Tired of purchasing your own technology because the school/district doesn't have the funds in the budget....I know we can't buy everything new and shiny that comes out, but come on! Sorry...where was I...Oh, a way to poll your audience is something that many of us would like to use technology for, but we don't have the "clickers" or Active Expressions for each class. Well, here is a way to get around the cost, for you personally and yet, get that coveted "exceeds expectation" for technology integration. Introducing, well for some... Poll Everywhere.
Most students have mobile phones that they bring to school, and I know the school policy states no cell phone use on campus during school hours. However, this can save the school mucho $$$$! The service for a single use educator is free to use up to 30 member audience. You create the poll, students use their mobile phones to text in his/her response and you get a live display projected in your classroom in real time. Of course, texting rates do apply (Check with parents first to see who has unlimited texting. All of my students did.) It's that simple!
You can even use Poll Everywhere directly with Keynote on your Mac or Microsoft Powerpoint for Macs. Just download Poll Everywhere to your applications and while you are presenting, you have access to your polls that you can put directly into your presentation. Pretty cool huh! Come on, you use for American Idol, why not use it for your classroom?
As much as I like to stay up-to-date with what the student culture is immersed in, I must admit this one slipped pass me. Now, you all know how much I enjoy integrating technology in everything I do, especially when it comes to social communication. I blog...of course, but not just for you. I blog personally also. I've gotten more into tweeting and actually socializing via Facebook among other networks. Since I've dawned upon my iPad, I truly enjoy integrating all my social networks in one application. Well, regardless of what we choose to believe, our students as young as 2nd grade are using the same social aspects online as we do, if not more. To prove it, I accidentally, by using the parental controls on my daughter's computer, found a group of young music artist that has successfully collected all the popular social media application and amalgamated them on a single website. The appalling issue is this is a group of young men who are taking the social music world by storm, regardless of their talent, or lack there of and young girls are salivating relentlessly. Because the group is so connected, 24/7 access is given to their lives and the girls are responding. Don't believe me, check out the Mindless Behavior official website.
Am I truly ready for my 10 year old to be a groupie? Ugh!!!
The thing that leaves the worst taste in my mouth when I talk to teachers about technology is how intimidating new products are or I hear that the learning curve is too high. Well, check these students out as they master the iPad.
Now, talking for these kids seems to be a bit of an issue, but imagine how well they could communicate using devices like the iPad.
Now, the little girl above is simply leaning cause and effect, while full comprehension is lacking. However, she is already a problem solver. So is this next little girl. Supposedly, this is her first experience with the iPad, but check out how she figures our how to manipulate the device. Obviously, she has had some exposure to technology as she intuitively swipes through the pages, but her lack of fear creates amazing discoveries.
Forgive the mess in the house on this video. Just check out the excitement that comes with discovery and play.
So, if they can do it, so can you my fellow teachers. Once, TAKS is completely done, I'll spend more time sharing great apps for all your handheld devices that you may be using in the classroom. Don't worry, you'll catch on.
Have you seen this image when opening Keynote on your iMac or Student Macbooks?
Well, this Apple's way of allowing PC users to view mac only work online. Many times my students will produce a Keynote presentation/movie or a Pages document and then complain that his/her parents can't see their work because they don't have a Mac. Not any more. With the new way to share in Apples latest update of their iWork software, you and your students alike will be able to publish work from Keynote, Pages and Numbers online and anyone with the link to your project can not only view, but can leave comments about the work. Cool part is, sharing can be password protected, so not everyone with a wifi signal can peek in our student work and you can even view on a PC!
Sharing is simple. Just click the share button on your tool bar and let common sense take over and C'est fait, you did it.
So now you and your students can produce stunning presentation and now everyone can see... that you choose of course. You can also, produce your products as iWork documents, Microsoft Office documents or as a PDF. Cool part is, you can share from either your Mac or iPad. Just thought I'd share!
Check out Apple's site for wonderfully done videos to show how all of this can be done.
Tired of purchasing your own technology because the school/district doesn't have the funds in the budget....I know we can't buy everything new and shiny that comes out, but come on! Sorry...where was I...Oh, a way to poll your audience is something that many of us would like to use technology for, but we don't have the "clickers" or Active Expressions for each class. Well, here is a way to get around the cost, for you personally and yet, get that coveted "exceeds expectation" for technology integration. Introducing, well for some... Poll Everywhere. 
You can even use Poll Everywhere directly with Keynote on your Mac or Microsoft Powerpoint for Macs. Just download Poll Everywhere to your applications and while you are presenting, you have access to your polls that you can put directly into your presentation. Pretty cool huh! Come on, you use for American Idol, why not use it for your classroom?
