Clint's Tech Integration Resources

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Howdy - I'm Clint and I am the Technology Integration Specialist for SEDC, Southwest Educational Development Center in the beautiful SW corner of Utah. Welcome to my posterous site.

Any training I do, any resource that I need to share, or anything that I stumble across that is just plain cool I'll share here. Check out the Tags below to quickly get to a topic, or do a Search for what you can remember from a training of mine.

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URSA

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iOS Apps for Math & Science - URSA 2011 Presentation

Science
  • Vernier Video Physics: Take a video of an object in motion, mark its position frame by frame, and set up the scale using a known distance. Video Physics then draws trajectory, position, and velocity graphs for the object. Perform on-the-go analysis of interesting motions. Measure the velocity of a child's swing, a roller-coaster, or a car. Free.
  • EarthObserver: Learn about our planet’s terrestrial landscapes, oceans and seas, frozen ice caps, atmosphere and clouds, geologic terrains, topography, nautical charts, natural hazards, human impacts, and many other earth and environmental science topics as you travel and explore with your finger tips. Free.
  • Wolfram Alpha: With Wolfram|Alpha on your iPad, you can explore a vast world of knowledge, whether hanging out at the local coffee shop or relaxing on your couch. Use Wolfram|Alpha to discover new information about the world and to breathe expert knowledge into any facet of your life. $1.99 Universal App
  • Emerald Observatory: Emerald Observatory displays a wealth of astronomical information all on one screen, in a unique but understandable format. Information includes: - Times of rise and set for the Sun, the Moon, and the 5 classical planets, - Times of the beginning and ending of twilight, - Heliocentric orrery (display of the planets in orbit around the Sun), - Current phase and apparent orientation and relative size of the moon and LOTS more. $0.99
  • Stellarium: Stellarium is a planetarium for your iPhone. It shows a realistic sky in 3D, just like what you see with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope. Let's you identify almost any celestial body, constellation, cluster, etc. Includes: Images of nebulae, realistic Milky Way, planets and their satellites, powerful zoom and time control. Even has a point-to-identify mode using the iPad gyro! Free
  • Mythbusters HD: This is a fun honorable mention. Watch the most popular full screen MythBusters video clips and compete against other fans by busting 3 popular myths through full screen, multilevel casual games. Games are good, fun physics simulations and lead you to bust a myth on your own. If you like the show, you'll love the app. $4.99
  • Nature Human Genome Special Edition: The draft human genome sequence, announced in 2000 promised great insights into human biology, medicine and evolution. To celebrate the 10th anniversary, Nature has repackaged the Human Genome at Ten news special into a free iPad App. Free
  • Periodic Table of the Elements: This is a standard periodic table of the elements - a necessity for anyone interested in or even exposed chemistry. However, the version differs in that instead of cramming all the information for an element into one little square, you can select a chemical attribute and have the entire chart color coded to plainly show how the different elements vary with regard to the selected trait. Free
  • 3D Brain: Use your touch screen to rotate and zoom around 29 interactive structures. Discover how each brain region functions, what happens when it is injured, and how it is involved in mental illness. Each detailed structure comes with information on functions, disorders, brain damage, case studies, and links to modern research. Free
  • iLab: Timer HD: In the Science lab, sometimes you just need to keep track of time. A stop-watch is good, but what if you need to keep track of 10 different experiments or tests? iLab: Timer HD will let you track the time, to a tenth of a second, of up to 10 different events. $1.99
  • The Elements: A Visual Exploration: If you think you've seen the periodic table, think again. The Elements: A Visual Exploration lets you experience the beauty and fascination of the building blocks of our universe in a way you've never seen before. This is the US English version of The Elements. Fully translated versions are also available in French, German, Japanese, and British English. $13.99
  • Solar Walk: "This 3D Solar System model enables you to navigate through space and time, observe all the planets in close-up, learn their trajectories, inner structure, history of their exploration, points of interest and more. Use 3D mode to get a more realistic experience! And zoom out to view and spin the entire Galaxy!" $2.99
    •
    Math
  • Number Line: Number LIne is a game that helps students lean about fractions, decimals, and percents by ordering equivalent fractions, decimals, and percents on a number line. $0.99
  • My Math App: My Math Flash Card App is for mastering basic elementary math facts. Free
  • Math Drills Lite: Graphically rich and fun environment allows a single students to learn basic math skills in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Free
  • Times Tables: Math Practice app that is engaging, fun and enriching. Multiple version available. Free
  • Flash to Pass: Flash to pass is an easy-to-use, elegant program designed to facilitate mastering the basic math facts learned in Elementary school. Free
  • Pop Math: Fun drill for practicing math facts. There is now a lite version, and an iPad version. $0.99
  • Quick Graph: Quick Graph is a powerful, high quality, graphic calculator that takes full advantage of the multitouch display and powerful graphic capibilites of the iPad. Free
  • SAT Math Testbank: Challenging simulated test questions with detailed solution to prepare for the Math Section of the SAT test. Free
  • Rocket Math: Play one of the 56 different math missions. Missions range in difficulty from even/odd numbers all the way to square roots, so kids and their parents will enjoy hours of fun while learning math. $0.99
  • MathBoard: MathBoard is appropriate for all ages from kindergarten (with simple addition and subtraction problems) to elementary school where learning multiplication and division can be a challenge. You can control the range of numbers you want to work with, the amount of questions you want to answer and even assign a time limit per quiz. $3.99
  • Math Magic: Math Magic uses a combination of your choice of vibrant colours, simple interface and a reward system of stars to encourage and teach kids between the ages of 3 and 8. It’s really easy to use. The child simply has to tap on an answer to solve the problem. Whether they get the answer right or not, a real voice expresses appreciation for the child choosing a response. $0.99
    •

