Author

Lori Gracey

Lori Gracey currently serves as the executive director of the Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) and is responsible for training technology directors, administrators, curriculum supervisors, librarians, and teachers across the country. Since 2009, she has led TCEA in membership and revenue growth, helped to pay off their building and purchase a new, larger building, and implemented new conferences, partnerships with other associations, and professional development opportunities for members and non-members. She serves more than 75,000 members and oversees a staff of 20. Lori has served on the board of the Texas Society of Association Executives and SXSWedu, and she has served as the Regional Program Chair for the ISTE 2017 and 2021 Convention in San Antonio. Lori has 28 years of experience in education, with 22 years as a curriculum and technology director.

ClassroomScreen: You Will Love This Resource!

by Lori Gracey January 30, 2018

written by Lori Gracey

Here’s a new, quick, fun, and FREE resource that I discovered recently. It’s called ClassroomScreen and it has a very simple purpose. It was created by Laurens Koppers, a teacher in the Netherlands, and is designed for educators to use as a teaching screen in their classrooms. Simply connect your device to a projector, launch a browser, and go to the website. While the Chrome browser is recommended, it works in any browser, even on your smartphone.

What ClassroomScreen Offers

Once loaded, the site offers first a beautiful background picture that is different every time you open it. (I could use just that feature alone for so many classroom purposes, from writing prompts to descriptive language to math problems to science or geography facts.) Across the bottom of the screen, though, is where the real power of the site is.

ClassroomScreen

Each of the icons above represents a tool that you can use on the screen. And these tools are perfect for the classroom! Here’s what’s currently available (from left to right):

Language – Yes, you can have the content in a multitude of languages.
Background – This tool lets you select from a wide variety of stunning images or upload your own. You can even add your own video background now.
Random Name – Create a .txt file with all of your students’ names and upload it. Then this tool will randomly select a student. This same tool also lets you roll one, two, or three dice for a random number.
Sound Level – Follow a few simple steps and allow the site to use your computer’s microphone one time. Then set the maximum noise level you want in the classroom. This tool will show a a red or green progress bar to help your class know when they need to get quieter. And it’s good to know that the site does not record any sound or save any of the noises.
QR Code – This is a favorite resource of all the tools for the teachers I talked with. Type in a URL you want your class to access and it will automatically create a QR code for it. It’s so simple!
Drawing Tool and Upload Image – Use this to bring up a drawing screen that includes simple pens and shapes and a graph paper background. Upload an image and annotate over it for everyone to see.
Text – Insert a text box on your screen with basic word processing tools. This is great to use for simple instructions you want the class to follow.
Work Symbols – This is one of my favorite resources. It pulls up a reminder for the students about how they are working in class today, whether it is in Silence, Whisper, Ask Neighbor, or Work Together. It’s a great way to set expectations.
Traffic Light – Want to remind your students about their noise level? Bring up this stop light and tap on either green, yellow, or red to show them the current room condition.
Timer – This opens a simple hour-glass timer that you can set for however long you want and it will count down. It also includes a lap timer and a stop watch, for PE teachers, as well as a loop function.
Clock and Calendar – This is a simple clock that also shows the date.
Exit Poll – This new feature allows you to edit an already-created sample poll with your own question. Students can then select one of the five face choices to indicate their responses. This could be done on an iPad or Chromebook as they leave the classroom. Access to the exit poll is through a new, small icon on the far right side of the screen; it is not in the tool bar across the bottom.

All of the tools can be moved around the screen to wherever you want them, and you can have multiple tool windows open at the same time, even of the same tool. So if you have groups of students working on different things, each group can have their own widget. I’ve even heard of students who run ClasroomScreen on their own devices to help them stay on task or even using the Traffic Light to show their current understanding of a lesson or the status of their project.

ClassroomScreen

ClassroomScreen works best in full screen mode, which you can access in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen. I am really impressed with this resource, even though it’s simple, and would encourage you to try it out in your classroom today!

This blog was updated with additional resources on July 26, 2018.

January 30, 2018 0 comments

Professional Learning

If You Can’t Be at Convention

by Lori Gracey January 28, 2018

written by Lori Gracey

Ask anyone who’s ever attended a TCEA Convention & Exposition and they will tell you that there’s nothing like it. The crowds of dedicated educators, the amazing presenters, the exhibitors with the latest learning technologies — all of that creates an excitement and an energy that you won’t find anywhere else.

