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Thursday, September 6, 2012

Technology Tips Giveaway

So I am feeling a little technology overwhelmed, I think.  I am excited to have access to technology with my students.  I feel like blogging has introduced me to some great sites I want to try, but I am not sure how often to introduce a new site to my students.  I really want to try Class Dojo, Booksource, Kidblog, Edmodo...the list goes on.  Anyone else have a strategy for introducing technology?  I have seen great posts on iPad apps.  We don't have iPads, but we are using Macs (which by the way are out of my comfort zone).  If you have followed me awhile, you know I am married to a gamer who is also a programmer. I am not afraid of technology.  We have 4 PC's at our house for two people (two are old though and not used much).  Macs are new to me as Apple products are forbidden at our house with the exception of my iPhone.  (It's a gamer thing for some gamers to hate Apple).

I know I need to sit down and play with Garage Band.  What other Mac programs are great for classroom use?   Any great apps (that are free or inexpensive we could use on Macs and not iPads?)  I am getting ready for my 400 follower giveaway, which I think I have decided to structure like lots of other giveaways recently with a giveaway each day over several days. In the meantime, help me out by entering my Technology Tips Giveaway.  You also can link up below with helpful posts you write or have written on Technology. 



A couple of posts I read today that got me thinking and inspired this giveaway:

http://peacocksandpenguins.blogspot.com/2012/09/using-technology-in-classroom-edmodo.html

http://mrslambsclass.blogspot.com/2012/09/welcome-to-my-dojo-tutorial.html

As I try out some things myself, I will try and share ideas/posts about how I try to incorporate more technology in my classroom. I would especially love ideas on how you use your Mac.  The prize for this giveaway will be $25 to either Target, Amazon, or Tpt.  It will be the winner's choice.


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21 comments:

  1. WendySeptember 7, 2012 at 5:14 PM

    I love technology, but I have the same problem knowing when and how often to introduce new sites. I tend to choose based on how well the kids are doing with newest one I showed them. I love to use the SMART board to introduce new things!

    Wendy
    scubaisfun1@hotmail.com

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  2. YearntoLearnSeptember 7, 2012 at 6:45 PM

    Here is one of my past posts with technology ideas.

    http://yearn4learning.blogspot.com/2011/06/grab-vocabulary.html

    Denise
    taskcard123@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. MeganSeptember 7, 2012 at 9:13 PM

    I love Sign Up Genius. I have 2 sections of language arts, so coordinating with 42 parents for conferences is no small task!! This made my life so much better last year.

    Megan

    I Teach. What's Your Super Power?

    ReplyDelete
  4. 4321TeachSeptember 8, 2012 at 8:22 AM

    Our district got Macs for the teachers this year. It was foreign territory to me too. I used it all summer, and I still feel like a beginner. I only wish I had time to blog about it! Hopefully I blog about it soon for you link up.
    What a great idea for a linky.

    EmilyK

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kate @ EduKate and InspireSeptember 8, 2012 at 8:00 PM

    I just found your blog because of your giveaway! I am now following you :) Do you follow Technology Tailgate? (http://www.technologytailgate.com/) There are a ton of great techie tips on there! You can also check out my tech-related Pinterest boards to find a bunch of ideas: http://pinterest.com/ktbailin/ Glad I'm following you!

    Kate
    EduKate and Inspire

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    Replies
    1. April WalkerSeptember 11, 2012 at 9:40 PM

      Thanks for showing me Technology Tailgate. I love it!

      Delete
  6. Miss NelsonSeptember 9, 2012 at 11:09 AM

    Hey April
    I just linked up. I get so overwhelmed and so do my students and parents. I try to introduce new sites slowly.
    Missnelsonattpt@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. DFrideleySeptember 9, 2012 at 1:19 PM

    Ooh, great site. I love the paisley.

    I found ClassDojo last year and I want, want, want to implement it. At the moment, my computer is seriously on the OTHER side of the room from my computer and I don't have a smartboard, just a projector and a screen. So, until I can get a kindle or a smartphone so I can use a app and walk around the room, I can't begin to use it.

