BONUS Post: Hour of Code @ DCDS and Coding Resources

As I mentioned before, last week was Computer Science week and the week code.org was designating for their grassroots campaign goal of tens of millions of students to try an "Hour of Code."  The goal is to inspire K-12 students to take interest in computer science.  Coding is a wonderful opportunity to teach students 21st Century skills such as:

• Problem Solving
• Critical Thinking
• Computational Thinking 
• Collaboration

Well, I am happy to state that DCDS had over 600 students, a variety of faculty, and even Glen our Head Master  participate in the "Hour of code."   I had the privilege to participate as well in some of your classrooms and it was amazing to watch the engagement, collaboration, and problem solving skills our students were experiencing.  The best part for me was watching who our students leaned on for assistance when they ran into an issue...their peers.  Then watching them provide the leadership and guidance.  What an amazing experience!!

If you are interested in coding opportunities in your classroom, here are some resources to help you get started.

• Scratch: Coding program based on blockly language (blocks that link together to make writing code easier.
• ScratchEd:  An online community where scratch educators can share stories, exchange resources, and/or ask questions.
• Code.org:   A non-profit organization and websitethat aims to encourage people, particularly school students, to learn computer science.
• Codecademy:  Online interactive platform that offers free coding classes and resources in 9 different programming languages.

#1 of the December Ed Tech 12 List: Glean--"Explore the Best Video Lessons in Education"

The Ed Tech 12 list # 1 is...Glean.  This is a free website providing the "best educational video lessons" in the areas of math and science. The topics include Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II, Biology, and Chemistry with Calculus, Physics and Organic Chemistry coming soon.   According to Glean, "There are incredible educational lessons all over the web but they're hard to find...we help find the best ones for students."  The site organizes and tags videos by educational standard, and wraps them in interactive tools (like Q&A and practice exercises).   This resource also has a feature in which teachers can assign videos to students and track how students interact with each lesson.

#2 of the December Ed Tech 12 List: BoomWriter--"Free and engaging group-writing tool"

The Ed Tech 12 list # 2 is...BoomWriter.  This is a free tool that provides a platform for students to engage in collaborative writing.  It offers three group-writing activities focusing on developing and enhancing writing and vocabulary skills across all curriculum areas.  The three activities include:

1. StoryWriter for creative and narrative writing
2. WordWriter for vocabulary  
3. ProjectWriter for expository, argument and scientific writing

#3 of the December Ed Tech 12 List: Adobe Slate--"Turn any photos and message into a beautiful visual story...in minutes."

The Ed Tech 12 list # 3 is...Adobe Slate.  Are you looking for a tool that allows students to tell a story to demonstrate understanding of content?  If the answer is yes, then Adobe Slate may be worth a look.  It is a creation tool that empowers users to create visual presentations through the web or the iPad app.  It is free, easy to use and creates visually rich presentations that can be shared with a link.

#4 of the December Ed Tech 12 List: Toontastic-"Amazing Digital Story App for the iPad"

The Ed Tech 12 list # 4 is...Toontastic.  This digital storytelling app for the iPad teaches storytelling skills through playful cartoon creation.  Launchpad Toys designed this app in partnership with Standford's Graduate School of Education and the Zeum:  San Francisco's Children's Museum. Recently Launchpad Toys was recently acquired by Google offering more free features within the app.

Toontastic is simple to use and has a built-in story arc that assists with creating well-structured stories.  The story arc is a story planner that forces students to plan out the setup, conflict, challenge, climax and resolution of the story.  Following the story arc encourages students to think, plan, execute, sequence and follow the key elements in storytelling.

Finished stories can be shared online (including on Toontastic's ToonTube) or saved to the camera roll.  This app also works great in a single iPad classroom as several students can collaborate on the same story taking turns creating and editing the scenes and characters of the story.   There are endless opportunities for assignments in all areas using Toontastic and this app offers a great way for students to become producers of content.

#5 of the December Ed Tech 12 List: Vialogues--"Build Discussion Boards Around Videos"

The Ed Tech 12 list #5 is...Vialogues.  Vialogues lets you build discussion boards around videos.   This platform provides a space for users to hold meaningful and dynamic time-stamped discussions about videos.  You can upload a video, grab one from YouTube, or choose one from their collection. Once created, scaffold video content by posting comments, polls and surveys.   Vialogues can be a great way to promote communication and critical thinking while using videos in your classroom

#6 of the December Ed Tech 12 List: Everystockphoto--"A search engine for free educational images"

The Ed Tech 12 list #6 is...Everystockphoto. This is a search engine for free photos.  The photos come from many sources on the web and are license-specific. Students can use  Everystockphoto for images they want to use for class projects, blogs, etc.  The image search will produce results with photos and the photo's license.  By clicking the license icon or tab, students can determine the permission available for use of that image (see screenshot below).  What a great and easy way to teach digital citizenship.  If you are interested in using the site to dive deeper into image licenses, check out their FAQ section with your students to begin conversations.  