But what if, for whatever reason, you simply can’t attend the convention this year? Is there any way to gain at least a little of that knowledge and recharging without being there? The good news is yes.

Ways to Learn with Us Without Being at Convention

First, follow us on Twitter. The presenters and attendees are fabulous about sharing the amazing things they’ll be learning at convention. The official hashtag is #TCEA. So grab your favorite Twitter tool (mine is TweetDeck) and input the hashtag to join in. You can start following along now as we always have great tools and resources.

During the week of convention, we will be blogging out some of the things we see that really impact us. So check out the blog each day to virtually experience those. (By the way, did you know that you can sign up to get the TCEA blog emailed to you each day? Just go to the blog site and scroll down until you see the red box. Enter your email address and you’ll start getting powerful resources emailed to you daily. And this works for members and non-members.)

After convention is over, we will be blogging out some of the content shared in our Solution Circles this year, peer-to-peer collaborations about some of the big issues in education right now. So be sure to be on the lookout for those resources. (Again, if you sign up to receive the daily blog email, you’ll get them automatically delivered to your inbox.)

Next, register for the webinar “Lunch and Learn: Convention Gems.” It’s free to members and on February 14 from 11:45 to 12:15 p.m. Central. This fast-paced session will highlight some of the best of the best that our PD staff discovered at convention. And there will be time for everyone else to share their favorites as well. If you can’t attend the live session, register anyway and receive a link to the recorded webinar to listen to at any time. If you’re not currently a member, join for just $49 for a year and get access to this webinar, as well as more than 80 others. That’s a lot less than what it would cost to attend the convention!

Finally, keep an eye on our website for when we post all of the handouts from our unbelievable presenters. It usually takes two to three weeks after convention is over before they are all uploaded. But once they are, you will have full access to them. It’s not quite the same as being in the room with them, but it’s a close second.

Next Year in San Antonio

Take advantage of all the learning that you can participate in without being at convention this year. But start making plans for how you can join in for the live excitement in San Antonio February 4-8, 2019. Tell your supervisor about the tremendous learning you’ll experience and ask him to budget for you attending next year. I look forward to seeing you there!

January 28, 2018 0 comments

Announcements/Important Dates

Make TCEA 2018 Your Best Learning Ever

by Lori Gracey January 26, 2018

written by Lori Gracey

I hope that all of you are registered for the TCEA 2018 Convention & Exposition by now and are starting to get excited about the event. This year’s content promises to be the best we’ve ever had, and I can’t wait for you to experience it. But with five full days and more than 1,100 opportunities to stretch your mind, it may be a little overwhelming. Knowing that, here are four tips for a successful event, gleaned from my participation at more than 35 TCEA conventions.

Tip #1: Plan Your Experience Around “One Thing”

Admittedly, I am something of a control freak. So just winging the entire convention is definitely not something I’m comfortable with. But to be honest, there is literally so much going on that, if you don’t do at least a little planning up front, you will miss out on something amazing. So, decide first what you want to learn this year. You can certainly just pick a basket of mixed content, if you want, and go home with lots of innovative ideas. But I have found that the best learning I experience is when I am focused.

So, what do you want to learn?

Are you trying to solve a particular problem?
Is your campus or district implementing something new?
Do you need resources for a specific subject area?
Are you wanting to grow your leadership skills?
Do you need practice in the latest educational trend?
Are you trying to determine what perfect tech tool to purchase?

Whatever it is, I can promise you that you’ll find it at the convention. But take the time to write down your response to the following to make sure that you get everything you can out of the experience: “I will know that my time at TCEA 2018 was well spent if I walk away with _________.” That’s your “one thing,” what you will concentrate your time and energy at the convention on. That doesn’t mean you won’t learn about other things, just that your primary goal is to accomplish this one task.

Tip #2: Study the TCEA 2018 Offerings in Advance

I am always a little frightened by the attendees who show up onsite at the convention that first morning and then start looking in the printed program to see what they want to attend. Again, there’s just too much going on for that to be effective. Instead, spend some time up front getting familiar with what is being offered.

First, see what big events are going on this year. Even if you’ve attended the convention for a long time, we make slight changes every year and provide new sessions and events.

