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Discover tools, tips, and strategies for technology applications in education. Explore resources to enhance teaching, learning, and productivity.

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FundingTechnology Applications

Free Software for Students

by Lori Gracey
written by Lori Gracey

While the adage “You get what you pay for” is definitely true, I am still a fan of free. And for cash-strapped school districts, free software may make the difference in whether a student has access to tech tools or not. With that in mind, here are some software programs that are so good, students will definitely find them useful. Most of them are available on a variety of computer platforms. And, as of today, they are all free. (By the way, I did not include more well-known free software such as the Google Suite, OneNote, etc.)

2D/3D/Art/Drawing/Creating

Flowchart/Diagram Creator

  • Draw.io (online diagram software)

Foreign Language

  • Duolingo (learn a wide variety of foreign languages)

Game Design

  • Unity (game design software)

Math/Science

  • Cymath (online math problem solver)
  • Desmos (online graphing calculator)
  • GeoGebra (online graphing calculator)
  • Mathway (online help for basic math, algebra, pre-algebra, calculus, pre-calculus, trigonometry, statistics, linear algebra, chemistry, and graphing)
  • Solar System 3D Simulator (as the name says; only available for Windows)
  • Space Engine (space exploration simulator)

Music Creation/Audio Recording

Utility

  • Cold Turkey Blocker (free version runs in your browser and helps you focus on your work with no online distractions)
  • f.lux (day/night cycle on the monitor’s brightness and color)
  • KeePass (password manager)

Video Creation/Editing

Writing/Citation Creation

  • LaTex (document preparation for scientific and technical writing; great for math and science papers)
  • Zotero (reference manager)

What other free software programs or online tools would you recommend for students? Please add them to the comments section below.

 

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Digital LiteracyTechnology Applications

Gearing Up for TCEA 2018 with Learning.com

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

As the end of the year draws near, we start to look ahead at what we have coming up in 2018. We’re excited that Learning.com will once again return to Austin, Texas in February for the annual TCEA Convention & Exposition. For TCEA 2018, we’ll be at Booth #917 and will host a variety of info sessions. Here’s a sneak peak of what you can expect:

Keyboarding

Prepare students with this TA-TEKS Standards for Students-aligned curriculum that includes direct instruction, guided practice, application exercises, and quizzes. Students will master proper touch-typing techniques and effectively use word processing tools in real-world situations.

Online Safety and Digital Citizenship

Equip students with the skills they need to stay safe online, determine what information is credible on the internet, and make informed decisions. This positive, research-based approach helps educators take on tough issues such as cyberbullying and helps encourage students to be aware and safe online.

Coding and Computational Thinking

Introduce students to coding concepts with EasyTech’s Computational Thinking lessons which help them develop a foundation in cognitive skills and problem-solving processes needed to be successful in coding and core subject areas. Through EasyCode, students learn to code by solving challenges and work towards building their own apps and games.

Business Applications

Provide students with an understanding of spreadsheets, word processing, presentations, and more. These business applications are presented in a generic software environment to help prepare your students for the demands of the digital economy and variety of business applications they may be exposed to in high school, college, and the workforce.

ISTE-Aligned Digital Literacy Assessments

We’re excited to showcase our Digital Literacy Assessments at our booth. These assessments help districts gain practical insight into how well students comprehend digital literacy concepts. They are aligned to the 2016 ISTE Standards for Students and provide the real-time data needed to make informed decisions and ensure students are prepared for success.

Adaptive Keyboarding Instruction Is as Easy as 1…2…3…

Our Director of Education Jeff Meyer will be presenting a showcase on Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at 9:15 am in Room M1 at the Austin Convention Center. Learning.com’s Adaptive Keyboarding solution gives students a series of prescriptive pathways that adapt to their individual needs as they complete a combination of keyboarding practices. There are engaging gamification elements and teachers can create their own guided practices to provide students customized keyboarding practice that the teacher has chosen and created.

