The BBC recently reported about the idea of teacher performance pay. Yes, teacher performance pay; my reaction was the same as yours. I will do my best to give a balanced argument on this topic but the thought makes me very uncomfortable.  5 reasons why performance pay is a bad idea: 1. First of all, this approach leads to a sales-based-profit-squeezing approach to teaching. Would

When I first drafted this article I was keen to talk about the various different apps available to support teachers using augmented reality (AR). I remember, a very long time ago, watching "Click" on BBC1. The chap presenting the show was demonstrating a dragon coming alive by hovering his phone over an image of it. I distinctly remember the excitement I felt when I thought about the

I have officially joined the flipped classroom show. Having read a lot the last couple of weeks on the impact it can have on learning (watch this video for motivation) I have decided to engage with this. For those relatively new to this concept, flipped learning involves creating materials for students to learn outside of the classroom which in-turn lets the lecturer focus on homework

Formative assessment can sometimes be a struggle for teachers to understand. Going beyond cutting and pasting "Q&A" in the assessment box of the lesson plan can cause stress and tension for anyone who is delivering the session. The reality is that you are formatively assessing your students all of the time. Obviously some techniques are going to be stronger than others. Importantly,

So, we all use YouTube right? It's an obvious place to look for a video on a certain task. Many educators are still not using it in the most profitable way though. Let me give you just one or two bits of advice that might change the way you plan your next lesson. It'll be simple but very effective. I'll give you a breakdown of what I do in lessons and assessments and then state how YouTube

I've been blogging for a relatively short period of time but have already learnt an awful lot from some great educators out there. Nominating was quite a difficult task. The individuals below have all improved my practice and/or enabled me to reflect on my own practice. People are writing in such a personal and individual manner whilst sharing a range of great ideas and resources. Anyway, time

Every Thursday evening between 9 and 10pm (UK Time) I actively involve myself with, and contribute to, an online twitter chat; #ukfechat. The most recent discussion from @jobale and @fossa regarded the use of STEM within the further education sector. I'm not going to lie, I didn't think the chat would be that productive. I was wrong. Tweets about "#ukfechat"     !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs

Minecraft; once the bane of my life. A computer game that both young and old seemed to be weirdly fascinated about. With the ugly pixelated look and the annoying Lego dogs - that never seem to shut up - what do these users see? Well, I am here to sell it to you. My account is from a parental perspective but the links that I share and context can very easily be applied to those involved within

        Podcasting is an essential element of any eLearning design process. It provides learners with a unique way to digest material but is often left as a final thought in the design process, has little evidence of audio quality and can - quite frankly -  sound awkward as a result. In previous posts I have voiced praise towards Soundcloud as a cheap and easy way to Podcast. This view

Is it possible to create a unified website that melds the best of the WordPress and Google Platforms? This is the question we will answer in this very special presentation given on Sunday September 7 from the CUE Learning Revolution Summit featuring Google for Education. How do I Participate in this session? Please click on our event link to watch the presentation LIVE at 5pm Eastern. Links of Interest We will be creating a WordPress website at http://demo.teachercast.net We will be creating a Google Sites website at https://sites.google.com/site/teachercastdemo/ Sample Websites WordPress TeacherCast.net EduPuppets Network LACSchool Google Sites ??? ??? ??? WordPress Plugins Used Akismet Contact Form 7 Google Analyticator Google XML Sitemaps WordPress SEO (Yoast) Pretty Links Lite JetPack Supplemental Videos What can YOU do with WordPress? WordPress Tutorial: K12Online Conference Presentation 2013 Learn WordPress in under 20 Minutes   The post Can WordPress and #Google Sites coexist? | A Presentation from #GIESummit 2014 appeared first on TeacherCast.net: Educational Blogs, Podcasts, App Reviews and more. … Read more

