FREE DIGITAL STORYTELLING TOOLS!
By: Med Kharbach

Mr. Kharbach gathered these interactive and student engaging web tools. Students are motivated in using these tools to express their creativity throughout their projects. The tools have been screened and relisted on the side column of this blog under Web Tools that are allowed by our school district.

Educational Technology and Mobile Learning

Resources:

Educational Technology and Mobile Learning. (2012). Educational Technology and Mobile Learning. A resource of educational web tools and mobile apps for teachers and educators. Web. Retrieved on 26 of November 2013 from http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2012/06/list-of-best-free-digital-storytelling.html.

Learn to Code

Written by Walter Frick:

'Learning to code opens your eyes up to the reality that there’s nothing “smart” about computers, they are ultra-fast morons that blindly execute instructions written by real, fallible people. Understanding the complexity of defining problems and designing (partial) solutions in code gives an appreciation for why software is the way it is.

Next, you’re empowered with a meaningful vocabulary. Clients, servers, databases, browsers, etc.; if you need to work with someone technical, you’ll be able to do less-handwaving, and more communicating.

Beyond context and language, code-literacy and competency is a competitive-advantage when applying to many jobs, and soon I suspect an increasing requirement. Software is nothing but human information-processes automated by a machine, and so knowledge workers who know which pieces of their workflow can be automated (literacy), and potentially automate it by themselves (competency) will be those who command the best positions.

Learning to code is like viewing the full-length mirror of your logical thinking inadequacies, it’s quite humbling. Therefore, it requires persistence, patience and practice. The good news is, there has never been a better time to learn. In the age of Google, nearly every problem you run into has a solution that’s only a search-term away.

So just remember:
1) Computers are dumb, and they don’t get smarter: you do.
2) Learning by doing is the only thing that makes sense.
3) Use Google freely and without guilt. You’ll end up smarter and more self-sufficient.'

Click here to practice simple commands in JavaScript, HTML and CSS, Python and Ruby.

Resources:

Codecademy. (2013). Codecademy. Learn to code interactively, for free. Web. Retrieved on 1 of

March 2013 from http://www.codecademy.com/#!/exercises/0

 

Frick, Walter. (December 11, 2012). Street Wise Media. BostInno. Web. Retrieved on 1 of

March 2013 from http://bostinno.com/2012/12/11/why-you-really-need-to-learn-to-code-starting-now/

Gross, Jessica. (January 29, 2013). TED Blog.10 places where anyone can learn to code. Blog. Retrieved on 1 of March 2013 from http://blog.ted.com/2013/01/29/10-places-where-anyone-can-learn-to-code/

The Remind 101 Android app is a safe way for teachers to text message students and helps keep parents "in the loop". Students and parents have to enter a confirmation code to state that they do want to be contacted by you through the service. Remind 101 keeps phone numbers hidden so that the parties cannot see each other's numbers. This app is currently being used in my classroom and soccer field. I have reminders such as: Library Day, Assignments Due, Parent/Conference schedules and more. I have really enjoyed using this app with my students and athletes. I'm sure you will too!!

Resources:

Byrne, Richard. (October 22, 2012). Remind 101 Launches An Android App. Free Technology for Teachers. Web. Retrieved on 8 of Janurary 2013 from http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2012/10/remind-101-launches-android-app.html.

iStation

Your student's school is participating in Texas SUCCESS which provides state-funded access to interactive reading and math programs for Texas public school students in grades 3-8. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has selected iStation as the Texas SUCCESS reading provider.

As a result, your students will now have FREE and UNLIMITED access to iStation Reading at home. You will need your child's login information that was provided my me, Mrs. Cedillo. Be sure to install iStation on your home computer to maximize your child's reading performance.

Information is also available on how to view your student's progress, access reports and other resources by logging in to the iStation parent portal. Thanks to Texas SUCCESS, your student can now continue his or her school experience at home!

www.istation.com/iStationHome/TX

Click on the link above to get started now.

If your child has misplaced their user name and password, please send me an e-mail.

Mrs. D. Cedillo

Place your child's book order online.

* Click REGISTER
* Register as a PARENT
*Enter your information
*Enter your child's information (keeps record of your child's books)
*Activation CODE H82BM
*Shop for your child

Thank you for ordering books online!

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/.