Will you be attending the TCEA Convention & Exposition this February? If so, we hope to see you in Austin. Sign up for an info session and reserve your spot now!

This is a sponsored blog post written by Jessica Hesselgrave, a blogger for our media partner Learning.com. 

 

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Technology Applications

Create on the Go with Adobe Mobile Apps

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

Creating digital media can be challenging. Some of us may not have learned graphic design, analyzed film, or studied art. However, with Adobe mobile apps, you can design and create amazing images, graphics, or videos to use for lessons, presentations, announcements, flyers, social media, and/or classroom websites.

Adobe-Blog-TCEA.png

Click on the image to download a PDF.

Adobe Spark Post

Adobe Spark is my must-have app for creating quick graphics on the go in less than five minutes. In a nutshell, Adobe Spark Post is a fun, fast, and easy way to create stunning graphics for anything you’ll need for the classroom (announcement, signs, flyers, posters, etc.). You’ll get advanced features typically found in pro-level applications in the palm of your hand. Make images/graphics like these that you can use for your classroom.

In addition to you using Spark Post, your students can also benefit from using this app to create content for their projects, essays, presentations, videos, etc.

Adobe Spark Video

Adobe Spark Video offers very robust features built into the mobile app. I like using it to create videos on the fly! In about five to ten minutes (depending on length of video), I can have a finished video ready to share. Turn your stories into narrated videos in just a few minutes like the following:

Putting a video like this together can seem daunting, but Spark Video makes creating one easy with the use of the built-in Story Guides. What’s more, your students can use these guides as story starters.

Story Guides

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  • Promote an Idea – Students can use this guide to create persuasive stories.
  • Tell What Happened – Students can use this guide to share what happened on a field trip or to celebrate classroom success stories.
  • A Hero’s Journey – Students can use this guide to to share how characters in stories overcame challenges.
  • Show and Tell – Students can share their collections, talk about their passions, etc.
  • Personal Growth – Students can share a story about how something impacted them to change their perspective.
  • Teach a Lesson – Students can create videos to help others learn how to code, build a bike ramp, draw, play a game, etc.
  • An Invitation – Students can use this to invite parents to back to school night, promote classroom trips, art shows, etc.

Adobe Clip

One of my creative passions is filming with my mobile device. Being mobile allows me to record video at any time. And when I’m on the go and want to edit a movie, my go-to app is Adobe Clip. You get big-screen results from a jam-packed app! You can record video, mix video clips with static images, edit clips, add title screens, and add sound. Check out this example and this one.

Not sure how to edit a movie? Adobe Clip has a very intuitive interface that is easy to follow. Add images and video clips and Adobe Clip puts them together. You then have the option to either manually customize your video, choose “Freeform,” or have the app do it for you using “Automatic.” Either option will give you plenty of creative control over your final product.

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Have your students use Adobe Clip for other creative projects such as Public Service Announcements (PSAs), short stories, documentaries, or announcements.

Adobe Photoshop Mix

Bring photo editing abilities to your mobile device using Adobe Photoshop Mix. Take a photo using your mobile device within the app, cut out elements from different images, blend layers, and/or add text. Although similar to Adobe Spark Post, Photoshop Mix gives you more control over editing the photos. One of the features I find very useful is the Cut-Out tool.  With it, you can remove backgrounds from images, blend them with solid backgrounds, and add text to create graphics for any use in your classroom.

