#ISTE Gems: Want to Create Your Own App?

Have you ever wanted to create your own App? I know that is something that I have been very interested in doing, but I just didn't have the time and resources necessary to learn the coding required.

While I was at #ISTE13, I walked by a demonstration called AppShed. With a few clicks of a mouse, you can very easily create your own App and have the ability to share it with others. My demonstrator showed us how he was going to make an App that featured the Pixar movie Cars. It literally took him 10 minutes to put together the App, which featured links, pictures, and YouTube videos. When he was finished, he shared the address of the App through a QR code. All of us were able to download it onto our iPhones and use it immediately!

Imagine the possibilities of AppShed in our classrooms. We could design an App for students to study for the chapter test on Friday. We could design an App with summer resources to help promote summer reading! Regardless of the grade level, this could be very useful to educators, parents, and students.

I am pondering some ideas of my own for next year. How about you? Leave comment ideas below.

Although there are several different priced versions, there is a free version of AppShed available. It does contain ads and limits the amount of downloading and data that you can use; however, it can be very useful to creating an App for your classroom. Give it a try and let me know what you think about it!

#SimplyNoise is a Great Way to Focus

A few days ago, I needed to get out of the house to prepare for a presentation I was making. Usually I head to the local library, but I needed a caffeine fix and headed to my local Starbucks instead. I love the smell of coffee, but I am often distracted by the sound of music, cash registers, and personal conversations. 

I came across a website called SimplyNoise to help drown out the background noises and chatter. It gave me several different "types" of noise to choose from: white, pink, or brown. After using it for an hour, I was amazed at how it improved my concentration. I was able to enjoy my coffee and still be  productive!

Imagine how our students could use this site to study. Many of my students tell me that they need some type of background noise while they do their homework. Most of our students have the television on, listen to their iPod, or chat with friends. SimplyNoise may be a great way for students to have non-distracting background noise to help improve their concentration. No Internet access? There is even an App that they can download on the iTunes store for .99 cents. This is perfect for playing on an iPhone or iPod while on the bus ride home!

I am currently using it as I make this blog post. Ironically, my four year-old son and eight year-old daughter are playing together nicely, the television is tuned to Nick Jr. and my wife is on the phone. The best part is that I can't hear a thing! 

#ISTE13 GEMS: Plan Board

Check out my son Trey and I on our own "boo":

One of the things that I love most about conferences like #ISTE13 is that you have the chance to connect with people face to face. Regardless of how much technology changes the way that we socialize in the 21st century, I am still convinced that meeting face-to-face will always be necessary.

Introducing PlanBoard

As I had mentioned before, I was working in the Edmodo booth demonstrating the new AudioBoo App (more on that later). Several educators from around the world stopped by to see the App and also give me some great blog ideas! I was talking with a gentleman from Houston who introduced me to a free lesson plan creation site called PlanBoard.

PlanBoard gives educators the ability to easily create lesson plans, find lesson plans, collaborate with others, share materials, track standards, and share lesson plans with students and parents. In the era of the Common Core, educators are more concerned than ever about meeting every single academic standard. PlanBoard not only lets you record which standards you have met, but it will tell you which standards you have not met.

I love the fact that you can keep every single lesson plan from an entire school year in one place! What's even more exciting is the fact that there is an iPad App in development! Can't wait!

How Will I Use It? 

It's July and already I have a few ideas! I have been searching for a way to share my lesson plans electronically with administrators, students and parents. I have experienced problems when I tried creating Google Docs to share with others through out gradebook system.

I've tried creating websites, sending out emails, and even printing out all of my plans. I've decided that I am going to try PlanBoard this year and see how it works! I'll let you know what I think in a later post!

#ISTE13 GEMS Series

If you were at ISTE 2013, then you were amazed by the quality of speakers, vendors, and ideas!
After listening to the final keynote speaker @adambellow, I was inspired to "be the change" that I can be. I realize that I am a little fish in the big "Ed-Tech" pond, but I do hope to make at least a ripple!

Three years ago, I began this blog with a simple idea - share free resources with as many educators that will listen. I hope this same message holds true today! Either you are still listening or I enjoy listening to myself!

