My Tomorrow or Their Tomorrow?

"It's important for them to learn this"

The philosophy that I have learned quickly with teaching is that we, as educators, need to determine what is important for our students to learn and gain from our class. Earlier in the previous school year I was getting ready to have my students make bar graphs based off data we collected as a class. We used Google Survey and Edmodo to collect all of the data and the grand finale was to create bar graphs with rulers, graph paper, and colored pencils.

When I was grading the graphs I couldn't believe how some of the students couldn't draw a neat line or use colored pencils correctly. I was talking to my wife about how I thought it was an important skill that my students could draw straight lines and keep their graphs looking neat, organized, and nice. The moment I said that out loud I realized how strange it sounded.

It didn't sound strange because I didn't think they should be neat and organized, but it sounded strange because I thought it was an important skill that they could draw straight lines. What future job, for this generation, will require their employees to hand in a final copy that is written in pencil and paper? (Granted their are few jobs out their that would still require this trait, but not many) Does an architect walk up to a potential client and say "here is your final draft of your house sorry about the eraser marks"; Does a doctor take an X-Ray and give you all of the results on his handwritten notepad (not that you would be able to read it anyway).

After I pondered this thought for a while I found myself wondering (Am I teaching the students for their tomorrow or am I teaching them for my tomorrow [when I was their age]?) Even though I am only 25 years old (soon to be 26) and I am about to begin my 3rd year of teaching I found myself already teaching the students incorrectly. I must always remember, and continue to reflect, on what my students will need to be prepared for in THEIR future.

What skills will they need to sharpen before they graduate high school. Will they need to draw straight lines or create through technology? Will they need to learn how to write an appropriate hand written letter or how to send an appropriate and professional email? Will they need to know that we disapprove of social networking and that it's taboo, or that it can be a great developing tool if used appropriately? Don't be afraid to take risks and meet students where they are at. We need to continue to create and challenge ourselves to prepare the next generation! "If we teach the same as we taught yesterday we are robbing our students of their tomorrows."

Middle School Math Apps for Ipad

Free Math Apps 

http://goo.gl/ZKUEJ (Burn Your Brain Math)

http://goo.gl/umRPH (Ooops)

http://goo.gl/s4D96 (Number Line)

http://goo.gl/EWJiM (Fraction Factory)

http://tinyurl.com/7twpvw2 (Solids Elementary - only free for 2 weeks)

http://goo.gl/aRf0k (Geometry Pad)


This link also has two pages of Secondary Math Apps that are Awesome! http://goo.gl/NFPEC


App Just for Fun (maybe a good team building activity)


http://goo.gl/wk9r1 (VidRhythm)


Disclaimer: 
I am aware that everyone and their cat is posting different Apps that you should download, but I know these apps are age appropriate for 7th Graders and will work on much needed categories to improve their skills.

Give Chrome a Shot!

Why Chrome?

Through high school, college, and my first year of teaching I only used Firefox (and Explorer) as my internet browser.  The idea I had about browsing platforms was that their main purpose was to open internet sites and surf the web.  After being shown the capabilities of the Chrome browser it is going to be difficult to browse anything other than Chrome.

The Apps

Whenever I think of Apps I automatically think of mobile devices.  But, Chrome proves this theory wrong with the accessibility to (free) apps that you can apply to your chrome page and access from any device.  Some of the best apps also revolve around well known sites like facebook, twitter, and pinterest.

Most of the apps that I really like make my web experience an easier one to navigate and manage.

The Apps that will Ease your Experience

goo.gl URL Shortener
Shorten any lengthy URL at a touch of a button and automatically paste it.  Great for use in twitter to limit the amount of characters you use in a tweet.

Clearly
Clean up a page and eliminate all of the adds and extra eye drawing features.  Makes it simple and easy on the eyes to read Clearly.

Pocket Extension 
Any easy one click extension that adds articles, videos, and images to your"Pocket" account immediately.  (check out my last post to read about "Pocket")

QR Code Generator 
Education has been increasingly using QR codes within schools.  These app allows you to generate them easily and quickly.

Picasa
Create photo web albums from your Picasa app and access your photos from anywhere.

The list goes on and everyday I'm discovering more free apps that make the Chrome experience more than just web browsing.

Give it a shot and switch to Chrome you will not regret it!

