Friday,

What is a QR code anyway?

A QR Code (it stands for "Quick Response") is a mobile phone readable barcode that's been big in Japan forever, broke into Europe a while back, and is now getting traction in USA.

In its simplest sense think "print based hypertext link" - simply encode a URL into the QR Code and then point a mobile phone (or other camera-enabled mobile) at it. If the device has had QR Code decoding software installed on it, it will fire up its browser and go straight to that URL.


How can I create a QR code?

You will need to go to a QR code generator website. It’s easy but you will need a URL address to create your code. These are just a few you may visit to create your QR code.

QR Stuff


Mobile-Barcodes


deliv




OK . I’ve created my QR code now what do I need to read it on my phone?

You will need a QR scanner app downloaded on your phone. These are 2 websites where you can find many free QR code scanners. Once in the apps store, just type in QR Code scanner.

Android Market


Iphone Apps



These are two QR Code scanner apps examples listed below.

These are two barcode readers available in the iTunes app store. They are both free. There are many free barcode scanner apps. Be sure and click on the app icon to get more information and read the reviews before downloading to your phone. Then go out and have some fun!

AT&T

Barcode Hero

Audio Enhancement Systems for Teaching and Learning

Audio Enhancement Systems Linked to Improving Student Achievement 

Implementation of audio enhancement systems in 5th grade classrooms, Stanford Achievement Test scores improved in Reading, Math, and Science, 10% to 15%. 
The second and third year of audio enhanced classrooms showed similar test gains of 10% improvement over the previous years. It was also found that phonemic and phonological awareness instruction coupled with the use of audio enhancement systems reduced the number of students identified as at-risk learners. (McCarty, CEFPI Paper Presentation, 2003, and BYU Department of Human Development study, 2003)

Below is a  list of companies that do classroom audio well. Visit their websites to learn more. 

1. SMART Technologies Audio Classroom Amplification System
2. Panasonic All-in-One Portable Sound System
3. FrontRow To Go and Pro Digital
4. LightSpeed RedCat and TopCat 
5. TeachLogic VoiceLink Plus Sound System
6. Epson AP-60 Projector Sound Solution 
7. Crestron FreeSpeech Wireless Mic Systems 
8. Califone Infrared Classroom Audio Systems 
9. Promethean ActivSound 
10. Cetacea Astronaut Classroom and Projector Speaker Systems 
11. Extron VoiceLift Microphone System
12. Calypso  WCM-RF Classroom Voice Amplification System
       *Grants are available through Calypso for Classroom Systems

 *Thanks to Ken Royal

Terrific Tuesday Twitter

Great Ideas for Using Twitter in Education

50 Ideas for Using Twitter in Education
http://cooper-taylor.com/2008/08/50-ideas-on-using-twitter-for-education

Teaching with Twitter
http://steve-wheeler.blogspot.com/2009/01/teaching-with-twitter.html

 Best Practices in a Twitter-Enhanced High School Classroom (with Activities)
http://teachpaperless.blogspot.com/2009/05/best-practices-in-twitter-enhanced-high.html 

Twitter 101 - How to Get Started
https://support.twitter.com/groups/31-twitter-basics/topics/104-welcome-to-twitter-support/articles/215585-twitter-101-how-should-i-get-started-using-twitter

Video: Teaching with Twitter
http://casesblog.blogspot.com/2008/09/video-teaching-with-twitter.html

YouTube Video: Twitter in Plain English
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddO9idmax0o

Twitpic - Post photos and videos on Twitter
http://twitpic.com/

Take Twitter with You - Download the Mobile App
http://twitter.com/#!/download

Twhirl - allows you to recieve and send tweets from your desktop
http://www.twhirl.org/


Share how you use Twitter in your classroom by using the comment box below.

Awesome Opportunity!

Hurry!!! Until Sept. 26, a selection of McGraw-Hill Education Everyday Mathematics apps are free!

