Monday, November 2, 2015
Drawing & Painting: ArtPad
Drawing and painting can create a bridge between the ideas in a child's head and the blank piece of paper. Students are generally pretty movitivated and engaged when drawing and painting on the computer, and many are very good at it. In an effort to encourage content based writing and promote tech literacy, I'd like to introduce you to a very good, easy to use, online painting tool.
This simple tool is designed to bring out the artist in us all. It records the process used to paint, then makes it available for viewing. There is no login required and students can easily use this tool. Teach students to take a snapshot of their finished painting, then insert the picture into a document for writing.
View the artpad gallery glog to see what some of our teachers have created and please consider submitting a painting of your own for display. Student paintings are appreciated too!
Connect & Collaborate Through Global Virtual Classroom
For many years my dear friend and mentor, Janet Barnstable, has been part of an amazing Global collaborative project, The Global Virtual Classroom (GVC). As we approach the start of the school year and registration opens for this year’s participants, I asked Janet to write a guest post to share this great learning opportunity with readers of this blog. I hope you will consider connecting and collaborating internationally through GVC.
What is this contest?
Three schools are teamed by the GVC into a single team. That team works together to create a website about a world issue that they have chosen collaboratively. This is a full year commitment. Schools need strong collaboration skills, as the 3 schools in each team are separated geographically, but need to work together as one.
Who may participate?
Teacher guided Primary (Grades 1-7) and Secondary (Grades 8-12, or equivalent) classes and youth groups around the world that have access to the Internet and know or can learn to use Google Sites.
Contest Benefits
Why would a teacher and class take on this task?
- Real world experience and audience
- Global collaboration
- Build on each person's strengths to create a whole; the group is better together!
- Nothing teaches faster than learning from each other.
- Authentic assessment rubric provided for guidance
What do projects look like?
To see what others have done, look here. The Primary division is listed first, followed by the Secondary.
Ready for this adventure?
Click here to register.
Contest
If you have questions, contact our Program Manager, Janet Barnstable.
Sponsored by Give Something Back International FoundationAbout the Author
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Digital Literacy Badge #1 - Design Your Digital Self
Design Your Digital Self - Promoting Digital Literacy
An activity intended for all
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| My Digital Self - blogmaster |
1. Create Your Avatar. Save it as a .jpg for later use.
3. Upload your avatar to ThingLink.
4. Create links to Design your Digital Self.
- your blog or website
- your favorite video
- your favorite app
- your favorite place to go
- something unique
- something you created
- a good quote
- anything that defines your digital self
5. Turn in Your Digital Self and Earn a Badge
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As you discover new tools, continue to create links to define your digital self.
Digital Literacy Badges
Set a Goal and Earn a Badge! It's simple.
In an attempt to promote digital literacy and contribute positively to implementation of the Common Core I am pleased to introduce Beye Badges.Saturday, December 22, 2012
Class Badges for 1-1 Goal Setting
Class Badges is a free online tool designed to help teachers use digital badges as rewards for accomplishing learning goals. The badges can be a useful tool for teachers to keep track of individual student accomplishments as they help learners focus on making progress.
Teachers can request a free account to generate a class code for students. Just add your students and choose from the many available badges. If you are in need of a unique badge of your own you can work with the folks at Class Badges to have them create it for you.
- Work with individual students and their parents to identify their own specific attainable goals and create a Google Doc for reflection and progress monitoring. Use comments to provide students with feedback.
- Attach badges to your grading rubrics and hold regular mini-conferences with students at checkpoints as they work towards completion of the assignment to increase their motivation to take their learning to the next level.
- Reinforce positive behavior and increase students' self-awareness by focusing on badges designed to reward students for demonstrating specific behaviors that might be useful to increase instructional time. For example: Reward time on task or organizational skills.
- Make sure the badges are designed to encourage self-improvement rather than competition among students in the class.
I really like Class Badges because the badges serve as a useful reminder for teachers to work with students on an individual level to set goals and assess progress. If used appropriately, they can improve students' self-esteem as they work towards attainable goals. I believe this tool that can help teachers get a little closer to a 1-1 learning environment.
Try it at ClassBadges.com
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