Who are the keynoters and featured speakers? Will any of them be able to address your “one thing?”
What’s new this year? The convention adds to its topics each year as new technologies come out. So what is being emphasized this year in the interactive learning spaces? Does that fit in with your one thing? If so, how much time will you need to spend there?
The 2018 convention is offering Solution Circles this year, which are 50-minute facilitated, round-table conversations where attendees will discuss common problems, explore solutions, and share resources in small groups. You can see the list of topics and times here. Will one of these help educate you more about your one thing?
Don’t forget about the great learning going on in the poster sessions. These come-and-go opportunities allow you to talk face-to-face personally with knowledgeable peers in a relaxed setting.

Next, spend some time searching for specific sessions about your one thing. You can do this with the filter and search capabilities of the convention website. The general search feature will return sessions, speakers, and exhibitors that match the keyword you searched for. You can also use the more powerful filter function (on the right side) with select tags (such as 1:1, coding, differentiation, or leadership).

For example, in the search below, I am looking for ideas on implementing a makerspace in an elementary campus.

TCEA 2018

Make a rough draft of a possible schedule of sessions to attend, leaving in some free time for impromptu conversations with peers, visiting the massive exhibit hall, and any spur-of-the-moment learning opportunities that may crop up. You don’t have to necessarily follow this schedule completely, but it will give you a place to start when you get onsite at the convention center.

One more thing about your schedule. Make sure you download the free TCEA app before you arrive. This will be the best way to keep current on any possible changes in the sessions being offered.

Tip #3: Try One New Adventure

TCEA 2018 One of the most powerful learning experiences may be one that you’ve never had before. The convention is the perfect place to expand your horizons and try something new. If you’re normally reluctant to meet new people, try introducing yourself to others in a session you attend, at a Solution Circle, or while resting your tired feet in a corner chair. If you don’t normally interact with the exhibitors much, then spend some time with a vendor who offers something related to your one thing and really dive in, getting hands-on practice and all of your questions answered. If you’re not typically a joiner, then stop by and learn about one of the Special Interest Groups (SIGs) in the TCEA membership booth and discover what they have to offer you. Put on your “I’m confident” hat and add a new experience to your convention activities.

Tip #4: Explore What TCEA Has for You After the Convention

I also strongly encourage you to stop by the TCEA Membership Booth during the big event and say “hello.” Introduce yourself to Director of Membership and Marketing Joe Vasquez and Membership Assistant Erin Taylor and let them share with you how TCEA can continue to support you long after the convention has ended. Your convention registration includes a free year of membership, and you won’t believe all the solutions and resources that will provide to help you with your one thing and many others.

January 26, 2018 0 comments

Announcements/Important Dates Good Teaching

Your Summer of Innovation Starts Here

by Lori Gracey January 22, 2018

written by Lori Gracey

It’s at this time of year that teachers begin to think longingly of the summer and time to relax and recharge. And TCEA has the best opportunity for you to do just that at our “learn at the beach” conference. Formerly known as Tots and Technology, our much-loved summer conference is back under a new name that better reflects its focus on all educators working with grades PreK-5. Held June 10-12 in Galveston, Texas, the Elementary Technology Conference offers a chance for elementary educators to both rejuvenate from a long school year and develop new skills, tools, and knowledge for the next year.

Why Attend?

The Elementary Technology Conference isn’t your average ed tech conference. It’s designed expressly with elementary educators in mind. From makerspaces and active learning to coding and robotics, math and reading activities to the latest brain-based research, you’ll find the resources and strategies you need to enliven your PreK-5 classroom, library, or school all in one place.

Learn innovative tools and techniques to engage, empower, and inspire young learners
Network with like-minded elementary educators in informal settings and facilitated breakout groups
Engage in hands-on learning in hundreds of sessions and walk away with exciting lessons and ideas for the new school year
Discover cutting edge products and services to make your job easier
Recharge your energy and excitement about teaching

What You’ll Experience

Without fail, attendees at this learning extravaganza walk away thrilled with what they’ve gleaned. Because the conference is smaller than summer of innovation TCEA’s annual Convention & Exposition, there is more one-on-one time available with the presenters. We also build in more time for networking and sharing with colleagues who are experiencing the same challenges that you are. In addition, we pack in the fun so that you can’t wait to get back to school and your new students.

