VermontFest 2013

The CCSS provides the opportunity to rethink how we are using technology and teaching. See how one school has systematically updated technological infrastructure, developed a plan for 1:1 capabilities, created ebook teaching manuals to fill in gaps between our Math program and Common Core, and is building dynamic student textbooks in the iPad format. Leverage the Common Core and technology to give teachers the support they need to prepare students for the 21st century.

Do you roll your eyes when you see a presenter loading up a PowerPoint, Google Presentation, Prezi, or Keynote? Believe it or not, presentation software can be very effective-- when used well! In this workshop, we will examine useful design principles and apply them to a sample presentation. You will walk away with tips to share with your students, including specific techniques in various presentation tools and how to find effective images.

This nuts and bolts session will offer the steps involved in creating your own iTunesU course on your computer to be taken on the iPad. From registration to student enrollment, we will create a sample course so you can see the specific steps involved. You will be able to register and get started during the session.

Someone on the School-it list recently asked about software to make animations of the motion of molecules. This session will be a quick review of three different programs for making computer animations. Gcompris is a suite of applications that has an object oriented drawing app that can be used for simple animations frame by frame. It works with students as young as K-2. Scratch is a program for making digital mashups. It takes a different approach to animation; students program the motions of the objects that they want. Scratch captures the imagination of students starting around grades 4-5. Finally, Pencil is a more feature rich animation program than the one in Gcompris. Pencil’s drawing editor has many features to facilitate the animation process. By middle school students are prepared to use Pencil’s more sophisticated interface to get higher production values in their animations. None of these applications are cloud-based, but all three are available for download online free of charge in Mac, Windows, and Linux versions.

Not as fast paced as the ever popular 60 in 60 but definitely more exciting than Letterman’s Top 10. Rock on as you discover and explore the 40+ FREE web tools, online resources and apps this librarian couldn’t live without like Edmodo and BrainPop. Be sure to BYOD to explore the tools as we go and be prepared to jump in with ideas or suggestions that didn’t make the list but shouldn’t be forgotten.