19 Ridiculously Simply DIYs Every Elementary Teacher Should Know! Check it out!
http://www.buzzfeed.com/alessiasantoro/teachers-making-learning-fun-literally#.miRYbxWDB
Ready to teach keyboarding skills?
The Common Core Assessments require students to take the test using computers. If the test is timed, and students have poor keyboarding skills, how will their scores be affected? Take a look at this article advocating the renewed teaching of keyboarding skills.
NGSS Releases February Newsletter
Has your school begun implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards? NGSS has a wonderful newsletter that you should subscribe to. Visit this link for the February newsletter.
8 Awesome Tech Tools for Classroom Management
The challenges of classroom management has been widely recognized in the teaching community for some time. The tapestry of tasks, skills and strategies required to ensure lessons run smoothly can be tremendously difficult to juggle. Novice teachers feel the pressure most intensely as they step into their first classroom, and faced with students of diverse backgrounds and varying ability levels. Even the most experienced teachers have days when classroom disruptions and disorganization is the norm.
Over the years, educators have developed a reservoir of tips, tricks and procedures to manage their classrooms. As the Internet began connecting people far and wide, those methods were shared, improved and built upon in the online community. Now many teachers and experts in the field have developed practical technology-based tools to help fellow educators successfully manage their classrooms.
Below we offer a list of eight excellent tech tools for classroom management. You may have heard of some while others will be brand new. In any case, be sure to share this list with others in the teaching community to continue the positive cycle of teachers helping teachers! (*Note: the list is in no particular order)
- Class Dojo: A first-rate tool for managing student behavior. Class Dojo allows you to reinforce positive behavior by awarding students points for specific behaviors. Students love the fun avatars that are assigned to them and Class Dojo makes it easy for you to track and monitor student behavior. You can even generate reports to share with parents!
- Stick Pick: An app that allows you to randomly select a student by simply shaking your device. You are then given suggestions for question starters tailored to students at varying ability levels. You can also record students’ participation during discussions directly in the Stick Pick app.
- Socrative: An intuitive student response system that gives you the opportunity to collect student feedback and quiz answers instantly. You can set up questions as part of a quiz or poll student opinions. Students can use their device to respond in real time and the responses are delivered to you immediately.
- Bouncy Balls: A fun way to track the noise level in your class with the use of a microphone and virtual bouncing balls. Challenge students to keep the noise level down by keeping the balls from bouncing.
- Engrade: An all-in-one platform that can be used to manage gradebooks, attendance charts, seating charts, student behavior, calendars, and more. Using Engrade, you can also develop Common Core-aligned tests and track student progress. It is a great way to connect to educational resources as well as your students.
- Collaborize Classroom: A platform for creating online learning communities for teachers and students. In this learning community, students are encouraged to collaborate with one another while teachers are made accessible both in and out of the classroom.
- Schoolbinder: In a Schoolbinder class page, you have the power to add, edit and organize assignments. It provides an online “dropbox” where students can submit assignments, ask questions and receive instant feedback. Events and deadlines can also be viewed in the Schoolbinder calendar.
- Remind: A safe, secure and easy way to connect to students and parents via text message. It is a quick way to send out reminders instantly or set reminders to be sent out in advance.
While technology is never an adequate replacement for teachers who employ methods proven through years of teaching experience, technology can certainly support your efforts in managing a classroom. Your experience, knowledge and expertise are essential in constructing lessons that maximize on your specific classroom’s needs. The resources above simply equip you with the proper tools for streamlining success in the classroom.
Teachers, do you have any tips, tricks or tech tools you use for classroom management? We want to hear from you! Share your ideas with us and help us contribute to the teaching community.
Until next time..
Happy teaching,
The PDI Team
*screenshot from Class Dojo (https://www.classdojo.com/) iPad app
Teacher Tip Video – Creating a Classroom Website with Weebly (Part 2)
Happy Friday teachers!
This week, we are continuing where we left off last week. Last week, we published part 1 of 2 teacher tip videos on how to create a classroom website using the site builder Weebly. We created an account, a new site, and added content to the Home and About page on the site. Now we’ll learn how to manage pages on the site, format text, add videos, and an assignment form. Check out the second video below!
If you missed the part 1 video from last week, you can find it here: http://wp.me/p52XYO-1L.
If you have any suggestions for future videos, leave them in the reply box below or email julee@webteaching.com
PDI also offers online courses for teachers that can be found here: http://www.webteaching.com/. Including many courses on integrating technology into the classroom.
Or, click here to like us on Facebook!
Also, don’t forget to join our email list (Follow button on the left) to make sure you never miss a video!
Happy teaching,
The PDI Team
Teacher Tip Video – Creating a Classroom Website with Weebly (Part 1)
Hello teachers!
At this day and age, a classroom website is always a good idea. Not only to integrate technology into the classroom and empower students to acquire tech skills, but also to make learning more accessible for everyone! Classroom websites are gateways to connecting with students, parents and colleagues. They offer an easy and quick method for communicating information (announcements, deadlines, school events, etc.), as well as collecting information (parent forms, student polls, electronic assignment submissions, etc.).
Site builders such as Google Sites, Squarespace, and Wix have made it increasingly easier to create a classroom website. Our favorite? Weebly–for its seamless interface, useful tools and beautiful themes! If you have yet to try Weebly, follow along with us this week and next week as we guide you through a two-part video series on how to create a classroom website with Weebly. Oh, and did we mention it’s absolutely free? Let’s get started!
This is part one of a two-part video series so stay tuned for the second half of this teacher tip next week!
If you have any suggestions for future videos, leave them in the reply box below or email julee@webteaching.com
PDI also offers online courses for teachers that can be found here: http://www.webteaching.com/. Including many courses on integrating technology into the classroom.
Or, click here to like us on Facebook!
Also, don’t forget to join our email list (Follow button on the left) to make sure you never miss a video!
Happy teaching,
The PDI Team
PDI Teacher Tip Video – Creating an Interactive PowerPoint Presentation
Hello teachers!
Last week, we discussed the importance of integrating interactive features into a presentation; and as promised, this week we show you how to create an interactive PowerPoint presentation. With just a few buttons and links, you can create an engaging presentation that allows for students to easily and flexibly explore content independently from home! Check out this week’s teacher tip video below.
If you have any suggestions for future videos, leave them in the reply box below or email julee@webteaching.com
PDI also offers online courses for teachers that can be found here: http://www.webteaching.com/. Including a course titled Using Microsoft PowerPoint in the Classroom.
Or, click here to like us on Facebook!
Also, don’t forget to join our email list (Follow button on the left) to make sure you never miss a video!
Have a great weekend and happy teaching,
The PDI Team