The best way to learn is with a team. So bring others from your campus with you to this amazing event. We’ll have content specifically for elementary administrators, librarians, teachers, curriculum specialists, early learning center staff, and campus technology specialists.

The Best Bang for Your Buck

TCEA has worked to get the lowest possible prices for hotel rooms at the conference. And we provide a continental breakfast and full lunch for attendees both days. There’s also a very cool t-shirt that each participant will receive. To save even more, register before April 1 when the price will increase.

Want to Share Your Knowledge?

The call for presenters for the Elementary Technology Conference is currently open through February 28. Your peers need the ideas and strategies that you have found work with your students. So complete the proposal form and receive the recognition you deserve!

The Elementary Technology Conference represents the best of TCEA with its focus on real learning, best practices, networking, and fun. Register today and join us at the beautiful Galveston Island Convention Center!

summer of innovation

January 22, 2018 0 comments

Online Tools and Apps

Organizationally Challenged? ME to the Rescue

by Lori Gracey January 15, 2018

written by Lori Gracey

All of us are busy today, whether we are adults or students. Remembering all of the things that we need to get done and, more importantly, when they have to be done by, can be a major task. Technology resources like Google Calendar can certainly help. But what’s been missing is a central “brain” to keep track of everything in one place for us. And that’s where AI (Artificial Intelligence) comes in.

Over the past year or so, Amazon has introduced the Echo, a device designed to help us better manage our busy lives. And Google followed with Google Home. While absolutely fantastic, both of these are appliance solutions that require you to purchase a device. If you’re not where the device is, then it can’t help you. So these kinds of resources aren’t very useful for students at school.

What the ME Organizer Can Do for You

ME is a new web-based solution that is focused on “improving your daily life.” It is a virtual assistant that uses artificial intelligence to help us be more efficient and organize our lives. It lives on your favorite messaging platforms, such as Messenger, Telegram, SMS, Slack, and Alexa (coming soon), and is available 24/7.

For starters, here’s what this new resource can do:

Manages lists and sends you timed reminders
Remembers events or important information for instant recall
Manages your calendar
Calls you to wake you up
Provides weather updates
Sends you jokes when you’re having a bad day

Educational Uses of ME

Now all of the above features can also be handled by devices like the Amazon Echo. But again, ME can be with you anywhere you go, which makes it a natural for students to use in school. We know that organizational skills are critical to surviving and thriving in today’s world. But we don’t spend much time actually teaching kids how to be organized as we might need to. ME is a great tool for them to use for managing their assignments and homework, meetings and events, and important things they need to remember. Best of all, the service is completely FREE! Students can get started using ME simply by picking a communication system that will work on their device.

Our schedules aren’t going to get any less busy. So finding the perfect tool to help manage our busy lives is important. Share the ME organizer with your students and see if they find it useful.

January 15, 2018 0 comments

Good Teaching

You Might Be a Teacher If… Part 1

by Lori Gracey January 8, 2018

written by Lori Gracey

I absolutely love teachers. I believe that they are the kindest, most giving individuals on the face of the earth. Sure, there are a couple of bad apples in the barrel, but overwhelmingly, teachers are unbelievably dedicated and caring. They put in long, hard hours without any reward other than the smile of a child as he/she learns something new. And they do it day after day for every individual they run into.

Having said all of that, I must also admit that, at times, teachers can be a quirky lot. Maybe it’s being cooped up with no other adults to talk to so much of every day. Or dealing with all of the almost useless paperwork they have to complete. Or never being thanked enough for all that they do. Whatever the cause, teachers can sometimes exhibit, well, let’s call it “unusual” behavior.

Over the next few months, I would like to take a somewhat irreverent look at educators and what they do. I hope that it will make you laugh and better appreciate these very important folks. (Disclaimer: No teachers were harmed in the making of this blog post.)

You Might Be an Elementary Teacher If…

You start getting your classroom ready for the new school year two months in advance. (It takes a long time to cut out all of those bulletin board letters and create all of those innovative centers!)

You often spend your time with very strange people and don’t think anything about it. you might be a teacher

Your back is bent at a permanent 90 degree angle from always leaning over a student’s desk.

you might be a teacher if You not only own every Crayola color there is, but can easily recognize them all by name.

