Tuesday Tips: June 9, 2015

TECH TIPS:  Vocaroo

This one I discovered for Lisken, who needed a way for her Spanish I students to do a quick recording of themselves speaking and that she could possibly access while in Nicaragua.  Vocaroo is an online audio recording tool that you don't need to sign up for and will easily save your recording as a link that can be emailed.  It is super easy to use.  Just hit Record and start talking.  

This could also be good for leaving sub plans, just email the link in with your recording of what you expect of the students and have the sub play it. 

To get a sense of how it works, here's a quick recording I made with a special summer reading suggestion in it:  http://vocaroo.com/i/s0xgilgdAMS9

BOOK TIP:  The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

This is a quirky, feel-good novel about a genetics professor who is a bit socially awkward and unable to connect to people in a "typical" way.  He sets out to scientifically find himself a suitable wife, based on his very specific needs.  Thus, begins his Wife Project.  Into the mix, comes Rosie who fits none of his criteria, but yet, they have a connection.  A great summer read to help you escape.

Tuesday Tips May 26, 2015

TECH TIP:  Tinkercad 3D Design Software

Tinkercad is a free browser-based software that allows you to design three dimensional objects.  The designs you create can be saved and loaded onto the library's 3D printer.  Kathy Erickson and Kristi Farina's Geometry classes just completed a project using the software and printing out their designs.  I'd love to find more ways to collaborate on ways to use the 3D printer in your classes.  Let me know if you have any ideas!

BOOK TIP:  How We Got To Now by Steven Johnson

In the spirit of making and innovation that the Makerspace and 3D printer give the library, a book that reflects on six innovations that made the modern world.  A readable, fascinating story of invention, mistake and the modern world.  Like how air-conditioning led to the largest migration of humans in history (hint:  air conditioning allows millions to live in cities like Dubai and Phoenix).  Also became a PBS series:  http://video.pbs.org/program/how-we-got-now/

Tuesday Tips May 12, 2015

TECH TIP:  Free Summer Online Courses

Looking a course to keep you engaged this summer?  Here is a list of online courses for teachers this summer.  The list was put together by Teach Thought.  Possible courses include technology courses, a course in getting ready for the AP Chemistry test, and many others.

There is even a course on becoming a better chess player (for those who want to take the trophy from Aaron Fisher).

BOOK TIP:  Testing

Since the library has been taking over by AP testing this past week, a few books on TESTING.

Standardized Test: Opposing Viewpoints  This book looks at the pros and cons of standardized testing and their role in education and the college process.

Confessions of a High School Word Nerd edited by Arianne Cohen and Colleen Hinder.  This book promises to increase your SAT score while laughing your gluteus off.  It is a compilation of ten essays that incorporate words found on the SAT Verbal test. 

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau.   16 year old Cia is chosen to take The Testing in order to attend University.  However, she realizes that those who don't pass The Testing are disappearing.  A futuristic, dystopian adventure.

This Is Not a Test by Courtney Summers.  A story in the vein of Lord of the Flies.  Five teens are trapped inside their high school as zombies try to break in.  But the teens inside start to turn against each other.  Who will survive this battle?

Tuesday Tips May 5, 2015

Every Tuesday, a tech and book tip to support your work in the classroom.

TECH TIP:  Alternative Assessment Ideas / Multimedia Projects

 Came across this in the blog Cult of Pedagogy and I like all the options it gives for students to show what they've learned.   Some good possibilities here for end of year assessments.

BOOK TIP:  The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

This is what we selected for our most recent student book club book and has been well received by those readers.  This is the first book in a series.  The Earth has been invaded by aliens.  The alien attack came in a series of waves, and this book tracks the 5th wave of alien domination.  Cassie and Ben are the two main narrators.  A gripping story of survival and determination in an apocalyptic world.  

Tuesday Tips April 28, 2015

TECH TIP:  Robben Island Tour from Google Cultural Insitutue

If you haven't checked out the Google Cultural Institute before, you have to.  It is incredible.  The Robben Island exhibit is the newest offering.  Here, you can take a virtual tour of Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela and others were imprisoned.  There are also interviews with Robben Island prisoners and a timeline of Robben Island.  

BOOK TIP:  Stories of Nelson Mandela

The Long Walk to Freedom:  The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela    

Mandela is an international hero and political crusader.  This is his story of oppression, resilience, and mostly courage and hope.  

Nelson Mandela:  A Life in Photographs by David Eliot Cohen and John D. Battersby  

This book chronicles the life of Nelson Mandela through the lens of photo-journalist David E. Cohen.  Many are never before seen photos.  Both moving and uplifting.  

Tuesday Tips April 14, 2105

TECH TIP:  Adobe Voice

Adobe Voice is an iPad App that makes videos quick and easy.  It is an easy process to add in your text, images, or icons.  You then hold the record button down to narrate your story.  Pick a theme and a piece of music and your video is ready to go.  A great way to have students create videos or do digital storytelling.  

I made the library 3rd Quarter Report using Adobe Voice.   The video is just under 2 minutes long.  https://voice.adobe.com/a/WAP5l

BOOK TIP:  The Tyrant's Daughter  by J.C. Carleson

This is young adult book that captured me right away.  It is the story of Laila, whose father was dictator of an unnamed Middle Eastern country.  After his assassination, Laila and her mother seek exile in the US.  She must now adapt to life in America while also trying to find a way to solve the international crisis unfolding in her home country. 

Tuesday Tips: April 7

TECH TIP:  Tagxedo Word Cloud Creator

Tagxedo creates word clouds out of text that you either copy in or take from a website by adding in the URL.  It groups together words and, based on the number of times it is used, makes certain words larger.  A good tool for students to analyze text from a novel, a news story, a speech, etc.  

You can customize your clouds with different shapes and colors.  Allows you to save your cloud as a JPG file.  

Here is an example one that I made using the feedback from the IP faculty conversation.  You can see the words that came up repeatedly are larger.   

BOOK TIP:  Books about WORDS

Since the Tech Tip had to do with words, here are three books on words.

The Word Exchange by Alena Graedon.   In this dystopian novel, the death of print has come.  We are all reliant on our tech devices to share our thoughts and words.  The editor of the final edition of the print dictionary goes missing, and so begins the suspenseful chase to find out what happened to him.  A thrilling, cautionary tale of the reliance on technology.

There's a Word For It by Sol Steinmetz.  Organized by decade, this book looks at the explosion of language in new words since 1900.  Those of my age, think "boom box" and "break dancing".  Fun to peruse. 

Word Savvy by Nancy Ragno.  A grammar lovers book.  This book helps you to select the perfect word every time and how to avoid common word mistakes, like confusing word pairs (capital or capitol?)  and common mis-speaks ("escape goat" "by the power invested in me").  Little quizzes included too!