Tech Tip #110 — Compare-contrast Digital Tools

In these 169 tech-centric situations, you get an overview of pedagogy—the tech topics most important to your teaching—as well as practical strategies to address most classroom tech situations, how to scaffold these to learning, and where they provide the subtext to daily tech-infused education.

Today’s tip: Compare-contrast Digital Tools

Category: Problem-solving

Have students use these tables to compare-contrast digital tools available for their education:

Set them up in your spreadsheet program and add only the labels. Show it on the class screen and have students suggest what data fills in the cells. If you have the Structured Learning Tech Curriculum, you’ll find copies of these in the ebook. Just have students fill them in digitally. If you have the print book, simply, print copies (you have permissions to reprint single pages when you purchase the book).

Sign up for a new tip each week or buy the entire 169 Real-world Ways to Put Tech into Your Classroom.

What’s your favorite tech tip in your classroom? Share it in the comments below.

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6 Online Resources About Letters

Here are resources to help you teach about letters (click here for updates to list):

  1. Alphabetimals–learn the alphabet with animal sounds
  2. Find the letter–easy, medium, hard
  3. Hands on Learning--20 letter websites
  4. Learn Letters with Max (video)
  5. Owl and Mouse Learn Letters
  6. Starfall Letters
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Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, webmaster for four blogs, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, contributor to NEA Today, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.

Subscriber Special: October New Teacher Survival Kit

Every month, subscribers to our newsletter get a free/discounted resource to help their tech teaching.

K-5 New Teacher Survival Kit

9 ebooks, 65 digital posters 

$222.95  Marked down to $178.95

ends October 7, 2024

Click here to purchase (more…)

Warm-ups–Watch the video

Warm-ups

This video is from a series I taught for school districts. It is now available for free, here on Ask a Tech Teacher:

 

–summarized by NoteGPT

Highlights

  • 🖥️ Engaging with technology enhances student learning and excitement.
  • 📅 Class warm-ups help transition students into learning mode efficiently.
  • ⏱️ Student independence during warm-ups allows teachers to manage other tasks.
  • 🎨 Utilizing tools like Smore for creating engaging class materials.
  • 📚 Presentation boards encourage student collaboration and sharing.
  • 💻 Blogging fosters communication and feedback among classmates.
  • 🔄 Responsive classroom activities can be adapted for technology use.

Key Insights

  • 🧑‍🏫 Technology Integration: Effectively using technology in education not only captivates students but also promotes a deeper understanding of the material. Encouraging tech-related engagement can transform traditional lessons into interactive experiences.
  • 🎯 Purposeful Warm-Ups: Implementing structured class warm-ups minimizes downtime and maximizes learning. These activities set the tone for the lesson and help students focus as they transition into the learning environment.
  • 🤝 Student Empowerment: Allowing students to take charge of their warm-up activities fosters independence. This approach not only builds responsibility but also encourages them to become active participants in their learning journey.
  • 📊 Creative Teaching Tools: Utilizing platforms like Smore helps educators design visually appealing and informative materials that enhance communication with students and parents, making learning more accessible.
  • 👥 Collaborative Learning: Activities such as presentation boards and blogging promote peer-to-peer learning. This collaboration strengthens their understanding and retention of the material while building a supportive classroom community.
  • 🔄 Feedback Mechanisms: Incorporating blog comments or discussion forum posts enables meaningful interaction. This feedback loop enhances the learning process and encourages critical thinking among students.
  • 🏫 Responsive Classroom Strategies: Integrating responsive classroom techniques with technology can create an inclusive and engaging learning environment. These strategies help maintain student interest and facilitate smooth transitions during lessons.

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ASVAB or a Service Academy? You Decide.

If you want to join the military, you can do that by attending a four-year Service Academy or by enlisting. I discussed 11 ways to become a Navy Officer in an earlier article (click for link). Here, I’ll focus on the academics required to be accepted as an enlisted soldier or sailor.

Anyone interested in a non-four-year-degree entry into the military services must take the ASVAB– the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). It’s multiple choice test administered by United States Military Entrance Processing Command prior to enlistment. Areas of competence include: (more…)

I’m Traveling with my Kids! Sept. 18-29

September 18-29

I’m off to visit my two military children and then my sister. My son is preparing to deploy overseas to places I won’t mention while my daughter does what she can to keep him safe.  After time with them, I’ll go see my sister in rural Marion, Indiana for a recentering. I hear a James Dean car show is on the agenda!  As a result, I won’t be around much–a bit, but forgive me if I seem to be ignoring everyone! 

See you-all in a few weeks!

–comments are closed because I might be on a plane!

Best LMS for Schools in 2024

The Ask a Tech Teacher team has come up with the best little-known LMS platforms for 2024. Honestly, we hadn’t heard about most of these before one of our international team members brought them to our attention. If you’re looking for an alternative to your current LMS, check out these. Read on to learn key criteria for choosing the right LMS to enhance your school’s digital learning experience

Best LMS for Schools in 2024

In the rapidly evolving landscape of education technology, Learning Management Systems (LMS) have become an integral part of modern schools, facilitating efficient administration and enhancing the overall learning experience. As schools continue to embrace digital transformation, the demand for robust LMS platforms tailored for educational institutions is on the rise. In this guide, we will delve into the intricacies of choosing the best LMS for schools in 2024, highlighting the top 5 platforms that stand out in the competitive market.

Note: We noticed that InnovateClass doesn’t populate a website. Normally, we cross out expired sites, but in this case, it does connect readers with a lot of good information about the innovative classroom.

Top 5 LMS for Schools in 2024

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