Inspirational Quote #7

Techie Goodies...Christmas Style

These are a few of the "Techie Goodies" that our families found under the Christmas Tree!

Earbud Buddies

iPad

 Wii U Game...Skylander

 Google Play Gift Card

Nexus 7 Tablet 

IronMan Earbuds

We hope y'all had a very MERRY and BLESSED Christmas!

Merry Christmas

We want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and an APPy New Year!!

Inspirational Quote #6

What Makes me Appy? Brainpop!

Are you a Brainpop user in your classroom? If you are nodding your head with happiness, then you need to download Brainpop's app. It will enhance your usage and make that one iPad more classroom friendly.

Whether or not your have tablet devices in your room, Brainpop should be a resource in your bags of teacher tricks. No matter what age they are, kids absolutely love the Tim & Moby videos.... but I digress!

Brainpop (Grade 3 and up)

Cost: FREE!!!
Format: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, & Google Play
Compatible with iOS 4.2 or higher

Brainpop Jr. (K- 3rd grade)

Cost: FREE!!!
Format: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, & Google Play
Compatible with iOS 4.2 or higher



Brainpop's apps offer students with FREE Featured Movies and quizzes. However, teachers who have a license to a subscription can access Brainpop's full catalog of videos just as you would in your classroom. For me, my students access videos through our laptops most of the time. But......

What I love about having the app is the ability to make iPad a station activity.

   

 Both apps are easy to navigate and find just what you need.

 Videos are fun and educational!

I love that the quizzes are available for students to use and view their scores.

Since introducing the app to my students, many of them have downloaded the app on their own devices to enjoy at home or where ever they may be.

APPy Learning everyone!!!!

Extension

Just a note to let you know that due to technical difficulties during the Christmas season, we've extended the giveaway until January 2, 2013! Please continue to earn entries and we look forward to seeing the winners ring in the New Year!

Epic Fail Part #2

A now for the second installment of Epic Fail..... For those of you who missed the first installment, please click this link to read up on what happened to our teacher before reading this installment.

Remember when we met... I was in sheer panic mode. No syncing meant no apps on this extremely critical day in my career. Soooooo.....

I took a moment to breathe deeply and fight back all the tears that were threatening to escape my eyes. I was soooo crushed! It didn't work! Technology!!!! I couldn't believe that I spent all that time and everything was failing me.

I did my best to keep some form of cool in front of my students. I didn't want them to see me in a panic. I had to fix this! I asked my class to sit down and to remain quiet for a few minutes while I began troubleshooting the problems. The request that must have been impossible for them that day!
It was if I was in an episode of Invasion of the Body Snatchers. These kids were not handling the stress of technology failure. All my "angels" we're gone and replaced by alien beings. After witnessing a minor melt down, I raced downstairs and pleaded for a postponement in his visit. Remember this lesson was to be for my "pull out all the stops" formal observation in our new COMPASS system.

I do recall that I was wearing red that day. I am quite sure my face match my shirt perfectly. Technology can be a blessing AND a curse!  When you are innovative and technology savvy, many times there are few people who can help you. And on this very day, I was alone in the world! No one in my school has a MacBook/class set iPad situation. I was on my own in this frontier. There are times I can see why teachers may be scared to step out in this wilderness. Technology does come with worry. Things don't always work or your amazing technology lesson could fall apart right in front of your eyes. I know the last time I checked, teachers are their own IT department. If you need help, it will have to wait.

Now my team members were troopers. With the look of Def Con 5 on my face, they offered to help. However, we all knew that I was solo. So I mustered up some strength, found something else for my students to work on, and proceeded to calmly troubleshoot.

Pause for a visual: 

This is what the technology set up looks like so you can have a picture of what I'm dealing with in this very moment. Thirty iPads that are in a syncing station. All of the iPads hook up inside the station and then one USB cable connects into the MacBook which syncs all the iPads at one time. 

This is the overall set up of the cart. It is a Bretford Syncing Cart....beautiful, isn't it?

So I tried everything. I went through my basic troubleshoot checklist. I restared the computer several times. No luck! I disconnected the USB cable and connect it to a different port several times.  I could hear the happy "bling" sound of all the iPads connecting. You fruit preferred tablet owners know that sound. Now multiply that times 30. Music to the techie teachers ears! Nothing was syncing, so I was sinking.

