Global Virtual Classroom to Extend Classroom Walls

How will you go beyond the walls of your classroom this year?

Global Virtual Classroom provides teachers and students across the globe with amazing opportunities and resources to collaborate, work together, and learn from each other. My longtime friend and mentor, Janet Barnstable, has been the program manager for Global Virtual Classroom for several years and I highly recommend working with Janet and the GVC team. You can participate in the Web Design Contest or the GVC Clubhouse if you are interested in extending the walls of your classroom this year.

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SAMR - Walking a Wiki Up the Line

For those of you interested in learning more about the SAMR model of tech integration ...

I created a MentorMob playlist designed to share a sample of a wiki project I've walked up and down the SAMR ladder. The playlist displays illustrated examples of the project at each level of SAMR. After you've viewed the example, please read the whole post on GettingSmart.com to learn where this example fits into designing lessons.

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Using SAMR to Teach Above the Line on GettingSmart Today

I have been digging deeper into SAMR to help educators embrace this tech integration model because it is simple, easy to gauge, and something to strive for. I hope you will read my post on GettingSmart.com to see the connections I've made and watch me walk a wiki project up and down the SAMR ladder.

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Explore - Wagon Wheel Project Toolkit

And now for a mouthful of EdTech...

I have been weaving together digital tools with the Common Core to design flexible student driven learning experiences that start out Above the Line, as defined by SAMR.

Good news! My digital toolkit is filled with great resources to tackle these design challenges. Do you have a digitalt toolkit of resources? Take a look at mine.

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SAMR - Teaching Above the Line

Image created by
the amazing Janet Barnstable

For as long as I can remember I have been an advocate for helping teachers understand the stages of technology integration in order to effectively use tech as a tool for learning.

I've adopted a few different tech integration models over the years, discussed the ideas with administrators for use as a starting point for tech integration, and kept the ideas front of mind as I invent and discover new ways for using technology as a tool for learning.  

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Wagon Wheel Through the Lens of the Common Core

The wheels are turning slowly, but that's okay. Let's start with vocabulary and the big picture. Here are the lyrics, wordled and connected to the  Common Core Shift #6 - Vocabulary.  It's a good way to dig deeper into words.

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Collaborative Learning with ThingLink - Wagon Wheel

Yesterday I created an interactive image to demonstrate how easy it is to engage in collaborative leaving with ThingLink. If you explore the live image, you will discover the Padlet online board that is being used to assemble collaborator's thoughts. I've pulled some of the ideas together and have been adding them to the ThingLink to define the song through multimedia. Now I am digging deeper to connect standards and design a student driven learning experience. 

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Explore, Learn, Contribute & Share

Just having a bit of summer fun today sharing and collaborating about music.  Join us!

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Learning Through Music & Collaboration

Time for a bit of summer fun. Please click on the link to contribute ideas to kickoff a project with Padlet. 

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Mastery Connect - An Essential Tool for the CCSS

Without a doubt, the most useful reference tool I use when planning CCSS aligned technology powered learning experiences is Common Core, by Mastery Connect.

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Apps to Create and Connect to the Common Core on GettingSmart.com

View on GettingSmart.com

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Pixntell - Create Narrated Photo Slideshows in a Snap

Pixntell is free app that allows users to quickly create and share a narrated slideshow of pictures. Just add photos, record narration and share newly created videos via DropBox, FaceBook, YouTube or email. You can even apply special effects to photos if desired. The app couldn't be simpler to use!

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