Smartboards and Everyday Math

The site is growing in membership!  Great to see!  Well, I’ll be honest, I’m trying to get through a MAJOR computer burnout.  I’ve been woking hard on creating a cool Moodle site for my class.  It’s going to be fantastic, but it takes time-but hey, what doesn’t?  It has been keeping me away from my Everyday Math files though.  One thing I want to implement through my Moodle site is a daily review for parents and students to check out what we’ve done in Math each day.  No matter what I’ve tried, I continually hear comments like “We don’t see much Math coming home.”  I like the Everyday Math program, but I agree.  Home links aren’t enough.  So here is what I’m planning on doing.  After each lesson, I am going to export my SmartBoard file as a Powerpoint.  Then I am going to upload it to Slideshare.com.  It’s a cool FREE website I’ve shared previously.  I can then embed that file into my Moodle site. It’s kind of small, but when you click full screen, it’s pretty visible.  I know, sounds like a lot, but really it’s relatively quick and painless.  Is it perfect?-no.  Do all the kids have internet access at home?-no.  Will those that do even go and check it out?-ahh, maybe.  But it’s out there and available.  I’ve put an example of the slideshare below.

I am also getting back to the lesson files.  Judging by the emails, if I didn’t soon I may be in trouble.  I hope to have up through unit 7 soon!

If you have any great stategies on communicating and sharing the students’ progress with parents, I’m sure we would all love to hear about it.  Get it in the comments for us!

Keith over at TeqSmart was kind enough to give me the heads up on this one.  Smart has a sign-up to get the beta program of a new Math program.  The following is taken from the site:

SMART Notebook Math features include the following:

• Equation creation and editing
• Equation handwriting recognition
• Graphing tool
• Real-time linked relationships between tables, equations and graphs
• More shapes additional to those that come with SMART Notebook 10 software
• Shape manipulation and feedback
• Advanced-measurement tools
• Ability to launch and operate Texas Instruments^â„¢ emulators from within SMART Notebook

Sounds like it may be meant for more advanced Math than my third grade needs, but who knows?  Can’t hurt to give it a try!  Here is a link where you can go to sign up for the beta:   www.smarttech.com/notebookmathbeta

Thanks Keith!

I’m having a heck of a time getting it configured properly on my server, but I plan on using it.  I attended a great session today where a teacher from Medina showcased how her class utilized it and I was impressed.  I will be facing a couple more time management issues through the day, but I’m going to give it a try.

I watched a quick demonstration of the new Senteo software.  I am about to upgrade to 2.0, but had some questions.  Well, I had a lot of questions.  I kind of feel bad, she wasn’t prepared to be bombarded, but hey, I wanted to know.  The version I use now has some weird “bugs.”  Well, I didn’t get everything answered (I think I need to be a Smart Rep), but I could see the new software is much improved.  If you haven’t updated, I would recommend it.

Here is a slideshare of a powerpoint presentation I saw on the first day. It was prepared from a group of teachers in the Buckeye Valley District.  It’s available on their website as well.   Be prepared, it’s LONG.  Over 500 slides!  But it’s full of great free web resources.  Check it out.

Overall, the conference was a wonderful experience.  It was great to see all the teachers’ ideas on using technology to help the kids learn and achieve.  Makes me feel better about all my crazy ideas!

Yeah, it happened.  I love technology and gadgets.  If I get something new, I need to know how to do every little thing with it.  I got that way with my Smartboard-well, so I thought.  There were a few Smartboard sessions offered, but I didn’t want to spend my time there since I could probably lead a basic session myself!  But today there was one for using concept maps with the Smart Ideas software.  Sounded interesting.  Well, that was it!  My moment.  I knew it existed, I knew I could use it, but I had never seen it in action.  If you haven’t either, get a demo–or come and see me!  You can do some of the same things in the Smart Notebook software, but it’s nowhere near as easy or intuitive.  I’m excited to get back to my classroom to get started with it.  If you have a Smartboard and it is registered, you have a license for this software.  You need to download it from Smarttech, it’s not included on the disk.  There is also a file of clipart to download that accompanies it.

Smart table update.  Boo on the Smart table!  The rep actually told me they designed the hardware and are basically turning over the software part to users with a development kit, kind of like the iPhone and it’s Apps store.  Basically, they just wanted to be the first company to put a multitouch screen in classrooms.  Oh yeah- $8,000.  That’s right. 8 big ones.  I’ll pass.  Here’s a video of it from today.  Sorry it’s so small, it was taken with my phone.

Today was actually a very informative day.  I like Moodle.  I use Wordpress now, but I think I’m going to get Moodle installed and try some online stuff with my students.  Maybe a weekly Story Starter blog and an online assignment or quiz.  I’m also kicking around the idea of starting an E-portfolio for my kids for a few reading/writing projects.

Well, one more day.  If I hear “Web 2.0″ or “Wiki” one more time I may become ill, but I’m willing to chance it just in case another holy smokes moment arises.

Day 1:  The Smart Table is here!

Well, I’m here.  Three days of 45 minute info sessions, vendor displays, video conferencing and panel discussions.  I had a pretty good first day.  My first session went through nearly 300 FREE web resources to use in the classroom!  I already knew most of them (I’m not sure exactly what that says about me!), but I did learn of a few exciting new ones.  I plan on sharing their powerpoint and resources on here soon.  I also went to some sessions on implementing blogs and podcasts in my elementary classroom.  I already do this, but wanted to see if they had any cool ideas.  More details on these resources later as well.

In the last post I said I would probably find something to drool over.  Well, I did.  But the thing I wanted to see the most kind of let me down.    I PLAYED WITH THE SMART TABLE!!!!  I was hoping and hoping it would be here, and as I got near the end of the technology vendors, there it was!

Now, don’t get me wrong.  It was cool!  But, I’m not as keen on it after I’ve seen the demonstration.  The multi touch screen was awesome.  You could have an entire group of students sitting around the table and they could all be moving things at the same time.  I wish my SmartBoard was like that!

I’m sure they have plenty of meaningful applications, but from their  demo, it seemed like I could get the same effect with a photo and little cut  out words on paper!  You just slid things around on the screen!  It’s BIG.  Everything is bundled inside the base as well.  I couldn’t see how easy/difficult it would be to get in there to fool around with the hardware. The screen wasn’t nearly bright enough, it looked kind of washed out.  I was expecting a vibrant, almost HD display.  It was DIRTY and fingerprints were everywhere!  Imagine it after a couple weeks in a classroom.  I’ve also heard it’s going to be expensive.   It was a busy demo, and I couldn’t get all my questions answered, but I’m going to check in again tomorrow.  Maybe my outlook will improve.