    Science 360

    Leaf Snap

    Xperica

    Everyday Mathmatics from McGraw Hill

    Our World - Al Gore app

    CK-12 Text Books

     

    From Guy Durrant

    Math


    Science
    • Biology
      • Cell Imaging HD (slow load, beautiful images, large database)
      • LeafSnap electronic fieldguide. Free, but limited iPod and iPad
      • 3D Cell Simulation and Stain Tool (beautiful images, slow to download) Rotate and zoom. Free (iPad)
      • Dichot key (for use within the BYU Monte Bean museum) free
    • Phyx
      • Intellective Physics (Free)
      • Video Science (large collection of science demo videos) Free
    • Astronomy there are bucketloads of astronomy apps
      • GoSkyWatch (free or $3.99 for +
      • SkyOrb 3D Free +
      • StarWalk (2.99 iPod, 4.99 iPad)
      • Planets (free) +
      • Exoplanet (free) db of all extrasolar planets
      • pUniverse ($2.99+, 3.99 iPad), pU Express is free
    • Geology
      • Seismic (iPod) (.99) not pretty, but fast and effective
      • QuakeWatch + (.99)
      • USGSSeismic (free) RSS feed from USGS (iPod)

    Filed under  //  Apps   Math   Science   URSA   iOS   iPad   iPod Touch  
    Posted
     

    Speaking Web 2.0 - Presentation, Links & Resources

    Here's the presentation for the session today:

    The Topics of Discussion:

    Other links & resources:

    Poll Everywhere Questions:

    Question 1

    Question 2

    Filed under  //  Facebook   Poll Everywhere   Qik   Twitter   UCET   URSA   Web 2.0   posterous  
    Posted
     

    OSX Power User - URSA Session

    Media_httpwebmecomtra_cswoh
    via web.me.com

    Visit Trainer Rob's page for the links and resources from this session.

    Also, if you'd like a DropBox account, click here.

    Filed under  //  URSA  
    Posted
     

    Can You Talk The Talk? (or Cell Phones are NOT Evil!)

    First off, feel free to view and download the presentation for today's session.