Either way, I would like to launch my new July series titled #ISTE GEMS. This series I would like to share some of the best ideas that I received from you! Thank you!

Matt

#Remind101: A Safe and Secure Way to Text Students and Parents

I love asking for suggestions on story ideas because I always get the best information from you! An amazing science teacher and former colleague of mine, Jen Kieffer, sent me information about Remind101. She uses it to communicate with large groups of students and parents via a single text message. Not a bad idea in the mobile and fast-paced digital age!

This is a free site, which you can sign up as a teacher to send text messages to students and parents. Before you tune me out, the best part is that you do not have access to your student's cell phone information and they don't have access to yours!

You can use Remind 101 to send out a blanket text to any student or parent who signs up for your class. Send out homework reminders, project reminders, class events, etc. with a simple text.

How does it work? 

First you have to create a Remind 101 account by using an email address and password. Next you set up the name of your class or group. You will also be prompted to create an access code (aka password) for students to text you later.

Once you have set up a class, Remind 101 will create a special phone number (for texting purposes only). Students will need to text your special access code to this phone number. Once they have done this, they will receive a confirmation text from Remind 101 and can begin receiving texts from you.

After these simple steps, you can begin texting your entire class with just the click of a mouse!

Check out how schools are using it in the video clip below:

Have Your Students Create Temporary Webpages with #DinkyPage

Several years ago, I read Thomas Friedman's book The World is Flat. It made me think about how technology and collaboration is changing the way we educate, communicate, and do business. It inspired me to create a new high school course called International Business, where the primary focus of the course was to teach about globalization and inspire collaboration. My students were asked to collaborate by creating a business idea through a Google Site. My students loved the project; however, it did pose a few frustrating logistical and technical issues.

Many of us would like for our students to create webpages, but we may lack the patience or technical knowledge necessary to create one. A few days ago, I was talking with a colleague of mine and he introduced me to a sited called Dinky Page. It is a free and easy-to-use web-based program that students can use to create basic webpages. It is very user-friendly and takes very little effort to learn.

When you create a page, you can go back and edit it at anytime simply by accessing a special editing page URL. It is suggested that you bookmark this URL or send yourself an email with the link. What if your students forget or lose their web address? Dinky Page can email you your URL by sending you an email. Best of all, you can go back and delete the page later!

If you want your students to create a basic page, this site is perfect! If you have more "advanced" students, they can also enjoy using HTML code or embedding different objects like Flash!

I am looking forward to next school year, so that I can try this! Imagine the possibilities when your students can show what they know in a creative way!

#SummerResolution Series: Twitter

I never realized the power of social networking in education until a few years ago when I joined Twitter. It is a perfect place to connect with people who share common interests, like educational technology. Many educators are skeptical to use the social network because they don't understand it; however, it has become one of my most favorite and powerful professional development tools.

This became a reality to me when I was asked to present at PETE&C this past February. Just going out on a limb, I sent out a tweet stating that I was presenting and for my followers to stop by and say hello. I never realized how many of my followers would actually do so. In fact, I made some valuable face-to-face connections with that I never would have without the help of Twitter.

How can Twitter help? 

Many of my friends think that I am really smart and know so much about educational technology; however, the truth is that I am getting all of these resources from other educators across the globe. I like to think of Twitter as my own AP news-wire, where I can receive valuable news and new technology ideas.

I also use Twitter to participate in "chats" like #edchat so that I can discuss new ideas and learn from other motivated educators. Many of these chats are open to anyone who is interested in learning more about a particular topic. It is always amazing at how much everyone brings to the table. It is also inspiring to be around so many motivated people at one time.

Finally, Twitter makes me aware of educational technology events happening across the country. Whether its an #edcamp or the TLC at the Beach conference in Myrtle Beach, I now have the possibility to attending these events because I know actually about them through my connections.

Conclusion: 

As our world flattens and our society becomes more global, it is important for educators to extend their connections beyond the confines of their school district. The changes in education and technology have connected us in new ways and tools like Twitter have made it possible to share, collaborate, and connect.