Storyboard That

From Richard Bryne's Blog Free Technology for Teachers, Richard gives us a great tool for building stories with a "comic strip" appeal. I am always looking at new ways to help my non-writers develop and build on their stories. I know they have them stuck in their heads, they just have the ability to get them out on paper. This planning tool, Storyboard That, gives these students a little help with the convenience of visualizing their stories. Definitely a tool I will be looking more into.

Google Search Strategies

Richard Bryne's Blog Free Technology for Teachers: Combine These Strategies To Help Students Find Appropriate Reading Materials is another eye-opener of tools that we have always had but never knew about. This little strategy allows for students to search for sites that are their reading level. I found it very interesting and something that we need to practice with all our students. Last year when we were working on research projects it took many of my students and myself time to figure out what the articles said and if they related to the students' topics. This little searching strategy will help a lot.

"The Simple Power of a Screenshot"

Monica Burn's Blog from Edutopia made so much sense. I have just started to use screenshots to show colleagues images of how to use things on their computer, but to use it with my students and also have my students use it to show their understanding and accomplishments is a great idea. Last year my students had portfolios on our school network. It allowed them to keep their most important accomplishments safe from their desks and recycling bins. But taking screenshots of their time within our labs to show where they are in their progress it a great way to help me follow them.

DST Project

Well, I have learned a lesson. I have built a Digital Story before but I used my school laptop. Since it is summer and our laptops are getting makeovers I am having to use my husband's and let me tell you how much harder it is to do this with an older laptop and just doesn't like you. My audio had to be recorded through audacity and timed while I played my pictures...and adding music! Wow! Yes, husband you need a new computer! I know I got my idea across, but again not happy with the audio.

"Helping Girls Unlock Their Leadership Potential"

Anne Obrien's Blog on Edutopia discusses the strong issue of women leadership and how to help young women build skills to help them become stronger citizens within our community. What I really got out of this article are the 4-5 ideas from Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy in North Carolina. As a teacher of middle school aged students I am always looking for way to help my students (especially my girls) to take on responsibilities and leadership roles within the class. I really liked the idea of taking articles about girls and women in leadership roles or just in the news to talk about and relate to. Also, the idea of book clubs for students and parents. My mom is included in many different book clubs and she seems to get so much out of the discussion with her fellow readers. I like the idea to help girls relate to characters without having to talk about themselves.

"What You Need to Be an Innovative Educator"

Edutopia: Terry Heick's Blog gives 6 basic thoughts when deciding how innovative you will be in your classroom. These 6 ideas can really focus you and your classroom. Last year it was all about keeping it simple in the classroom. "What do the students really need to know for that next level, to be good citizens?" We went so far as to break down the Common Core Standards and find the most important standards for our students. I know these will change from year to year depending on the students in my classroom, but having the ability to focus on the type of students and what they need versus what the curriculum says they need is hard but sometimes more important in order for your students to feel success.

"DictaNote-Speak to Create Documents"

Introduced by Free Technology for Teachers Blog by Richard Bryne I found the program DictaNote through Chrome to be extremely interesting. Last year I was faced with a few students who not only didn't like to write, but didn't really know how (in the fifth grade). After speaking with their Special Education Teacher, we were in need of a Speak to Text App or program for these students. DictaNote does just that using Chrome, which is being pushed into usage by our IT department. I am looking forward to testing this program out with my helpful fourth grade son before the summer's end.