    Here are some great resources out on the web to harness the power and engagement potential of cell phones:

    Poll Everywhere: PollEverywhere is a service that you can use during class discussion to get instant feedback from your students via text message or web polling or voting. The results are instantly updated on the website, or you can embed a poll into a PowerPoint presentation (now Keynote in iWork on the Mac as well!). A basic teacher account will allow for 32 responses for an unlimited number of questions. Questions can be either multiple choice or open-ended in nature. Students LOVE the instant and anonymous feedback that they get, and the teacher can know at a glance what the students are understanding, and what they still have questions about. If you want to try a student response system like this without the phones, Student Response Network is a non-handheld solution for a computer lab setting. Poll on student response systems. Poll on cell phone tools.

    TextMarks utilizes the main form of communications for today's students - text messaging - and allows for instant alerts and reminders for your students, or their parents for that matter. Create an account at TextMarks, and then set up different groups that you intend to communicate with - different class periods, subject areas, parents, etc. and assign them a unique keyword. Once students or parents subscribe to the group, you can send out any message or reminder needed from the TextMarks website. Reminders and messages to your students that they will actually READ! Text "ITEAM" to 41411 and join the iTEAM TextMark group!

    TalkShoe brings a recording studio to your classroom with any phone and a computer with web access. TalkShoe might be the fastest, easiest way to create a recording of your lecture. Here's a step-by-step of how to start a new podcast recording. Once you have some episodes recorded, your students can 'sign up' for your podcasts in many ways - traditional RSS, via iTunes, or by subscribing via feed readers or text! Wait! I have a SmartPhone! Can I do it all from there? A SmartPhone, or an App Phone like the iPhone, Android, BlackBerry - any phone that can use Apps, can handle this task directly. On my Droid, I have downloaded an app called Voice Recorder that has one simple job - to record what comes through the microphone and allow that recording to be 'shared' via email, text message, or some other service. In this case, I chose to email it to my Posterous blog, and in just a few steps, I am podcasting

    ChaCha is basically a web search with your voice anywhere, anytime. Call or text-message a question to ChaCha, and the answer will be texted back to that phone. Very handy to resolve any question that comes up during class discussion or for research away from the computer lab or Library.

    Google SMS - Ahh, Google. The good folks at Google will let you search for the information that you need the most from your phone. Text "weather 84720" to 466453 ('GOOGLE' on most devices) and you will get the current weather and forecast for Cedar City. Text "define asymptote", and Google will give you the definition! Very handy and useful! Here is a more complete list of what Google SMS can answer for you.

    As I present this and as time goes on, I'll add great alternatives that are similar to the tools that I've detailed above, but might work differently/better/cheaper etc. Here we go:

    • GroupMe - Alternative to TextMarks, free for groups of 25 or less, built for group discussions via text messages an not so much for 1-to-many alerts.
    • Talk Shoe - Beefier alternative to GabCast, and it's free.

    Filed under  //  Cell Phones   DMS   URSA  
    Posted
     

    Avoid PowerPointLessNess

    View the presentation from the session here:
     
     
    Avoid:
     
    Seven Deadly Sins of PowerPoint, and How To Avoid Them:
     

    Click here to download:
    7 Deadly Sins for Multimedia Presentations.ppt (3.19 MB)
    (download)

     

     
     
    Avoid PowerPointLessNess in your Classroom:
     

    Click here to download:
    Avoid PowerPointlessness.doc (52 KB)
    (download)

     

     
     

    Do:
     
    Tips for Effective Presentations:
    • Stay Consistent:
      • Each slide has the same look and feel
      • If transitions are used, use the same throughout
      • Only deviate to make a point of emphasis
    • Keep it Simple:
      • Use a single, easy to read font.
      • Never let the font size auto adjust to a smaller size
      • Use dark backgrounds with bright text
    • Follow the 6x6 Rule:
      • Only 6 bullets per page
      • Only 6 words per line
      • Never more than 6 images/slide
    • Space and the number of slides are unlimited, so don't crowd the slides!
    • DON'T CLUTTER THE MESSAGE!
     

