Diary of a Techie Chick: web tools

Showing posts with label web tools. Show all posts

Student Created Digital BreakoutEDU....

Student-Created Digital BreakoutEDU....

Teaching students critical thinking skills is a struggle for teachers. Students are used to receiving information and repeating it, then moving on to the next set of information. To get students to dive in deeper and make connections is hard and time-consuming in the classroom. For the past year and a half, I have either created or used pre-made digital breakout with my students to help them learn critical thinking skills.

It dawned on me as I was teaching skills such as hyperlinking, uploading images, embedding, and just creating with digital tools that my students needed to be building digital breakouts. I am limited on the digital tools my students can use, either because they cost or the filter blocks them. SMORE is one of the tools that I use with my students. Using the free version of SMORE my students are limited to only creating three SMOREs.

My school is also a GAFE school (Google Apps for Education). SMORE is a simple way of learning how to upload images and learn to hyperlink. You can even embed a Google Form within SMORE. Before I had my students create their digital breakout in SMORE, I had them write a story and create a SMORE around their story. Giving them practice using the different options within the SMORE format.

Creating the Digital BreakoutEDU:

I placed students into groups with one student being the captain. The captain was in charge of the SMORE. Since students are limited to only being able to create three SMORES I had the captain create the digital breakout with their SMORE account. As a team, they had to devise a plan for sharing the information with the captain for it to be placed on the SMORE. The team was also required to document what role each person did in the creating of the SMORE.

The Requirements for the Digital BreakoutEDU:

The captain had to obtain feedback from the team on the topic their digital breakout would be over. Then decide on the theme keeping the team's interest in mind.
On the Google Form, they had to have 5 to 8 clues.

I demonstrated how to set up the Google Form for it to work correctly for the digital breakout.

Each link had to take the user to where a clue could be found.
Each image had to relate to the digital breakout & provide a clue.
If the Google Form needed a particular format such as a date or letters for a directional lock, then under the clue an example would be required.
A story or scenario was needed on the SMORE to tie all the pieces together.

Student-Created Digital BreakoutEDU:

PledgeCents Preferred Partners ...

PledgeCents understands that teachers truly do not have time to go find funding for needed programs, supplies, technology, tools, etc.. for their classrooms. To help teachers out PledgeCents has teamed up with outstanding edTech companies to help bring much need edTech to classrooms. With PledgeCents Preferred Partners program a teacher can have a cause created in just a few clicks. PledgeCents has done all the heavy lifting, figuring, research and writing up the causes. All teachers have to do is select the tools they want to use in their classroom. Enter the grade level and how many students will benefit from this cause. Now to keep it real, just in case you do not meet your goal which may happen. All the funds raised for your cause you still get to keep and use for your classroom. So you will have to write a sentence or two on what you would use the funds for if your goal is not not met.

I think of PledgeCents as my dream list. For example create a cause of the one thing you truly would love to have for your classroom but afford it. If the cause is completely funded then it would be like Christmas, you got the gift you thought you might not. Now in reality we don't always get what we wish for so have a plan B. What could you do with a little extra money for your classroom? Now who couldn't use a little extra money to help with a project for their classroom or get school supplies.

EdTech is not cheap to create and to maintain. The companies do have to charge something to keep the programs we love running. With funding the way it is for schools makes it hard to bring these amazing programs into the classroom. PledgeCents believes that the lack of funding should never be the reason students do not have access, so they partnered up with these companies.

“The Preferred Partner Program stems from our belief that a lack of funding should never be the reason why students don’t have access to quality software. We are beyond excited to have partnered with award-winning edtech companies that share our vision in ensuring that resources and opportunities are made available to all students. This collaboration marks the first of its kind by creating a streamlined way for teachers to source and fund technology for their classrooms."
- Kevon O'Rear, Director of Partnerships, PledgeCents

Coding is a huge deal in the world of STEM and Computer Science classes, so that will be my focus. My goal is to bring more coding opportunities to my students. I have chosen to run the Code Monkey cause for my students. Since coding is new for my students I didn't think they were ready for VidCode. Both coding programs are apart of PledgeCents preferred partners program. Along with Nearpod, Pear Deck, ScootPad, and many more. I am sure they have a cause for your needs if not you can always create one for anything for your classroom. Check out their partner list and choose your cause today.