#7 of the December Ed Tech 12 List: Seesaw--"A student-driven digital portfolio"

The Ed Tech 12 list #7 is Seesaw.  During one of the breakout sessions at our recentTEDx jr. day, one of the groups I was facilitating began discussing digital portfolios.  Although the topic of digital portfolios for all our buildings/grade levels is a greater topic of discussion, the application Seesaw was discussed.  Some of you may be interested in digital portfolios on a smaller scale for your classroom needs, therefore I thought #7 on our list could be Seesaw.

This is an app and/or web-based platform where students create digital portfolios.  The application allows students to document and share what they are learning in school (both using digital content and nondigital content).  It empowers students to take more ownership of their learning and is easy to use for a PK-12 environment.  Implementing it in the classroom couldn't be easier with the use of Seesaw's Teacher Resource Center.  The application is also great for parents as it provides them with an up-to-date window of what their child is learning.

#8 of the December Ed Tech 12 List: Desmos--"Free Online Graphing Calculator"

The Ed Tech 12 list #8 is...Desmos.  Yesterday, I was chatting with John Meyers in the hall and he mentioned he was at a math conference recently and they were showing off Desmos.   This is a recycled post from last years EdTech 12 list, but since this blog was not established at the time,  my conversation with John reminded me that it might be worth reposting about this neat tool again...

Desmos is a free online graphing calculator geared for grades 6-12 that instantly plots an equation.  It is also available in the Chrome App store for Chrome users and in the iTunes store for iPhones/iPads. This application will allow you to graph functions, plot tables of data, evaluate equations, explore transformations, and much more.  Be sure to check out their classroom activities and if you are interested in learning more about Desmos, check out their YouTube Channel.

#9 of the December Ed Tech 12 List: Nepris--"Connecting Industry Professionals to Every Classroom"

The Ed Tech 12 list #9 is...Nepris.   Just as I was submitting my #10 post yesterday,  I received an email from Kelly Hincks our Lower School librarian about yet another application that would tie in well with "Connecting to the Outside World," so I felt it would be a great to use Nepris as our #9. According to Kelly, Nepris is a "great resource that will connect your classroom with an industry professional that can support what you are doing in your classroom..."  

How does it work?  You submit information and a date range for your needed presentation to Nepris. The site pairs you with a professional who will be presenting.  For example, if you are looking for a chef for a nutrition unit, you can submit a request to the site and they will pair you with someone in that field.  You then communicate with this professional to ensure they know exactly what it is you are looking for from their presentation and that it is a good fit.  Seems pretty simple and easy!! Another great way to bring real life application to a unit.   Thanks for sharing Kelly!!!

#10 of the December Ed Tech 12 List: Field Trip Zoom--"Live and interactive content for your class"

The Ed Tech 12 List #10 is...Field Trip Zoom.  A few weeks back during our TEDx jr. sessions, Liz Brady's session "Connecting to the Outside World" talked about bringing the content area alive by finding ways to bring the outside world into the classroom.  Field Trip Zoom offers that ability.  It provides an online service that allows you to search, order, schedule and connect to hundreds of live interactive programs through a rapidly expanding network of museums, science centers, historical sites and other cultural organizations.  (Note: it is free to sign up for the site, but there is typically a small free for the programs from the provider however some programs offer free options with an application for a scholarship or grant).   What a great way to bring a new level of understanding to classroom material...definitely worth taking a look!!

#11 of the December Ed Tech 12 List: ViewPure-A YouTube Tool for Teachers

The Ed Tech 12 List #11 is...ViewPure.  ViewPure is a tool that lets you watch YouTube videos without the distractive features such as ads, related videos, and comments.  All these features are removed using ViewPure.  This is great to ensure any inappropriate material is not visible when you are trying to incorporate YouTube videos into your curriculum (Please Note: some ads are integrated with the YouTube videos so ViewPure can not remove those).   Here is a snapshot of the difference between the user interface of a YouTube video and ViewPure:



ViewPure also allows you to create customized URLs for your YouTube videos (original URL: youtube.com/watch?v=JmA2CIUvUY vs a customized URL of the same video using ViewPure: viewpure.com/BabyDebate).  Learn more at http://viewpure.com/

#12 of the December Ed Tech 12 List: Drop It To Me

Last year around this time I provided an December Ed Tech 12 List leading up to the holiday break. In keeping up with tradition and in the spirit of the upcoming holidays, I will be sharing one tool a day from now until the break (hard to believe we only have 12 more days...) so please feel free to visit daily over the next 12 school days...

The Ed Tech 12 List #12 is...Drop It To Me.  This is a free web-based application that provides an easy way to receive files from students, colleagues or parents and connects with Google Drive, OneDrive and Dropbox.  Senders will not need an account and emails are not needed to send files. You would just provide the sender with a link to your Drop It To Me webpage and after inputting the page's password, they are provided with an upload button.   Any file type can be submitted and that file is sent to the dropittome folder in your Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive.    You also have the ability to create multiple upload pages with unique addresses and passwords during your registration of an account.   To learn more visit https://dropitto.me/.