Finding Great Tech Ideas and Resources

There are a variety of internet resources that can help you find great technology ideas and resources. Blogs, Twitter and podcasts are just a few. Below are some of my favorites.

 Blogs:
Note: To make following a variety of blogs super easy, set up a Google Reader account.
Google Reader Help Sheet-
http://gcisdgoogle.wikispaces.com/file/view/GoogleReader.pdf
More info about blogs and Google Reader- http://gcisdgoogle.wikispaces.com/5.+Google+Reader

 Free Tech 4 Teachers
http://www.freetech4teachers.com/

Langwitches Blog- Elementary iPad integration ideas
http://langwitches.org/blog/

iPaddiction- Middle school iPad integration ideas
http://ipaddiction.blogspot.com/

TechChef4U
http://www.techchef4u.com/

Technology Tidbits
http://cyber-kap.blogspot.com/



Twitter:
Note: Try TweetDeck to make Twitter more manageable!
http://gcisdleadwithtechnology.blogspot.com/2012/04/tweetdeck.html

 John Evans
https://twitter.com/joevans - Posts a daily Scoopit online newspaper called iPads in Education. 

John Samuelson
https://twitter.com/ipadSammy

Buck Institute PBL
https://twitter.com/biepbl

GCISD Tech Tweets
https://twitter.com/#!/search/realtime/%23gcisdtech

GCISD Digital Classroom Tweets
https://twitter.com/#!/search/realtime/%23gcisddcp


 Podcast:
Subscribing to Podcasts in iTunes Helpsheet-
http://gcisdtraining.wikispaces.com/file/view/Subscribing+to+Podcasts+in+iTunes.pdf/

 Appy Hour
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/techchef4u



Do you have a favorite blog, Twitter feed or podcast? Add yours in the comments below!




Using Google Forms


Google Forms are an excellent way to collect information from students.  Students can fill out the form without having to login to Google so there's no worry about the age of your students and Google's terms of use.

 How to Create a Google Form Helpsheet
http://gcisdtraining.wikispaces.com/file/view/Google+Forms.pdf/345106966/Google%20Forms.pdf
(if you don't already have a Google account, you'll need to create a free one before beginning.)   

 80 Interesting Ways to Use Google Forms in the Classroom


 More Resources
Coppell ISD Site-
https://sites.google.com/a/g.coppellisd.com/googleforms/

 Google Forms in the Classroom
http://tbarrett.edublogs.org/2008/08/23/10-google-forms-for-the-classroom/

Self-Grading Quizzes
http://www.tammyworcester.com/TipOfWeek/TammyWTechTipOfWeek/Entries/2010/2/15_Tip_81_-_Google_Docs_Self_Check_Quizzes.html

How to Publish a Quiz Using Google Docs
http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2010/01/how-to-publish-quiz-using-google-docs.html

iPad Apps and Resources to Get You Started!



Apps to Get You Started!

Screen Capture:  Show Me, Screen Chomp, Educreations
Mind Mapping (Thinking Maps):  Idea Sketch, Popplet, Simple Mind
Photo Projects:  Skitch, Juxio, Fotobabble
Digital Story Telling:  Toontastic, Puppet Pals, Scribble Press, StoryKit
Audio:  Smart Record, VoiceThread
Student Response System: Socrative Teacher and Socrative Student
Drawing: Doodle Buddy, ColorBox HD

Productivity:
BrainPop
Bump
Qrafter
QRBeamer
Scan
Flashcardlet
Wonderopolis
PDF Notes
iBrainstorm and iBrainstorm Companion 

Resources for Finding Apps

iPads as...
http://edtechteacher.org/index.php/teaching-technology/mobile-technology-apps/ipad-as 

Finding Apps by Blooms, NETS
http://www.appitic.com/ 

Websites that Work on the iPads:
http://gcisdtechlessons.wikispaces.com/iPads+-+Websites+that+Work  

Suggested Apps:
http://gcisdtechlessons.wikispaces.com/iPadApps 


Elementary:
ABC- Magnetic Alphabet HD
Paint Sparkles
PBS Kids
iBooks

Math:
Hungry Fish
Math Duel
Everyday Math (catch them when they're free)
ABC Clock- great clock manipulative
Tangram HD
Tangram
Factor Samurai

Reading/Language Arts
Misc. Book apps- search StoryChimes, iReading HD and LAZ Reader
Misc. Phonics and Spelling apps- search Preschool University
Misc Grammar apps- search NRCC Games
Futaba
Spelling City (coming soon!)
StoryLines
Poetry Creator
Visual Poet 

Science:
Science 360
TinkerBoxHD
Geared HD

Social Studies:
Google Earth
Today in History


Secondary:
iBooks

Math:
Factor Samurai
Home Design HD

Reading/Language Arts:
Scribble Press
StoryLines 

Science: 
Science 360
Geared HD
3D Brain
TinkerboxHD
How Stuff Works 
NASA HD

Social Studies:
Today in History
History Maps of the World
MyCongress
Presidents vs. Aliens Lite