PledgeCents will help you with your cause. They will give you pointers in running your cause, support, and suggestions if needed. When you share out your cause via social media remember to tag them so they to can help spread the word about your cause. Feel free to tag me to. (Twitter - @katieann_76) I would love to share your cause.

We learn and grow together.

Hurry so you can get the FACEBOOK Matching to!

Create a cause for one their preferred partners.

They'll instantly generate a customized cause to pay for the one you want.

Once the cause is live, you will receive our popular Facebook Matching Campaign.

Access your favorite edtech tool for FREE by sharing on Facebook!

Resources:

Ideas on How to Incorporate Augmented Reality in Your Classroom...

Augmented reality is quickly becoming recognized as an engage tool to use in the classroom. However, as we often see with new ed tech, it’s not just a matter of having the tools available and knowing how to work the devices involved. It’s about knowing how a this tool can actually enrich the learning experience, and where, when and how to include it.

Feel free to reach out to me if you need help incorporating augmented reality in your lessons. You can contact me via Twitter - @katieann_76 or my website - www.katieannwilson.com.

Augmented reality can be used to:

Include audio or video description of printed instructions, for learners who process better when something is read aloud or demonstrated visually. Some kids just do better if they see or hear the instructions.
Use augmented activities for differentiated instruction, reinforcement, & or enhancement.
Link lessons to 3D models or 360 environments of real places being read about in basic text or stories.
Present 3D models or images of artwork in visual art class. Bring the Smithsonian Institution, the Le Louvre, or even the Acropolis Museum to your students.
Work in audio and or video clips of music on worksheets in a music class or to help kids learn a play.
Provide hints, tips for quizzes or a interactive review before a quiz.
Send home video or pictures of student presentations in class or school newsletters.
Bring science lessons to life with 3D models of chemical bonds, cell structure, or planetary orbits. Let the kids hold the universe in their hands.
Bring history to life with 3D models or video clips about important buildings and landmarks or even a 360 environment. Let kids walk around inside a pyramid.
Send surprise messages or encouragement to students to remind them that they matter. Each student could have their own AR trigger and the content can be changed to customize verbal or video feedback.

Join the Augmented Reality for Education community. With in the community you can find augmented lessons, resources, and even ask for help. We also have a weekly Google Hangout every Wed. at 7pm central where you can join in, ask questions, and get ideas. On the 2nd & 4th Thur. of every month we have a Twitter Chat #AR4Learning where you can join in on the conversation.

The Sweet Sixteen to the Final Four .... Augmented Basketball

During March Madness the 7th grade students were learning about ratios and percentages. Their math teacher Miss Leiker thought it would be fun to put an engaging spin on her lesson and create an augmented basketball tournament. With a little help from me, the AR Basketball trigger, and Daqri 4D studio we developed an augmented basketball tournament.

The goal of the tournament was to apply what they had learned about ratios and percentages. To collect their data students entered how many shots they made out of 25 onto a Google Form. To access the Google Form students had to scan the augmented trigger for their class class and select Hoop it Up. To view the class's tournament bracket students scanned the same augmented trigger and selected the basketballs. Below is one of the augmented triggers. There was a augmented trigger for each class.

After students collected the data for their tournament they had to apply what they learned about ratios and percentages. For example the percentage of shots made per person and overall, and the ratio of shots made versus shots missed.

