My Favorite Apps or Tools for 2013 ....

My Favorite Apps or Tools for 2013 ....

colAR Christmas Tree

2013 has been a great year to explore new apps and web tools.  Listed below are just a few of my favorite apps or web tools.

Apps or Web Tools to Try:


If you haven't tried these tools or apps I suggest you give them a whirl.



A Year in Review - 2013

A Year in Review - 2013

In 2013 I did a lot of growing professionally and personally.  My goal was to become a connected educator and not a fade away.  I attended the MACE conference in March which was the spark I needed.   A passion in wanting to learn more came from that conference, that is when I realized I was a life long learner.  I spent a lot of time in 2013 teaching myself how to create Green-Screen effects and then turned around and taught whoever would listen to me.  Augmented Reality become my other passion.  I just had to learn more about what it was and how it worked.  Once I learned what it was I wanted to create my own Augmented Reality pieces.  My classroom is overflowing with AR objects, I've even taken it to the hallway trying to capture as much attention as I can.  I've introduced teachers to AR and watching the ideas fly out of their minds in how they could also use AR in their classroom has been amazing.

I attended my 1st edcampKS and edcampKC were I met a lot of amazing educators from around the mid-west area who just like me have a passion to be a life long learner.  If you get a chance I totally recommend attending an edcamp near you.  I also attended EdmodoCon this year and boy did the ideas start flowing.  From attending Podstock, EdmodoCon, & EdcampKS I became inspired to create a Global Project.  Now I get the opportunity in 2014 to share how I created my Global Project.  I will be presenting how to create a global project at the MACE 2014 conference and at the ISTE 2014 conference.  I just know that my story will spark a project or two.

My Recommendations:


  • Learn at least 1 new Tool and use it in your Classroom
  • Connect with someone who inspires you
  • Embrace your Passion and share it with others
  • Sit in on a Twitter Chat - Great way to Connect and Learn
  • Attended a SimpleK12 Webinar - Great way to Connect and Learn
  • Read a Teacher's Blog
  • Read a Student's Blog
  • Attend a Edcamp
  • Don't be afraid of technology! - You really can't break it!


2013 was a great journey and I am glad a I met some amazing teachers to share that journey with me.   I am not sure what 2014 will hold for me, but I do know it will be even better!





Dreaming with My Eyes Wide OPEN....

Dreaming with My Eyes Wide OPEN....

Technology is aways evolving, changing, expanding, and reinventing itself.  I think that is why I love teaching with technology so much.  I never get bored and love learning new ways of using technology, I also love sharing how to use the technology.  I have been seeing teachers embracing the use of Google Glass in their classroom.  Every time I hear that a teacher has the chance to use Google Glass my mind goes into overload.  Just think of the possibilities Google Glass can offer.

  • 1st Person Video Guides or Tutorials 
  • Use of Augmented Reality
  • Creating Augmented Reality
  • Creating One of a Kind Interviews, Stories, and Projects with Green-Screen effects
  • Learn New Languages or just Translate a Language
  • For Observations
  • A Student's View of a Lesson or a Teacher's View of the same Lesson
  • Making Connections through Google Hangout
  • Record Research, a Science Experiment, or Document the Learning Process
  • Use to Reflect on an Assignment or Lesson
  • Record a Field Trip or a Once in a Life Time Experience 
  • Build a Portfolio
  • Exploring the World through a Different Perspective

Twenty-five years ago who would have thought we would replace the kitchen wall phone with a phone that can access the internet, check email, or take a picture.  Even ten years ago we thought wearable technology was Science Fiction, but here we are and it is happening now.  I do not know what the future has in-store for us. What I do know is that the possibilities are endless, we just have to think outside of the box and be a little creative.

App / Tool of the Week .... Livebinders

App / Tool of the Week .... Livebinders

Think of Livebinders as a Digital Trapper-keeper.  I like to use Liverbinders as a Digital Portfolio for my students.  Student can create a Digital Binder and add their work.  This Digital Binder can follow them through their Educational Career.  Students are then able to then show their growth.

Things You Can Add to Your Binder:


  • PDF, Word, & Spreadsheet Files 
  • Websites
  • Images
  • Videos 
  • Basically anything you can make digital can be added.

Ways to Use Livebinders:

  • Organize Class Resources
  • Science Fair Projects
  • Class Projects
  • Research Projects
  • Showcase Student Work
  • An Assessment Tool

Example of a Digital Portfolio:









Google Draw + Green-Screen + iMovie = Amazing

Google Draw + Green-Screen + iMovie = Amazing

For our end of the semester project my students combined 3 powerful tools together to create a one of a kind digital story.  Before they could even start drawing, recoding, and publishing their stories they first had to write them.  Once their stories were on paper they got busy putting shapes together to create their illustrations.  They used Google Draw for this part of the project.  The only requirement was that they needed at least 4 scenes for their stories.  After they had finished creating their illustrations they downloaded each one as a jpeg file.  Since they had to use the computer to use Google Draw and the Green-Screen app was on their iPads they had to email themselves their picture files.  Once they had their picture files saved to the camera roll on their iPad they could use the app Veescope Live Full version to record themselves telling their stories in front of my green wall.  After all the recording were done they imported all of their recordings into iMovie and put together their stories.