 It was doomed and that meant in turn I was doomed. Here I am on the copse of one of the biggest observations of my teaching career. The need to perform to to a new level through this new system which many of us feel is unreachable and is INSANE! However I am a techie teacher and I rise to meet the challenges before me. 

So I heard the "happy" sound and I was jittery inside hoping that it means success. I watched the wheels of progress turn on the MacBook. Deep breathe...finger crossed! With one iPad complete, I pulled it out and checked for any sign of progress. Well it didn't! The apps still weren't there! I was in MAJOR freak out mode at this point. I NEEDED this to work. This wasn't a normal class lesson where I could just veer off to plan B. I HAD to have this work. I hung my head as the last possibility of fixing the iPads came to me. I was going to have to restore all 30 of them. EPIC FAIL!

I began the LOOOOONNNNNNNGGGGGGG process of restoring the iPads. Only being able to do one or two at a time. It hurt my heart as I erased the information from each one of them and set them up again. It took me FOREVER the first time I had set them up. I worked so hard to make sure that everything was ready for this lesson. I was so fortunate to be granted this class set of iPads. I really wanted to showcase them. I wanted the granter to know that they were being used and were a valuable tool that was added to my classroom. I was determined to overcome this issue! I would prevail and the iPads would be used in this lesson! At least that's what I kept telling myself. 

I had to break in the middle of the day to do my pre-observation conference. I explained the epic failure briefly and moved on as I assured my observer that we'd be ready when he came in the next day. He had faith in me. I knew I couldn't let him or my students down. 

With renewed passion, I pumped up the new class that was going to be observed since they were not my original observation class. For me it's important to inform students know up front what I expect of them and their goal, especially when someone is coming for a "visit". I asked them to be the best class that they could ever be. I was so nervous and worried because we all know what happened with the previous group of "angels".  I didn't want the same thing to happen to this group of students. So I in essence pleaded with them to be the best class that ever existed. I NEEDED them to come through as I had already watched everything else fall apart. 

I was so defeated at this point. I worked on those iPads until 7:00 p.m. that Monday night. I restored iPads all day. I wasn't going home until I knew for sure that the iPads were functioning properly. I was exhausted mentally, physically, and emotionally. I had nothing left to give and nothing more I could put into this lesson. At this point it was going to have to be what it was. I couldn't do anything else.  I wisely moved my observation time back a couple of class periods so I could work out any kinks. I had lost a whole day of the lesson. He wasn't going to see the part I wanted him to see, but I assured myself that all be fine and the lesson would be great.

The day of the big observation came. It was either going to be a success or another day of Epic Fail! At this point I couldn't take anymore defeat. I tried out my lesson with my first class. You remember them? The kids who turned into a bunch of crazy people. The ones who I didn't recognize just the day before. They did a great job with the lesson and things seemed to be working and in order. The next class went by without a hitch as well. My stomach was so sick with nervousness from the previous day's events. My next class went by and the kids really were enjoying the lesson. I smiled a little on the inside. I felt a small victory as if I had done something right for them. 

The most important hour of the day had finally approached. I was sick with nerves. I felt like I could be sick at any moment. Normally I'm fine when I'm observed. However I think because of the previous day's Epic Fail, I just didn't even know what to expect at all. My administrator was behind my desk before my students even entered the classroom. I gave them the "look" that I hope conveyed how important this observation was to me. I NEEDED them to do what I asked of them the previous day. They entered my classroom like they should... very quiet and copied  their assignment in their agendas as they should be doing daily. They worked on their problem of the day. And the moment came....I had one of the students at each group gather the iPads for their group members. I proceeded with the lesson introduction. My class was SUPER quiet almost to the point of being scary. We got through the fifty questions that one of my students had to ask. I turned the students loose to begin working on the tasks they had to complete. I watched them walk around the room and survey each other using an app called TallyPad (Be sure to check out our app reviews. I'll review that one at a later date). I watched as they whispered the entire time they were talking. Holy Cow! These kids were sooooo quiet! They really were being the best class they could be! I really felt like God was looking out for me that day as everything unfolded as it should. The lesson was a success. Everyone participated 100%. I couldn't have asked for a better outcome to the lesson based on the previous day's events. 

