Student Response Systems

At the Christa McAuliffe Tech Conference, I had the opportunity to demo a Smart Student Response System (SRS).  I've been considering a purchase of such a system for our Underhill Library, and it was great to have the chance to play around with one.  

Many of us are using BrainPop Jr. more than ever, and the built-in quizzes that are tied to state standards make it easy to assess student comprehension.  Although our students love to go up to the SmartBoard to chose an answer from the multiple choices, think about how much fun it would be if each student had a response clicker!  More than just the fun factor, using a Student Response System would:

~ eliminate that "getting up and sitting down" transition time

~ enable every student to participate at the same time

~ give the teacher an overview of each student's answer; it is clear at a glance who "gets it" and who doesn't

~ require participation by all, especially those quiet students who rarely raise their hands

~ stimulate class discussion based upon the immediate results 

~ encourage students to reflect on their own answers by giving immediate feedback

~ also allow teachers to create their own quizzes, or share from the Smart Community

Look at the screenshots below, check out the links, and give me your feedback....should we purchase a Student Response System for Underhill School or is it just another "gadget"?

Smart Response Features

Videos to learn how Smart Response works

Website with Links to Articles on SRS

All You Need for a Snowman

Although we haven't had too much snow so far this season (not counting the Halloween Blizzard of 2011), we can't help but think about making SnowPeople.  They are so cheerful, so easy to get along with, so much fun to create.  If you need inspiration or just a really good story to read to your students, we've created a Resource List in our Underhill Library Catalog just for you! 

Simply click here:  Underhill Library Catalog Online

and you will see "Destiny Quest" (screenshot below) - a feature where we can create lists of resources for your convenience.  Go to the RESOURCE LIST, and click on the one titled "Snowman" and browse away!

While you are here in DESTINY QUEST, look to see what 
THE TOP 10 BOOKS are, and check out some of 
our NEW ARRIVALS!

Different Ways to Learn

I spent a day at the Christa McAuliffe Tech Conference this week.  As usual, I was both overwhelmed and exhilarated by the wealth of resources available to infuse both teaching and learning with engaging, exciting and educational activities.  The keynote speaker, Dr. David Rose, spoke eloquently on "Meeting the Challenge of Individual Differences in the Digital Age:  Universal Design for Learning."
One example he used to illustrate a point was a music composition by J.S. Bach.  Here are three ways to present Bach's "Little" Fugue in G minor.  Your objective?  Understanding that a fugue has a theme that repeats in different ways.  Post a response on which way worked best for you!

Do you understand fugues best by looking at the sheet music?

Do you understand fugues best by listening to the music being played? 

Click here to listen to the audio file:

Bach's "Little" Fugue in G Minor

NOTE: This will open in a new window.

Do you understand fugues best by listening to the music being played 

AND 

watching a visual representation?

Click here to see a dynamic combination of visual and auditory representation:

Visual Representation of Bach's "Little Fugue in G Minor"

NOTE: This will open in a new window.

NOW - Post your response!

Thinkfinity Resources

Thinkfinity is a free, comprehensive digital learning platform designed to improve learning in traditional settings and beyond the classroom by providing high-caliber content and professional development needed to improve student achievement – anytime, anywhere, at no cost. The resources are phenomenal and you should definitely check it out:  www.thinkfinity.org

QR Code

Did you get to this Library Link by scanning a QR Code?  If so, good for you!  You are officially part of the Digital Connection!  QR Codes ("Quick Response") are popping up everywhere, from museums and businesses to restaurants and shops.  Scan a QR code and get a coupon!  Scan a QR code and learn more about an exhibit!  Scan a QR code and read a menu!

Now...create your OWN QR code at one of the following websites:
Kaywa.com
Mobile-barcodes.com
Keremerkan.net

and let me know how it goes!

Culture Corner

     We've set up a "Culture Corner" in the Library Media Center.  Here we can feature a holiday tradition from other cultures, particularly those of some of our ESOL students.  Amidst all the celebration of American holidays such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, New Year, etc., it is nice for some of our Underhill students to see familiar items from the traditional holidays of their countries of origin.
     This month, we featured the holiday of DIWALI, a celebration in India popularly known as the "Festival of Lights." For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes. Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil.  One of our students brought in several beautiful clay lamps, decorations, and other items to put in the Culture Corner.  We added an information sheet for K-2 students and several books from our library collection.
     If you have a student in your class who celebrates a holiday tradition from another culture, let us know and we will feature it in our Underhill "Culture Corner"!
    