IMG_0579.PNGIMG_0580.PNG

These are just a few of over 15 mobile apps Adobe has to offer. I focused on the ones that are applicable to creating digital media for the classroom. Whether you’re creating posters, flyers, book reviews, movies, or commercials, I suggest trying out one of these Adobe mobile apps.

adobe mobileThis is a guest blog entry written by Claudio Zavala, Jr. He currently works as an Instructional Technology Coordinator with Duncanville ISD in Duncanville, Texas.  He is an Adobe Education Leader and an ambassador for Flipgrid, Hoonuit, and Participate. Claudio is passionate about fostering creative thought and applying tools to enrich learning and experiences  in the classroom.  In his spare time, he enjoys blogging (iamclaudius.com), mountain biking, photography, and creating music with his band mates. Reach him on Twitter @ClaudioZavalaJr

 

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customer service
STEM/STEAMTechnology Applications

TCEA Responds: Teaching Digital Media

by Miguel Guhlin
written by Miguel Guhlin

Dear TCEA Responds:

Earlier this week, my high school principal told me I would be teaching digital media. School is starting and I’m not sure what to do next. Can you get me started? This is an area I have little or no experience in.

-Jan

Dear Jan:

“Breaking your own mold can only make you stronger and more confident to reach higher levels in your professional and personal life,” says Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo, psychologist and author of “Better Than Perfect” as cited by Thomas Oppong. Thomas suggests that the only time you are actually growing is when you are uncomfortable. Certainly, your situation qualifies as an opportunity to break your own mold. “Seek out discomfort. Be deliberate about doing things that push your limits magnificently. Difficulty helps you to grow,” advises Thomas.

Pushing your limits does not mean you have to be alone. You can push your limits in collaboration with a vast network of fellow educators. Let’s explore some tips and ideas to get you started.

tcea responds

Tip #1 – Grow Your Network

If you are not using Twitter as a professional learning network (PLN), then begin now to follow teachers who are concerned with teaching digital media in high school. To get you started, I have compiled a list of twenty-three folks on Twitter you can follow and connect with. Or, if you prefer, just view the Twitter list “HSDigitalMedia” that I have prepared for you. I will add to this list over time, and you are encouraged to contact people on Twitter to grow your network to facilitate just-in-time professional learning.

Tip #2 – Champion the Value of Teaching Digital Media

Teaching digital media and video in a classroom is important for several reasons. Here are a few from Brown University:

  • Increase student engagement: Students working on digital media assignments feel a deeper sense of empowerment as they act as producers–rather than just consumers–of meaning and knowledge.
  • Help students work through difficult concepts: If students are making media, digital tools help them express concepts using multimodal representations.
  • Promote critical awareness: Students must be prepared to critically understand and interpret meaning presented in various forms.

“Research has shown that connecting educational experiences to real-life opportunities is an effective way to get students excited about tcea respondswhat they’re learning,” say Kristin Houser and Karla Lant (Futurism). Digital media combined with project-based learning and STEM topics can engage students. Engaged students learn more and do more in class. In addition to PBL activities, Stephen Solomon urges you to consider these strategies:

  • Adopt inquiry-based strategies. One example includes Genius Hour , which encourage students to engage in passion-based learning aligned to specific learning goals.
  • Adapt service-based learning for class projects: Foster a service mentality and a sense for real-world effectiveness by building service learning into lesson plans and units.

These three strategies (PBL, Inquiry-based Strategies, and Service-Based Learning) offer great learning opportunities. They provide fodder for creative digital media projects.

Tip #3 – Use a Range of Technologies

While you may be tempted to embrace expensive technologies to teach digital media, aim small. You can model the use of mobile device technologies (e.g. green screen apps) that can have a big impact. These small creations can get your class started, then be incorporated into more expensive production tools.

Online curriculum

Software Resources

  • Free Adobe Alternatives
    • Scribus: Create great-looking, print-ready posters, newsletters, and magazines
    • GIMP: Refine your photos or create your own artwork from scratch; includes support for Photoshop plugins
    • LightZone: A digital darkroom for converting, editing, and managing photos in batches or individually
    • Inkscape: A versatile open source vector editor that’s ideal for hobbyist illustrators and web designers
    • Unsplash: Professional-quality stock photos in the public domain – totally free to download and use

Some more audio and video editing tools:

Image Editing Tools

Worried that you have too much to learn? Remember that there are many resources available online for free. Your job is to curate those resources, create situations that engage student learners, and assess growth. You do not have to be the expert in everything! Let the students learn from each other as they grow.

