Edmodo

Teachers and schools have been preparing the use of Edmodo this academic school year. Many current users have found Edmodo easy to use and a great place to secure, connect and collaborate, and share applications. Edmodo was created with teachers and students in mind. This website has embraced the power of social media in helping teachers customize their classroom for different student learners.

This is a FREE website students and teachers can use. There are also materials available online for making a smooth transition into this digital era. Here's the first step in adapting to change:  Sign up for your subdomain and review the School & District Guide. Then follow the directions to ensure your utilizing all it's resources.

Resources: (2012). Edmodo. Edmodo, Inc. Copyright. Web. Retreived on 24 August 2012 from http://about.edmodo.com/.

Personalize Your Rubric

If you are having to rewrite your own rubric, here's an easier way! RubiStar allows you to access, save, and edit your own rubric online which can be accessed anywhere. This is another FREE website, so take advantage and sign up. Once you register, you can select from templates of different subjects you wish to customize. This assists students in better understanding what is expected of them and how they will be graded.

Rubistar has partnered with Subjective Metrics and created a web-based software to make rubrics interactice. By doing this, teachers can now add feedback to their students. This software is also integrated  with Moodle and Blackboard, and has made authentic assessments possible.

Resources:
(2002-2008). Rubistar. 4Teachers.org. ALTEC at University of Kansas. ALTEC Copyright. Web. Retrieved on 21 August 2012 from http://rubistar.4teachers.org/.

Technology Applications Teacher Network

This Teacher Network is an excellent resource for teachers to discuss and share technology strategies with other teachers in the classroom. By joining, you have access to FREE resources to implement the Technology Applications Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills.

TATN (Technology Applications Teacher Network) offers resources that contain methods in teaching the six technology applications (Digital Graphics/ Animation, Desktop Publishing, Web Mastering, Multimedia, Video Technology and Computer Science). It also contains resources to integrate the K-8 Technology Applications Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills into the content area classroom.

Use this as an opportunity for professional development and share what you already know.

Resources: Technology Applications Teacher Network. (2012). TATN. Technology Applications Teacher Network Copyright. Web. Retrieved on 21 August 2012 from http://www.techappsnetwork.org/.

Conjugation Nation Spanish

Conjugation Nation Spanish is an app that helps students master the world of Spanish verbs. This app helps you understand the subjective tense of a verb by customizing the level. Choose the verb tense you wish to focus on. If you didn't already know, by holding down a letter on your screen, the accented characters pop-up for you to select the needed letter when using this app. ¡Adios!



Reference: Conjugation Nation Spanish. The Best Kids Apps. Web. Retrieved on 12 August 2012 from http://www.bestkidsapps.com/ages-9-12/conjugation-nation-spanish/

Appy Back 2 School Appy Store

Looking for Back to School Apps? Then check out these apps that enhace Mathematics, Reading, and Languge skills. Did I forget to mention Music? Yup, that's right! There are also apps for developing an ear for music.

Reference: Technology in (spl) Education. (2012). Bests for Back to School forBack to School for iPhone & iPad. AppyMall. Technology in (spl) Education Copyright. Web. Retrieved on 12 August 2012 from http://www.appymall.com/store.php?d=339440196

The 200 Best Special Education Apps

If you are looking for an innovative way to engage students, then continue reading! These apps have been filtered to one location just for you. These apps can be utilized in the classroom.

Reference: Dunn, Jeff. (February 2, 2012). The 200 Best Special Education Apps. Edudemic. Web. Retrieved on 12 August 2012 from http://edudemic.com/2012/02/special-ed-apps/

Best Educational Apps for iPad & iPhone

Apps in Education have a whole new meaning. This site targets applications available on iPad & iPhone for Special Education and more! App developers are able to show their work through this website. The creators of this website offer apps from different price ranges. Don't forget to check out the FREE APP tab. There are also apps for Speech available through this site.

Technology in Special Education Link

Reference: Technology in (spl) Education. (2011). Best Educational Apps for iPad & iPhone. Technology in (spl) Education Copyright. Web. Retrieved on 11August 2012 http://techinspecialed.com/appy/index.php#

A Tempting Trio: Using Twitter, YouTube, and Diigo in the Classroom

Students speak about using these wonderful tools in the classroom. As one student said, "You have to keep your mind open and use the information that is available to you to your advantage." This is what we have to do as educators; open our minds. Listen to these students and how they are more engaged then before the existence of Social Media.

Afs8science. (June 21, 20012). A Tempting Trio: Using Twitter, YouTube, and Diigo in the Classroom   [Video]. Retrieved on 10 August 2012 from http://youtu.be/IKbDRz2IU_w