• Everyday Mathematics Addition Top-It
• Everyday Mathematics Monster Squeeze
• Everyday Mathematics Equivalent Fractions
• Everyday Mathematics Beat the Computer
• Everyday Mathematics Divisibility Dash

*Thanks to Carol Anne McGuire for sharing!

Thursday, September 9

Free Day of Teacher Professional Development
In YOUR own Home! From Simple K12

Saturday, September 24th, 2011

Keynote:  Own Your Classroom: The Business of 21st Century Teaching
Date: Saturday, September 24 from 9:00-9:30 AM Eastern Time, USA
Learn how to transform your classroom into a thriving environment of
information consumption and have fun along the way!
Register now. https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/806571138

Session 1: Jump Start Your Digital Footprint
Date: Saturday, September 24 from 10:00-10:30 AM Eastern Time, USA
Look at how to jump start your digital footprint and take control of it
so that you can help establish your presence on the web and have something
to be proud of.
Register now. https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/659667546

Session 2: Online Activities for Younger Students
Date: Saturday, September 24 from 11:00-11:30 AM Eastern Time, USA
Discover how to integrate the Internet into curriculum, as well as share
some online resources, Internet inquiry units, and management ideas.
Register now.  https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/672708290

Session 3: Twitter for Beginners: The Basics of Setting Up Your PLN
Date: Saturday, September 24 from 1:00- 1:30 PM Eastern Time, USA
Learn some of the basics of using Twitter as a component of your PLN, as
well as share some resources and tips for using it to maximize learning
and communication.
Register now.  https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/941743522

Session 4: Google+ Guide for Educators 
Date: Saturday, September 24 from 2:00- 2:30 PM Eastern Time, USA
Find out how to use Google+ for education and ways to include it
in your classroom.  Bring your own ideas as well, and be prepared to
share them with the audience.
Register now.  https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/825974498

Session 5: Keep Yourself Organized with LiveBinders
Date: Saturday, September 24 from 3:00-3:30 PM Eastern Time, USA
Get those binders off of your bookshelf and create a virtual space to store
your favorite websites, documents, and videos where you can share them
with your students and colleagues.
Register now.  https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/588657002

Session 6: Organize and Share Your Favorite Sites with Diigo
Date: Saturday, September 24 from 4:00-4:30 PM Eastern Time, USA
Learn how to enjoy easily accessing your favorite sites from anywhere
(computer, iPad, iPod, or phone), creating lists in groups, and even a teacher
console - all for free!
Register now.  https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/829828386

The first webinar begins at 9:00 AM Eastern Time, USA on September 24th!

September 21


Welcome to ArtsAlive.ca, the National Arts Centre's performing arts educational website. Learn about orchestral music, dance, English and French language theatre, and explore engaging archival collections

Wordle is a toy for generating “word clouds” from text that you provide. The clouds give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the source text. You can tweak your clouds with different fonts, layouts, and color schemes. The images you create with Wordle are yours to use however you like. You can print them out, or save them to the Wordle gallery to share with your friends.


Planets app for iOS
3D guide to the solar system for aspiring astronomers. It’s a free app for iPod and iPad.
★ Over 5 million downloads ★

Wednesday, September 14

September 14

What is issuu? It is AWESOME and free….. But you will have to join to download and share material (only takes a minute). Explore a world of publications by people and publishers alike. Collect, share and publish in a format designed to make your documents look their very best.

Tools for the 21st Century Teacher
This is a fabulous booklet that briefly explains the tools and has numerous links to help you get started embedding it into your curriculum.
• Twitter
• Blogger
• Diigo
• Glogster
• Prezi
• Dropbox
• Evernote
• More great tools

Web 2.0 Tools by Discovery Education
This is another wonderful booklet by Discovery Education on Web 2.0 tools.


Thinkfinity Constitution Day
This page is packed with lesson plans and resources for K-12. Check it out!

Training Videos from SMART
Great video tutorials covering:
• SMART Notebook Gallery
• SMART Notebook Layers
• SMART Notebook Basics
• SMART Notebook Software 10 “The Lesson Activity Tool Kit 2.0”
• Much more……..