Software – Page 2 – iLearn Technology

Tangram House

August 5, 2009Kelly TenkelyLeave a Comment1783 views

What it is: I love tangram puzzles, so when I found Tangram House I was thrilled. This online version of the Chinese puzzle lets students select a puzzle to complete and work with 7 tans (shapes) to fill the puzzle. The tans can be rotated, flipped, and dragged into place. The puzzles can be completed online or downloaded for free as an offline game.

How to integrate Tangram House into the classroom: The format of this website would be appropriate for an interactive whiteboard activity. Split students into teams that will take turns at the board forming the tangrams. Encourage the students who are not at the board to help out with good directions and clues for the student working on the puzzle. This is a good way for kids to practice giving and receiving quality instructions and descriptions. Tangram House could also be used on classroom computers as a math learning center or individually in a computer lab setting.

Tips: Play online or download for free and play offline.

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using Tangram House in your classroom.

GeoEdu

June 22, 2009Kelly TenkelyLeave a Comment15676 views

What it is: GeoEdu is a free software download for both Macs and PC’s. The software contains two parts, the first is an atlas with interactive maps and details for each country including the capital, flag, land and water borders, length of the coasts, the population, official languages, internet and country code, currency, international organization membership, and more. The second part of the software is a game offering more than 100,000 geography questions about worldwide geography. The game lets players give an answer or choose to answer with clues or multiple choice. After answering a question, students can view their score and look at detailed data for the territory.

How to integrate GeoEdu into the classroom: I’m not sure why school supply stores still sell the pull down atlas, with all of the amazing atlas and map tools available for free, buying a map seems so last century! GeoEdu is a bright and colorful interactive atlas with great details for each country. This free software is perfect for use with an interactive whiteboard or projector. The game included is a great way to increase student geography knowledge. Play the game as a class during geography or any time you have a few extra minutes. Keep a running score going throughout the year that can be added to easily. GeoEdu is also a great download for classroom and library computers. Use GeoEdu as a geography/atlas center where students can stop by and interact with maps and play the game.

Tips: This site does require a download so be sure to add it to your wish list before the start of school.

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using GeoEdu in your classroom.

Stretch Break for Kids

June 16, 2009Kelly TenkelyLeave a Comment1751 views

What it is: As computers and one to one environments become more prevalent in schools, it is important to remember proper ergonomics. Stretch Break is a free software that is downloadable for both Mac and PC platforms. The software is designed to help prevent computer related strain injuries by reminding students to take breaks while using the computer. Every 30 minutes the software asks students if they would like to stretch. Full animated figures lead students through simple stretches. Then the software returns students to the task they were working on. Teachers can designate how long to wait between stretch sessions and how many stretches to lead students through in a session. Stretch Break for Kids was designed by a team of health care professionals. The stretches focus on the neck, arms, hands, back, legs, and wrists. The software also includes some important eye exercises. There are 20 stretches total, many that focus on prevention of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

How to integrate Stretch Break for Kids into the classroom: Stretch Break for Kids is a must for every computer lab. Any time that students are using a lab computer they should be reminded of proper ergonomics and learn how to properly stretch for health. Load Stretch Break for Kids on classroom computers and even on the computer that is connected with the Interactive Whiteboard. Throughout the day (you determine how often and how long) set Stretch Break to pop up and encourage students to stretch as a class. Even if they aren’t working at the computer all day, these stretches will help them get some blood flowing and release tension that can build up while they are doing their school work. This is a great one to download to your own computer, you need to be reminded to stretch too!

Tips: Stretch Break for Kids contains Ergo hints for healthier computing in addition to the stretches. Spend some time teaching your kids healthy computing habits, as technology becomes more and more available in the classroom, these healthy habits become more important. The free Stretch Break for Kids software is network compatible.

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using Stretch Break for Kids in your classroom.