After the observation was over, I felt like I could breathe for the first time in weeks. My students did what I asked and really enjoyed the lesson! They were fantastic. All of my classes enjoyed the lesson and did a great job. Even my inclusion class (which contains many resource students) had a blast. So all in all I would say that the lesson didn't end up being an Epic Fail. It just began as one. Many times when we plan technology lessons, we have to work out the kinks before things run smoothly. I did pass my observation with a rather good score. I guess  it wasn't a complete fail after all. 

I chose to do this post because I didn't want to paint a pretty picture of technology! You may be thinking that should be the point of our blog right? Well it is, but it isn't! Working with technology is hard! There are just as many defeats for every success we have in the classroom if not more! I think about myself as a math teacher and what I try to convey to my students on a daily basis. It is ok to be wrong and make mistakes. I tell them that I'm 31 and still make mistakes. So I share that with you, the classroom teachers, who desire to be innovative and creative. It is ok to make mistakes! It is ok for your technology to fall apart at times! It's the troubleshooting of those issues that help us become stronger technology users. Working through those moments help us become more comfortable to try again next time. We can never consider ourselves to be innovative if we aren't willing to step out and try something new.

So I encourage you to consider stepping out and trying a new venture in your classroom. Just maybe pick a moment that isn't as important as the BIG MASSIVE observation! You'll never know what you are capable of doing until you take that first step.  

App Review + Giveaway

4KidCal App

Cost: $1.99

Compatible with: iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad

Requires: IOS 4.3 or later

While searching for the latest and greatest apps for the classroom, I stumbled upon the app 4KidCal, and immediately fell in love.  The graphics first caught my eye, along with the name...a calendar just for kids?  WOW!  My first thought was my daughter...she loves to write things down in a calendar, my second thought was of how amazing this tool would have been for me to use when I taught 1st grade.  Using an "old fashioned" calendar with kids is great, but I always felt that something was missing...a component of helping kids to remember what was written for each event...this app offers that "magic" component... a recorded reminder of the event!

4KidCal is EXTREMELY user friendly and allows the child to update information by selecting the event date, cute sticker graphic, and then recording their voice to remind them of the details for that day.

As soon as I downloaded the app, my daughter began entering all important upcoming events into "her" calendar!  I think this would be a wonderful tool for parents as well as lower elementary classrooms that review the calendar daily!  This app correlates directly with Common Core Standards and will be a tremendous asset to any classroom!  To see this app in use, click here to visit the 4KidCal Check out just how user friendly the app is below!

Step #1: Open the app to begin!



Step #2: Create a new profile or click log in!



Step #3: Type your username to access your personal calendars!

Step #4: Select the year and month to begin!

Step #5: To add an event, simply tap on the date, pick your sticker, and record the details!

Step #6: To hear your recorded voice memo, click the play button!

Step #7:  Enjoy your calendar!

T3 is pleased to announce that we have partnered with Susan from 4KidCal to host a giveaway. We will gift 5 people with her app along with a fun flash drive and 5 other lucky contestants will receive a fun flash drive as well! So there will be a total of 10 winners, 5 will receive the app and a flash drive and 5 will receive a flash drive. 

Contest Rules:

1. Comment to this post on how you will use this app! (Required)
2. Share this blog post/giveaway for additional entries by entering your information in the box below.
3. Become a follower of Techie Teacher Tales for 5 bonus entries...for directions on how to join, click here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Inspirational Quote #5

Appy Weekend - Jello Style

JELLO Jiggle It App

Cost: Free

iPhone and iPad

Requires iOS 4.2 or later

This app has no real education value, but it is fun! I mean who doesn't enjoy a dancing JELLO cube? I know that teachers in our Parish use this app for brain breaks in their classrooms. After hearing about it from my fall tech training, I just knew I needed to download it. My students LOVE this app. They beg to dance in class with the JELLO. I teach middle school, so you know elementary grades would love this for sure!! This app is just fun and makes a person happy and smile. I would advise that you have some upbeat music installed on your i-device. Personally I selected the karaoke version so that I didn't have to worry about any bad words or terrible meanings from the songs. They could just have the beat of the song without any of the bad stuff to accompany it. 

If you aren't sure how to jiggle, click on the help button and read the directions on how to use the jiggle app.

Step 1: Select Dance Now

Step 2: Choose your flavor

Step 3: Select your audio source. If you are going to use a song from your device, select library. 

Step 4: Select one or more songs and click on done when you've finished. 

Step 5: Watch it load 

Step 6: Have fun watching it dance! 

I hope you enjoy your JELLO Jiggle it! 

