Tons of Tips and Resources for Integrating Technology in Classroom

April, 2015
We have just finishing reading Tech Tips for Teachers and we found it really a wonderful resource worth the shout-out here. This is basically a free eBook (around 32 pages) that features a wide variety of interesting tips and insights to help teachers integrate technology in their classrooms. The great thing about this work is that it is realized by people from within the trenches, they are fellow teachers with years of experience teaching with technology.

The resources featured in Tech Tips for Teachers are organized by grade levels. There is a section for grades PreK-2 compiled by Andrea Crawford, another section for grades 3-5 compiled by Laura J, and the last section for grades 6-12 authored by UtahRoots. You can browse through the section you are interested in and you will find tons of materials, printable, templates, and several other resources mentioned there. The entire book is an easy read and is full of visuals and pictures. This eBook is available through Teachers Pay Teachers for free but you need to be registered with them to download it. Registration is free too. Enjoy

Follow us on : Twitter, Facebook , Google plus, Pinterest .

A Wonderful Multi-purpose Rubric for Teachers

April 20, 2015
We just came across this wonderful rubric on Edutopia’s Facebook page and we thought you might want to have a look as well. This rubric which is created by Cait Camarata, Edutopia's visual designer, is a multi-purpose sample. You can use it to assess and evaluate any kind of classroom activity whether it integrates technology or not. The rubric uses five criteria:

Teach/concepts:
It assesses understanding of concepts, materials and skills used in activity.
Habits of Mind:
It assesses conceptual and thinking processes involved in the performance of the activity.
Reflection and Understanding:
This one evaluates students self-awareness and understanding of the content of the activity.
Craftsmanship:
Assesses students skills in crafting and organizing their work.
Effort: 
This one evaluates time and effort put into completing the activity.

This rubric is available for free download and in editable form from this page. Google Doc version is also available. Enjoy.

 Follow us on : Twitter, Facebook , Google plus, Pinterest .

A Very Good Rubric for Evaluating Students' Multimedia Projects

February 11, 2015
Here is another wonderful rubric for evaluating multimedia projects in your classroom. This rubric which I came across through North Carolina State University website is realized by Multimedia Mania. As a teacher, you can use this document in your instruction to assess your students’ digital projects. The rubric uses a wide variety of criteria grouped under different colour codes.

From the technical design of the project to citing resources, the rubric covers almost every aspect you will want your students to attend to while doing their multimedia projects. This document is also available for free download from this link.

 Follow us on : Twitter, Facebook , Google plus, Pinterest .

Google's New Guide for Integrating Technology in Schools

January 11, 2015
Google for Education has recently published this wonderful guide to help schools make a seamless shift into the world of digital learning and teaching. The guide is geared towards assisting schools integrate innovative educational technologies using a five step approach. Here is a brief overview of the main headlines of this guide. You can access the full unabridged guide from this LINK.

1- Define Your Goals

• Understand what your school hopes to achieve by getting education online
• Map your IT needs and consider open technology
• Align with your stakeholders on the technical requirements and potential solution offerings
• Determine your school’s current capabilities and systems
• Understand the work required

2-Invest in access

• Understand your infrastructure needs
• Improve your infrastructure management
• Upgrade your Internet connectivity for a better web experience
• Implement LAN and WiFi solutions to promote online learning anytime, anywhere

3- Build your team

• Create an internal support team
• Assemble a deployment team

4-Offer web tools

• Unlocking the potential of web-based learning
• Integrate your solution

5- Manage change

• Develop skills
• Spread the word
• Manage the solution

Follow us on : Twitter, Facebook , Google plus, Pinterest .