Example Math Problems:

Write a part to part ratio based on your shooting results. Explain the meaning of your ratio.
Write a part to whole ratio based on your shooting results. Explain the meaning of your ratio.
Write three equivalent ratios based on your part to part ratio.
Write three equivalent ratios based on your part to whole ratio.
Based on your results for make and misses, complete the table below to see how many baskets you SHOULD make or miss if you earned a 2nd round of shooting. What about a 3rd round? 4th and so on...
A college basketball player last season shot 32/56 at the free throw line during the NCAA Tournament. Based on your shooting results, do you have a better shooting percentage than this player? Explain or show your work.
If you were to shoot 72 baskets, based on your ratio, how many would you expect to make? Explain or show your work.
How many would you expect to miss? Explain or show your work.
Write a part to part ratio based on your amount made and missed for 72 shots.
Is the part to part ratio from question C an equivalent ratio to your actual shooting results? Explain.

The Tools Used:

AR Basketball - the app
AR Basketball - the trigger
Example of the Google Form
Challonge - Online Bracket Maker
DAQRI - App (to scan the Augmented Triggers)

Take the Green-Screen Challenge - #TechieEdu!

Have you watched the weather report and wonder how in the heck did they get that map or video to play behind them. You and your students can create projects just like the weather man broadcasts the weather report with one simple iPad tool.

Green-Screen Project Ideas:

Teacher in-Residence - Teachers could pre-record a lesson for the substitute so that class could go on as usual. Once shared with students, they could return to the lesson again and again as needed
Historical Role-Play - Teachers could have students re-enact different historical events either using the portable green screen with props or the larger green screen with themselves.
Historical Reporting - Students could use the green screen to create a journalistic approach to report important things that have happened in the past.
Click Here for more ideas.

The Challenge

The Challenge via the Podcast on Remarkable Chatter
Review the presentation - Creating Amazing Green-Screen Projects.
Download the Veescope Full Version app
Play with the app. You do not need a green-screen to work the app, all you need is a blank wall, whiteboard, door, and etc...
Create a 1 minute green-screen project.

Upload your project to YouTube, SchoolTube, Vimeo, and etc...
Find the SHAREABLE Link.
Tweet out your Green-Screen project using the hashtag #TechieEdu.
Share your project idea on the Green-Screen Idea board.
Claim your badge.

Resources:

Eagle's View .... Augmented Eagle Nests

My daughter's kindergarten class is currently hatching chicks. She had sweet talked her dad and grandpa into buying chicks so she can watch them grow up on the family farm. Her little project got me thinking about having a birds eye view of a nest and how I could incorporate augmented reality.

When we go on vacation we try to make it educational for the entire family, we visit national parks, museums and etc... A few years ago we went to Yellow Stone National Park, and I just happened to be at the right place at the right time and snapped this picture of a Bald Eagle. Thinking about my daughter and her love to watch baby animals, I thought how cool would it be to peek into a Bald Eagle's nest via an augmented trigger. A augmented trigger would be easier for younger kids to use and peek into a next rather trying to look up a web address.

My plan was to embed a live web cam as the augmented element. To my surprise the Aug That team embedded several live web cams, so my daughter and her class can see into multiple eagles nest. When you use Aug That's "Supreme Tutoring Augmented Reality” (STAR) app and scan different areas of the image you will get a different live web cam of an eagle's nest to look at.

The App you will need to use for this project is Aug That's "Supreme Tutoring Augmented Reality”(STAR). The app is available in both the Apple App store and the Google Play store. Aug That is developing a teacher community called Teach Connect where teachers can share their augmented lessons they have created in a safe secure environment. There is no channel to follow, no password to enter, and no other content will appear on your augmented triggers when using their platform. What teachers like about this community other than we can share content and it is safe, is they don't have to build it. All they have to do is send the trigger image they want to use along with the AR element and the team at Aug That will put it together for you. The team does approve all trigger images and content, so that you know that everything in the community is safe for kids and is educational. This does take some time for the team to go through all the requests, so give them a day or two.