Click Here for Student Stories - Check often as we are still finishing our stories.




App / Tool of the Week .... Google Draw

App / Tool of the Week .... Google Draw


My students have been busy learning how to use Google Draw to illustrate for a children's story.  They learned that they could layer shapes over other shapes to create a totally different shape or object.  They also discovered that they could group their shapes together to avoid messing up their new object or shape.
I like to give my students a day of "Sandbox Day".  On this day they get a chance to play around and learn a new app or tool.  The only instruction I give them is explore and discover what the app or tool can do.  Some students take off and go to town exploring, discovering, and trying different things.  While others just look at the screen with a blank stare while repeating out loud that don't know what to do.  As teachers we can't assume just because they are kids and they have grown up with all of this technology around them that they know how to use it.  I like think of myself as a cheerleader for my kids.  I encourage them to try things, click on something, hover your mouse over items or tools.  Once they get over the fear of trying something new some amazing creations start to flow.

Google Draw is free and can be found in your Google Drive.  I suggest you play, click, explore, and
build something with this tool.  It can be great tool for math, story telling, a writing prompt, and etc... It does have auto save like Google Docs and Google Sheets.  I suggest making sure that you name each drawing so you don't end up with a dozen Untitled Draws.  You can even make folders and save your drawing to them.

To use your Google Drawing as an image I suggest you download it as a jepg file.  This way you can import your drawing into apps, iMovie, web tools and etc...  When you are drawing you will notice your workspace has gray and white squares.  If you do not cover your entire work area with shapes or color those squares will become a white background after you download your image.



Willy the Wiggle Worm - Created in Google Draw

Edmodo Certified Trainer ....

Edmodo Certified Trainer ....

It is official, I've completed my training to become an Edmodo Certified Trainer.  It is an honor to be selected to be in the 1st group of trainers for Edmodo.  Since I am a 21st Century Educator and Edmodo is a secure platform that brings your classroom into the 21st century, it seemed like a perfect fit for me.  With Edmodo it is all about connections.  Edmodo allows teachers to build a powerful network that connects them to students, parents, administrators and publishers.  I can't wait to start connecting and sharing with other educators.

Getting Started with Edmodo:

  • Create your account
  • Complete your profile
    • Add a Picture or Avatar
  • Your Groups
    • Create a group
    • Share the Group's URL
  • Add Folders
    • Share resources
  • Start Posting
    • Lead collaborative discussions 
    • Give Assignments, Quizzes, & Polls
  • Install Apps
  • Engage students, Inspire Creativity, & aAssess Learning
  • Follow and Participate in Communities
  • Connect with educators from around the world
  • Discover great resources

If you need any help or need a person to bounce ideas off of I am hear to help, I'm only a message away.

My Edublog Awards Nominations for 2013 ....

My Edublog Awards Nominations for 2013 ....

As I sat here this morning thinking about who I wanted to nominate for this years Edublog Award I received several messages from educators that they nominated me or are going to either for my Global Project or for my Teacher Blog.  I became very speechless, humble, and honored all at the same time.  I didn't realized that this small town Kansas girl has reached out to so many this past year.  I was in awe this year when I attended a few conferences and edCamps to meet people who follow me on Twitter and or read my blog.
My husband was curious to see how many people really take a moment to read about what I post.  I normally do not pay attention to the stats of my blog.  I feel that if I share and it inspires or helps 1 person then I've done my job.  I like to think that I plant seeds of knowledge or inspiration and that some day they will grow into a beautiful garden and will inspire someone else.  To put an end to his curiosity I logged into the stats part of my blog.  To my surprise I've had 20,000+ views to my blog from over 20 countries from around the world this year alone.  The top two posts with the most views are my Green-Screen Effect on the iPad and The Global Digital Scrapbook Project, each with over a 1000 views.  All my husband could say was "The Power of One", which he remembered me sharing with him my presentation I had been working on.

My Nominations for this years Edublog Awards:




A Little Green-Screen Fun....

A Little Green-Screen Fun....


I teach technology skills and part of that is keyboarding skills.  This latest typing project involved kids having a little fun with the Green-Screen.  They had to write and type up a Mini Movie Script or Trailer.  Once they had their movie script turned in they could record their scenes in front of the Green-Screen.  This project was a fun way of incorporating typing skills and speaking skills.

We used the Green-Screen App Veescope Live Full version.  Student recorded each scene using the app.  Their recordings were saved automatically to their camera roll.  Once they had finished recording their scenes they dragged and dropped their scenes in the iMovie app.  With a little creativity their written mini movie script became a fun video.