Tip #4 – Build Towards Certification

In a TCEA interview with Mark Simmons (Sabine Pass ISD Director of Technology), he advocates a continuum of learning opportunities that lead towards certification. It’s not enough for your students to learn digital media tools. They need to be able to make a living with these tools.

Graduates should qualify for employment as web designers, graphic artists/designers, multimedia specialists, web developers, web content specialists, media specialists, information specialists, digital media specialists, animation specialists, interface designers, and many new jobs yet to be defined in this expanding field. (Source)

Consider establishing a partnership with a local college/university. Begin with the end in mind and then build your digital media course with assistance. Here are some examples:

And, finally…

Tip #5 – Embrace Digital Media as a Tool for Digital Storytelling

Learning to use digital media tools is only one aspect. Another component, perhaps more important than technical expertise, is learning how to tell a compelling story using digital media. Rely on resources like these below to have your students start telling and showing their own powerful stories.

It can be daunting to begin a new class. Remember that you will need to start with relevant TEKS and design a syllabus. Then, set up specific projects that solve an overarching problem or are service-based learning oriented. You’ve got this!

 

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TCEA responds
Content AreasTechnology Applications

TCEA Responds: Technology Applications TEKS

by Miguel Guhlin
written by Miguel Guhlin

Welcome to TCEA Responds #12.  Submit your own question(s) online. Today’s topic responds to questions about the Texas Technology Applications TEKS, and provides specific examples for TA:TEKS.

Dear TCEA Responds:

With the change from NCLB to ESSA, is an eighth grade technology assessment required? Our eighth grade students take Technology Applications as a class, but they have not been having to test. With Technology Applications integrated, is there an ESSA requirement to assess students?

-Deb

Dear Deb:

These are great questions that highlight the changing expectations in Texas schools. While no end-of-course is required for eighth grade students, districts must certify that they are “technologically literate” before they move on to high school.  There isn’t a free assessment tool available.

Requirements

The Technology Applications TEKS (TA:TEKS) is required. Districts have three choices to meet the requirement:

  • Integrating TA:TEKS into the classroom
  • Teaching TA:TEKS in a lab setting.
  • Blending the two previous choices.

Should the tech apps class be one semester or two in 6th through 8th grade? The choice is left up to the District, so long as one of the options listed above is employed. The question isn’t how long should be spent teaching technology applications, but rather, what would happen if students were assessed on technology applications. The school district decides how that assessment will take place.

Looking for Districts teaching Tech Apps:TEKS?

Check with El Paso ISD, Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD, Georgetown ISD, Harper ISD, and Mathis ISD are only a few.

Examples of TA:TEKS Integration

Here are some specific examples of TA:TEKS integration describing what students are expected to do:

  • Grades K-2: Creativity and Innovation.
    • 1C. explore virtual environments, simulations, models, and programming languages to enhance learning
    • Schools could rely on strategies like coding with Scratch Jr. or Minecraft: Education Edition Code Builder. Augmented/virtual reality also serve as entry points.
  • Grades 3-5: Communication and collaboration.
  • Grades 6-8: Research and information fluency.
    • 3B. discuss and use various search strategies
    • Students can be taught how to use advanced search operators in Google Suites email.

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

ESSA’s focus is on the effective use of technology:

  1. Support high-quality training that personalizes learning and improves academic achievement
  2. Build technological capacity, infrastructure
  3. Carry out innovative blended learning projects
  4. Provide students in remote areas with the resources to benefit from digital learning opportunities
  5. Deliver specialized or rigorous academic courses and curricula using technology

Items in bold above serve as guideposts for ESSA-related efforts.

Assessing Digital Learning Environment

Collected data could be used for the House Bill 5 report, focused on assessing a school district’s Digital Learning Environment. Each Texas district creates their own evaluation instrument and process for this. The data collected from student assessments could be used as justification for their self report.