You view every empty fast food container as a possible art project.

You believe that a day where no one threw up or cried is a good day.

You can tell the weather outside and the current phase of the moon simply by watching your students for 30 seconds.

Your hand feels empty if it’s not holding a pair of scissors or a rubber stamper.

One of your happiest days is when the new bulletin board supplies come in at the local teacher store. you might be a teacher if

You automatically help others at the table with their food when dining out.

You answer to the name of “Miss,” “Teacher,” and “Mom.”

You try not to call in sick because it will cause you more work and stress than just showing up.

Moving to a new classroom involves your spouse, two teacher friends, and three days of carrying an unbelievable number of boxes stuffed with manipulatives, art supplies, books, and other “necessary teaching tools.”

you might be a teacher if The news that the faculty meeting was cancelled makes you dance down the hall.

You find yourself trying to organize children you see at the mall into small groups for sharing time.

You know all of the really frightening places that glitter can end up on the human body.

You’ve stopped praying for patience because you learned that all that got you was chances to practice patience, and you have plenty of those already.

You find yourself saying things that no one else can understand:

“Don’t lick the desk!”
“No, you can’t possibly have to go to the bathroom 14 times in one hour.”
“You have three younger brothers and your mom says they all want to be in my class? That’s just wonderful.”
“Please cover your mouth when you… Never mind.”
“Yes, I know we have inside recess again today.”
“Being the first in line doesn’t win you a prize.”
“What do you mean you wanted to find out what the hand sanitizer tasted like?”
“I’m sorry, Principal Smith, that my room looks like I’m losing a game of Jumanji.”
“If you’re not bleeding or dying, please sit down for a minute.”
“Who took the lids off all of the markers and the glue sticks?”

You lie in bed at night unable to sleep, worrying about the needs of a particular student.

You spend hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars of your own money on snacks for hungry kids, books for those without them to read, classroom supplies to engage your students, and items for holiday parties.

Your best moment is when you see a student who has been struggling finally grasp a new concept.

January 8, 2018 0 comments

Educational Trends

Three Ed Tech Predictions for 2018

by Lori Gracey January 3, 2018

written by Lori Gracey

I’ve dusted off my crystal ball again and am looking into it to see what’s coming for educational technology this next year. (If you want to check my accuracy, here are my predictions for 2017. How did I do?)

Artificial Intelligence Comes Into Its Own

We’ve seen the beginnings of the AI movement with the Amazon Echo, Google Home, and Apple’s Siri, all of whom utilize machine-learning technology in order to get smarter. But it’s nothing compared to what’s coming in 2018. Machine learning is defined as:

An application of artificial intelligence (AI) that provides systems the ability to automatically learn and improve from experience without being explicitly programmed. Machine learning focuses on the development of computer programs that can access data and use it learn for themselves (source).

Machine learning should have great interest to us in the education world since it involves learning and computer programming. We won’t see any AI devices taking over the world any time soon, but we will begin to rely on them more and more. Already, we see doctors using AI to diagnose illnesses, Netflix and Pandora using predictive technology to make recommendations, and driverless vehicles. The power of thinking machines to take over more of the daily grind of our lives will increase in 2018. And while we won’t see a huge increase in AI in schools yet, vendors will begin to develop products that use artificial intelligence to help diagnose and prescribe for specific student learning needs. (By the way, if you’ve heard the myth that AI will eventually replace teachers, you can stop worrying. Artificial intelligence is great for helping with data, but not with relationships. And that’s what good teaching comes down to.)

More Things Are Connected to the Internet

We will see a huge growth in the devices that can be connected to the Internet in 2018. The Internet of Things (IOT), soon to be called the Internet of Everything, has tremendous possibilities for schools with the potential of big cost savings over time. Monitoring sensors will be attached to almost anything, from HVAC systems to buses to doors and windows. They can be used to take attendance, track payments in the cafeteria, monitor student engagement and access of resources, and more. The resulting data coming in from all of these devices will require new ways of thinking, as well as a strong need for additional broadband and storage on our school networks.

2018 predictions

Computer Programming Becomes Even More Important

The automation of many jobs across our country and the world will increase in 2018. The McKinsey Global Institute published a report in 2018 predictions November 2017 about automation and jobs, sketching out different paths the technology might take and its effect on workers, by job category in several countries. One key finding: Up to one third of the American work force will have to switch to new occupations by 2030, in about a dozen years.

