Free Teacher Resource of the Day App by Simple K-12


The school year has ended and many of you are enjoying your summer and many I assume are teaching summer school like I am. I have an online class this summer with 63 students, Yikes!  

I have been a member of Simple K-12 for years, and have even presented for them.  Recently, they came out with an App to share one resource a Day.  Thought you might be interested, even if it is summer. It’s free so you have nothing to loose by checking it out.
Looking for free teacher resources? This is the App for you! Receive free access to top-rated, award winning classroom resources for teachers.  

These educator-created and approved resources are sent to you daily, exclusively through this App.

Sign into SimpleK12’s Teacher Resource of the Day iPad App and discover a new free teacher resource every day. Receive daily inspirations to spark a new idea, refresh a lesson plan, or engage your students in new and exciting ways.  

TYPES OF RESOURCES INCLUDE:
•Instructional Videos
•eBooks
•Lesson Plans
•Educator Interviews
•And much, Much, MORE!

TOPICS INCLUDE:
•iPads and Mobile Learning
•Digital Storytelling 
•Common Core State Standards
•STEM 
•Literacy 
•Special Education
•Google
•School Safety
•And much, Much, MORE!

To access your Resource of the Day, sign in to your FREE SimpleK12 account. Don’t have one? You can create a free membership quickly and easily once you have downloaded the App. Just click the “Sign Up for SimpleK12.com” button of the App welcome screen.

Eliminate Junk Mail with Unroll.Me


I learned about Unroll.Me from David A. Cox,  of PC Class Online, a weekly podcast I subscribe to and this week, it is a great episode.  Only a minute and a half video about Unroll.Me.  But very useful!

Tired of junk mail? Check out Unroll.Me It's a free service that scans your e-mails and automatically unsubscribes from e-mail services. Links below! Let us know how you made out in the comments. Unroll.me only works on certain e-mail services like Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, AOL, and Hotmail. 

Youtube tutorials 1:35: 

Website: https://unroll.me 

Description: Decluttering your inbox has never been so easy, or looked so good. With Unroll.Me, you can unsubscribe from unwanted emails, consolidate sales/newsletters/listserv emails into a convenient daily digest called the Rollup, and keep the rest in your inbox. Stop stressing over your inbox and get back to spending time on what matters to you. Download Unroll.Me and get back the “you time” you’ve been missing.

App Store, FREE:  (it is actually an iPhone app, but works on your iPad too)

Paper by 53 iPad App


Paper - Notes, Photo Annotation, and Sketches by FiftyThree

Learn more at the Website: https://www.fiftythree.com
Paper 53 App: https://hec.su/b1fB 

DESCRIPTION
When inspiration happens, put it on Paper. Paper is the best way to capture and connect your notes, photos, and sketches. Create checklists, spotlight details in photos, and sketch diagrams with unbeatable speed and ease — Paper is like a wall of sticky notes for everything that inspires you.

CAPTURE
Paper’s swipe-to-style formatting makes creating checklists and notes faster and more fun than any other app. The photo spotlight tool helps you quickly clarify essential details. 

CONNECT
Bring text, photos, and sketches together. Keep your ideas organized, and see everything in one place to make connections you can’t see in siloed lists. 

COMMUNICATE
Paper’s unique visual notes are designed to help you get your point across quickly and precisely. Paper also lets you share your ideas any way you want to, including as professionally-formatted PDFs, Keynote and Powerpoint presentations. 

I learned about Paper by fifty three back in 2012. I sketch or diagram frequently. Paper 53 makes it so simple., it's magic!  I also use the app to draw.    Paper can transform any simple sketch I make into something amazing.  Now I am using it for my not taking...Sketchnotes.   I have also included some resources about Sketchnotes.

The tools give tons of opportunity for creativity.  Save Images to your camera roll or share online. Save images as JPG or as PNG. The PNG option is awesome because it means that the white background is transparent. 

In the classroom, Paper is good for:

• taking notes
• practising handwriting
• practising cursive writing
• sketching
• drawing
• technical drawing
• watercolours
• learning about colour
• blending
…and much more!

Resource: http://sketcho-frenzy.weebly.com 

Don’t take my word for it. Have a go yourself.


A wonderful video introduction to visual note-taking
 


BitGym: Super Charge Your Workout!

Alright, something a little different today.  BitGym.  After your Walking Steps challenge recently, maybe we all need to step it up a bit more.  

Are you ready to enjoy a unique cardio experience? Take your cardio machine, bikes, treadmills, ellipticals, steppers and Ergs,  through the most beautiful locations on Earth with your iPhone®, iPad® or Android. Try it free!

Fuel your workout with speed-interactive exercise tours from around the world.  About 25 FREE tours, so it would be quite a while before your are bored and wanted to upgrade for the Premium account.  The Premium Account is $7.99 a month or $79 for a year. 

Dr. Stoney shared BitGym with me, she has been using only the FREE version for quite some time now.  