Collection of Math Flash Games

June 10, 2009Kelly TenkelyLeave a Comment2235 views

What it is: This collection of Math Flash Games is free to download or use the source code to embed the games on your website. The collection of Math Flash Games includes Maths Hangman where students guess the math words before kicking the bucket, Mathionaire where students play the popular TV game with math questions, Higher or Lower where students use knowledge of probability, Countdown-a popular number and letter game, Numbers and Letters- another version of countdown with extra classroom controls, Maths Word Search where students hunt for hidden math words, Decanting puzzle -the classic jugs problem, Broken Calculator which challenges students to solve a problem with a broken calculator, Matching Game- memory matching up geometric shape and their names, and Hexagons where students put seven hexagons together like dominoes.

How to integrate Collection of Math Flash Games into the classroom: This collection of Math Flash Games is perfect for use with an interactive whiteboard, set up as a classroom math center, or played individually by students in a computer lab setting. The games will emphasize math vocabulary, problem solving skills, and several math concepts. Split students into teams and play games as a whole class using the interactive whiteboard. Embed games in your classroom website for students to play at school and at home. Hold a math challenge once a week where students can compete and play these Math Flash Games.

Tips: All of the games in the Math Flash Games collection are free to download and play. Every game requires a flash player.

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using Collection of Math Flash Games in your classroom.

Spell Quizzer

May 26, 2009May 26, 2009Kelly TenkelyLeave a Comment2493 views

What it is: Spell Quizzer is software that helps students practice their spelling words each week. Input spelling words into Spell Quizzer and use the software to study spelling words. Spell Quizzer plays back audio of the spelling word you record and waits for the student to type in the word. Students get immediate feedback about how they did. The software re-quizzes students on spelling words that were missed after the first run through. This software costs $29.95 but the creator has generously offered iLearn Technology readers a free copy of the software for one classroom computer. Parents can get a free trial of Spell Quizzer to find out how it works for their family. To get your free copy of Spell Quizzer fill out the contact form here: http://www.SpellQuizzer.com/Contact.htm. Be sure to mention that you are an iLearn Technology educator and use an email address associated with an education institution when requesting a free license.

How to integrate Spell Quizzer into the classroom: Spell Quizzer is excellent software for your classroom computer, record spelling words at the beginning of each week. Give students multiple opportunities to visit the spelling center to practice their words. We all know that not all parents help their kids study spelling, this is a great way to ensure that all students get some practice in.

Tips: Be sure to share this software idea with parents. Busy parents will appreciate the help with spelling practice! *Spell Quizzer is a PC only software currently…hopefully there will be a Mac version in the future.

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using Spell Quizzer in your classroom.

School Tool

May 6, 2009Kelly TenkelyLeave a Comment1580 views

What it is: School Tool is a collection of free administrative software for schools. This is a student information system that includes demographics, gradebook, attendance, calendaring and reporting for primary and secondary schools. It also provides a framework for building customized applications and configurations to meet the needs of your school.

How to integrate School Tool into the classroom: School Tool is an excellent alternative to expensive information systems. This open source solution is a great way to save some educational technology dollars to spend on additional hardware or infrastructure. If your school is looking at implementing a new comprehensive information system, definitely take a look at School Tool.

Tips: School Tool has documentation to help with installation and setup, an administrators handbook, a developers handbook, and a glossary of usage. These documents should have you up and running in no time!

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using School Tool in your classroom.

AR Sights

March 16, 2009Kelly Tenkely6 Comments3450 views

What it is: Augmented Reality, how cool is that technology? Dialing up the awesome factor a couple of notches is AR Sights. AR Sights is a company who makes it possible to view Google Earth right in a web browser and then zoom into places of interest (Pyramids, Eiffel Tower, etc) and take a look at them augmented reality style. The site brings landmarks to life in four easy steps. Download the browser add-on, download some points of interest, print out the AR Sights marker, and zoom into Google Earth and take a look. I am amazed at what this technology provides for students! Students can zoom right in and manipulate the landmark by moving the paper around. Now for the downfalls, AR Sights only works on PC’s right now, us Mac folks will have to hunt down a PC or wait until it is available for the Mac. The other downfall is the downloads, they require administrative rights (some of you may have to convince your IT to let you download this goody). After you print off the AR Sights marker, you hold it up to your camera and up pops the landmark you have chosen in Google Earth, as you twist, tilt, and move the paper the landmark moves accordingly. This is SO outstanding!