What will this mean for education? It will be mean that one of the high-growth fields to prepare our students for will be computer programming and robotics. (Someone has to program and repair all of those robots!) More and more schools will add robotics programs to their offerings, beginning in primary school. All students will be encouraged to take programming/computer science courses and participate in activities such as the Hour of Code school wide. And that will mean that programming will be more important to all educators as well. Districts will need to ramp up their professional development to meet the demand for this skill set.

One Bonus Prediction

My crystal ball gave me one extra prediction for 2018. Educators will continue to do amazing things for all students with little resources and even less time. They will continue to make a difference in the lives of the people they come into contact with each day, working to the make the world a better place and to achieve learning without limits. And I think that’s a prediction that we can all be sure will come true!

January 3, 2018 0 comments

Good Teaching Leadership

Five Practices That Accelerate Student Learning

by Lori Gracey December 29, 2017

written by Lori Gracey

Researcher John Hattie is one of my new heroes. His book Visible Learning: A Synthesis of Over 800 Meta-Analyses Relating to Achievement has really opened my eyes to the changes that we need to be making in our classrooms. In his meta study, Hattie compared the effect sizes of aspects that influence learning outcomes, pointing out that in education most things work. The question is which ones work best and where to concentrate our efforts. In other words, what changes accelerate student learning the most?

(Side note: To fully understand Hattie’s research, we have to understand that “effect size” is simply a way of quantifying the size of the difference between two results in a study. Cohen suggested that an effect size of 0.2 be considered a “small” effect, an effect size of 0.5 represents a “medium” effect, and 0.8 a “large” effect size. So we would want to see an effect size of 0.5 or higher as a gauge of what changes to make. The graphic below explains it well. Source)

accelerate learning

I’ve taken the liberty of picking five of Hattie’s top ten influences on achievement and examining them in terms of how technology might help us better use them for learning. Here’s what I discovered.

Self-Reported Grades/Student Expectations (1.44 effect size)

This had the biggest influence on achievement out of all of the ones that Hattie looked at. Students set their own goals, monitor their own achievement, and reflect upon their process of learning. The strategy “involves the teacher finding out what are the student’s expectations and pushing the learner to exceed these expectations.” (Source) What technology could be used to help students better reflect on their own learning?

Blogging
Choice boards
ePortfolios (Google Keep, for example)
Flipgrid or VoiceThread reflections
Seesaw

Teacher Credibility (.90 effect size)

Trust, competence, energy, enthusiasm, and consistency are among the top characteristics students consider when determining if their teacher is credible and if they are going to choose to learn from them. Hattie defines this as the teacher being highly organized when teaching, having a powerful speaking style, and removing barriers between himself and the student. While no technology today will help students trust a teacher more, technology can be used to stay organized. Google Calendar, OneNote, and other items can help the teacher manage the content that is to be taught. Thrively can be used to help the teacher learn about student strengths and interests, which can help to build trust between them.

Classroom Discussion (.82 effect size)

Hattie defines classroom discussion as “a method of teaching, that involves the entire class in a discussion. The teacher stops lecturing and students get together as a class to discuss an important issue.” You can find helpful tips to take your class discussions to the next level here.

There are several powerful technology tools that can facilitate classroom discussions, including Google Classroom, Today’s Meet, Flipgrid (with video comments by students), Skype, and Google Hangouts. The key with all of these technologies is that the students are doing the discussion while the teacher is facilitating the conversation.

Teacher Clarity (.75 effect size)

Learning targets are clear and articulated with success criteria. Students should be able to answer: What am I learning today? Why am I learning this? How will I know that I learned it? Technology resources that can help with this include:

Blended learning
Flipgrid
Google Classroom
LMS (Learning Management System)

Feedback (.75 effect size)

Just-in-time feedback identifies where the student is at, what the expectation is, and what actions they can take to close the gap. It is far more important that the feedback be about the task, the process used, and the self regulation level than simple praise which contains no learning information. And the most powerful level of feedback of all is that given from the student to the teacher. (Here’s an excellent infographic on the seven things to remember about feedback.)

