how to use any phone (including "dumb" phones) to do research

One of the great things that I learned about this past weekend at the NYSCATE conference that I went to was SMIR.CH.  SMIR.CH is a way for students to do research all through texting!  I think this is just so great because while many of my students have cell phones only about 1/3 of them have smartphones.  So even with "dumb phones" student can search sites like Google.

Science Comics

This is not super techy, but I came across website of science comics that I wanted to share.  Sciencetoons are cute one panel comics about a range of topics.  They cover a range of topics, but I think the chemistry ones are just great.  Check them out and enjoy!

Remind 101 gave me a Badge!

I know I've talked about Remind 101 before, but I really becoming obsessed with it.  I use it to send out reminders to my Science and Yearbook clubs.  It's been great for the yearbook club especially because anytime I think of something I want to tell them I just send them a Remind101 message.  If I feel like I'm sending too many at one or it's not a good time to send one I will set a reminder so that Remind 101 sends the text later.  I guess I've been using it so much because I just received a message that I've sent 100 texts and received a badge to display! 

How do you communicate with your students?

PowToon Slides - Animated Slide Shows

PowToon has a new service that will allow you to make animated Presentations (Kind of like Powerpoint and Prezi but SO much cooler) in half the time it takes you to make a regular presentation.
This is really big. They have named this " Project Slides" (Still looking for a final name for it).

They are very very excited about Slides and to celebrate the launch they decided that the most appropriate thing to do would be to thank all you teachers for your support over the last two years by giving ALL teachers access to PowToon Slides EDU for free.

So PowToon as you know it, continues as usual. PowToon slides will run as a separate product for now and will have a free version as well as a premium version.

How to get PowToon Slides for free
The slides Premium version will be automatically available to all premium users (Including EDU users). To celebrate the launch, Slides for EDU will be available Completely free during 2014 for all Teachers anywhere.

There are two ways you can get PowToon slides for free:

1. If you already have a PowToon for EDU account (That means a PowToon Teacher, Student or Classroom account), or if you purchase a PowToon for EDU account now. You will automatically be notified when it's available.

OR

2. If you signup to be notified when it's available here. and you will be notified when its available for you.

Any Teacher, Anywhere can get the new PowToon slides for EDU completely free!

Are you a PowToon user?  How do you like to spruce up your presentation?

What I've been up to and the Top 10 Posts of February

This weekend I had the fortune of going to the NYSCATE Hudson Valley Region Conference.  NYSCATE is the the New York division of ISTE (International Society of Technology in Education).  I learned some great stuff and was blown away at what some other teachers are doing.  As always, I am going to be sharing with you all that I have learned.  I just love going to conferences, don't you?

Top 10 Posts of February

1. Sharing Resources with Google Docs
2. Bill Nye Worksheets
3. Problem Attic - NYS Regents Questions Test and Worksheets
4. ReadWorks - reading meets science (and other subjects)
5. Top 10 Posts of January
6. use Google as a timer
7. Two More Ways to Find Me
8. OneDrive - another choice for cloud storage
9. What is a CSV file?
10. Win a Computer Lab for your classroom!

use Google as a timer

Did you know that the Google search box can be used as a timer.  All you need you need to do is type in "set time for ___" filling in the blank with how long you want the timer to run for.  Press the start button and go about your business.  Make sure your leave the tab open with the timer in it and that they sound on your computer is one.  Once the time is up the timer will beep.
Watch this short video to see how it work.

 

What fun timers do you use in your classroom?  During what activities is a timer most valuable?

OneDrive - another choice for cloud storage

Update:  The extra 20GB is no longer active.

Many are you are probably familiar with Google Drive and Dropbox, but you may not be familiar with Microsoft OneDrive.   This service was formally called SkyDrive, but has been revamped.  I was given a link to share that will allow a friend to get an extra 20GB.  I'm not sure how many people can use it, but give it a try!

This might also be helpful for your students so they don't need to worry about bringing in a flash drive every time they are working on projects.

To give a sense of how it compares to Google Drive and Dropbox, take a look at the information below.

Free Storage: Dropbox - 2GB, OneDrive - 7GB, GoogleDrive - 15GB (includes your e-mails)
Apps:  All 3 have apps for iPhone and Droid, but OneDrive also includes apps for Windows Phone and XBox
Collaboration: All 3 allow you to share files with others, but GoogleDrive and OneDrive also allow you to edit the document right from your browser.

What is your cloud storage service of choice?  Or are you like me and have them all?