How to integrate AR Sights into the classroom: AR Sights makes virtual field trips so impressive! As your students are studying geography, allow them to travel around Google Earth and take a look at the landmarks. Use AR Sights with a projector or Interactive whiteboard to show your whole class landmarks at the same time. Create a travel center on your computers where students can travel around and learn about the world. AR Sights is a great way to bring geography alive! AR Sights also has a download to use with Google Sketch-up 3-D drawing program (free from Google). Older students can create their own 3-D augmented reality landmarks. Students could draw places of interest, your school, etc. and view them with AR Sights as augmented reality. Talented high-school and college age students (or ambitious teachers) could create Sketch-up models that can be used in education such as the skeletal system, a beating heart, the solar system, historical landmarks, etc. for students to interact with in 3-D augmented reality. The possibilities with this could be endless!!

Tips: I learned about AR Sights from a wonderful blog that my friend Raul writes from Spain called technoTIC, check it out! Thanks Raul!

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using AR Sights in your classroom. If you or one of your students creates a Sketch Up model for AR Sights let us know about it!

ActivInspire

March 5, 2009Kelly Tenkely3 Comments19752 views

What it is: ActivInspire is a new software from Promethean that is free! The free edition is a ‘personal’ license that can be used by anyone. The ActivInspire software works with ANY interactive whiteboard (SMART, Mimio, Wiimote Whiteboard, eBeam, etc.) and even for those of you who do not have an interactive whiteboard, use the software with just a computer and projector! The Promethean Planet website has thousands of lessons and resources that are free to access and can be used with ActivInspire to engage your students. ActivInspire has two launch options, the first is to launch in Primary function. In Primary, ActivInspire is very user friendly for primary elementary students. The second option is to launch in Studio with tools that are perfect for older students. ActivInspire works on Windows, Mac, and Linux based machines. Some of the goodies in ActivInspire include interactive protractors, rulers, clocks, grids, and more. New power tools include intelligent shapes and handwriting recognition. There are themed templates for fast and easy lesson building. ActivInspire supports flash files that can be embeded in Flipchart lessons. ActivInspire can open SMART and PowerPoint files, making it quick and easy to pick up any lesson and improve it.

How to integrate ActivInspire into the classroom: ActivInspire is software that can keep students engaged in any lesson in your curriculum. The software is incredibly intuitive and makes it easy to create amazing interactive lessons. The lessons (flipcharts) can be saved and shared among colleagues. Begin building a library of interactive lessons for your students. Be sure to visit Promethean Planet for thousands of ready made (FREE) flipcharts and activities to use with the ActivInspire software.

Tips: To see the possiblities of the ActivInspire software, take a look at Flipcharts created by the developers of ActivInspire. Promethean also has a great set of support tutorials that will have you up and running in no time!

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using ActivInspire in your classroom.

Number Gym

March 4, 2009Kelly Tenkely1 Comment3594 views

Number Gym is math software that can be purchased for the math classroom. However, they have a number of free online activities (examples of their software) that are perfect in the math classroom. I want to review each of these freebie mini-math games:

Exploring Fractions

What it is: Exploring Fractions is an interactive way for students to learn about fractions. Students see the fractions represented graphically and numerically. As students change the numerator and denominator of the fraction, they see the graphic change accordingly.

How to integrate Exploring Fractions into the classroom: Exploring Fractions is a great interactive site to teach your students about fractions. This is a wonderful website to use with an interactive whiteboard for whole class fraction instruction. Invite students up to the whiteboard to take turns adjusting the numerator and denominator of the fractions. Have students observe the graphic changes taking place and describe the changes as a class. Exploring Fractions is also very useful as a math center on the classroom computers. As students are learning about fractions, they can visit the computer as a visual manipulation center.

Tips: All parts of the Exploring Fractions website can be hidden (hide the numerator, denominator, or graphic). This is a nice feature for having students “fill in” the missing information.

Mr G’s Place Value Chart

What it is: Mr G’s Place Value Chart is a great mini-site to teach students about place values. The chart has a thousands, hundreds, tenths, and ones column. Students can drag counters up and down the chart to create numbers. Every portion of the Place Value Chart can be hidden from view depending on what you are using the chart for.

