Looking for a timer?

Count down, count up, and more.

http://www.timeme.com/timer.htm

Use "Timer" to countdown or count up, with alarms, loops, and in many colors, sizes and fonts. These Timers have a high level of accuracy, checking every second, and automatically adjusting when pc / tablet / phone is overloaded. The "Save Link To Your Custom Timer" link, lets you create a timer with your custom settings.  You can then place that URL on a Web page, or save it as a browser bookmark.  

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Zaption - Make video work for you

Transforms clips into an engaging "lean forward" activity

https://www.zaption.com/gallery

Add questions or comments to that video clip you want to show. (Pro version has lots of additional features, but the free version is pretty powerful too!)

"Teachers, trainers, and content publishers use Zaption's intuitive web app to quickly add images, text, quizzes, and discussions to existing videos from YouTube, Vimeo and private video libraries. The result is an interactive learning tour that transforms video from a "lean back" experience to an engaging "lean forward" activity."

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Shadow Puppet - a 30hands alternative

Tutorial & download links

https://youtu.be/UeamNgWQMAc https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/shadow-puppet-edu/id888504640?ls=1&mt=8

The most recent update of 30Hands significantly changed the free version of their app. (You can now only make five slideshows on each iPad and only export 3 times.)  Now what!? You might want to try Shadow Puppet. The app is fairly easy to use and it allows students to create and export narrated slideshows much like 30 hands.

Some features:

• Cites photos sources used from the internet.
• Text can be added to each image.
• Music tracks can be added.
• There is an option to "redo" a recording on a page. (but you must decide before moving to the next slide.)
• You must save to preview.
  

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Instagram for kids?

Social media and students.

I've had some questions recently about Instagram and students - what should a teacher or parent be teaching kids about this platform? It's all good fun, but how does one avoid the problems that can arise? Kids love the ability to play with images (and filters and overlays) and I've seen students as young as 11 with accounts. Here are some pointers and guides to peruse on the subject.

What is Instagram? (Video)

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/videos/what-is-instagram

Parents' guide:

http://www.connectsafely.org/wp-content/uploads/instagram_guide.pdf

A short "advice" video for teens and tweens

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/videos/5-social-media-rules-for-teens-and-tweens

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Using Do Ink's Green Screen app for iPad?

Green Screen Links

Do Ink's Green Screen app for the iPad is a lot of fun, easy to use and a great way to let students share their learning. Insert yourself in a children's book background, visit historical or present day settings, explore extreme environments, do an eTalk Daily or a news program - the sky is the limit. Here are some links to explore.

Green Screen Basics v.1.7

http://youtu.be/AadfSLxmKj4

Green Screen Basics (with Keynote slide as background)

(Earlier version)

http://youtu.be/LWAHxtpPp24

Creating Backgrounds for Green Screen in Keynote

http://youtu.be/VW7V_jYB2yI

Using Green Screen

http://eduwells.com/2014/04/12/how-to-why-green-screen-in-class/

More Green Screen ideas

http://drydenart.weebly.com/fugleblog/more-testing-green-screen-doink-app

Top 10 tips for Green Screen

http://www.ipadeducators.com/#!FEATURE-Top-10-Tips-for-Green-Screen-by-Do-Ink/cy7v/5586dc270cf2c5a6c8fda8c5

2 Page guide

http://itunesu.bluevalleyk12.org/guides/app/greenscreendoink.pdf

Reading of "A Cricket in TImes Square" (demo)

http://youtu.be/PGQU2UPB5T0

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Scholantis Student Portfolio Resources and Demo

Learn more about the Portfolio options

https://docs.scholantis.com/display/RRN/Scholantis+Student+Portfolio+Demo

This link also features an archived webinar that demonstrates the features of the Student Portfolio.

"Scholantis Student Portfolios allow students to create collections of documents, presentations, blog posts, or other media (e.g. photographs, videos, certificates, rubrics or assignments). A portfolio is much more than a digital scrapbook. It allows students to create a purposeful collection of their work that demonstrates their efforts, progress, and achievements."