How to Bring the Above Image Alive:

Download the Supreme Tutoring Augmented Reality. Pick the app store you need.
Launch the app. Click "Start Lesson"
Click "Teach Connect"
Scan part of the image. (The corner area.)
Scan another part of the image. (repeat)
Scan the entire image.

Resources:

Kid's On Strike - Augmented Jigsaw Puzzle

A 6th grade Language Arts teacher friend of mine is teaching a literacy unit on the book "Kids' On Strike", by Susan Campbell Bartoletti. She is using the lesson plan from Building America and asked me if there was any way I could incorporate augmented reality (a.k.a. AR) into the lesson. My answer was of course I can do that. I studied the lesson plan, read the book, and then dove right into how could I incorporate augmented reality into this topic.

Knowing my teacher friend was wanting to do a Jigsaw approach to this unit I decided that was the approach I needed to use to incorporate AR into the unit. The book has 8 chapters that talk about the different types of strikes that had happened in the late 1800's and early 1900's. I found an image to represent each chapter. Each image was then divided into 4th's. The idea is for each member of the small group that is learning about a certain chapter would get a piece of the image. When each piece is scanned an augmented element would appear. When all the pieces are put together a 5th augmented element would appear. Giving the experience a jigsaw feel.

The goal of the project is for each small group to be responsible for learning the content of the chapter assigned to them and to share what they have learned with their base group, learning the pieces to make the whole approach. Within the small group each person is responsible to become the expert of the content that is embedded in their piece of their photo. Above is one of the images that was used for this project. If you print and cut the image into 4th's you will experience the augmented elements I have embedded into the image, or you just scan parts of the image. One of the augmented elements is to take you to a Padlet board I created for this project. Each image has it's own Padlet board. This board will be where the students hold their discussions and to share what they have learned about that certain chapter.

The App you will need to use for this project is Aug That's "Supreme Tutoring Augmented Reality” (STAR). The app is available in both the Apple App store and the Google Play store. Aug That is developing a teacher community called Teach Connect where teachers can share their augmented lessons they have created in a safe secure environment. There is no channel to follow, no password to enter, and no other content will appear on your augmented triggers when using their platform. What teachers like about this community other than we can share content and it is safe, is they don't have to build it. All they have to do is send the trigger image they want to use along with the AR element and the team at Aug That will put it together for you. The team does approve all trigger images and content, so that you know that everything in the community is safe for kids and is educational. This does take some time for the team to go through all the requests, so give them a day or two.

How to Bring the Above Image Alive:

Download the Supreme Tutoring Augmented Reality. Pick the app store you need.
Launch the app. Click "Start Lesson"
Click "Teach Connect"
Scan part of the image. (The corner area.)
Scan another part of the image. (repeat)
Scan the entire image.

Resources:

Why Use AR....the Challenges

Teaching others how to incorporate augmented reality into education is a passion of mine. I love how diverse augmented reality can be. I have also seen how engaging and powerful it can be when used as a learning tool. I don't want to just learn about the solar system, I want to hold it in my hands! I want to dig deep into it and find out how it ticks. I want to explore every corner, turn it inside out, and flip it around. Augmented reality gives me the tools to do just that.

I don't want to just read about something, I want to learn about it.

I've been asked to help others in dipping their toes so to speak into the water and start exploring the possibilities of augmented reality in education. To help build the support line in learning how to incorporate augmented reality in education I am developing a series of challenges. My goal is to launch each new challenge via my podcast as well as develop an ebook to support the learning process. As each challenge is completed the participants will also be able to earn a badge.

You will be able to follow the challenges via:

Are you ready to take the challenge?

EduLS Week 1 Challenge .....

I participated in the summer Educator Learning Series challenges or as many as I could and I thought I would give these challenges a go. The EduLS week 1 challenge is Lisa Dabbs challenge is asking us for this year instead of a resolution she is challenges us to #onelittleword to help guide and define our year ahead. Todd with his Educator Learning Series has now challenged us to #onelittleword. You are to create some kind of graphic with you and your word to remind you of the One Little Word that you picked to guide you through your year.