    ReplyDelete
  8. iTeach 1:1September 9, 2012 at 1:31 PM

    I just linked up some of my tech tips. You mentioned you wanted to try Garage Band. You should try it- you'll love it! I just posted about Garage Band with some basic directions here: http://iteach1to1.blogspot.com/2012/09/using-garage-band-for-math-practice.html

    Like you, I was hesitant about Macs because I wasn't used to them, but now I've transformed into a diehard Mac girl. You'll love how user friendly they are for the kiddos. Good luck! :)
    Kristin
    iTeach 1:1

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousSeptember 10, 2012 at 11:25 AM

    Last year, my entire school used Engrade.com to pst grades so the parents and students can access them. I know there are other grading system websites, but the neat thing about Engrade is you can post assignments for students to access through a calendar, create a class wiki and link it to the calendar, and even create quizzes. The site also houses an attendance page and discipline page. I even used the discussion board section (I taught high schoolers). I gave the class a discussion question and they had to post their answer and reply to at least 3 other students ("I agree" didn't count). They loved it! I also want get to my (future) students to start blogging about their reading. Edublogs is a good place because it's strictly for educational purposes.

    Kandi M.

    readinginthemiddlerocks.blogspot.com

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  10. Kpaulson5September 11, 2012 at 9:43 PM

    I tecoend good websites via emails. Hoping to get iPads for my class. Looking for ideas!

    ReplyDelete
  11. EmilySeptember 11, 2012 at 11:18 PM

    Hello - On my blog I have a whole label with different websites I love - School Tube, Weebly, Pixel of Ink, Donor's Choose, and Internet 4 Classrooms.

    http://www.ilovemyclassroom.blogspot.com/search/label/Websites%20I%20Love - I don't know if this link will work, it's to the posts with label Websites I love.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. EmilySeptember 11, 2012 at 11:21 PM

      The post that I linked to was one from this summer - my Pixel of Ink (Free Kindle books for the classroom). Some teachers hadn't heard of it before and you can read it on a mac, iPad, kindle, iPod, etc...

      Delete
  12. RaeversSeptember 14, 2012 at 6:12 PM

    I do not have any tips...YET! I recently converted from a PC to a Mac (when my hard drive crashed for the second time the day before school started--and NO I did NOT back up :( ) So I am delighted to find your post and THANK YOU for initiating the input and big thanks to all those who shared. We use PCs in our district, so the Mac is completely foreign. I'm hoping to gain some knowledge. Great blog!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. debbieSeptember 15, 2012 at 9:49 PM

    I have been able to start using more technology in my classroom and the connection for students is powerful. I hope to learn more about how best to use it and to best use it to increase student engagement and learning.

    debbiehitesman@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. UnknownSeptember 16, 2012 at 8:49 AM

    Hey! I just found your blog linked up with someone :)! I am your newest follower and I hope you will stop by my blog totally dedicated to technology and find LOTS of tips! I absolutely LOVE technology and helping teachers integrate it into their class as much as possible. This year I became an instructional technology resource teacher.

    Sent From My iPad

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  15. UnknownSeptember 16, 2012 at 4:11 PM

    I've scheduled my post for your linky at midnight tonight because I already posted today and I don't want to be THAT blogger. I didn't want to forget to link up, so I linked up early. I hope that is OK. Great linky idea.

    Surfing to Success

    ReplyDelete
  16. LaurenSeptember 16, 2012 at 10:14 PM

    I had found your blog over the summer and I'm so glad that I ended up coming back today! I teach the computer technology elective at my school and I have some experience using the programs/apps that you mentioned!

    I'll double check my times on the linky ending and blog tomorrow. :) Yay!

    Lauren
    Life In Middle School

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    Replies
    1. LaurenSeptember 16, 2012 at 10:17 PM

      My recommendation is using Edublogs with the students - my class website is through edublogs and I have my pro account. I've been using the Formiable forms to use them as warm up turn ins and they work really well!

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