Showing posts with label technology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label technology. Show all posts

Hello Edmodo

Nope.  Not Quasimodo.  You thought about this creepy Disney character at first didn't you?  If not, you are now.  I recently came across another awesome technology find.  It's UHHHHMAZING! 

It's called Edmodo and it's basically like a G rated, non weird, useful version of Facebook... for your classroom.  You can create a little online community and control everything from it!  It has some really cool features:
  • calendar - post activities, assignments, etc.
  • class creation - create a different group for each class you have
  • wall - post on the 'wall' kind of like fb...announcements, questions, engaging discussions for students, videos, links, assignments, etc.
  • parent notification
  • assignments - create, post, accept, and grade assignments from one spot
  • quizzes - create a quiz, post, and grade all internally.
  • badges - create and award special 'badges' for when students complete a project/unit
  • ... and more!


This site is ideal for middle and high school teachers, but it may also work for intermediate elementary too.  I'm not so sure it would work well for any younger students, but maybe?   

Signing up is FREE and easy.  You enter very little information... took me about 2 minutes!  I've signed up and created a profile, but haven't had the chance to use it yet.  Looks easy though!  Instead of me trying to explain what it is, how about you watch their video... Enjoy.  Click to go to their site.  You might just love this!


Let me know if you start using this!
{ashley}lllllllllllllll

Storybird Love

Ok, I just discovered the coolest website.  I almost peed my pants when I figured out what it was.  It's Storybird.com and basically you can create your own picture book... and more!  I tried it and it's amazing.  Here's the description from the site itself...



Here's what the creation platform looks like...


I can't tell you how easy it is and what amazing artwork you can find.  Here are thee completed books for you to check out.  Books can be emailed, embeded in blogs, linked, and printed (by you or professionally).



Decisions. Decisions! by stad11 on Storybird
The Lonely Panda by JONeal on Storybird
Finding love in all the wrong places by jkrebster on Storybird
This would be such a fun site to use in the classroom.  You could...
  • write group stories
  • make it a computer center (incredibly simple to use)
  • print them to showcase student work
  • assign it for a home project
  • create your own story to aid in teaching certain concepts
  • integrate into other subject areas (create math stories?)
  • and more!  

Isn't it the coolest thing!?!?!
And guess what?  You can create a teacher account and manage your whole class.  They receive a login and password from your account.  You can assign them projects, message them, review their work, print, etc.  The free plan is the one I created (took 3 minutes).  There are also two professional options, but they do cost ($60 & $99).  The free one seems to be the way to go unless you plan on making it a big 'to do' in your class.  Let me know if you already use this or plan on it!  It's an amazing resource.  :){ashley}lllllllllllllll

Font Crazy

Over Christmas break I got a new computer.  I luv it.  It's a Samsung.... not sure what model, but it's fast and pretty.  Also, I love the mouse pad and I'm a stickler for mouse pads.  If they click too loud I hate the computer.  If they are not ergonomically friendly then I hate the computer.  Drives me nuts.

I digress.  Anyway, I just had to install a ton of new fonts because Word just doesn't cut it for me and I didn't have the geek squad zeal to transfer them over from my old laptop.  So.... I went crazy.  I searched for 'free fonts' and the madness began.  Here are some awesome sites to download (easily) thousands of awesome fonts.  You'll get sucked in.


Isn't that the cutest name?  Font Squirrel... adorable.






Alright, go crazy.

{ashley}lllllllllllllll

Blog Link Page... Yay!

I've created a new page!  It's called 'blogs i love'... and that's what it is.  Blogs that I stalk.  I have them sorted by grade level (or area) and you can just click on their buttons to be taken to their page.  They're all so cute.  I don't have every blog I stalk up yet, but they're coming.  Click below or on the link in the top left corner of this site to check it out...  




Enjoy and hope this is helpful!

Sorry there are 900 polka dots in your viewing area right now.  

{ashley}lllllllllllllll

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