Rocky+Mountain+District+--+October+2010

Notes and links from the three sessions in Breckenridge, CO, October 2010 = = =Technology Trends Teachers Need to Know:=

iPOD and iPHONE APPS REVIEW SITES:


 * iEar.org: A site dedicated to grading mobile applications for the education community.
 * AppShopper: Commercial site dedicated to identifying and rating mobile apps of interest.
 * Appolicious: Dedicated to helping users find apps they love. Includes apps for iPod, iPhone, iPad, and Android phone system.
 * iPads for Education: Ning social network dedicated to finding ways to embrace iPad devices for the classroom.
 * [|iPod for Educators]: Ning social network dedicated to finding ways to embrace iPod Touch devices for the classroom.
 * iPods and iPads in the Classroom

E-READING RESOURCES:
 * Project Gutenberg: Free ebooks for Kindle, iPad, Nook, Android, iPhone, iPod Touch, Nook, and many other readers. Over 33,000 titles available.
 * Audio Owl: Site for downloading free audio books. A great option for struggling readers.

=Professional Development for the 21st Century Educator:=

TOOLS AND SERVICES I USE FOR MY PLN (Personal or Professional Learning Network):
 * Twitter
 * TweetDeck: 3rd party Twitter organizing software. May be used with PCs, Macs, and mobile devices.
 * Educators to follow:
 * Lutheran Educators: @dawblack, @dgrice, [|@rjacklin], [|@gailpotratz], @kevcreutz, @jasonschmidt123, @WhendeeG, @coachburk
 * Other Education Leaders: @web20classroom, @jasontbedell, @gret, @rmbyrne, @NMHS_Principal, @gcouros, @courosa, @teachakidd, @wfryer, @Jenwagner, @kditzler, @grade1, @cybraryman1, @tomwhitby, @shellterrell, @kylepace, @larryferlazzo, @elanghorst, @dkuropatwa, @mcleod, @wfryer, @willrich45, @skipz, @budtheteacher, @edtechsandyk, @coolcatteacher, @tonyvincent
 * [|Diigo]: A knowledge sharing service that can be utilized for a variety of professional purposes.
 * Favorite Ning networks for Professional Development:
 * Technology in Lutheran Schools
 * Classroom 2.0
 * Technology Integration in Education
 * Ning.com: Search for other education-related networks here.
 * Google Reader: A Web-based aggregator that brings Internet content to you rather than having to repeatedly visit multiple Internet sites to find content of interest. See the video below:

GOOGLE READER IN PLAIN ENGLISH:

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 * Ministry Technology Mentors: Graduate level courses in educational technology through Concordia University Wisconsin at a fraction of the normal cost. Also provides school training and leadership in educational technology integration.
 * Free Technology for Teachers
 * TED Talks: Engaging talks on technology, entertainment, and design. While most talks don't specifically address education issues, they are a great way to keep up with current trends and to learn more about what our future, and the world that our students will experience, might be like.

THE NETWORK IS THE LEARNING: WHY EVERY EDUCATOR NEEDS A PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LEARNING NETWORK:

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=Harnessing the Power of Wikis for Student Learning:=

WIKIS IN PLAIN ENGLISH:

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FREE SERVICES FOR WIKI CREATION:
 * Wikispaces: Click here for an ad-free site for wikis connected with education.
 * PBWorks

GEOGRAPHY WIKIS:
 * 6th Grade group research project
 * My trip to Africa
 * Create a Country project
 * Australian Animal Reserves

HISTORY WIKIS:
 * 8th grade history content creation wiki
 * 8th grade U.S. history wiki designed to research questions from history and publish answers
 * Constitution Day wiki for an entire school
 * Early Native American Tribes

LITERATURE WIKIS:
 * Anne Frank book discussion
 * Red Pony book discussion
 * The Hobbit book discussion
 * Holes book discussion
 * The Outsiders book discussion
 * A Wrinkle in Time book discussion
 * My Side of the Mountain study guide
 * Screwtape Letters book discussion

WRITING:
 * 5th Grade Journal Writing
 * Middle School Book Reviews

MISCELLANEOUS EDUCATION WIKIS:
 * Comparing Hemispheres: Fascinating collaboration project between a northern hemisphere and southern hemisphere school.
 * Examples of Education Wiki: Huge list of wikis created for classroom and education purposes from all over the world. Examples available for nearly every grade level and subject.
 * Survivor MD
 * The 100th Day Project
 * Firstgradeland wiki

PROFESSIONAL WIKIS:
 * 21st Century Learning at Shepherd of the Hills: View the new lessons, activities, and projects created by teachers at Shepherd of the HIlls Christian School, Centennial, CO, that relate to both specific digital age learning skills as well as the core curriculum.
 * Shepherd Assignments: Wiki for sharing daily assignments to students and parents in the middle school at Shepherd of the Hills Christian School, Centennial, CO.
 * Teacher wiki site for a 5th grade classroom
 * A 6th grade information wiki for the class
 * [|Resources from Dave Black for educators]

ADDITIONAL WIKI INFORMATION:
 * Information on setting up Wikispaces accounts without student email addresses
 * Presentation notes from another presentation on using wikis in education
 * Wiki presentation from Wendy Greve in the Michigan District