eBackpack Tutorial

eBackback has really caught fire in popularity among both teachers and students. The workflow app allows you to create, deliver, collect, grade, and return all assignments in a paperless fashion. No more lost papers. No more "I handed it in, " and now its gone. There is proof in date and time of delivery of assignments. If this sounds daunting, it's not. I have a youtube tutorial link here that will walk you through the basics. Remember, if you don't feel comfortable doing all of the work flow all at once, feel free to accomplish it in chunks. Create and view assignments first, then move your way along to full eBackpack usage!!

Introducing App: ThingLink

Here is another free app that I would recommend to every teacher: ThingLink. This app allows images to come alive with text, video, and audio. Students can create an interactive image, then use it as a presentation tool in class. It can be viewed and shared via email or on the web. Some of you have used tiki-toki before to create a timeline. This can do very much the same thing as tiki-toki. The language teachers have asked their students to create a project describing their family. Using Pic Collage to capture multiple images then opening the collage in ThingLink makes the process simple and easy. Here is a link to my tutorial. THINGLINK

Introducing Apps: Tellagami and Pic Collage

Two apps with unlimited potential are Tellagami and Pic Collage. Tellagami is an app that allows you to tell a story via a Gami (avatar). The story can be recorded using your own voice or using an artificial voice to communicate a type written text. I recommend you download the app today, by clicking here, as it is free for a limited time. Click here for my tutorial about Tellagami. Pic Collage is a handy collage making app. You can think about it as a way to make an electronic poster complete with text and stickers. It is very simple to use, yet has some pretty powerful editing tools. Pic Collage is an outstanding app to use in conjunction with other apps, as everything you do in Pic Collage can easily be saved to your camera roll. Click here to download Pic Collage for Free. Click here for my quick tutorial for Pic Collage.

Introducing App: Haiku Deck

Haiku Deck is a presentation software great for the student or the teacher. It is really intuitive and simple to use. The hundreds of creative commons images are really handy, too. Here is a link to my tutorial: Haiku Deck Video

Introducing Apps: Little Story Creator and bookPress

Little Story Creator and bookPress are two apps that allow your students to create and share original stories. Both are free versions and appear to be very user friendly.
In both apps you can:

Create an account

Import photos

Combine text boxes with images

Turn them in to stores with separate pages

Here is a link to acquire bookPress and a link with a short tutorial Here is a link to acquire Little Story Creator with a short tutorial

Introducing Apps: Word, Powerpoint, Excel

Microsoft has made their popular suite available on the iPad. It appears at first glance that as long as you have an Office 365 login, you will have full functionality within the apps to edit and create documents. Here is a link to access these applications.

Introducing App: RabbleBrowser

Here is a new App I have just begun to explore-- RabbleBrowser. RabbleBrowser behaves a little like NearPod in the classroom. That means the teacher controls the websites that the students see and requires students to log in to a session.

• Controlled web browsing

• The teacher iPad is mirrored on the student iPad

• Chat is integrated on the screen to facilitate engagement

• Send URL’s easily to class

• Show PDF’s, documents, images

• Lead the content and eliminate stoppages

• View student work and share with class without need for projection (blogs, etc.)

This App is not free-it is $2.99, but if you feel like you want to explore this more, I’d be willing to help! Here is Float Mobile Learning's TUTORIAL for RabbleBroswer

Introducing App: Collaborize

Are you looking for ways to better engage your students? Are you also interested in sharing documents, videos and PDF's with your students? How about creating a safe and inviting environment for online discussions and collaboration? The Collaborize Classroom App might be just what the doctor ordered. With this app, students can ask and answer questions, respond to poll questions, and see results of conversations. It's easy and free. This might even be an option for those of you who are fed up with your school hosted website! It's easy to set up and very useful in creating that blended learning atmosphere you might be striving for! Click here for a YouTube introduction/tutorial!

Introducing Apps: iTunes U and NearPod

iTunes U is an app that gives you access to the world's largest online catalog of free education content from top schools and universities. This service has become so popular that it has even begun to replace costly textbooks. Here is a link to a BBC article that describes how some schools have embraced this virtual library of information. BBC ARTICLE. Another App that everyone needs to know about is NearPod. Some of you may be familiar with this presentation delivery method. Simply put, you need a lap top that will allow you to convert a PowerPoint or Keynote presentation in to a PDF. Then you create a free account at NearPod.com Once you are there, you can edit the PDF and insert formative assessment methods into your presentation. These can range from poll, multiple choice, and essay questions. You could even have students create a drawing to represent something you want the students to know. The beauty of this type of presentation is--you have all the control. Students will receive a pin and then log in to your presentation. You can see the names of all students who are taking part in the presentation and see when they log out. You ensure that the students are looking at the same slide you are describing. You can showcase exemplary student work or answers as part of the summative assessment process. Ultimately, you can get a spreadsheet at the conclusion of the presentation that will indicate where students my be struggling with course content. This is a great app--easy to use and fun, too. Here is an attachment that has some very basic instructions on how to use NearPod in the classroom. I think everyone should try this at least once!