There are a wide variety of formative assessment tools available to educators today, including Nearpod, Recap, Formative, Socrative, Kahoot!, Plickers, Padlet, and more. (You can find an exhaustive list here.) But there are ways other than a simple quiz for students to provide feedback about their own learning. Consider blogging, Today’s Meet, an online discussion with private comments to the teacher, and reflection journals.

I would love to see teachers in teams embrace one of these “top five” ways to accelerate student learning and practice its use over a semester. To help them in the process, they can use the top five themselves as they learn the strategy. What do you think?

December 29, 2017 0 comments

Educational Trends

Christmas Tech Gifts to Give and Receive

by Lori Gracey December 11, 2017

written by Lori Gracey

As you’re making your list for what you hope Santa Claus will be bringing you this year, here are a few tech gadgets and goodies that you might want to include. I’ve also got a few suggestions for the important people in your life, in case you’re stuck for what to get them this holiday season. Happy tech!

For Your Children

Christmas tech Children and teens will love the features of the JBuddies Studio Headphones. Designed for ages 6 to 16, these can save you from having to hear the latest Disney song one more time or the “music” that your teen is currently into. They are volume limited (to 85db) to prevent hearing damage and come in a variety of colors, which will make your older child happy. The cable is tangle free (great for the younger kids) and they fold when not in use for easier transportation. They are also guaranteed for life. At just $19.99, they are a great deal.

Get your young children started on a career in STEM with the Cubetto Playset Coding Toy. Designed for ages 3 and up, children Christmas tech help Cubetto, a wooden robot, navigate a magical world by writing their first programs using hands-on coding blocks. If you’re worried about your children having too much screen time, Cubetto is perfect for you as there is no screen. This device is such fun that kids won’t even know that they are learning while playing. It is pricey at $225.95, but well worth the cost.

If you have a child who is afraid of the dark, check out the Force Field Cloaks. Wearing these to bed, the glow-in-the-dark ink will make kids feel safe as they fall asleep. Five different designs are available and they are priced at $36 each. (Please note that, because of demand, they will not ship until January.)

Christmas tech Encourage the artist in your child with the 3D Printing Pen for Kids. Designed to be safely used by kids 8 and up, the pen comes with a random selection of three different filaments. Besides encouraging their creative side, the device also reinforces spatial thinking, planning and organization, attention to detail, a DIY spirit, and hand/eye coordination. It is priced at $39.99.

For Your Home

If you have a toddler investigating things around your house, then you’ll want to get several SnapPower Safe Lights. The Safe Christmas tech Light is an easy-to-install wall replacement switch that not only childproofs, but also adds illumination so you don’t need to take up one of the outlets with a nightlight. It doesn’t require any batteries. They are available in white, ivory, or light almond. You can get one of these for $16.95 or a pack of four for $60.95.

Christmas tech It’s time everyone had their own virtual personal assistant. Purchase a Google Home or Amazon Echo and you’ll have just that. These voice-controlled devices can play music, make calls, send and receive messages, answer search questions, keep your calendar, read the news, set alarms and timers, control smart home technology, and much, much more. I own several of the Amazon devices and don’t know what I did without them. They range in price from $49 to $149. (By the way, these are also excellent technology to have in the classroom. You can learn more about that in this blog.)

For the Man in Your Life

If your favorite guy is always trailing cords and plugs with his gadgets, then think about getting him the Christmas tech stylish but manly Stud Satchel. This shoulder bag is perfect for carrying all of his tech, but doesn’t look like a lady’s purse. Available in olive or navy (very manly colors!), the bag can even be personalized with up to eight letters at no additional charge. It’s big enough to hold a small laptop or Chromebook, but not so large that it’s cumbersome. With lots of compartments and pockets, both a handle and an adjustable shoulder carrying strap, and made out of canvas and leather, your brother/significant other/father/male friend will love it. It’s priced at $49.99.

For Your Dog

Christmas tech Don’t forget about your canine companion this Christmas. He will absolutely love the Furbo Dog Camera. With two-way audio and a WiFi pet camera, you can check in on your pal while you’re at work with the free Android/iOS app. And what makes it especially fun is that you can fill it with over 100 pieces of your dog’s favorite treats and the device will let you toss them to him. At $169.95, this is an expensive gift for your pet. But you can’t put a price on love!

