IHMS Tech Tips

App smashing is using two or more apps to accomplish a task. I alluded to this idea last week when we talked about using both Google Slides and Bitmoji.  That's an app smash!   " When we know that smashing is a possibility and introduce this potential to our students, we not only empower them to take ownership of their learning process, but also teach them to go beyond the initial obstacles in order to problem solve for better learning and expression."   While, app smashing is much more easily done using iOS apps, it can be done using laptops.  The goal of app smashing is to let students unleash their creativity, but so often we limit them to just one app that prevents this from happening. Thinglink , as previously discussed, is a perfect example of an app smash.  YouTube, Google Slides, camera roll...all of these are incorporated into one project via the Thinglink site or app.  But don't tell your students which apps to use!  Give them the rubric,...

Bitmoji is  an app and Chrome Extension where "users can create avatars of themselves or others which then can be combined with messages and icons to create custom images. These images can then be sent via text, social media, or email, or you can even add them to documents."  I reckon your students are already using Bitmoji, so using these avatars would be a unique way to start communicating with them.  As feedback in a Google Doc, in an email, or on social media, Bitmoji are "an accessible way to connect with students." Please keep in mind that Bitmoji is for students 13 and older, so maybe save this for the end-of-the-year 8th grade classes.  Students don't have  to use them, however, you as the teacher can save these ideas for yourself.   Common Sense Media gives some suggestions on using Bitmoji in the classroom: Students can create their own Bitmoji to use as a profile image rather than using their actual picture, as a digital saf...

PBS Learning Media is very similar to what Learn360 offers.  " Resources are aligned to Common Core and national standards and include videos and interactives, as well as audio, documents, and in-depth lesson plans. You can browse by standards, grade level, subject area, and special collections. You can also  favorite  and  share  resources with your class and colleagues."  The Dashboard offers highlighted resources for different subject areas. Creating an account is simple and free for both students and teachers.  Teachers have the capability to create folders and post assignments. Here are some of the features of PBS Learning Media: Puzzle Builder:  Design custom word searches or crossword puzzles to review vocabulary or other content. Lesson Builder:  C ombine many of PBS' features such as video, images, and text to save to one location.  Share your lessons with colleagues and save them to favorites to reuse. Storybo...

I'm sure many of you are familiar with Skype, but there are also lots of other free video conferencing websites that you can integrate into your classrooms.  Soon, our district will be launching a similar site to Skype through WebEx/Spark.  This will allow you to more easily communicate with colleagues, students, and parents.   Edumemic gives some reasons why you might want to consider using video conferencing in your classroom: Use it to collaborate with other classrooms:  Whether it's another classroom across the district or across the world, use a video conference to connect with other students that have a different background.  Think about what you could do in foreign language or with a classroom that's studying the same novel.   Use it to conduct expert interviews:   Authors, philanthropists, historians, you name it.  Set up a video conference with them.  It's more convenient than finding a time that works for everyone and maybe even...