Resources:

App / Tool of the Week .... EduCrate

What is EduCrate? EduCrate is a media curation tool for educators. It is a place where you can explore, share or even create your own crate of educational videos. The best part is that the videos can come from a multiple of online video sites and you save them all in one location. If you can copy and paste website links then you can create a crate.

What I really love about this tool is that you can tag your crate (a group of videos) with a certain common core standard, topic, grade, and even subject. When you share your crate that has a variety of tags can help educators find video clips in that area. There are so many video clips that educators, students, and even companies are making is mind blowing. To be able to have them all in one place just makes life a little easier for busy teachers and students.

Tips:

Add a description to your crates.

This way you will remember what type of video clips you have saved.

Add additional web resources to your crate.

If you have a game or other resources besides a video clip you can add the link to your crate and tie it to the subject/topic/skill/grade you are teaching.

Tag your crates.

If you use tags it will help you find similar video clips for that certain topic/subject/grade and etc...

Add the Crate Bookmarklet to your browser.

This will help you save your video clips when you are surfing the world wide web.

Some Crates:

My website - www.katieannwilson.com

App / Tool of the Week .... Actively Learn

I get the privilege of teaching 6th grade Social Studies which focuses on the Ancient Civilizations when I am not teaching technology skills to middle school students. With common core it is my job to teach my students how to pull information out of primary and secondary sources. I find it difficult to assess my student's comprehension as we go through the various civilizations. I am constantly asking myself: Do they really understand the Caste System?, Do they realize what they are reading happened thousands of years ago? and etc....

I recently had a chance to test drive Actively Learn. Actively Learn is an online platform that allows the teacher to pull in reading materials either from Actively Learn's catalog, the teacher's Google Drive, online source, or even a PDF. The teacher then can add notes, video clips, and even questions. I found the ability to add files from my Google Drive a huge plus since most of my resources are saved to my Google Drive. Another big plus for me was that I could connect the common core standard with the questions I am asking. I like that I can ask question while they are reading. This breaks up the reading and assess my students' understanding. While they are reading about King Tut I can include a video clip about his tomb and ask questions to assess their understanding. This type of assessment gives me a better understanding if my students are really getting and understanding what they are reading.

Since some of my content has to do with diagrams and maps I love that I could add an image/media and ask questions about that image/media. A lot of online quizzes will not support that feature. I really liked that I can assign proficient levels to the short answers questions. Assessing students' knowledge is more than just a letter grade. To have the ability to show proficiency to parents is the key.

Another great tool Actively Learn has built-in is the dictionary. This tool is great for my students as we wade through the various ancient civilizations. I like it because all of my students are reading the same definition not one from Webster Online another one from Dictionary.com and etc.... Students even have the ability to take notes and highlight text.

Even though I teach Social Studies I can see all of these tools very useful for other subject areas. Actively Learn is free and students only need one account. Students just need the code to a join class and can belong to as many classes as needed. When students are finished with the classes they can withdraw.

The biggest perk for me since I am a heavy Edmodo user is the ability to connect Edmodo to Actively Learn. Having the ability to use Edmodo and Google Drive with Actively Learn for me is a win.

Click HERE for more information about Actively Learn or to sign up and give it a test drive.

Bring Learning to Life One Classroom at a Time....

This fall I launched the 2nd year of the Global Digital Scrapbook Project. My goal is to encourage others to bring augmented reality to their classroom. I plan on posting in our global project ways I use augmented reality in my classroom. If you are new to augmented reality start off simple with pre-made triggers such as the Dot Day coloring page by colAR. My middle school students really love using this page and have a lot of fun interacting with it.

As I go through the school year I will continue to post in the global project ways my students are using augmented reality. Feel free to join us and submit your class stories as well.

