Do you use Pinterest or LiveBinders as a classroom tool? I use both, and I am often asked which is better to use "educationally." I love both Pinterest and LiveBinders but I find that I use them in slightly different ways. Pinterest is more appealing visually, and as a visual learner, I find it easier to process. Pinterest consists of virtual bulletin boards - they remind me of my college dorm bulletin boards with ticket stubs, photos, appointment cards, etc. pinned all over them. I have multiple Pinterest boards, personal and educational. One educational board is general classroom ideas, and one is for technology integration ideas. I love to browse the boards and pin new ideas. One drawback to pinning things, though, is that a Web page can't be pinned unless there is an image on the page. Earlier today I wanted to pin a forum discussion about Google Calendar, but when I used my Pin It button, I got the error message that no image was found. LiveBinders is perfect for that situation, so I added the pin to my Technology Integration binder.
LiveBinders is like a bookshelf of three-ring binders. Each binder is categorized and then within the binder, there are tabs and subtabs. For example, a binder might be called Classroom Tech, and a tab inside may be iPads. Sub-tabs could include iCloud set-up tips, helpful apps, etc. Any URL can be pasted in to create a tab, so no image is necessary. When viewing a binder, it's exactly like looking into a large three-ring binder with dividers and tabs. It is not as visually rich as Pinterest but it is very versatile. Binders can include links to movies, documents, websites, etc. You can browse other people's binders and even copy them onto your shelf. Links to your binder can be shared with your class, and you can share it on your blog as a parent resource. I use Pinterest more often and I find in more enjoyable (and a potential time-suck, so beware!), but I find LiveBinders to be more practically useful and slightly more versatile in the classroom. What do you think?
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I love Google Drive for so many reasons, but now that there are some new add-on features, I am an even more devoted fan. Read this lifehacker article to learn more about some Google Drive features that you may not know about!
http://bit.ly/Googledocaddons Do you keep plants in your classroom? I remember that my elementary school classrooms always had plants, but I haven't seen any live plants in high school classrooms for years. Some indoor plants are excellent for combating toxins in the air. Here are some great plants that will make your classroom look inviting and cleanse the air that you and your students are breathing every day.
Aloe Vera Aloe is an air purifier. It can filter small amounts of benzene and formaldehyne, and its gel has medicinal properties. Spider Plant NASA claims that the spider plant is the best filter against formaldehyde. It is also an effective filter of monoxide, carbon, benzene and xylene. Gerber Daisies Known for having boldly colorful flowers, Gerber Daisies make excellent air filters. They absorb carbon dioxide and generate oxygen, as well as get rid of trichloroethylene and benzene. Snake Plant Another effective formaldehyde filter, snake plants also remove nitrogen oxide in the air. They are easy to care for, needed minimal lighting and can survive irregular watering. Areca Palm This plant is a natural humidifier, and absorbs toxins from its environment. It is especially good at absorbing toxins from newly varnished furniture or carpeted areas. English Ivy English Ivy removes allergens from the air, as well as toxins such as benzene, trichlororethylene, formaldehyde and carbon monoxide. Warneck Dracaena This plant is great for classrooms because it doesn't need a lot of light and thrives in normal room temperatures. It filters toxins from painting and varnishes, specifically benzene, trichloroethylene, xylene and toluene. Bamboo Palm Bamboo Palm is another natural humidifier, great for dry, arid classrooms. Have you used EDpuzzle in your classroom yet? I haven't, and I can't wait to do so. EDpuzzle is a free video-customization site, offering so many applications for both students and teachers. You can use EDpuzzle to search for a video, or start with a video to which you already have access. The video can then be cropped, so you can use only the relevant parts of it. Quizzes can be embedded into the video, so you can evaluate your students' comprehension during the lesson. You can add your audio notes or create a voice-over during the video. The videos that you create can be embedded onto your class website or LMS. EDPuzzle would be great for teachers implementing a flipped classroom.
While I am already imagining lessons that I can create with EDpuzzle, I am even more excited about having my students create projects using this tool. It is a innovative way to present material, giving choices other than PowerPoint and Prezi (not that I don't love Prezi and PowerPoint). EDpuzzle would be a good choice for group projects, and could be great for students who have anxiety about presentations. The project can be constructed and narrated individually, and then presented without stage fright. I am excited to try it - here is a link to the EDpuzzle site...check it out! |
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AuthorMom to two sons, married 23 years to college sweetie. Instructional Technology Specialist for a vocational high school. Educator for 20+ years. Love to read, do anything crafty, and spend time with friends and family. Passionate about education, technology, and the combination of the two! I'm a proud foster-failure with Big Fluffy Dog Rescue, having fallen head-over-heels for our first foster and adopting her :) Archives
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