Learning in Hand

How to use iPads in the classroom is the hot topic on many educational blogs.  Everyone seems understand the "Why" of iPads; they're great devices for learning at all levels, and in many ways they level the playing field since they are so easy to use at every grade level.  But many are struggling to catch up with the "How" and "What" aspect.  "How should we use them?"  "What should we use them for?  Which apps are best?"
Tony Vincent has put together a great website with lots of practical resources for working with iPads in the Classroom.  Click on the link to check it out, then share something on this blog!
Learning in Hand

Brainstorm and Brownies

On Wednesdays from 11:30 - 1:00, you can stop in to the Underhill Library and grab a delicious, homemade brownie!  The price?  Your ideas, questions or concerns.  This is a time for you to ask questions, from simple "How do I . . ." questions, to more complex "What could I . . ." questions.  It's a chance for us to bounce ideas about research projects, ways to integrate the arts, or implementing 21st century learning strategies.  Here's what yesterday's B & B session participants wanted to know or discuss:

·      How to join a wikipage

·      How to edit/save on a wikipage

·      How to send an attachment on an e-mail

·      How to open an attachment on an e-mail

·      How to use keyboard shortcuts for editing

·      How to open a wikispaces account

·      How to check the percentage of battery left on a laptop

·      Ideas for a lesson plan using 21^st century strategies

·      Preliminary plans for a class keynote slide presentation

·      Ideas for integrating the arts to support classroom curriculum

·      How to reserve a room/equipment on the Intranet

·      Preliminary planning for an IIM Research unit using 21^st century learning

·      Starting a class blog

 Next week, come in and share your ideas, thoughts and questions.  And, oh yes - there will be brownies!

 

Word Cloud

Like using Wordle?  Try this kid-friendly website for creating Wordle-like word clouds:

You can find it at: www.abcya.com/word_clouds.htm
Post your opinion!

Digital Devices

This is a post on Kathy Schrock's Website for Educators.
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schrockguide/gadgets.html. 
It is chock full of links with great ideas, guidelines, tips and strategies for using digital devices in the classroom.  Check it out!

There are many handheld devices and digital "gadgets" available to support all types of new teaching and learning initiatives. These pages will provide links to some of the resource pages specifically designed to enhance the use of these devices in the K-12 classroom. iPads in in the Classroom iPads in the Classroom...a comprehensive list of links to all things iPad Android Apps...a list of some educational apps for Android tablets Podcasting in the Classroom Educational Podcast Network ...a categorized directory of hundreds of school-produced and educationally-relevant podcasts Educational Podcasting ...a full list of resources for creating a podcast in your classroom Educational Podcasting Guide ...an in-depth overview of how to podcast, what equipment to use, and ideas for use in the classroom Podcasting in Education ...a nice overview of the process with ideas for use of podcasting in the elementary classroom Podcasts in the Classroom ...a comprehensive collection of information include how to podcast, ideas for the classroom, rationale for use, and much more Using iPods in the Early Childhood Classroom ...sensible ideas for the use of these devices with the youngest students Digital Cameras and Camcorders in the Classroom Classroom Applications for the Digital Camera ...a series of curriculum related ideas for digital camera use in the classroom Digital Camera in Education ...all types of practical information about using digital cameras in support of the curriculum Digital Camera Ideas for kids ...a nice set of ideas for the use of digital cameras Digital Cameras Enhance Education ...a wealth of technical and practical information about the use of digital cameras in the classroom Digital Cameras in the Classroom(page 2) ...an article to help you learn more about the aspects of digital photography Digital Video in Education ...uses, tips, and tricks for the use of digital camcorders in the classroom Going Digital in the Classroom ...ideas and samples of classroom-supported activities using digital cameras 1001 Uses for a Digital Camera ...a categorized list of ideas and tips for using the digital camera in the classroom Using Digital Cameras in the Classroom Other Devices in the Classroom Data (Video) Projectors in the Classroom ...an overview of the use and things to look for when purchasing one of these items for the classroom Digital Microscopes in the Classroom ...refer to this site for tutorials, lesson plans, ideas, and Java-based tutorials on the use of digital microscopes for classroom use Classrom Use of Document Cameras ...a nicely compiled list of document camera resource sites Geocaching with Kids ...a site explaining the use of a GPS device to locate geocaches and help on how your class can create their own GPS Activities and Lesson Plans ...a list of sites and successful practices for GPS use in support of the curriculum GPS Lesson Plans ...links to GPS lesson plans for K-12 and to other supporting resources, too Handhelds in the Classroom ...a page of articles, links, and software for the use of handheld computers to support teaching and learning USB Drives: S.O.A.P. on a Rope ...a simple solution for using USB drives to run software and provide data storage for students USB "Key Chain" Flash Drives ...carry your data back and forth to school with these tiny devices; learn more about them here Scanning with Students ...a nicely-compiled list of links including how-to's for using scanners in K-12 Videoconferencing for Learning ...a great site with ideas, resources, and much more for the use of interactive videoconferencing in the classroom Videoconferencing for Schools ...an overview of the practical aspects of using videoconferencing in the classroom; includes tips and tricks Wacom Drawing Tablets in the Classroom ...lesson plans by grade level for the use of this cool drawing tool in the classroom Ineractive Whiteboard Lesson Plans and Ideas Interactive Web Resources Interactive White Board Resources Interactive Whiteboards in the Classroom K-3 SMARTboard Sites Mimio Connect Lesson Plans Promethean Planet Lesson Plans SMART Board Lesson Ideas SMART Board Resources SMART Educator Resources Whiteboard Resources by Grade Level One-to-One Wireless Computing in the Classroom ...a well-done overview of the implementation of one-to-one computing