iLearn Technology – Page 84 – Integrating technology in the classroom

I’ll show you mine if you show me yours…

August 23, 2009September 8, 2009Kelly Tenkely4 Comments1498 views

Couldn’t resist the title 🙂 I’m starting to collect pictures of classrooms from around the world. If you haven’t shared your classroom yet, send me a picture tweet @ktenkely and I will add it to the collection. I always get such great ideas and inspiration from other teachers, with the start of school I thought it would be fun to see what you all are doing in your classrooms.

@sciencelabman also put his classroom into Photosynth for a 3D view

Angela Nix "Technology it's mmm mmm good!"

I also received pictures via blog post…because there are SO many good pictures/ideas and I couldn’t choose, I am going to direct you to the collections of class pictures.

@bknSimilarity shares classroom pictures here: Broken Similarities

@marynabadenhors shares classroom/school pictures here: Teaching and Learning in the Digital Age and here and here

Traci Blazosky shares her class pictures in the form of a Glog, they are awesome! Check them out here

Thank you to all who participated and if you haven’t yet…jump on in!

Classroom Pictures 2009-2010 School Year

August 20, 2009August 20, 2009Kelly Tenkely2 Comments2244 views

In my last post I requested pictures of everyone’s classroom for the 2009-2010 school year. I’ll be honest, so far only three of you have participated. I know the beginning of the school year is busy so I am going to be patient and wait a few more days. If you want to submit your classroom picture, send it to me via Twitter @ktenkely. To get the ball rolling, here are pictures of my classroom this year:

“Oh the places we will go on the Internet super highway”

Application Tree

Application Tree bulletin board

How to Grow a blog

Use Your Netsmartz!

Internet Safety bulletin board

Giant Keyboard for demonstration

Classroom quote “Intelligence is measured by your desire to learn”

Computer Lab Expectations

I love my lab!!

Okay, now it is your turn! Share your classroom pics with us 🙂

Calling all teachers!

August 18, 2009August 18, 2009Kelly Tenkely2 Comments909 views

Most of us are getting back into the swing of the new school year. Classroom set up is easy for some of us and a headache for others. I am always amazed at the little things that teachers think to do during classroom setup that helps the school year run smoothly. With this in mind, I vote that we share pictures of our classrooms. Take pictures of your classroom, bulletin boards, and any great organizational methods that you use. Send your pictures to me via Twitter (I am @ktenkely) I will collect all of our pictures and post them back here. Let’s help each other in our setup to make this year the best yet!

WDCS Life Size Whale

August 9, 2009Kelly Tenkely1 Comment2589 views

What it is: WDCS Life Size Whale is a really neat concept for a website. The site displays a life size whale on the computer screen, bit-by-bit and helps students gain an understanding of just how BIG a whale is. In the upper right corner of the screen is the entire whale with a red box showing which portion of the whale students are looking at.

How to integrate WDCS Life Size Whale into the classroom: This site is really best on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Students can get an up close view of a whale. Use this site as an introduction to an ocean or whale unit. Allow students to move around the whale to view the different parts up close and personal.

Tips: Learn more about the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) by clicking on the link in the bottom right hand corner.

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using WDC Life Size Whale in your classroom.

Dr. Arbor Talks Trees

August 9, 2009Kelly TenkelyLeave a Comment1711 views

What it is: Dr. Arbor Talks Trees focuses on tree anatomy and physiology. Students will learn some of the basic inner workings of trees, how trees grow and develop, the many uses of trees and their bi-products, and some basic chemical principles. The website is designed for 6th through 8th grade students (although I think it is appropriate for 4th grade).

How to integrate Dr. Arbor Talks Trees into the classroom: Dr. Arbor is the guide through this interactive website. Students learn all about trees and their inner workings through a series of activities. This is a great site to use for Arbor day, but the topic is appropriate year-round as part of the science curriculum. The website could be used with the whole class on an interactive whiteboard or projector, or navigated by students individually in the computer lab setting.

Tips: There are great free resources on this site, be sure to check them out!

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using Dr. Arbor Talks Trees in your classroom.

