Tuesday Tips September 29, 2015

TECH TIP:  Vibby:  Breaks YouTube videos into highlighted segments

Vibby is a site that lets you break down YouTube clips into segments.  You highlight the parts you want students to see and you can add in comments or note things for them to pay focus on when watching.  When they watch the video from the unique URL you give them, Vibby plays only the highlighted sections.  You are also given the option to watch the complete video.

BOOK TIP:  For The Good of Mankind?: The Shameful History of Human Medical Experimentation by Vicky Oransky Wittenstein

In this book, Wittenstein examines the secret past of human medical experimentation.  The book looks into experiments beginning in the 1700's, and looks at both sides of the issue: patient rights and doctors and researchers looking to improve medicine.  The book also explores more modern medical dilemmas like stem cell research.  

Tuesday Tips September 22, 2015

TECH TIP:  The Google Science Fair

The winners of the 2015 Google Science Fair were just announced.  The Grand Prize winner is 16 year old Olivia Hallisey, who developed a cheap, rapid and portable test to detect the Ebola virus.  Check out all the winners here:  https://www.googlesciencefair.com/en/

And check out the Google Science Fair Idea Board, where you can put in your interests, hobbies, etc. and it will give you possible science fair topics to explore.  

BOOK TIP:  The Scar Boys by Len Vlahos

As a child, Harry was tied to a tree by bullies.  When that tree was struck by lightning, Harry is burned over much of his body, leaving him disfigured and scarred.  Music - particularly punk rock - becomes a release for him.  But how do you tell a college admissions person all of this in a 250 word essay?  This becomes his essay of recovery, friendship, and mostly hope.  

Tuesday Tips September 15, 2015

TECH TIP:  Remind

 Remind (formerly known as Remind101) is a service that allows teachers to set up classes or parent groups and send them text messages.  The service sets up a phone number for you, and it is primarily a one-way service, (you can now set it up so they can text back to you) so you will not be overwhelmed with text messages.  

This could be a great way to send out homework and test reminders or updates on changes to due dates, requirements, etc.  You can set it up ahead of time when the messages go out.

I had done this as a 10 Minute Tip last year, and here is a more complete overview of the program:  https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1AszuYYkz5trtzZHnajiPy0kW3plsrKFGp22NpbLy5tY/edit?usp=sharing

A teacher tried it after last year's 10 Minute Tip and a student complained that, "My teacher kept texting me this weekend."  While the student was not happy about the interruptions, it does show that they got the messages and paid attention!

BOOK TIP:  How It Went Down by Kekla Magoon

This is a "ripped from the headlines" novel.  Tariq Johnson is shot and the whole neighborhood is through upside down.  Tariq is black and suspected of being in a gang, the shooter was white.  The chapters of the novel alternate between different viewpoints of the event and its aftermath.  A gripping, fast-paced read.  

Tuesday Tips September 8, 2015

TECH TIP:  Voice Typing in Google Docs

 This is a great new feature of Google Docs - you can now just talk and your words get typed automatically!  From the Tools menu, select Voice Typing, hit the microphone and go.  Here is a quick video tutorial of me using it.  So cool!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvW6fPR8YRg

BOOK TIP:  The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton

This was my favorite book of the summer.  A story of winged girl.   Magical realism at its best, because it really isn't about the wings at all, it is about an unusual, quirky family and how they try to fit in to "norma"l society over several generations.  Glorious writing, pulls you right in.  To me, it was reminiscent of Jeffrey Eugenides Middlesex.

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?