SocialEdCon Ed Tech Unconference Attendees Share Conversation, Web 2.0 Tools Hundreds of educators attended SocialEdCon, the fifth annual unconference held before the ISTE annual conference and exposition at the San Diego Convention Center earlier today. SocialEdCon is organized onsite based on the interests and expertise of participants. Topics at this year’s event covered a wide range of issues, including social media and student bullying, building online courses, professional development strategies, effective blended learning, and organizing virtual conferences. “It’s just a really engaging day. It’s about conversations and not presentations. Formerly known as EduBloggerCon, organizers changed the name of the event this year to indicate greater inclusiveness of all social media tools used in education. Jena Sherry, a middle school teacher from Viola, Wis. and first-time ISTE attendee, had the following to say about her SocEdCon experience: “There are lots of things to think about so far. WhatIsYourEduWin?
iPad App Evaluation for the Classroom VoiceThread Docents on the iPads Our second grade teacher, Ms.S., was ready to “upgrade” a traditionally taught unit on reptiles. We met to discuss how she could incorporate the 5 C’s of 21st century skills as well as support new emerging literacies. The basic idea was to upgrade a typical report, using books from the library to research and fill out a “research” template on a piece of paper. “Upgrading” meant to find ways to go beyond the traditional text based resources and local classroom community and AMPLIFY… the skills being introduced or supported…the reach students’ voices (in a myriad of media) have…teaching as a skill of learning…the audience they are writing, talking or presenting to… With that in mind, we came up with VoiceThread, as a tool to allow for this amplification to happen. A docent is defined as 1. 2. The classroom teacher set up a visit from our local Reptile Store, who came to school with live animals. Here are the logistics of how I set up the VoiceThread to be used with the iPads. Like this:
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Top 17 Free Digital Storytelling Apps for The iPad 1-StoryKit This is an awesome iOS app that allows users to easily create an electronic storybook via illustrations by drawing on the screen, using pictures and text, and recording audio to attach to stories. 2- Talking Tom & Ben News This is fun app to use. Kids can talk to them and they will repeat what you say in turs. They can also create and record funny conversations between them. 3- I Tell a Story This is a free app that allows users to narrate and record their stories with their own voice and language. 4- Scholastic Storia This is an app that is designed to help kids learn and love to read in a fun and interactive way. 5- Talking Tom Cat This is a cool app that lets you interact with Tom, your pet. 6- Toontastic This app allows kids to draw, animate and share their own cartoons through imaginative play. 7- Our Story This app lets young learners take part in fun games that can help them develop their reading skills. 8- Bunsella Bedtimes Story 9- Idea Sketch 10- Sock Puppets 11- Scribble Press
Earth Science Through Photography iPads In The Classroom: The Right Questions You Should Ask The pressure is on to make sure the education of U.S. students is on track with their global peers. Unfortunately, according to a 2015 report by Pew Research Center, that’s not the case, particularly in the areas of science and math. It’s no wonder, then, that in the quest for educational advancement, teachers want their students to have access to the newest, theories, processes and technologies to help the students excel. One of the most popular technologies has been the introduction of tablets, particularly, iPads, in the classroom. Maybe you’ve been thinking about augmenting your program with iPads or another type of tablet. Photo from Flickr via Brad Flickinger The Necessity of Asking the Right Questions Before You Invest Have you ever gone to the doctor, with a diagnosis already in your head, but when he reviewed your symptoms, he came up with a completely different conclusion? Why Do You Need an iPad? How will it benefit you? Would the iPad support your current or desired lesson plans?
iPod Touch & iPad Resources - LiveBinder | Alive and Learning UPAD Top 10 Most Educational iPad Books In honor of Digital-Storytime’s recent makeover, this top ten list is a based on the books that scored high in a new category - Educational. These are all top picks for iPad books that make learning especially fun. These apps are for a wide range of ages and topics, showing off the iPad’s flexibility. It can go from enrichment for babies to entertainment to reassurance for anxious adolescents. At the end I’ve also selected my top 5 “Alphabet” book apps. My top picks for educational book apps: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. And a Special Bonus: There are a lot of ABC learning apps out there that cross-over into a genre I often call “digital board books”. Our Top 5 Alphabet Books: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Category: All About Apps, Top 10 Lists
New: 10 of the best Apple and Android apps for education in 2013 Last year we presented “New: 10 of the best Apple apps for education in 2012,” which highlighted some of the best apps for iPhones and iPods. However, with new upgrades in touch technology, and the emphasis on Common Core State Standards and school reform in general, we’ve come up with a new list of the best Apple- and Android-based education apps for 2013. This year’s list includes some of the most highly rated apps, both by educators and by parents, and features a range that spans from interactive iBooks to current images of the universe, and from free video software to award-winning STEM curricula. For every app we’ve listed, we’ve included a brief description, device compatibility, suggested use, features, price, and a link to a more in-depth summary with an option to purchase on iTunes or Google Play. Don’t see an app you love on this list? Be sure to let us know—or leave a suggestion in the comment section. (Apps are listed in alphabetical order.) Name: Animoto What is it? Price: FREE
Going Paperless With These 3 iPad & iPhone Handwriting Apps Last year I wrote about a few useful handwriting iPad apps for note taking and drawing. Since then other similar apps have been developed that are just as stylish, but contain a few unique features or approaches you might might want to consider if you’re looking for such a writing tool. Let’s face it, if you have an iPad there’s probably less and less need for using pen and paper these days. I would rather grab my iPad and jot down a few notes than do so on scraps of paper that clutter up my desk or get misplaced. Inkflow Inkflow is one of the newest writing apps to hit the iTunes App Store. There are two versions of the app (free, and an in-app upgrade for $4.99.) What makes Inkflow standout is the ability to select text and drawings and enlarge and them on the page. Pages can also be exported via email, to the iPad photo library or Camera Roll, as well as an attachment to Twitter. MyScript Memo The ink flow of MyScript Memo is the least fluid of the apps under review for this article.