

I have found some of the neatest whiteboard activites that others created on SMART Exchange I have found that a lot of these are good springboards to thinking about my own activites that I might create. I think it is a great reasource for some (including myself!) who are not all that familiar with SMART board technology. I found this site and ended up spending hours looking though possible activites and template ideas. SOOO much fun! :)

Funny Cops Rap of Rules

One of the funniest videos for the begining of the year! This cop is hilarious! Love the outtake!

Hilarious Cop!

Funny thing about technology...

I find it quite humerous that I have 8 days before school starts and I really have no idea how some of the technology I am getting is used. :) My point being I have been up to school for the most part of this week planning and getting ready for my classes, that are very fast approaching and I feel like I will have to redo much of what I have already done to incorporate the new tech. Well anyway, as I am planning I am playing around with how in the world do I incorporate a senteo (like CPS), how does it work, how will it improve my instruction and student learning? Basically a rambling of whats, hows, whens and whys. I would imagine that once I get the devices and have some time to play with them myself I will feel better, but the chances are that I will not get the smartboard installed for quite a while:) I will explain, in my classroom there are places that have needed painting since the end of last year when they took down some pegboard. If they can't manage to paint the walls what chances do you think I have to get a smartboard installed? Should be interesting:) I think the stress is showing! :)

I need to keep this little guy handy! :)