Apple Devices: 



BitGym's breakthrough software will track every step you take by using just the front-facing camera on your tablet or smartphone.

BitGym upgrades your cardio machine with stunning interactive trails from around the world. Each tour can be streamed instantly or downloaded locally for use at the gym. 

Note: Please make sure to allow camera access to the app once it asks!

NEW Workout with world class trainers in the Coached tours section. Many are FREE!

- No hardware required - BitGym tracks your exercise speed by using the front-facing camera on your device.
- Works on any bike, elliptical, stepper, erg or treadmill - just place your iPhone or iPad down so you're in view and start exercising. 
- Our library of 80+ tours is available via streaming or local download. 
- View the tours to your TV using an Apple TV or an HDMI cable. 
- Constantly growing - With new tours added regularly, BitGym will keep surprising you.
- Track all your workouts and calories burned using the new Health App! (iOS 8 / iPhone only)
- Connected your Bluetooth Smart (LE/4.0) heart rate monitor for heart rate monitoring and increased accuracy in calorie counting. 

Instant Streaming: Or local download for offline use at the gym.
Universal: Works on bikes, treadmills, ellipticals, steppers and Ergs.
Interactive: Tours play at the speed of your exercise, pulling you into your workout.

BitGym Promo
 

New Padlet iPad App and it is FREE

Padlet iPad app: https://hec.su/bQSA FREE

I am always looking for ways I can use technology to help enhance learning in my classroom and I’ve been a fan of the Padlet website  for some time now, but lately had been wishing there was an iPad app, 

Wish granted….. Padlet has released an iPad App.  Yippy Skippy!!!!  It functions the same way as the website, so not much of a learning curve, but with an additional very cool feature that teachers will no doubt love.  When you want students to join your Padlet wall, they can scan a QR code with the Padlet app to instantly join.  No need for a separate QR code scanner app.  So one less thing to worry about.

What is Padlet exactly.  It is a blank slate or wall where you can collaborate.  But very different from Google Docs collaboration!  Padlet takes the concept of a blank piece of paper, and lets you put whatever you want on it and share. When you are done adding and putting things onto your wall, you can share it with others in a variety of ways.  By things, I mean, text, links, videos, images, and even attachments.  

In my opinion, the best feature of Padlet is the ability to collaborate with others easily. When you share your wall with someone or a group of people, they can contribute to your wall with the same features that you have.  It really is a great way to join forces easily and looks very nice when completed. Hold a discussion, collect resources, share information and more.  

My one suggestion, is to choose the Grid layout, otherwise you have to organize the “tiles.”  I did an App Smackdown a while back, where students added their favorite apps, http://padlet.com/ded318/26sjklf5uerd.  We did this in class in about 15 minutes!!

A few more resources and examples for Padlet:
How to Use Padlet
 

Tech Edge, iPads In The Classroom - Episode 150, Padlet on the iPad
 



Resource for Wednesday: SoundCloud for Audio Recording & Podcasting

SoundCloud is excellent, and an extremely easy audio recording app. It is also a web-based tool https://soundcloud.com.  

SoundCloud really does make it simple to record, save & share your studio recording. 

Recently, SoundCloud introduced SoundCloud for Podcasting. It creates the RSS feed.  This is AWESOME,  Why?  Creating that RSS feed normally is not an easy task, but SoundCloud for Podcasting makes it effortless to publish your podcast to a variety of sources, including iTunes.   

 "We did the complicated stuff so you don’t have to. Upload to one place, and your podcast will play anywhere on the web, as well as in podcast apps.”

  • Embeddable players. Share your tracks anywhere on the web, while maintaining control and insight into play activity.
    Twitter cards.  Sharing your episodes in people’s Twitter streams is as easy as copy/paste. In fact, we have seamless integrations with all major social networks.
    Timed comments.  Get even closer to your audience. See what they have to say about your podcast throughout each episode, and respond! Whoever said hearing a podcast is a solitary experience wasn’t hearing a podcast on SoundCloud

Take a look at SoundCloud for Podcasting,  it is uncomplicated to publish your audio recordings now!!  

Maybe you have always wanted to publish a podcast, but were not sure how to make it happen.  The solution - SoundCloud for Podcasting and iTunes might just be exactly where you want your recording to be published. Problem now solved!! Record your class lectures, your students, instructions, thoughts, etc.

I was recently in an elementary classroom and the kids were recording themselves reading.  The teacher told me she was using SoundCloud to document their reading progress and test for reading fluency and she shares these recordings with parents. The possibilities are endless and now there is a simple way to record & share.  You can publish your recording pretty much anywhere, including CANVAS, your blog/website or even keep it private.

  • Link to SoundClouds directions  https://on.soundcloud.com/creator-guide/podcasting 
  • Link to Apple instructions for publishing a Podcast: https://www.apple.com/itunes/podcasts/specs.html (although you don’t need these if you are using Soundcloud for Podcasting)
  • Link to the iPad App:  
  • Link to the Kindle Fire App: 

    SoundCloud

    Product by SoundCloud Ltd. More about this product
    Price: $0.00
     (since our students are using Kindle Fires in Block C, a link the the app I am sharing for the Kindle Fire will be included whenever possible).