Epic Fail Part #1

As educators, we all have those moments in life where we plan really good lessons. We work hard to ensure that they are technology rich and aligned with the curriculum. If you teach in Louisiana, then you know that our state is undergoing a curriculum shift from GLEs to Common Core Standards. You know that the assessments are changing, the method of teaching is changing, and even the way the students should learn is changing. We are all working to accommodate this shift in education. That means more professional development, more outside research, and frankly more time trying to get used to what's changing.

Many teachers don't like change and most of us aren't surprised to hear that. The world that our children live in is changing on a daily basis. The amount of technology available is unreal compared to when I was a child. Our students aren't afraid of technology. They are comfortable with it, even if we aren't! I recently took an online class called Teaching Digital Natives. It was VERY helpful in recommending ways for us to become "comfortable" with the shift in the way we should be teaching. Teachers that are willing to venture out there and use technology despite the pitfalls are a rare find. Which brings me to Epic Fail Part #1!

Picture this scenario for me..... The HUGE Compass evaluation is approaching.... I've spent countless hours working on the perfect lesson, stressing for weeks getting ready for it. I decided to venture out there and try using some of the new technology tools my classroom has been granted. I planned to begin the lesson on Monday so that my students would transition smoothly to the second day, which was my evaluation day. I planned it that way on purpose. I worked all weekend on this lesson. I even fell asleep at the computer preparing for this lesson. I made sure to get to school early on the day of my pre-observation conference. I knew that I needed to do a few last minute things to be ready. I opened up the the Macbook to sync my iPads to it. I only had 5 simple apps that I needed to download to the iPads. I let them sync for 2 hours and thought everything was going as planned...and I was on top of the world! I pulled out the iPads for my first class, ready to introduce this EPIC lesson I'd spent HOURS AND HOURS working on. Then, all of a sudden, I hear the students say..... "Ms. H, I can't find the app you said to use."  The dreadful words no teacher ever wants to hear from a student, as it certainly indicates that the iPads didn't sync at all..... My heart skipped a beat and I wondered if maybe they just made a mistake and couldn't find it. I took the iPad to look for the apps myself. I frantically began looking on the iPad, searching for the apps that were needed. No luck!  At that point my heart was in the pit of my stomach.... blood pressure was rising, and panic began to set in. I cursed myself for using technology. I knew better, but I wanted to be innovative and original.

-------------------------Insert radio static here-------------------------

We interrupt this program to bring you a special bulletin...We wanted to inform you that the book Teaching Digital Natives which was referenced earlier in this post, can be found on Amazon.com.  You can also check out Marc Prensky's website to find several articles that should be good reading material for those interested in learning how to have a true partnering classroom.

Click on the book for more information

Tune in next time when we find out what happens to the poor distressed teacher in the next installment entitled Epic Fail Part 2!

I LOVE that Font!

Let's face it! Teachers have an extreme adoration for fun and fantastic fonts. Fonts are an expression of individuality for a teacher like me. There are so many. However, I have a few that I absolutely love and find myself returning to the font menu too often to change that boring NEW TIMES ROMAN. 

No more my teacher friend! Set that favorite font of yours to your default font and make those extra steps of finding the font in the menu, changing the size, and even the color with these easy steps. 

Find the pop up menu icon in the lower right corner and click on it to expand.

Set your font, the size and even the color! The preview window allows you to see your final results.

Now when you create your next document, you are all set!

Of course, you can always use the "RECENT FONTS" in your drop down font menu. However,why waste a few clicks when you always use the same one anyway. Your time is precious! Default and type away!

Inspirational Quote #4

Organization Makes Me "APPy"

Christmas is 21 days away and my list of gifts to purchase is growing. If you are like me, you have a paper list somewhere with a running list presents to buy. My list is always heavily marked through, folded repeatedly, and shoved in the depths of my purse. Not this year, my friend!

Smart phones have great apps for note taking or list making, but this is the Christmas season. For me, that means something festive!

App: Gift It - A Christmas Shopping List
Cost: Free
Requires iOS 4.3 or higher

Available for iPhone, iPad,





The app is easy to use. I love, love, love the graphics with the crumpled paper look.

The app allows me to make as many lists as I need. Adding gifts and the costs are just as easy as adding to my list of people. 

Check out the cute font!!!! 

I don't think I am going to lose this list. This app will make my shopping a lot "APPier" this year.