Thing 19 Research and Reference

Diigo Browser                   EasyBib



MW Dictionary and Dictionary.com


EasyBib is just like the name EASY! I remember in college trying to make sure I had my citations right did I need MLA, APA...or whatever?? It was always so confusing. I would have gotten better grades with this app. Easybib took away all the guess work and was a breeze to use.

Dictionary apps MW and Dictionary.com of the two I liked MW the best. MW had nice large print and was very clear to use. MW doesn't have the buttons you need to push at the bottom they are already there in order as you scroll. I know if my first graders push a button they will end up going to an add. I don't like the ads on either one. When first graders are on the computer they are always distracted by the adds and they usually end up pushing a button and going somewhere they shouldn't.

Diigo Browser: I have been using this off and on for a while now. I have a few sites I've saved and use. I like that it doesn't matter what computer I am on I can get to my favorites with ease. It is a quick and easy way to save so you don't forget where it is at. I like the app it is also easy to use. I can share links with others and again it doesn't matter what computer I am on. Students can also use this site and save sites that they need for school while at school for use later at home. There is no need to print out addresses for students because they can go to the link. This makes it a time saver too. It is a great addition to the classroom at any grade level.

QR Codes and Augmented Reality

Qrafter 

QR codes can be used for a number of things. In my classroom I have used them for vocabulary, spelling, math, and science. Students can quickly scan and go to a site or take a photo and save a list for studying.

Spelling: Students scan the list and taking a screen shot and then use the list to write a story containing the words I have chosen. They also work in pairs one taking the screenshot and then the two of them go back to their seat and use educreation to write, draw, and record the word and use it in a sentence.

Science: Students quickly scan and go to a video on life cycles. They then use information to create a Popplet about what they have learned.

Math: Students use the qr code to quickly go to the math site and review and do math problem.

Augmented Reality FUN!!!





AR Flashcards and Aurasma

My first graders just love augmented reality apps. My favorite is Aurasma. I use this app for science. My first graders did animal reports and then made a diorama using all the information they gathered on their animal. Next in pairs I had them record each other reading their reports. We then used them as an overlay for their projects. Aurasma uses a trigger object and then the overlay appears. The overlay of them reading was awesome. My first graders then shared their reports with other classrooms as they came to our class and used the ipads to watch the Aurasma app in action. I must say we surprised a lot of teachers and students with our technology!!!!

Augmented reality is a great way to keep students on task.  At the beginning of the year I showed the kindergarten teacher the AR Flashcards I created and let her use them with the ipods in her classroom. She also saw how the students stayed on task and loved learning with technology!

Standards and Capstone

Common Core App

Using this app was easy. I like the way all of the standards are easily accessible and you can copy and paste them into your lesson plan. As we move forward into the Common Core this app allow me to review and organize my lessons in a quick way. I don't have to search through pages I just have to tap and there it is.












Lesson Plan

E. Budd Lesson