TEC 591 PLN

My PLN has been going for the past few years now. I follow my superintendent (@canyonsdave) and directors(@scotmccombs and @ddraper) on twitter. My superintendent is extremely tech savvy which is very nice.

My colleagues also use twitter as a means of communicating and collaborating with each other. I don't know where I'd be without it! We are all in different sites, but help each other through email and twitter.

My favorite professional sites to follow are google for educators, Classroom 2.0, Wesley Fryer's site (and also his twitter feeds @wfryer), Kevin Honeycutt (@kevinhoneycutt), and Jaime Casap (@jaimecasap) from Google.

I also have several contacts/colleagues that I communicate and collaborate with from Florida and Texas. I have worked with these individuals in the past, and we still collaborate on presentations. For example, this past spring, we collaborated via skype for a principals' conference. Vicki Allen, who resides in Dallas, is an education advocate for AT&T. She and I modeled effective use of Skype for conferences, trainings, and meetings.

I look forward to continuing to learn more from other professionals through twitter and also blogs.

SMART Response Systems

Previously known as clickers, the SMART Student Response System is a class set of hand-held devices that send student responses to the teacher's computers via radio signal. In this course teachers will learn to create and deliver quizzes, and view results from within SMART Notebook collaborative learning software.

SMART Boards, Wireless Slates and Notebook Software

SMART Boards, Wireless Slates and Notebook Software
The SMART board is an interactive white board with a touch sensitive display that connects to your computer and a digital projector to show your computer image.   In this course teachers will learn to control computer applications directly from the board, write notes in digital ink, and save their work so they can share later.  Teachers will also learn to use the SMART Software, which provides teachers with fantastic tools, and lessons that can be used on the SMART board.

SMART Software Download

May 26, 2011 - Google Earth

Google Earth
Google Earth is a virtual globe, map, and geographic information program.  In this course teachers will learn how to use these three program to enhance their instruction to better student understanding and learning.


Celestia Download
Stellarium Download
Google Earth Download
Google Earth Showcase
Google Earth Gallery

May 19, 2011 - Inspiration and Kidspiration

Inspiration and Kidspiration
Inspiration and Kidspiration are visual learning and thinking software for educators, students and business professionals.  In this course teachers will learn how to use these programs and how they can use these programs with their students to enhance students understanding and learning.


Free Trial Download


Inspiration Examples and Lesson Plans
Kidspiration Examples and Lesson Plans

May 12, 2011 - Tux Paint and Kid Pix

Tux Paint and Kid Pix
Tux Paint is a free and open source graphics editor geared toward young children.  Kid Pix is a drawing program created for children.  In this course teachers will learn how to use the two programs and how they can use these programs with their students to enhance understanding and learning.


Kid Pix Studio in the Elementary Classroom

May 5, 2011 - Scratch

Scratch
Scratch is a free downloadable software and an online website created by MIT where students can make their own interactive games, stories, music and art and SHARE them with one another.  This software has been installed in Canyons Elementary School Productivity Labs.


Scratch Software Download
ScratchEd - teacher resources
Scratch Support