How to integrate Mr G’s Place Value Chart into the classroom: The Place Value Chart is an excellent visual manipulative to teach students about place value. Each time a student moves a counter, the number at the top of the screen adjusts accordingly. Use the Place Value Chart to teach your whole class with an interactive whiteboard. Call students one at a time to adjust the number with counters. Encourage students who are at their seats to observe how the numbers change. Hide the number at the top and have students move counters and say what the number is aloud as a class. This is also a great mini-site to set up as a math center in the one or two computer classroom. As students are working on place value, they can visit the math center for a visual manipulative.

Tips: Hide the columns that are not being used to teach with so students aren’t confused by all the ‘extras’.

Bond Builder

What it is: Bond Builder is a mini-game that gives students a ‘dot spotter’ that looks like a dice, students add the numbers on the dot spotter and drag it to the correct sum on a dial. They are timed as they drag the dot spotter cards to the correct location.

How to integrate Bond Builder into the classroom: Bond Builder is a fun basic addition or counting reinforcement game. This game could be played as a center activity in the one or two computer classroom or whole class with an interactive whiteboard. See who can get the fastest time and practice those addition facts at the same time!

Tips: There are two levels of dot spotters (really just different sets of dot spotter cards).

Table Extender

What it is: Table Extender is a multiplication game that gives students a challenging multiplication problem and asks them to drag the problem on top of the correct answer. Students are timed as they go through the various challenges.

How to integrate Table Extender into the classroom: Table Extender is a good way to get students practicing their multiplication. It makes them think quickly and attempt to beat their own fastest times. Split students into teams and take turns sending students to the interactive whiteboard to solve the problems. This mini-game would also make for good practice as a computer center in the classroom.

Tips: There are three different levels of Table Extender for students to work on.

Getting to Grips with Graphs: Trigonometry

What it is: Getting to Grips with Graphs: Trigonometry lets students explore the equation y=aSin(bx*+c*) through adjustments to a, b, and c in graphical form.

How to integrate Getting to Grips with Graphs: Trigonometry into the classroom: This mini-site is a wonderful visual representation of Sin. Students can adjust a, b, and c and watch the affect of changing numbers on a graph. Use an interactive whiteboard and call students up to change the values of a, b, and c. Encourage other students to observe and describe the changes of each value that is adjusted.

Tips: The scale of the graph can be changed to fit your classroom needs.

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using Number Gym in your classroom.

Literactive

January 16, 2009Kelly Tenkely4 Comments4309 views

What it is: Literactive is an outstanding website for reading material for pre-school, kindergarten, and first grade. The program is made up of leveled guided readers, comprehensive phonics activities, and supplemental reading material that is aimed at developing reading skills in a sequential, motivating manner. To use and view the site is free. To download material you are required to register but registration is also free. The guided readers are fully animated and each comes with a breakdown of every word in the stories. The Road to Reading is an interactive journey for students that moves them sequentially though pre-reading activities, alphabet awareness, letter sounds, short vowels, CVC word blending, initial blends, long vowels, and various phonic activities. There are over one hundred learning activities that can be used for individual or whole class use that can be downloaded for free. Worksheets are available in pdf format that correlate with each reading skill. An ESL version is offered for each guided reader, stories can be translated with the click of a mouse. E-picture books tell traditional tales for early readers and e poetry is a collection of interactive poetry including poems by Rober Louis Stevenson, Edgar Allen Poe, Edward Lear, and more. The Literactive website is packed full with reading activities for primary students that will have them on the road to reading!

How to integrate Literactive into the classroom: Literactive is a complete reading program that should be included in any primary classroom. I am amazed at the comprehensive list of activities, stories, and scope and sequence of this program. Because activities are downloaded, after having downloaded them your computer does not need an Internet connection to use them. Use Literactive as a daily reading center, individually in the computer lab setting, or for whole class instruction and reading. The activities on Literactive are highly motivating and provide an excellent foundation for reading.

Tips: Register for free today and transform your classroom into a reading-rich environment for your beginning readers! Thank you to @annemarie80 who sent a Tweet about this site!

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using Literactive in your classroom.