I also have a Google+ group just for educators to learn, share, and get help with augmented reality. Feel free to join and share your stories, get some help, or learn more about AR.

Resources:

Bringing Learning to Life....

I am proud to announce the launch of the 2nd Global Digital Scrapbook project. This Global Digital Scrapbook will showcase how augmented reality is being used in the classrooms around the world.

Project Goals:
Teachers and students will engage in discussions with others during the project about they are using augmented reality in their classroom. They will share how they are using pre-made triggers and or if they are creating their own augmented reality triggers.

Duration: 2014-2015 School year:

You can participate in the 1st semester session.
You can participate in the 2nd semester session.
You can participate in both sessions.

Targeted Grade Levels/Age Groups: All ages.

How This Project Works:
Teachers will communicate via the Augmented Reality Google+ Community.

Click here to join the community.

Teachers will submit content to be added to the Digital Scrapbook.

Guidelines:

Teachers will need to submit a photo that will represent their school or classroom. This photo will be used as a maker for the interactive map as well as the header for their page.

Throughout the project teachers/classes will submit images, videos, write ups, and etc... that will be added to the various pages for the Global Digital Scrapbook.

How to submit your content will be posted after the project has started.

For further information
DM @katieann_76

The Project:

Click here to view the project and to sign-up.

Going Beyond a Simple Textbook....

Last year I created an interactive ebook for my technology classes. I filled it with a variety of of video clips, screenshots, presentations, and resources for them to refer to. This year I wanted to create another interactive ebook but I wanted to be able to be used cross-platform and on all devices. I guess like always I am ahead of my time. If I wanted to make my interactive ebook available for all devices I would have to pay a company to convert it for me and there was no promise that all of my interactive components would work. So I went back to iBook Author and created my interactive book which can only be accessed via iBooks.

I haven't decided if I wanted to submit this book to the iTunes Store or not. The iPads that my students use block the iTunes and App Store so it isn't possible for them to download the book from there. I did find a alternative way around that issue. I saved the iBook file to my classroom website and my students can download it from there. It does take a while for the book to download and if I make any changes the kids will have to download the book again.

Now I can say I am a published author and I now have 2 editions to my Computer Apps e-Textbook.

eBook:

Mrs. Wilson's Computer Apps - Bringing Learning to Life
Use Safari on your iPad to download this file. You can also download this file if you have Maverick on your Mac. It will take a while to download.

My Reflection of EdmodoCon 2014....

This was my 2nd EdmodoCon I participated live in. I had watch some of the past recordings when I started using Edmodo in 2012 and thought this would be a fun EdTech conference. You don't have to leave my home and you can wear my PJs if you wanted to. I did choose to get in the spirit and wear my Edmodo shirt. The best part of the conference other than it was FREE was connecting with other educators from around the world.

In 2013 EdmodoCon inspired me to develop a global project. 2014 EdmodoCon inspired me to continue my project. It also helped me narrow down my focus for my global project and allowed me to make more connections. I was also inspired to use the badges in a more effective manner than I had in the past. My favorite saying I will be using with my students is "Edmodo That".

If you didn't get a chance to attend the free online EdTech conference you can still watch the recordings form the event. It takes about a week for them to be processed and posted online. I also suggest you attend the Edmodo Chats on Thursday evenings at 7pm EDT.

"Edmodo is a highway and I am going to ride it all year long!"

Resources:

Writing with Edmodo by Nathan Garvin
Edmodo That by Monique Dalli and Jess ‘Melko’ McCarthy
Building and Spreading the Edmodo Wildfire by Deanna Menchaca and Shellie Carson
Fritz's Links and Resources
From Tech Illiterate to Tech Savvy: How to Foster Non-Cognitive Skills in Edmodo
Limited Tech by Sheryl Place
So You Think You Know Your Students
Creating a Diverse, College- and Career-Ready Tech Culture by James Garner and Rachel Stokes

Miami Device Wishing...

