Learning Technologies

BISD Technology Summer Camps

shines — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 02:17:09 +0000

Lights, Camera, Learning – June 11-15 – 8:30-12:00 – Grades 3-5 – $60.00 per student
Students will produce video, stop motion video, use a green screen and high school broadcast equipment. Come join us for a week of video production!

View brochure Register here Pay here

Terraformers Robot Camp for BISD robotics first timers – June 11-15 – 8:30-12:00 – Grades 6-9 – $80.00 per student
Students will explore the universe and work to make a planet inhabitable using NXT robots.

View brochure Register here Pay here

Renewable Energy Robot Camp for BISD robotics pros – June 18 – 22 – 8:30-12:00 – Grades 6-9 – $80.00 per student
Students will explore renewable energy and how to help preserve earth with NXT robots.

View brochure Register here Pay here

Avoid Sneaky “Free” App Fees

shines — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:55:44 +0000

8 Ways to Avoid Sneaky “Free” App Fees
Many kids — and their parents — have found out the hard way that what looks like a free app can cost $1, $5, or even $100 (in a single transaction!). Here are a few tips to help you avoid the hidden costs of “free” apps.

Google Provides Election Website for US and Egyptian Elections

Kim Estes — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:24:46 +0000

Google has put together a helpful, informative website for all things election. Find information for both U.S. and Egyptian elections! A great resource for Social Studies and Government teachers…or just anyone that wants to stay informed!

You can find the website at http://www.google.com/elections/ed/us

Family Guide to High-Tech Toys

Kim Estes — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:17:56 +0000

This informative PDF put together by Common Sense Media helps parents to understand just what all those great high-tech toys are capabale of, what to look out for, and how to keep your kids safe! Click on the link below to get the PDF!

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Find High-Quality, Trustworthy Websites

Kim Estes — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:29:02 +0000

SweetSearch is a search engine that seeks out only sites that have been reviewed and approved by a team of librarians, teachers and research experts. In all, 35,000 websites have been reviewed and approved by SweetSearch. In addition to the general search engine, SweetSearch offers five niche search areas: SweetSearch Web Research Tutorial teaches web research skills to educators and students; SweetSearch4Me is a search engine for emerging learners; SweetSearch2Day is where students can learn something new every day; SweetSearch Biographies offers profiles and outstanding search results for thousands of famous—or infamous—people from many walks of life, professions and countries, spanning many centuries; and SweetSearch Social Studies is an indispensable resource of primary source materials, such as speeches, letters, news reports, government documents, photographs and maps.
Click Here to Visit Website

This information is provided as a courtesy for BISD teachers and inclusion here does not indicate an endorsement by the district. It is important to thoroughly evaluate a website before using it with students. For help with this please contact the Learning Technologies Coach for your campus.

Introduce the Civil War in a New Way

Kim Estes — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:37:47 +0000

The online Civil War Era National Cemeteries travel itinerary website, developed by theNational Park Service and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, offers several ways to discover and experience the historic places that shaped and illustrate the history and development of the National Cemetery system. Descriptions of each featured National Cemetery on the List of Sites highlight its significance and include photographs and other illustrations. Essays provide background on important themes in the development of the National Cemeteries during and after the Civil War and offer context for understanding historic places featured in the itinerary. Maps help visitors plan what to see and do and get directions to historic places to visit. A Learn More section provides links to relevant websites with information on cultural events and activities, other things to see and do, and dining and lodging possibilities. This section also includes a bibliography. View the itinerary online or print it as a guide if you plan to visit in person.
Click Here to Visit Website

Plus: The Civil War Trust’s website provides free, downloadable apps for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad to help students experience the battlefields. At present there are apps for four battles: Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Fredericksburg and Bull Run.
Click Here to Download Free Apps

Discuss Cameras in the Courtroom

Kim Estes — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:34:56 +0000

Why can’t we watch U.S. Supreme Court proceedings on C-Span? Cameras in the Court? is an introduction to the U.S. Supreme Court on a topic that students can immediately relate to in this age of instant and universal video. There is a smiling photo of each Justice (with dates of birth and appointment to the Court) along with brief quotes about his or her views on opening the Court to cameras, based on public statements. (Most are against the “proposition.”) The website is welcoming to struggling readers. For students who are ready for more challenging material about cases that the Court has heard or will soon hear, a host of resources (video and links to readings) are included in the C-SPAN series America and the Courts.
Click Here to Visit Website

Unite Conservation, Research and Education

Kim Estes — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:27:12 +0000

Polar bears are a perfect focal point for teaching all kinds of things—from biology to geography, from mathematics to physics, from environmental science to cultural sociology.Polar Bears International (PBI) offers free teaching and learning materials created by teachers and zoo educators on a range of topics that support national literacy standards and learning outcomes for specific school districts. The Polar Bears and Ecotourism Research Unit is a comprehensive lesson series that incorporates science, social studies and mathematics standards by using current polar bear research as an integrating context for learning. In this investigation, students use the data collected from an actual research project to make a decision regarding ecotourism policies for the town of Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, The Polar Bear Capital of the World. PBI also offers lesson plans connected with itsTundra Connections broadcasts. These plans integrate technology and 21st century learning skills to focus on authentic learning experiences surrounding real-world problems. They include pre- and post-broadcast activities, plus follow-up grading rubrics and assessment activities. At the end of each unit, students are encouraged to develop a solution and take action to solve the problem they have chosen to address. Also find polar bear mini posters, polar bear music videos and a variety of other materials for classroom use.
Click Here to Visit Website

Track Seasonal Changes in Nature

Kim Estes — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:24:20 +0000

Journey North is a free, Internet-based program that explores the interrelated aspects of seasonal change. Through interrelated investigations, students discover that sunlight drives all living systems, and they learn about the dynamic ecosystem that surrounds and connects them. Journey North for Kids is a simple, student-directed entry point to Journey North studies. Engaging stories, photos, videos and slideshows from the natural world build observation skills, inspire scientific thinking and create fertile ground for discussions and new questions.
Click Here to Visit Journey North Website
Click Here to Visit Journey North for Kids Website

Master a New Language

Kim Estes — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:19:54 +0000

SpeakingPal helps students master a new language through role-playing sessions andfeedback. This free app for iPhone, iPad and Android consists of multiple bit-sized video scenarios students can watch and repeat with the onscreen text. Students are given immediate feedback based on how clearly they repeat each phrase. For example, one video has someone asking for directions, another has a shopping scenario and a third involves booking a hotel room. After they watch the exchange between the actors, students then interact. In some cases, then can choose from one of two responses, such as “Please take me to my hotel” or “Can you help me with my bags?” When they speak the phrase aloud into their iPad (or other mobile device), they’ll see a color-coded bar along the right side of the video that reflects their performance: red for poor, yellow for OK and green for good. SpeakingPal was the winner of the International E-Learning Association’s Mobile Learning Award in 2011.
Click Here to Visit Website
Click Here to Visit App Store