Soundcloud tutorial:  



Resources archived at http://cdk.posthaven.com

Resource Wednesday: Sway-online presentation creator from Microsoft

 Free https://sway.com 

Reimagine the way your ideas come to life

A new online presentation creator from Microsoft that is getting attention from the education community.  I am not a big Microsoft fan, but this actually look excellent.  For me to recommend a Microsoft project mean I must be pretty darn impressed, I am even surprised myself.  It’s free, doesn't require installation and works on all browsers and devices.

Sway by Microsoft is an intelligent app that helps you express your ideas on an interactive, web-based canvas. It’s integrated with the web, social networks and your devices, making it easy to drag and drop your content from a variety of sources right onto your canvas. The built-in design engine integrates that content into a cohesive layout without any hassles. From there, you can easily modify the design to create a look and feel unique to you. The results will look great on any screen and can be sent to coworkers or friends as effortlessly as sharing a link.

Checkout the video and see how it works:  

Eventually you will be able to sign in using your eID, but that is not possible at the moment, so you need to create an account.

10 ways to use Sway

Sway is 100% teacher friendly and can be used in variety of different ways. Check out Pip Cleaves form the Australian Teachers Blog top ten ideas to get you thinking of ways to use Sway in your teaching.

  1. Presentations – Teachers and students can use Sway as a presentation tool for learning
  2. eTextbooks – create your own eTextbook with links, information, videos, images and questions. You can then direct students to different website, using Sway as the base learning pathway
  3. Picture Books – get students to create a storybook using Sway
  4. Experiment and Research Reports – use sway to show research, experiment videos and results. You could even make your next science report using Sway
  5. Artwork or Multimedia Portfolio – Use Sway as a product portfolio to show a number of your own creations. Spend some time to explain what your project was, and why you created it
  6. Dictionary – Sway would make n awesome picture dictionary for English as Another Language or Language Other Than English students. Set groups the task to create dictionaries complete with audio tracks (uploaded to sound cloud)
  7. Book and Film Reviews – This multimodal tool makes a wonderful platform for students to create literacy focussed tasks such as reviews and analysis pieces
  8. Professional Learning Resource – Create a Sway for professional learning by bringing together links, help, examples and advice for teacher colleagues with which you are working
  9. Flipped Learning content delivery – use Sway to deliver your unit of study. Bring all the content together and allow students to view it at home in one space. Share the link, and you’re done
  10. School Showcases – Bring the best of your school together, simply choose images, text and video then embed your Sway on the front page of your school website. What a cool new way to share your school’s success.

Friday Resource: Ignite Teaching: Collaborate on Multimedia Projects

 

Ignite Teaching: FREE APP:  The perfect tool for collaborative Project Based Learning through digital projects. Best of all, Ignite Teaching features detailed analytics that will allow you to assess individual student contributions in every group project. 

Students can finally collaborate on multimedia projects. Create the project titles and share with your students with an invitation code. Students join the project and build their slides that can include pictures, text, and video. 

Students can work on their part of the project on their own device and at their own pace. When the team is finished, they submit their work and you can see it from your account and know exactly who did what. You'll be able to see qualitative and quantitative analytics on individual student contributions in a group project through the assessment tools.

It also gives a link to view on the web.

Ignite Teaching allows you to have multiple projects running at the same time but, it is also possible to have students work on independent projects. 

It even has a browser version, but there are limitations and it warns you about accessing all features, to use the iPad app. 

  • Add text, images, and videos
  • Drag and drop content
  • Leverage layers and effects like transparencies, rotation, colors and border to customize content
  • Projects can be multiple pages
Getting Started on the iPad GUIDE: http://iurl.no/e82gs
Getting Started on the web version: http://iurl.no/7cu49 

iPad Resource for Wednesday: Receiving & Making calls on your iPad

Receiving & Making phone calls on your iPad

Easy Peasy!! And very helpful for those times when you hear your iPhone ringing, and your phone is someplace else.   As long as your iPad & iPhone are both running iOS 8, and are on the same Wi-fi connection, making and receiving calls on your iPad is a breeze.


Incoming calls show the caller name, their phone number and their profile picture–assuming there i a profile picture in your contacts.  Just click or swipe on the notification to answer the call.  And the best part is that you can even respond with a quick text message if it is inconvenient to take the call.  

To make a call on your iPad, just tap on a phone number from your contacts list or any phone number displayed in Safari.

To set-up your iPad so that you can make and receive calls go to Settings 


FaceTime and select iPhone Cellular calls to the “on” position.  

You can also choose to receive FaceTime calls. And choose which of your connected phone numbers and email addresses will share your cellular connection between your iPad to your iPhone when on the same Wi-fi connection. In other words, you can be selective.