weismerp | Technology Department

Organize Multi-Media projects with Rubrics!

weismerp — Tue, 26 May 2015 18:42:00 +0000

Hardy 3rd grade classes recently embarked on a math assignment requiring students to use the iPad to create a multi-media project explaining math strategies to solve particular math problems. The teachers utilized rubrics to direct students toward their end product and to keep them focused through the creation process. Technology is such a great tool in the classroom, as it provides students endless creation possibilities. This can also be a pitfall, making it difficult for some to stay focused on the task at hand… Rubrics are a great tool to pull students back in and keep them focused on the end goal!

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Bates’ K Kap classroom uses Book Creator to create some great examples of Student Work!

weismerp — Tue, 12 May 2015 23:11:00 +0000

The kindergarten students in Amy Kappinos’ classroom (K Kap) are quickly becoming familiar with how technology can bring their work to life! K Kap student’s were tasked with creating a book based on the text of Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

In their version, Yellow Sun, Yellow Sun What Do You See?, the students thought of the colorful things associated with this long awaited Spring.

The students drew and painted the book’s illustrations, outlined them in marker, and cut them out in preparation to be photographed and imported into a digital book using the Book Creator app on the classroom iPads. Each student’s voice was then recorded into the book using the app’s “Add Sound” feature, adding a very nice personal touch that the K Kap students are proud to own!

Take a look at the inspiring final product in video form below, and as an ePub file (open with iBooks) ! Awesome work to the teachers and students of K Kap!

The post Bates’ K Kap classroom uses Book Creator to create some great examples of Student Work! first appeared on Technology Department.

Kindergarten Class Books

weismerp — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 17:43:00 +0000

Kindergarten students have been busy authoring class books in classrooms across the district! ��Class books provide wonderful opportunities for young writers to learn about books, share ideas, and read engaging text. ��Traditionally, these books have been created and kept in classrooms, possibly making the rounds to student homes. ��By creating digital class books, numerous students can access the books in school via computers or iPads available in classrooms. ��In addition, the books can immediately be shared with families, creating an authentic audience and the opportunity to read and re-read the books outside of school! ��Check out these two digital books recently created in two different classrooms:

Water Saving Tips by KK

Created using .

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KKap’s Favorite Animals

Created using the app.

View the book as a movie by

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What is a good digital citizen?

weismerp — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 19:03:00 +0000

What does it mean to be a good digital citizen? Upham 4th graders have lots of great ideas! Check out some of their Voki messages here: check before posting only post what is true and kind keep personal information private

The post What is a good digital citizen? first appeared on Technology Department.

Talking with Children About Digital Citizenship

weismerp — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 20:42:00 +0000

We live in a digital age. While we are citizens of local communities, our state, country, and world, we are increasingly becoming digital citizens. The Internet is a regular, and growing, part of our lives. Our devices have become smaller, connected, and truly mobile. The technology, and what we can do with it, changes with lightning speed. For all these reasons, it is essential to understand what it means to be a digital citizen and teach our children how to be responsible and safe digital citizens. As with any type of citizenship, digital citizenship affords us certain rights and responsibilities.

The 4th grade students at Upham have been examining age appropriate aspects of digital citizenship. Through interacting with a , discussions, and a web-based activity students have been developing an understanding of what it means to be a digital citizen:

use netiquette
protect private information
evaluate what is seen on the web
understand your digital footprint/tattoo
use online tools responsibly

Our toolkit (created with – hover over image to access links):

As adults, we are navigating this new digital world ourselves and we may not have all the answers or know of all the tools and technology that exist. However, we can encourage our students to think critically about what they encounter online, make responsible choices about technology tools, and think about how they can make good choices about their behavior while interacting with others online.

As adults in a digital age, we want to encourage children to employ strategies and practices that are age appropriate and can help make their online experiences positive, allowing them the opportunity to take advantage of all the wonderful tools and resources the Internet offers.

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