In my school I am the 1st implementer for EdTech. I learn the tech tools and go back to my district and teach those around me what I have learned. There are very few EdTech conferences in Kansas so I am reaching out to other EdTech conferences so that I can continue to learn. If I could attend Miami Device I would attend as many session as possible that focuses on student-center learning, project/problem/challenged base learning, as well as game base learning. My goal is to put learning back into the hands of kids and equip them with the right tools. Amazing things happen when we let kids teach. I also hope I inspire all of those I connect with.

I also present at as many EdTech conferences as possible. I really like sharing what I learn with others. My new gained EdTech knowledge that I obtain from Miami Device will help me in what proposals I should submit to other EdTech conferences. Since I am also a blogger I would also promote Miami Device and write about my experience from the conference. My Google Glasses help me in capturing my experiences and Google loves to put all of my pictures together into Google Stories, which makes it easier to share.

I look forward to Miami Device in person or living vicariously through Twitter.

Creating AR with the Daqri 4D Studio....

Augmented reality isn't anything new, it has been around for a while now. Creating your own augmented reality on the other hand has only been available in the recent few years. This spring Daqri released their 4D studio to the education community. Out of all of the augmented reality creators I have used this one is by far the friendliest one to use. When I talk to others about creating augmented reality I hear; "That is too techie for me.", or "I just can't wrap my head around how it works.", or "There is no way I will be able to create something like that." Let me ask you a few questions then.

Can you drag and drop?
Can you copy and paste?
Can you click on a button that says upload?
Can you click on a Plus Sign to start a new project?
Can you click on a button that says Save?
Can you click on a button that says Publish?

If you answered yes to these questions then you can create an augmented reality trigger.

For Podstock I created a mini tutorial on how to create a augmented reality trigger. Daqri did change a few things in their studio but it will not effect how you create a trigger. You will just notice my screenshots just look a hair different. I had put my tutorial in a NearPod presentation so I could monitor who accessed the presentation and evaluate their knowledge about the topic. I will post the link to that as well. Feel free to use the Google Presentation or the NearPod one.

Just keep in mind this is a very basic tutorial. I plan on creating more in depth ones soon.

Presentations/Resources:

If you do not have an account for Daqir's 4D Studio you will need to click HERE to request one.

Bringing Learning to Life....

My T-shirt that I added Augmented Reality to.

This summer I set out to teach as many people as I could about creating augmented reality or use already created triggers. I attended an edCamp and brought augmented reality to the attendees. I stepped out of my comfort zone and presented at edCamp Home on augmented reality as well as did a hands-on workshop at Podstock. In reaching out to others I thought a community or group was needed to keep connected with those I've reached out to. With that thought in mind I created 2 groups. They are both considered a private group where I have to approve your entrance into the group. I really love Edmodo and their platform they have created. I like that I can share folders as well as resources to those in the group. Edmodo also has a place where you can communicate, ask questions, post ideas and etc... I noticed after setting up the group in Edmodo that some people were not as comfortable with that form of group so I created a Google+ community. I was able to tie my Edmodo folders to my Google+ community so that people in both groups would still have access to all of the content I am sharing.

The resources I am sharing are pre-created augmented reality triggers. Triggers are images that when scanned with the correct app will give you a unique experience by added an augmented reality component or items. I am also posting the apps that are needed to use these triggers. I will also be sharing how to create your own augmented reality triggers with the help of Daqir's 4D studio. The groups are also a way for others to ask questions, get help, share ideas, and etc...

If you are an Edmodo user and would love to join the Augmented Reality group for Educators feel free to join and share. If you would rather join the Google + Augmented Reality for Educators Community feel free to join and share too. If you want to join both feel free to do so.

The Groups:

Click here to view my interview with Chromville.

