Honorary Tech Ninja
APRIL 2013
Why do you make an excellent "Tech Ninja"?
I live, breathe, love and literally "sleep" technology. I've always been a tech savvy teacher but I find greater joy in teaching others how to integrate appropriately. Although my job isn't specific to technology, I've become the "unofficial" go to person in my school for any and all...and I mean ALL...tech related questions. My principal even entrusted me with overseeing our entire smartboard installation process from proposal to our current state, training. I've taught SMARTnotebook sessions at other school districts and presented on the value of the twitter PLN for lesson improvement at the Blue Ribbon National Schools conference...THREE years ago, which is hilarious to me because twitter for PD was barely catching on at the time. This year, I will be presenting a poster session at ISTE on high tech math performance assessments, where I will show how data is used to specifically guide students toward growing at greater depths through the use of devices and student choice at how they learn best.
What are some of your favorite Web 2.0 tools, and why?
Livebinders- I literally have archived things that I've created years ago and it stays in the binder forever without getting dusty.
Animoto- teachers get free accounts and with that so do students. Videos can be created on pc as well as device, which I LOVE.
SymbalooEDU- I actually like symbaloo a bit more now because I finally "get" the point of it. I still don't quite get why I'd want to be "symbaloo" certified though because no matter how you look at it, you're still just certified to bookmark sites. (Feel free to disregard my blatant sarcasm, I'm kidding)
Sophia.org - because I'd never heard of it until Todd & I'm actually getting our law dept teachers to sign up for their flipped classes.
Geogebra.org - for math, it's a must...especially since "Geometer's Sketchpad" is too expensive for my math budget!
Twitter - in all honesty, I've grown so much as a person,leader, trainer & teacher because of my amazing PLN...this should've been the first one on the list!
Picmonkey - no login required photo editing...fast & easy
Google forms, docs, drive...etc - free, multi device friendly & accessible, collaborative
Lino it - the only collaborative "wall" that hasn't been blocked in school & it has an app
Conceptboard.com - create collaborative whiteboards to share ideas, comment, collaborate in real time & it also integrates google drive
Apps
Geometry Pad - for HS math, this may be one of the only "content specific" apps that I approve of because it's as close to dynamic geometry software that a device has gotten.
Showme, Screenchomp, Explain Everything (I would say Educreations but the fact that I have to watch uploaded videos from the app instead of in browser is annoying) - its screen casting & kids can teach stuff
Chirp - because I learned it from IpadSammy & I love that I can send stuff to people without having to get an email address...or phone number to text (I chirp notes to my kids at home)
BookCreator - Great for creating digital books for IBooks without having a Mac for iauthor
MathGraph - the only other math specific app that I love...because kids can investigate parent functions, including the characteristics of a, h & k
Haiku Deck - makes presentations less wordy & visually stimulating
Ibrainstorm - I only like this because people with iPhones can send notes to my ipad...great for group brainstorming
Popplet Lite - after spending $10 on the Inspiration app, this app made me regret it
Ikea Klippbook - aside from decorating a virtual, aesthetically pleasing room, it's a great tool to use for dimensional analysis...as I've learned from a student project!
Snap guide- students can make how to guides with images & video ...then upload for the world to see!
Vine - because it's fun
Why is technology important in education?
Technology is important in education because it literally drives who we are, what we represent and helps to frame who we will become.
Other places you can find me.
I have a blog...rndesigns.com but I'm also currently in the "I need to re-frame" my web presence mode, so it may or may not disappear one day, whilst rafranzd.com or some derivative of it is created :)
In the meantime, that's where I've shared all of my SMART tutorials...and other stuff.
Want to be our next "Honorary Tech Ninja"??? Click HERE for our application!!