Tools to Facilitate a Paperless Classroom

We discussed the possibility of making a classroom entirely paperless... In doing so, we can utilize a variety of resources to make the process as seamless as possible. The students will most likely not have a problem. However, we -- the old school educators -- might feel somewhat uncomfortable; for, our initial use of the web was simply one way communication and not the collaborative, social tool that it is today. In short, the kids are comfortable and we are not...

The planning stages of a project are extremely important... I feel that one should take as much time planning, as they do creating and synthesizing their final product. We often hear that the means is as important as the end... this is very true.

Here are a few resources to help with the planning and implementation of the project.

bubbl.us  (planning and mindmapping) - This is a must see.  Not only is it great for mapping; but, it allows you to save your map as a jpg file.

fillanypdf.com (productivity) - Upload pdf.'s to the site instead of printing them, filling them out, and scanning or faxing.  In the classroom, fillanypdf can be used for project proposals, tests, quizzes, and a multitude of other purposes.

zamzar.com (file conversion) - In addition to converting files, zamzar can be used to download YouTube videos and other online files.  The videos can be saved in a variety of formats and embedded into presentations and other files that can be used in the classroom.

pbWorks.com (wiki) - This site, which allows you to create a wiki without the need for email addresses is a great resource for online collaboration.  Students can plan a project or field trip, collaborate on a presentation, or create a classroom study guide for an assessment.  Two of the most powerful features of the wiki are the user and time identifiers... you know who contributed what and when.

Possible planning workflow: Bubbl.us to brainstorm, Fillanypdf to create a project proposal, and then back to Bubbl.us and pbWorks to plan the project... off they go...

How about class earlier in the day for the remaining sessions?

Take the poll.  Let "us" know if you would like to move class earlier in the day... If we can get the okay from our hosts at TWHS.

Replace audience response hardware with Poll Everywhere

Replace audience response hardware with Poll Everywhere

Creating a Collage with Picasa

Click here to see how to create a collage with Picasa.  Below is a collage of Blake that was created in about a minute, since I already had the pictures imported.  You can use Picasa in your classroom to organize photos, to introduce photo editing or to create timelines, websites, collages, or videos (scrapbook style).  Further, Picasa allows you to instantly add photos to your blog, creating a efficient workflow from importing to editing to sharing.

Adding photos from Picasa to Blogger

Click here to see how to send photos from Picasa to your blog.

Talk about the technology...

Hop on, take a look, and see if you can figure out how to add your two cents.
http://voicethread.com/share/1190961/

They could text you the answer...

Would you use Wordle in your classroom?  Click here to vote via the web (or by clicking in the chart below), or you can text the corresponding code to 22333.

Yes: 56773

No: 56776

Maybe: 56777

Make a live audience poll at Poll Everywhere

"See" what you want to learn

Using the comments that were shared, you can see what you want to learn.

The bigger the word, the more times it is included in your posts; thus, the more important it is to you.  Conversely, the smaller the word, the less frequently it is included.

Kind of a visual KWL chart.  Created at Wordle.net

EDU 505... What do you want to know?

In my quest to obtain knowledge to foster both my growth as a person and educator, I am sometimes frustrated by the shackles that are placed upon me by the professors who are in charge of furthering my education.  Most often, it is not their choice; but, that they are required to cover specific requirements and, thus, do not have time to venture far from such objectives.

In EDU 505, we must cover a variety of topics... IDEA, section 508, UDL, to name a few.  But, we also have the opportunity to learn about things that you want and "need" to know.  For example... 

• creating, editing, and delivering video in your classrooms
  
• making a presentation that isn't boring
• creating a digital book
• citing sources (loads of fun... but so easy)
• claymation with a purpose
• manipulating graphics
• creating a wiki (and why)
• blogging
• moodling (huh)
• wordling

If you want to learn it... and none of us know it... we will "figure it out together."  Our goal is to enhance the education that you provide... By teaching you, we will teach the world.

With that... what do you want to know?