"Bring Learning to Life one Augmented Reality Trigger at a Time"

My Reflection of Podstock '14

Podstock is one of my favorite conferences to attend. I have only missed 2 of them since they started. When I first met this group of educators and they were all dressed up like hippies I had my doubts, but they open their hearts and welcomed me in just like family. The conference is more than just about learning it is about building relationships with other educators from around the world.

Even though I live little over an hour away from Wichita I like to stay overnight and participate in the extra activities. This year Podstock added a Pine Derby Car race. It was a lot of fun connected with others while sanding, painting, and decorating my little car. I do have to say that my little car did beat a guy or two. The reception is always a lot of fun as well. The 1st year, if I remember correctly, the dance was both online via 2nd Life and in person. I highly suggest that if you attend Podstock you should really participate in the little extras, it is always a lot of fun. You never know you might win the next Photo Scavenger Hunt.

During the conference I attended several really great sessions. I am trying to get out of my introvert shell so I picked session that I thought would help me do that. I also tried to take selfies, which is very hard for me to do. The Improv session was a amazing. I never stopped and thought about some of the "Improv Games" that you play could relate right back to education. If you think about it you are developing listening skills, character building skills, speaking skills, problem solving skills and face it, it is a lot of fun being a little goofy.

I try to submit a proposal every year to be a presenter, so far every time I've submitted I've been approved. This year I did a presentation on creating augmented reality. My goal was to have a hands on session were by the time the attendees left the session they had created an augmented reality trigger. In a perfect world that would have been amazing, but that didn't happen. I learned that I need to have my own hot spot so I don't have to battle with a conference's WiFi, now only if I can convince my husband. One of the things I hope the attendees of my session took away was that you can turn anything into a trigger. For the conference I had made my avatar a trigger so when you scanned it you got more information about me. I also designed a shirt for Podstock and turned that into a trigger, so when you scanned it you got information about Podstock. To help others I created an Edmodo group and a Google+ community were educators can connect, get help, and share their experiences with augmented reality. I have tons of pre-made AR triggers saved in the groups and a list of AR apps. Feel free to join the community or group.

Resources:

My Take Away from ISTE....

When it comes to teaching 21st Century Skills do not focus on the technology or device, focus on the learning. Lets not make a presentation just to make one. Lets make an awareness, start a conversation, challenge minds, and build relationships. Use the tools such as Prezi, iMovie, VoiceThread, and etc... to reach the outcome. Lets also give our students choices on how they want to make their argument, collaborate on a topic, or share their stories. Lets allow them to learn from their mistakes and try new things. The best remark a presenter said was; "We didn't just one day wake up and say to ourselves that we are going to ride our bikes with no training wheels. We tried, we fell down, and we got back up, but we finally learned. That is the experience our students need."

If you plan on going to a large conference such as ISTE go with a buddy or a small group. Going by yourself can be a little overwhelming at times, plus you have some one to share with. You should also make connections with other educators. While I was at ISTE I tried to meet up with some of the great educators I follow on Twitter. Some where quick just to say hi and others ended up being long meaningful conversations that you can't have on Twitter. Take a few hours and see the sites or just to take a break. I went to the Aquarium, a Braves game, and the Zoo. These conferences are not just to learn but also to have a little fun.

Below are some of the tools I played around with at ISTE. I have several more but I want to play around with them 1st before I share them.

Some Tools:

Book Creator - http://www.redjumper.net/bookcreator
Videolicious - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/videolicious/id400853498?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D8
ThingLink - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/thinglink/id647304300?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D8 or https://www.thinglink.com
Stick Around - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/stick-around-by-tony-vincent/id557949353?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D8
Capzles - http://www.capzles.com
QR Voice - http://qrvoice.net

Educators to Follow:

Chris Lehmann - @chrislehmann
Angela Maiers - @AngelaMaiers
Melissa Edwards - @mwedwards
Holly Clark - @HollyClarkEdu
Rich Kiker - @rkiker