    Alternatives:
    I've written about Animoto before, but let's take a closer look...
     
    Animoto videos/presentations are created in 3 easy steps:
    1. Upload pictures, add text, and arrange them in the order you want.
    2. Pick your music - upload your own or choose from their many options.
    3. Select your animation theme, and let the site do the rest.
     
    All of the hard part - putting in the motion, transitions, music and effects, are done automagically by the site. Don't like the results? You can remix it as many times as needed. You can also go back and edit the project to add to it or correct mistakes once it's produced.
     
    Here's an example that I created in about 10 minutes - National and State Parks in Maui
     
     
     
    • Prezi is a whole new approach to presentations
    • Size and scale are used to show heircachy, not slides and bullets
    • You work in a presentation 'space' and create the flow of the presentation with simple and intuitive tools.
    • The trick is to start to think in multiple dimensions!
    • Great Prezi example - Mixing Mind and Metaphor
    • Make sure you sign up for the "Edu Enjoy" account, which is the $59/year account that is free for educators (Thanks, Prezi!) 
    • Prezi is a little different than any other presentation method you may have seen before. Take the time to learn how to use it to it's full potential.
     
    Google Presentations:
     
    Google Docs in Plain English:
     
    • The only thing that is Light Years ahead of anyone else here is the Collaboration.
    • 10 people can edit a presentation at the same time. However, you can share a presentation with up to 200 people!
    • The Good News? You probably already have it!
    • Teachers in the SEDC region have Gmail-based Email, and have email along with:
      • Presentations with Docs, Spreadsheets, and Forms
      • Calendars
      • Sites
     
    In the classroom....
    • Teachers can set up presentation 'templates' where each student (or small group) is in charge of one or many slides.
    • Students become the CONTENT EXPERTS for that topic during slide(s) creation
    • The process takes what would have been multiple files on multiple topics, and transforms it to ONE DOCUMENT.
    • Student Content Experts then teach their concept to the rest of the class
    • We have done collaborative projects with:
      • Rock Identification
      • Math Story Problems
      • Writing Across The Curriculum
    • View examples on the SEDC Site

    Filed under  //  Animoto   Google Docs   PowerPoint   Prezi   URSA  
    Posted
     

    Technology Resources for Math & Science Teachers

    Welcome, and thank you for attending our panel discussion today. Our session today is meant to be an open dialogue of 'best practices', which means ASK QUESTIONS! Let's introduce our panel members:

    • Moderator: Clint Stephens - Technology Integration Specialist & Former Middle & High School Science Teacher, Southwest Educational Development Center
    • Glen Westbroek (via Skype) - Science Department Head, Orem Jr. High School
    • Mary Janice Richmond - Math & Science Teacher, Hurricane High School
    • Joy Coates - Math Specialist, Iron County School District
    • Brandon Coates - Elementary Teacher, Cedar City East Elementary

    First, I'd like to hear from our panel members and let them introduce themselves:

    • What subject(s) do you teach?
    • How many years have you been teaching?
    • Tell us about any awards or distinctions you have earned. (it's OK to brag!)
    • What's your favorite finger???

    Now, let's address each of these questions:

    • What is the most important technology utilized in your classroom right now? What could you not live without?
    • What is the next thing "on your list" of things to learn or explore? What has caught your eye recently that you'd like to know more about?
    • What is your classroom missing? What is the next thing you'll add to your instruction?
    • What are your thoughts on mobile devices (iPod Touch/iPhone/iPad, smart phones, mobile phones)? Do they belong in the classroom? Are they used in your classroom? 
    • What's the best thing you are doing with technology with your students?
    • What long-term technology projects are your students working on, if any? (blog/journals, media creation, electronic portfolios, etc)
    • How did you get your 'stuff'? What grants or funding opportunities have you earned, and how did you get funded?
    • What grants are out there for teachers to go after?

    Questions, comments, additions?

     

    Please log into the Google Wave for this discussion and help take notes and add resources and links discussed today, or follow along here!

    Filed under  //  URSA  
    Posted