StoryPlace Elementary Library

August 9, 2009Kelly TenkelyLeave a Comment3466 views

What it is: StoryPlace Elementary Library has great printout activities, topsy turvy tales (interactive stories), and a suggested reading list. These interactive stories help making reading fun. The reading list provides students with great off-line reads.

How to integrate StoryPlace Elementary Library into the classroom: Use the StoryPlace Elementary Library topsy turvy tales as a reading center in the classroom. Students can read along with the interactive books. This site is great for struggling and new readers. The offline reading suggestions will help students find books that they will love during a trip to the library.

Tips: There is also a StoryPlace for preschoolers.

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using The Prince’s Rainforest Project for Schools in your classroom.

The Prince’s Rainforest Project for Schools

August 9, 2009Kelly TenkelyLeave a Comment2101 views

What it is: The Prince’s Rainforest Project for Schools is part of a campaign to help combat climate change by addressing rainforest destruction. Schools can take part by signing up and learning more about rainforests. The site features lesson plans, videos, fact sheets, a live webcam of the rainforest, photos, sounds, games, and assembly ideas. The idea is to spread awareness about rainforest destruction.

How to integrate The Prince’s Rainforest Project for Schools into the classroom: Support the rainforest by signing up your school and taking part in the Prince’s Rainforest Project for Schools. If you are teaching about the rainforest, make this site part of your teaching. The sounds, videos, and photos are excellent. Students can play games and complete activities that will help them learn more about animals in the rainforest. As students complete activities they can earn awards at each level.

Tips: There are great free resources on this site, be sure to check them out!

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using The Prince’s Rainforest Project for Schools in your classroom.

Skype an Author Network

August 9, 2009Kelly Tenkely2 Comments3290 views

What it is: The Skype an Author Network is doing what technology should do, connecting students to the world. The Skype an Author Network provides a way for teachers or librarians k-12 to connect authors, young readers, and books through virtual visits. Students can video chat with authors while they are reading books written by the author. There are two types of visits. The first is free and is a 10-15 minute meet the author session. The second option is an in depth visit. The length and fee of visit are determined by the author. There is a growing list of authors joining the network. Connect your students today!

How to integrate Skype an Author Network into the classroom: Set up a virtual visit in your library or classroom today. Before the visit, encourage your students to come up with well thought out questions before the visit. It would also be a good idea to test Skype on your school network prior to setting up a visit.

Tips: Check back often, the list of authors is constantly growing.

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using Skype an Author Network in your classroom.

Exploring the Secret Life of Trees

August 9, 2009Kelly TenkelyLeave a Comment2056 views

What it is: Exploring the Secret Life of Trees is a neat interactive site for 3rd through 5th grade students designed to help them gain an appreciation of trees, observe trees in every day life, and develop an interest in learning more about trees. Students will learn about the basic parts of a tree and their functions. They will also learn about conservation and renewable and non-renewable sources.

How to integrate Exploring the Secret Life of Trees into the classroom: There are several suggestions for using the Secret Life of Trees site in the classroom. These activities meet objectives in science, math, fine arts, language arts, and social sciences. Use the Secret Life of Trees as an introduction to a larger unit about trees. The site can be used with an interactive whiteboard or projector with the whole class or as a center activity in the classroom.

Tips: If you fill out the Secret Life of Trees request form on the teacher page, they will send you a free Secret Life of Trees poster.

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using Exploring the Secret Life of Trees in your classroom.

Explore Butterflies

August 9, 2009Kelly Tenkely1 Comment2653 views

What it is: Explore Butterflies is a neat interactive site where students can explore and learn about butterflies. Students can test their butterfly smarts, build a butterfly habitat, observe butterflies in a virtual field observation, and learn about butterflies and climate change. This collection of activities, quizzes, and games, is a fun way for students to learn all about butterflies.

How to integrate Explore Butterflies into the classroom: If butterflies are part of your science curriculum, this site it a must see. The site teaches all about butterflies and encourages student interaction. This would make an excellent science center, or activity for students to complete in a computer lab setting. Because of the way the site is set up, it would also be a great site to use with an interactive whiteboard and student response system (clickers).

Tips: The reading on this site may be challenging for younger students. This would be a good activity for younger students to complete with older buddies in a computer lab.

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