Friday, May 30, 2014

#18: Education

I just learned about DuoLingo and then saw it listed here as an app.  We love this!  We got the French version and me and my three girls have all been learning French.  Because we share one ipad at home, I wish there were different users and we each have to remember what was our last lesson.

I love the way DuoLingo approaches language from many different ways:  sight, spelling, audio, English and French.  Plus one of my kids taught me how to hold a letter down and get alternative letters (like a c with a swish on top.)

AWESOME!

#17: connection to community

I used Marquee Rochester a few times.  I am really glad that smaller towns have these and not just the Twin Cities!  So, thanks for thinking of ALL of Minnesota!

I like the "venues" options so I can search for Asian restaurants quickly.  Plus they have a quick blurb about the place at the top (I think written by each restaurant themselves.)  There is even a cross-country skiing venue!  Rock on!
I would have to work a bit to use this is the classroom, but I am sure I would start of "tech tip" of the week and share many of the sites that I don't use, but others may like.  Personally, I will come back to this often!

#16: audio

I messed around with ipadio and Audioboo.  I find that kids are not as interested in just audio and audio AND video.
One of my children records notes for classes or thought while studying and listens to them later while running.  Super nerd and smart.  But that is beyond my elementary kids ability.  I would rather use SocialCam to make book trailers or really just the video camera on the ipad is enough for some kids.

I would rather students spend more time on the CONTENT of the presentation than on the editing and fancy borders.

Does that make me super old-fashioned or just lazy?

#15: Infographics

I used InfoGraphics for a while.  Ok, so all this app presents is like a store for infographics.  I was hoping for one that allowed us to make infographics.  But maybe that is more of a graphic designer.

I had fun looking all the different graphics, but nothing that was great for elementary school.  I wanted to make one or find one about books.  Hmm . . . the closest I found was movies.  Not quite.

UPDATE!
I found a website:  www.piktograph.com that lets one create from scratch or modify other's infographics.  I would not use this in elementary school yet;  there are too many features.  But since it is like powerpoint, I would teach it to kids who already know how to create graphics or powerpoints.  So if I started teaching powerpoint in grade 1, by grade 5 kids should be able to do this.

#14: Videos

I really prefer to use Video Star to make videos with students.  I can control the music with my school itunes.  This is a pretty easy way to make a video of viewable length.  And while you can't add speech, I like all the affects.  Video Star is pretty intuitive for most kids to use.

#13: Educreations

I really like this app.  I can use it faster than powerpoint to make a lesson.  I also like that it is easy enough for little kids to use.  My school has two class-sets of iPads and if I get on the rotation of the sets, we can make some fun.  I also think it is fine for me to have a tutorial about Educreations with just one iPad for the whole class.  Those who have access at home can use it more.
I will have to do some staff meeting lessons on this as well so all the teachers become familiar with it.

Easy and Fun!

Thursday, May 22, 2014

#12 Books, Books Books

I tried YALSA Teen Book Finder.  I find it is limiting.  Not every book is listed and many that I searched for were not there.  One is at the mercy of "lists."
I prefer to use Overdrive as it is connected to my public library.  I like to get ebooks or download audiobooks.  Overdrive lets me do that instantly!
I will also be adding a newsletter feature next year that lists apps such as iStoryBooks or Free books next year.  While I don't need children's books on the go anymore (my children can bring their OWN!) I know that this will be a lifesaver to parents waiting at piano with a younger sibling!

#11 Library and Reference

My library uses Destiny as its catalog.  I have the Destiny app and I do use it.  I like that I can look up books from home without logging in the long way.  I also use this as a walk around looking for books. I can call up a search and walk around with the iPad and not a piece of scratch paper.  I do not like the limited searches this app has. 
Next year I will be teaching my students more about Destiny Quest and this will certainly be one of features I will highlight.

#10 Snapchat

My high school daughter uses Snapchat all the time!  She and her friends use it as an instant messaging service.  I think it is cute and like that the pictures go away.  I do not want to use this professionally.  I will and do use this with family and friends.  I like the "instant"ness of Snapchat and the fact that you can add captions.  It is like saying "hey, look" even if they are not fight next to you.  sometimes I have to share something  funny with the stranger standing next to me in the aisle which I think is just fine.  I make friends everywhere!

#9 LINE camera

I have played around with LINE camera a bit.  I don't like how it is difficult to edit the photos to fit in the posters.  I want to use just part of a photo and it wants to use the whole thing.  I could see making posters and posting them on the school TV station or shown on the office screen.  I do not like all the extras that you have to buy.  I am not a "stamper" and think this site is too commerical.

#8 Twitter and Facebook

I work in an elementary school.  My students are not using twitter or facebook.  I love love love Facebook for personal me, but I am not going to start a Facebook page for my library.  I could start a twitter account and send out reminders about overdues or last day of check out or remember to read over the summer.  I see Twitter more as a way to spread news articles or blogs, not reminders.  but maybe that is something I need to get more comfortable with.