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Top tools for the BYOD classroom

Apps and sites to explore for BYOD

http://www.lesliefisher.com/handouts/byod_fisher.pdf

I heard Leslie Fisher present at the 2015 ERAC conference. It was a very energetic and dynamic session! Linked above is one of the handouts from her extensive webpage. This PDF focusses on BYOD-friendly apps and sites. (Here's a link to more: http://lesliefisher.com/resources/presentation-handouts/ )

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"Using Pic Collage" Video

Quick app overview: Pic Collage

https://youtu.be/rqYXGB0qjvg

Chris Loat and I offer a quick overview of Pic Collage for teachers wanting to add this to their tool box.

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Rory's Story Cubes iOS & Android Apps

Scaffold story telling with these prompts

https://www.storycubes.com/apps

Plug in or Airplay your iPhone or iPad and quickly generate storytelling ideas for your English, ELL, FSL or other second language class. Realistic physics - shake to roll the cubes. Move and rotate them as you tell your story. The app comes with both the Original and Action sets. Other sets are available as in-app purchases. (Here's a video of the actual cubes - app works the same way.)

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Ten Webtools for Digital Storytelling and Book Trailers | A Listly List

Engage active reading for students

https://list.ly/list/lGk-ten-webtools-for-digital-storytelling-and-book-trailers

Thanks Naomi Bates for "these ten websites that use images, music and/or video to create book trailers to engage active reading for students."

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Online Poster Creators - 10 options

ePosters to represent learning

https://www.mindomo.com/mindmap/online-poster-creators-9b679556b1194d5b82ccec11032f0f59

There are many tools available for students to represent their learning. These "eposters" offer many of the same advantages of the typical poster, but add projectable and shareable features. Embedding a video or a link make these webapps a powerful way to share an insight or explain a concept: RWT, Canva, LucidPress, tackk, Picmonkey, Poster my Wall, Muzy, QuotesCover, Pixteller, Smore, Quozio, BigHugeLabs, Recite and Ribbet. Some of these choices offer very specific presentation modes, others are very flexible. (The link above takes you to a clickable mindmap - don't forget to explore mondomo too.)

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A quiet break from the clatter

Take a deep breath...

http://www.calm.com/

This site offers a quiet (with bird sounds) vista to contemplate while you take a few calming breaths. You can easily switch the scenery and background audio by selecting a different scene from the bottom right of the screen. (There's also an app that will lead you through a guided meditation if you prefer.) With a projector and some speakers, you can give your class a nature break, and even provide a setting for some creative writing.

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3 Apps to use in conjunction with the new Book Creator comic templates

Spice up your comics!

http://dailygenius.com/3-apps-use-conjunction-new-book-creator-comic-templates/

"One of the most popular and effective Educational Apps of all time Book Creator, has just released a major update that includes comic strip templates. Here is a quick look at 3 Apps that may be used in conjunction with these templates to help create a more effective digital comic: Daily Monster, Topia & Canva."

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Tools for Adding Questions and Notes to Videos

Annotate the clips you use.

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2015/09/7-tools-for-adding-questions-and-notes.html

"Short videos from YouTube and other sources can be quite helpful in introducing topics to students and or reinforcing concepts that you have taught. Watching the video can be enough for some students, it's better if we can call students' attention to specific sections of videos while they are watching them. The following tools allow you to add comments and questions to videos that you share with your students...."

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Shelving Game - iPad friendly too!

Shelving practice made easy

http://www.mrs-lodges-library.com/play-shelver

Use Mrs Lodge's Shelver game to put books in call number order.

"You have a choice of 3 levels. Click on a book with your mouse (or your finger on a touch device) and drag it into the correct order. When you think your books are in the correct order, click the Check My Shelf button at the top of the screen to see if you are right."

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