WizTeach offers a range of interactive teaching tools across all curriculum areas, including drawing and writing tools, numbers charts and maps. All tools can be used over the top of other content displayed on a computer including documents, software applications and even live over the internet.
Wiz Teach can be downloaded from http://www.wizteach.com/downloads/
INSTALLING EVERNOTE ON YOUR DESKTOP OR LAPTOP
For anyone with their own desktop or laptop I recommend downloading the software to your computer. This means you do not need to log into Evernote each time you want to use it. You can download the Evernote software from https://evernote.com/. Follow the download guide at http://evernote.com/getting_started/#2 if you have any trouble.
CREATING AN EVERNOTE ACCOUNT
The first time you launch Evernote you will be asked to enter your username and password, or create a new Evernote account. To create a new Evernote account, click “Get a free Evernote account now”.
Clicking this link will open a new window where you can input your information and choose a username and password. You also need to enter the numbers prompted in the box then click ‘register’.
If you do not wish to download the software or you are using a shared computer go straight to https://www.evernote.com/Registration.action to create an Evernote account.
Information for creating an Evernote Account was sourced from http://evernote.com/getting_started/#3
I am always looking for great interactive sites to use in the classroom. I came across Splat Square a couple of years ago and have used it in both my 3/4 and Prep classrooms.
Splat Square is an interactive hundreds chart that allows children to ‘splat’ numbers. This site is fantastic for lessons on skip counting and number patterns as it allows you to splat numbers in different colours. Another great feature is that the hundreds charts are also printable to display in the classroom. I have also used this site as activity for students on netbooks. Find Splat Square at http://www.primarygames.co.uk/pg2/splat/splatsq100.html
Today I was teaching my children how to self edit their writing. I took a photo in Skitch using my iPad and displayed it on my interactive board. I was then able to use various colours to highlight the important features of the text I was discussing with the children.
This tool can also be used to annotate any text or image. Annotations can be saved and printed.
I came across this awesome website that is linked to Scootle. Improve is a formative assessment tool that is now available to all teachers and students in Australia. Improve allows teachers to create tests in a student-friendly online environment. We have speaking in great length about behaviour management and engagement, this is a great support to engage students in the assessment process by using ICT. I have not yet had time to spend in creating any assessment, but if you get a chance I would love some excellent examples. I will look into this over the July holidays in aim to have our Semester Two teacher devised assessments incorporating the use of ICT. https://www.improve.edu.au/
Do you remember the ‘Infinity Wall’ activity? It is where a group of people are given a post-it note, then asked to write down their idea about a particular subject and stick it up on a whiteboard. There is now a digital way to do this, and staff/students don’t even need to be in the same room! Padlet is a fantastic Web 2.0 tool that allows you to collate ideas from students/staff in the one place. Have a try and post your definition of ‘Education’ on my Padlet… Made with love: http://padlet.com/wall/Rainbow85
Thank you to Miss McGowan for introducing us to the set of Little Monkey apps! There a 14 in the set, currently we have 6 of them on our iPads. I will be putting all of them on the new image for Term 3.
There is a great website www.littlemonkeyapps.com that has great teaching ideas for each app including extension and discussion points. These apps can be used from Foundation to Year 6. Sarah and I have been planning weekly tasks for our children using these apps. This week they are learning about double facts using Ladybird Maths.
These apps also link to the Australian curriculum http://www.littlemonkeyapps.com/australian_curriculum
Thanks to Bec Spinks and Mrs Cotter for putting me on to Good Reader! Great PDF annotation app that allows you to create an annotated copy of a PDF file.
I have been experimenting with collecting running records and letter ID data this way… and guess what?! It transfers over to Evernote so the data can be saved in the student notebooks! Gone are the days of having to photo copy running record sheets, they will always be at the ready!
Another Techy Breaky will be held in the staffroom this Wednesday morning from 8am – 8.15am to assist anyone with Evernote, then 8.15 – 8.30 to show how Good Reader works. Hope to see you there!
Mad Libs is a fun and engaging introduction for teaching Nouns, Verbs and Adjectives. I used it when I taught 3/4. Sarah originally introduced Mad Libs to me in print form, although this interactive site is great for using on TVs/boards.
After students completed the game I used to print the stories out and keep them in a book on our bookshelf. The kids loved it! http://www.funbrain.com/brain/ReadingBrain/Games/Game.html?GameName=MadLibsSchoolRules
