Alternitives to Homework: A Chart for Teachers

While looking through my Google reader, I stumbled upon a chart of alternative assignments for students that are different from general homework. I already do a few of these things, however it would be great to incorporate more and more of these ideas into my classroom, especially my 7th grade math class. This is a great chart to look at and start thinking about incorporating right now, while we have time in the summer! Enjoy!

http://www.teachthought.com/teaching/alternatives-to-homework-a-chart-for-teachers/

Summer Math Apps

I wish I would have stumbled across this list of different math apps prior to the end of the school year. It would have been a great website to show my students before they left for summer. Some of the games seem pretty interesting. I downloaded few of them. The one that stuck out the most was called Pick-a-Path. This was more of a middle school or upper elementary app that dealt with operations, mathematical thinking and problem solving. I think many students would enjoy messing around on this app. Next year I'll have to show this app to my students and make a competition out of it!

Parents Views on BYOD

I read an interesting article about parents views on students being able to use cell phone and other devices that allow them to be connected to the internet. Most parents want their child to have access to the most up to date technology so that when they move on to higher education they are prepared and are the most marketable. This makes complete sense, so why not let the students have access to using these devices to better their education. Obviously there needs to be restrictions as to when and how the device  is used, but why not let students use them when the situation is appropriate.

#Facebook

As I was reading through my google reader I found out that Facebook is now joining what Twitter has done with hashtags. I do have a facebook account and a twitter account that I generally check daily. I use facebook to stay in touch with old friends, and I use twitter to say up to date on more newsworthy information; by looking at similar hashtags. I am curious to see what new and innovate ways facebook will incorporate hashtags. So, facebook fans keep your eyes open to see the hashtags that will soon take over your news feed.

Twitter's Vine App Officially Comes to Android

Just recently I got introduced to the Iphone Vine app. I haven't really had a chance to use it yet, however I have looked at a few vines (posts). It seems like a very user friendly app and I think it has potential to be an cool app to use in school. Vine is basically a 6-10 second video, that looped back to beginning. It would be fun to have students create a vine that would be educational. Students could use them as a study tools. Since we are having final exams this week, I thought it could be neat to create a vine about the quadratic formula for my Algebra 1 students. If I get one created and figure out how to post one, I'll try to get it on my blog! Has anyone used Vine in school yet? If you have let me know, so I can add you on my friends list and I can check your vines out!

While skimming through my RSS feed this morning, I found a great article about BYOT (Bring Your Own Technology). This article has 11 different sample policies to help you create your own school BYOT use policy. It was very interesting reading through these use policies. It really made me think that this is something that could work in my classroom and in my school. I plan on printing a couple of these BYOT use policies off and giving them to my principle. I think it is something that needs to be strongly considered for next school year! Hope this comes in helpful to others that are curious about BYOT!

http://www.teachthought.com/technology/11-sample-education-byot-policies-to-help-you-create-your-own/