Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Blog? Glog? .....Caught in the "smog" of online communication tools for kids today?

Are you looking for a project that will connect your kids with kids around the state, nation, or world? Snail mail is still a viable option but also is blogging. Take a look at KidBlog to learn more about how you can get your kids blogging! Blogging began for adults that wanted to share information on a particular topic with others whom have similar interests. What you are reading now is a blog that was created with Blogger. Be sure to stop by today's Lunch and Learn to find out more about Blogging.Blogger Tour will give you an overview of how to set up your own Blog.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Blogger and Web Quests Lunch and Learns Scheduled for Wednesday, May 25th

"Learning More About Web Quests" was our seventh session since we began our weekly tech lessons at Central Road. Every day is a popular day for activities and events here at Central Road and because the PBIS Circus celebration coincided with the Lunch and Learn there were half the amount of staff at the session.  Jeanne and Kim  will update the Web Quest highlights and combine it with our Blogger session next week on Wednesday, May 25th. Hope to see you next Wednesday!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Here is a Sample of a Library QR Code Quest

The sample quest shown below is one example of how  we can incorporate QR codes into daily cooperative learning opportunities. If you click on the play button on the Slide Share you will get a better look at what makes up this very cool tech search through a school library.   Qr code quest_table
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Web Quest Resources

The links below will give you several web related sources you can use to lead your kids on a web Quest across the internet. Enjoy browsing and feel free to share any sites you find helpful to others. In the future, once we have some devices that can read QR Codes...we can create QR Code Quests!


Teachers First Web Resources
Image Detective
Starfall - Make your own calendar
Teachers First site main page
Globetrekker for Kids

Be sure to read the descriptions on the Teachers First pages they are well written and show how you can use the examples in your classroom.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Web Quests - Our next Lunch and Learn 5/18 LRC

Take an idea, perhaps a subject area kids are not too thrilled about and turn it on its head with the creation of a web quest. The kids will just love traveling through cyberspace on a guided journey you have created for them. Chances are someone has already created one that you  could use as a guide or just as it is. Here are a few examples;

1st Grade Butterflies
Life Cycle of a Butterfly
2nd Grade Dinosaur Web Quest
Dinosaurs
3rd Grade Space Exploration-
Planet Web Quest
Looking for a site on Space Exploration in English and Spanish? Here is one idea...NASA SpacePlace
4th & 5th Grade - Exploration-
Lewis and Clarke Adventure
6th Grade -
A Plethora of Web Quests 
Death in Rome interactive online game.

Interested in learning more about the University of Illinois Extension website for kids? Check out some great online resources that might help you with your next webquest.




QR Codes Handout


The QR Code above is an interview with author Grace Lin.
Here is where you will find an electronic version of our last handout on QR Codes.
A QR code (short for Quick Response) is a specific matrix barcode  (or two-dimensional code), readable by dedicated QR barcode readers and camera phones.


The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded can be text, URL or other data.
Common in Japan, where it was created by Toyota subsidiary  Denso-Wave in 1994, the QR code is one of the most popular types of two-dimensional barcodes. QR is the abbreviation for Quick Response, as the creator intended the code to allow its contents to be decoded at high speed.


Use this link to create your own QR.
QR codes in Education  
Web 2.0 QR code    
Ways to Use QR Codes  

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Today in Kim's Room- Elmo Tips and Tricks and Smart Tech without a Smartboard

Be sure to stop by Kim's room to refresh your memory on a few Elmo Tips and Tricks. Jeanne will be sharing info on the Elmo and Kim will be presenting on using the Smart Software with a wireless mouse. Hope you can make it! All who attend will receive CPDU's - be sure to sign up when the clipboard comes around. See you soon!