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Educational TrendsTechnology ApplicationsUncategorized

Write to Remember: Digital Paper Alternatives

by Miguel Guhlin
written by Miguel Guhlin

For the last four to five years, a little black basketweave notebook has been my constant pocket companion. In it, I jot down notes from meetings,  things I need to write in order to remember. Although I’m a veteran user of tools like Evernote, Google Keep, and OneNote, my desk at home is still covered with notebooks. No matter your everyday carry, finding the right notepad can simplify your life. The practice of taking notes in fourth grade in a black-and-white composition notebook has stayed with me. In fact, it’s one of the most valuable skills I learned in elementary school. Let’s explore a few less expensive alternatives schools may want to consider for staff and/or students.

Research on Handwritten Notes

Listen to or read National Public Radio’s (NPR) summary of research on the benefits of handwritten notes over typed notes:

“When people type their notes, they have this tendency to try to take verbatim notes…students who were taking longhand notes in our studies were forced to be more selective — because you can’t write as fast as you can type..that extra processing…benefited them.”

Source: Pam Mueller on The Pen is Mightier Than the Keyboard as cited in NPR’s Attention Students – Put Your Laptops Away.

The short version? Old-fashioned, handwritten notes make our brains work harder and smarter. Set aside the digital for later.

Notebook Organization Skills

In addition to the benefits of handwritten notes, many are choosing to impose organization on their notebooks. Here are a few note-taking approaches that you may be aware of. While it’s beyond the scope of this particular blog entry to explore each one in detail, you may want to explore further on your own.

You can use any one of these approaches. You can also combine them or develop your own approach. Let’s take a look at some digital notebook options.

Digital Notebook Options

While there are a variety of devices you can purchase that enable you to take notes, they can be quite expensive (e.g. $799 for the Microsoft Surface Pro tablet with digital ink capability or the $249-$350 Samsung tablet with S pen). To be honest, it’s a pain carrying around a digital tablet in addition to my smartphone. I prefer to travel lighter. What’s more, when you forget your satchel in the restroom, you don’t have to worry about losing an expensive tablet or laptop with access to critical confidential information (see encryption suggestions).

writeDifferent solutions help you combine a paper notebook and the benefits of handwritten notes with digital search capabilities. You may not need a tablet if you already have a smartphone and a laptop/desktop computer.

Less Expensive

  • Rocketbook Wave Smart Notebook ($27): This option provides for easy note taking with integration into digital cloud storage sites. What makes this paper notebook unique is that, because you use special ink, the pages turn blank in a microwave. This occurs when the Pilot Frixion ink (you can buy it at most retail stores) you use is exposed to heat. The pages, once cleared, can be re-used. The Rocketbook Wave app can be used to scan to PDF or to an image (PNG format).  Watch the video.
  • Evernote Smart Notebook ($20.97 plus $69.99 recurring annual cost for EverNote Premium): Although a bit expensive given that Evernote Premium costs a bit more, please be aware that each notebook purchase comes with three months of EverNote Premium, making it a good value to get started. Evernote is a well-known tool that tries to make the note-taking process easy (source).

More Expensive

  • Moleskin Smart Writing Set ($199): This appears to be an incredible solution. You write/draw/sketch on special paper with a digital pen that sends your design/notes to the companion app. Watch this short video overview.
  • Bamboo Spark ($99.95): This solution from Wacom will “capture handwritten notes on any paper and with a push of a button your handwritten content is saved in the Wacom Inkspace app for light editing and sharing.” The Wacom app Inkspace works with Evernote and Dropbox. Watch video.

writeBenefits of Digital Paper

The main benefit of having paper backup to digital is that I can have a backup of my paper notes. Since I often use a variety of notebooks, being able to have a notebook at work and another at home, is great. Digitizing my notes and sketches allows me to easily access content across devices, enabling me to improve on my work. If you are considering sticking with handwritten notes, do take advantage of a less expensive paper+digital solution.

 

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