5 + Apps that changed my IPAD Experience

Meant to Be

Originally this week I was supposed to take a masters class entitled Middle School Math, but almost a week before the class was supposed to start I received an email notifying me that the class was canceled due to low enrollment.  To say the least I was extremely discouraged.

I frantically began looking for another class to take and I ran across a class entitled Mobile Devices and Apps, which took place at Norris High School.  I figured this class would work and that I may learn a couple things about my Ipad in the process.  To say that I have learned a couple things is an understatement.

The Apps
(I Can't Believe I Didn't Know About)

WARNING! Downloading all of these free apps will change your Ipad Experience Completely


AppShopper, AppMiner, and Honor Roll (Previously Moms with Apps) 


To explain these app's I first need to explain my previous app discovering process.  Normally I would log into the App Store and type in a keyword like "math".  I would swipe and swipe till my heart's content looking for free apps that were age appropriate for my students.  After an hour of unsuccessful searching and 12 apps that only require my students add 2 +2, I would put my Ipad asleep discouraged.

All three of these apps allow the user the opportunity to search for apps that fit the desired need of what you are looking for.  For Example:  If I am looking for a Math App > That deals with Geometry > That includes working with Triangles, I can now find it easily with these searching apps.  They are user friendly and the moment you download them you will be a pro.

Flipboard

This app officially changed the way I find and read my news. When you get it set up and tailored to your interests it organizes multiple sites into different headlines, photos, and snip-its. It instantly makes it look like a magazine that allows you to flip pages, click on links, and watch videos.  Your standard news paper and magazine (with multiple fragrance adds and adds proclaiming you can loose 30 pounds in 20 minutes) is no longer relevant with the Flipboard.  I have also been told that Zite is a good personalized magazine app, but I prefer the layout of Flipboard in comparison.

Side Note: It has also made twitter more exciting to browse.  It puts pictures from articles with tweets and   allows you to add # categories that you can browse. (I would recommend adding #edchat, #edtech, TCEA, and Apps Gone Free)

Pocket

Back-story: I have always had a bad habit of reading too many books at once.  I am currently reading Mockingjay, Wooden, Resolution for Men, and End of Molasses Classes all at the same time.  This bad (maybe good) habit is the same with my websites, videos, and news articles.  While I'm web-searching I find myself on a wild goose chase clicking on a article, a video, and picture and never having time to explore all of them.

This app helps me cope with my problems (at least my website overload problems).  Pocket is an organizational tool that allows you to download articles, videos, and images (to your pocket page) with just one click to go back and visit them later.  I like Pocket because all of the articles and stories you put into pocket are cleaned up to have limited pictures and no adds.  This is one of those apps that takes time to realize the true potential, but I love it.  You can also access your pocket articles and images at home, or anywhere, without internet connection and without an Ipad.  I feel 100 percent more organized because of this handy app.

OnLive Desktop

One of the major adjustments I made switching over to my IPAD was the absence of word processing.  OnLive Desktop gives you a PC look and allows you to work with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Reader and Internet Explorer straight from your IPAD.  If you are classic PC user and switching over to an IPAD is too scary (or just too overwhelming) this app can help ease your anxiety.  Once you get set up and started it's easy, familiar, and user friendly.  A wonderful app and even more surprising because it's free.

Talkatone and Google Voice

This app is easy, once you get it set up.  You can find various different resources on the internet to walk you through setting up your Talkatone and Google Voice Account.  In basic, and short terms, this app allows you to text and make phone calls from your IPAD.  After you get it set up your IPAD becomes an Iphone!  (I have found that holding the Ipad up to your ear looks kinda goofy, somewhat like the old shoe phone)

Why is Talkatone useful? (Talkatone runs through wi-fi.  If you are in a room or place with poor reception, and great internet connection, you can now call with ease)  You may also manage your Google Voice account to personalize your voice mails for different people, have all voice mails sent to your email, and check your message history.  This app would be more for personal use and not necessarily one you could use too much in the classroom.

Don't go forward without at least trying these apps out, I know I don't regret it!

goo.gl/0sju (App Shopper)
goo.gl/vZYUb (App Miner) 
goo.gl/y2RUz (Honor Roll)
goo.gl/aUDY2 (Flipboard)
goo.gl/uv36Y (Pocket App)
getpocket.com/ (Pocket Website) 
desktop.onlive.com/ (Onlive Desktop) 
goo.gl/o4HyU (Talkatone)