For Your Classroom

One of my new favorite gadgets for learning is the QBall. This is a throwable microphone system that connects to the teacher’s audio Christmas tech system, whether that’s an expensive one or just a set of computer speakers. It gives every student in your classroom a voice and ensures that what each one says can be heard by all of the others. Since it’s made of light, durable foam, it can take a beating. And the microphone automatically shuts off while “in flight” so you don’t get any thumps or bumps over the speakers. It’s priced at $179, but there are discounts for bulk purchases. And they will accept purchase orders.

If your students are using any kind of devices in your classroom, then you know that dirty screens are rampant. Purchase these Buff Quick Cloths and you can help them keep their screens clean. Priced at $5.98 for two, these microfiber cloths are washable and come in four great designs.

For Yourself

Kick up your heels or just look stylish with the new Gemio Smart Band. This customizable bracelet (for both men and women) Christmas tech has LED technology that creates millions of colors and endless light effects as it responds to music, movement, and the people around you. Snap-on Tiles let you change the band’s look in an instant and it’s rechargeable. A basic set starts at just $11.99.

Christmas tech Make holding your device easier and more comfortable with the PopSocket Expanding Stand and Grip. This simple tool works on smartphones and tablets of any brand and will help ensure you never drop your tech again. It comes in a wide variety of stylish colors and folds to a very compact size when not in use. And at less than $9.00, it’s a bargain!

You can never have enough power unless you have the Anker PowerCore 10000. This small (smaller than a deck of cards) external battery will charge any device up to three times before it must be plugged in. Priced at just $25.99, it’s perfect for carrying with you every day to ensure your device can go the distance.

Add the power of augmented reality to your car while driving with the Navdy Windshield Projected Navigation system. Thedevice, which can be installed into any car, allows you to stay connected while driving with maps, calls, messages, music, and car information projected directly in front of you using AR. The image is completely visible even in direct sunlight. The system is priced at $399.99, but you’re worth it!

Christmas tech

Of course, in my opinion, the very best possible Christmas present for any educator is a one-year membership in TCEA, filled with all of the professional learning, networking, and resources possible. And it’s just $49!

Regardless of the gifts you give or receive, TCEA wishes each of you a very wonderful holiday season!

December 11, 2017 0 comments

Online Tools and Apps

Photo Editing with Artificial Intelligence

by Lori Gracey December 8, 2017

written by Lori Gracey

Most of us these days, when trying to capture a special moment or a beautiful scene, use our cell phone cameras to take the shot. And while that’s great for portability, it may not result in the best pictures. We’re usually in a hurry (Why won’t the cat hold still while I take a picture of her doing something cute?). Add to that the fact that the more features our cell phone cameras add on, the less we actually know about how to take great photos. The result? Photos that are too dark, too bright, or just not right.

The good news for us photo amateurs is that artificial intelligence (AI) can how help improve our photos, even after they’ve been taken. AI Photos is a free website where you can upload any photo and the artificial brains will then make it better automatically; you don’t have to know anything or do anything. The tool’s creators claim that it can even “translate ordinary photos into DSLR-quality images.” (DSLR stands for Digital Lens Single Reflex and is the preferred tool of professional photographers.)

Photo Editing in Action

Below is a photo I took of one of my sons while he was in college. You can see the “before” look on the right and it’s really dark. The “after” look on the left shows how the photo appears once the AI has done its thing. Then I simply download my enhanced photo (as a JPG) and pretend I took it that way from the start. There’s no fee or registration required, which is amazing.

photo editing

The final, saved image looks like this. The AI seems to have not only lightened the background, but also sharpened my blurry image.

photo editing

Now this may not be the slickest photo editor on the planet. But, to be honest, sometimes I don’t need a lot of bells and whistles to have to pick from. Usually, I just want my photo to look good without a lot of work. AI Photos is fast and efficient and doesn’t require me to know a lot about photography. That’s what I’m looking for in any artificial intelligence, something that will save me time and make me look good!

Classroom Applications

Because the AI works automatically, this isn’t a great tool for teaching students how to take better photographs. But when you’re in the middle of a project and students need good photos fast, this is the perfect resource. Even elementary students can use it because of its simplicity. And, after all, the world needs better photos!

More Photo Editing Resources

If you want more resources on photo editing, check out these blog posts:

December 8, 2017 0 comments

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