For all you teachers who use Google Forms, there is an exciting update to allow for nice customizations. Forms now allows you to modify the backgrounds or make your own background! Gotta love it! Check out the tutorial video below by "Ask the Google Gooru".

I've been seeing SAMR in my various readings lately and haven't really been introduced to this model. Being in a private school system, some of these acronyms are not used as often as in public schools. Regardless, the SAMR model is an excellent way for teachers who have been teaching for a while to add technology into their teaching as well as for classrooms implementing iPads.

S = Substitution: a direct substitution of technology in place of paper/pencil, no other change; typing a document instead of writing with pencil

A = Augmentation: a direct substitution but with a fundamental change; use Google docs to type paper and share it with someone.

M = Modification: technology makes a significant task redesign; use a wiki to have a discussion around a concept

R = Redefinition: technology allows for a creation of completely new task formally unable to do without technology; using Google Earth to create a virtual field trip.

There are many examples of using SAMR on the Internet. The following is a good video sharing what SAMR is.

Social Media....you know what it is, but do you use it? Why, yes, you say? Most of us use social media for just that - socializing online! But there are many other ways that you could be using social media to connect with your students. I don't want you to think that you should use Facebook and friend all your students - hey, I have my limits and that wouldn't be wise. What you can do is use some of the vast array of social media sites to have a professional account that you could use with students only or professionally.

I ran across this great infographic that shares many ways you can use social media in the classroom. I am not a big fan of using Facebook with students, but there is another site called Edmodo that has a similar look and feel as Facebook.

Click here to see the original post.

Code.org is trying to get the word out about the importance of learning to code. Many leaders in the United States have come together to share their thoughts about this weighty issue. Some of the heavy hitters have created a video that should be shown to every student and parent in America. We should demand that computer science play a bigger role in the education of our children. Please watch this video and share your thoughts.

I've been away for a while, but back at it now. I have done some presentations for a variety of groups recently that has kept me busy.

Today I found out about an excellent project for elementary schools that I hope will show the value of games in the classroom! DARPA is funding a project being run by Carnegie Mellon University. http://www.etc.cmu.edu/engage/ They are seeking out teachers to play these games in their classrooms while allowing a team from the program to observe and then query the students about their activity. This is a wonderful way to be involved in the future of games in education. This is a time I wish I was still in the elementary realm! 

If you teach elementary classes, please consider this project. If you want to just play the games, that is available too. I would love to hear from you if you do participate in this project. I will be following up on this as I hear more.

Here we are again. The start of another school year. The summer seems to have gone by quickly, but that is what we always say. I enjoyed the break from the school day schedule. I spent time with family and friends doing all the things I love to do, but never have the time during the school year. I spent some time at workshops and online learning new things. Having that personal time has given me the energy to be excited for a new year with many new things to share.

I ran across this video today and I thought it was quite poignant for the start of a school year. Will Richardson gave a short presentation at ISTE 2012 (The International Society for Technology in Education conference) this past summer on bold ideas for change in teaching. What he said got me thinking about how I teach now and how I've changed my methods over the years. Have I changed enough? Is how I go about my job really benefiting my students? Should I make more changes? How will these changes affect other teachers in my department? Will my students like it? All this goes through my head and then I think....how will I find the time to figure it all out? Like I tell other teachers, one little change at a time...you don't have to do it all at once!

What are your thoughts on what Will Richardson says?