"Tech Integration for the Little Guys"
One of my specialties is integrating technology in to the early childhood and primary education settings. I found the lack of technology using role models frustrating and so decided to become a leader for other teachers facing technology integration challenges. My classroom is full of Dramatic Play, Blocks, Sensory Tables & Art opportunities. Technology helps me improve every center, smooths transitions, provides deeper & differentiated content and engaging opportunities for every type of learner.
The only mouse to use for pre-k through first grade. Seriously, it will save you so many calls for help:
Chester Creek One Button Mouse - Optical - USB
Open tech devices "responsive classroom style" and think about ease of use & safety for children when setting up hardware.
ex: teach universal icons on the first day and mount the Smart-board as low as possible.
Streamlined Family Communication...
I began using Google Blogger for my website/blog after 2012 VT Fest Tech Conference. It has replaced my newsletter and is very compatible for viewing on mobile devices. With some time spent on the front end, you can create dynamic website content that is very appealing leading to plenty of traffic. The parents and grandparents love it! My calendar updates as I change it. Easy for keeping families updated and for lesson planning
*Use the html code box gadget in layout (some directions call it design but layout is where it's at. Don't be afraid, you can do it! Just keep checking preview till it is perfect. The same process goes for any third party developer like Twitter...
Get a gmail account (if you don't have one already) for free access to all their tools like:Drive (word documents, draw, forms, sheets...) Blogger, YouTube & Calendar
Websites Worth Using:
Language Arts:
www.meegenius.com 70 free books when you sign up as a teacher, listening center
http://www.starfall.com- very easy to navigate, freemium for math content and more
Twitter- Show and Tell in reverse for the families. Turn tweets in to books!
Math:
www.ixl.com- math practice, differentiation, performance tracking, freemium
Cross Curricular Resources:
https://www.abcmouse.com/- all skills, apps as well, can be tailored for individual students and performance tracking
www.discoveryeducation.com- deep content for most subjects, subscription for the best
Make it yourself:
http://twistynoodle.com/- Make coloring pages with labels and custom books
Google image search of course!
Useful Tools:
www.classdojo.com- classroom management, auto-reporting to parents
Use the program "Paint" that comes with any windows computer to crop or modify images in endless ways. Great for use with Google Draw.
Appealing Apps:
Zoodles kid mode- adds a "safe-mode" to any device, appropriate content, freemium
Endless Alphabet- super popular, letter recognition, sounds & vocabulary for iOS
Oceanhouse Media book apps- shiny, appealing classic books, free & $$, all but iOS
Intellijoy- literacy & math apps, free or $, all devices
TS GOLD app- for iOS and android, free
Agnitus- iOS, Android & Kindle, freemium, education accounts available, all skills, can be tailored for individual students and performance tracking.
Toca Boca.com- It doesn't always have to be "educational". Creative, exploration!
App Tips: download a free version first take note of quality developerscheck the store for sales and featured apps
Organization & usage tips from me:
- Use one file for multiple pages relating to one theme, subject or purpose
- Save your icons for reuse and frame to keep design consistent
- Always save a back up choice board
- Using universal icons will teach digital literacy skills and build independence
- Clone. clone, clone but only once the item is completely done
- This is the website I use to add all sorts of sounds to my lessons. www.findsounds.com
- Use screen shots & print out notebook page for proof of students work
