Tool # 10 Apps on iPod touch, iPhone, iPad

On a flight from Houston to Dallas, my husband and I were entertained by a passenger who shared his iPhone obsession with us, proving more than once, there's-an-app-for-that! By the time we returned to Houston, my husband replaced his company BlackBerry with, you guessed it! The iPhone! One app that seems a little addictive, and a lot of fun, is the free Words With Friends, a crossword game that can be played with up to three players.

Next year my class will be getting five iPod touch devices. I can't wait to see my classroom transform into students who are still having fun, but are technologically challenged! For starters, the free puzzle apps I'll use are Fling, Fuzzle, and Christmas Fuzzle. They have different levels to challenge all learners by reinforcing logic and problem solving.

Lumosity designs games for improving and exercising the brain. Games I've chosen to use are free and are categorized for strengthening different brain functions. For example; Speed-Speed Match-information processing; Memory-Memory Matrix-spatial recall; Attention-Lost in Migration-focus; Flexibility-Word Bubbles-verbal fluency; and Problem Solving-Raindrops-arithmetic. The Lumosity has a good website with scientific data about certain games that promote training the brain.

There are many other free apps, such as, USA Factbook for social studies, and Bird Watching for our Purple Martin science unit. I would be content to start with the freebies first, collaborate about others, then later investigate my purchasing options.

Tool # 9 Using Jing and Skype

I have not used Jing or Skype in the classroom before, but capturing an image, map, or video, using Jing, would certainly add clarity and understanding to messages and assignments. The video tutorial was very helpful, with a simulated practice session. Skype can be used for students to chat with other students from different areas, or teachers with teachers, or teachers with students. Skype could also be a more economical way to invite guest speakers into our school or classroom. Skype Mobile is offered for certain Verizon phones, but I'm not sure about this feature on Apple mobiles. I am looking forward to exploring this option and inviting members to Skype with in a virtual reality classroom!

Tool #8 Videos-Solids, Liquids, Gas

I bookmarked this series from YouTube,They Might Be Giants, but also wanted to post it for quick referencing.

Tool # 8 Video of The Coin Song

This is very cute! Using songs or music to make connections is such a great way to make learning fun! I'll use this video from YouTube as a sing-a-long activity for identifying the names of coins and learning the value of each.

Tool #8 Video Resources

I would use this video to teach the basics about using a digital camera. Presented from a child's perspective, students relate better to peer role models.http://yollisclassblog.blogspot.com/p/learn-how-to-shoot-great-digital-images.html

Tool #7 Making Videos

Making a video from photos of my Westie, Cloe, and my son's new puppy, Belle, was extremely rewarding! Of course, students would enjoy putting their photos to life with favorite soundtracks. Warning: Patience is required! Allowing wait time to process this video for downloading on my post, was the difficult part. My laptop is operating on "s-l-o-w" these days, so the shared family desktop has been a life saver.

Dedicated to friends who simply depend on, "Hello"!

Tool #6 Classroom Wiki

I've hit a wall in creating a class Wiki. Hopefully, it will be used for classroom updates, letters, photos, homework, etc. For now, it's a work in progress. Onward, to forge ahead through the remaining tools while my Wiki is under construction!