Welcome to the the Tech Educator Podcast hosted by Jeff Bradbury, Sam Patterson, Jeff Herb and Christopher Nesi.  The Tech Educator Podcast is a weekly round table discussion about current topics in educational technology.  For more information, please visit www.techeducatorpodcast.com. Many great ways to participate in the TechEducator Podcast. TechEducatorPodcast.com Follow us Live on Video: http://www.TeacherCast.tv Leave a Voice Mail: http://www.TeacherCast.net/voicemail Email: feedback@Teachercast.net Twitter: @TechEdShow (http://www.twitter.com/techedshow) Hashtag: #TechEducator Hosts: Jeff Bradbury - TeacherCast.net - @TeacherCast Sam Patterson - MyPaperlessClassroom.com - @SamPatue Guests: Show Information Screen Castify  Padlet Mini Speak it  extensify Google Dictionary Google apps quick Launch  Black Menu for Google Google URL shortener Read Write for Google Chrome Speak Snagit Announcify Hangouts adblock Clearly  shorten Me Save to pocket Grammarly Buffer extension Diigo Translate  Ghosty Stayfocused Reflecting from android https://www.mobizen.com/?locale=en Please join the TechEducator Podcast LIVE every Sunday night at 7:00 P.M. EST on http://www.TeacherCast.tv Please contact TeacherCast with any Questions or to become a guest on the show Host: Jeff Bradbury @TeacherCast Email: info@teachercast.net Voice Mail: http://www.TeacherCast.net/voicemail YouTube: http://www.TeacherCast.net/YouTube iTunes: http://www.TeacherCast.net/iTunes Watch LIVE: http://www.TeacherCast.tv | Broadcasting Schedule (http://www.teachercast.net/showcal)TeacherCast Broadcasting Community: http://www.TeacherCast.net/broadcastingcommunity Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out our Educators Guide to Podcasting today! | Video | Slideshare Presentation Hire TeacherCast to Speak or Broadcast at your conference Jeff Bradbury (@TeacherCast) is available as a Keynote Speaker, Presenter, or to Broadcast your conference LIVE!  Contact Jeff Today! Check out more TeacherCast Educational Broadcasting Network Shows TeacherCast Podcast (http://www.teachercast.net/education/teachercast-broadcasting/) TeacherCast App Spotlight (http://www.teachercast.net/education/teachercast-broadcasting/the-teachercast-app-spotlight/) The TechEducator Podcast (http://www.techeducatorpodcast.com) The post Podcast: Google Chrome Extensions Smackdown | #TechEducator 65 appeared first on TeacherCast.net: Educational Blogs, Podcasts, App Reviews and more. … Read more

Are you a fan of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS)???  GREAT … So am I!  There are thousands of great websites with amazing content that gives you awesome insight into the Common Core. Ok… So, I know that CCSS isn’t the most entertaining thing in the world, but it is important to stay up to date with the latest and greatest and also have your digital finger on the digital pulse of your students. Here are some great apps that can be used as reference materials for your class this year. Common Core Standards: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/common-core-standards/id439424555?mt=8 View the Common Core State Standards in one convenient FREE app! A great reference for students, parents, and teachers to easily read and understand the core standards. Quickly find standards by subject, grade, and subject category (domain/cluster). This app includes Math standards K-12 and Language Arts standards K-12. Math standards include both traditional and integrated pathways (as outlined in Appendix A of the common core) and synthesizes Language Arts standards with the Corresponding College and Career Readiness Standards (CCR’s). Apps for Common Core: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/apps-for-common-core/id624453180?mt=8 Overwhelmed by all the Common Core Standards? Apps For Common Core gives you quick access to all Common Core Standards by grade level while saving you time by suggesting apps that solve those standards! Teachers and parents will no longer have to search for apps that help their children learn a particular standard. Common Core State Standards: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/common-core-state-standards/id702157474?mt=8 The Common Core State Standards app is both an interactive reference and a sophisticated tool for teachers. It includes a reference for all of the standards in the national Common Core State Standards Initiative for school systems across the country. This easy to use and concise app allows teachers, administrators, and parents to view the standards, take notes on each standard, create a roster of students, take notes on individual students’ progress, create and print reports per standard or per student, mark standards with customizable indicators, and easily search the standards. It also includes the ability to download lesson plans and standards materials to aid teachers. Students can even create reports and do homework using templates and turn them in to be read and stored within the CCSS app. It is an excellent reference for teachers to utilize in developing lesson plans, and for parents to understand the standards their children are learning and being tested against. The app includes Common Core State Standards for Math and English from grades Kindergarten through High School. 45 states have adopted the Common Core State Standards, which represents a significant direction in our country’s educational system. The Common Core State Standards app has been developed to help teachers and parents in providing students with a quality education that meets the requirements of the Common Core State Standards. Features: • Easy to use reference interface to access all of the Common Core State Standards • Create a roster of students in a class • Take notes for each standard and each student. Even take notes per student per standard. • Create reports for each student, tracking progress against the standards, and create reports for each standard for use in communicating with the administration. • Includes the Common Core State Standards for Math and English Language Arts in Grades Kindergarten through High School • Organized by grade level for relevant access. Set your preferred grade level. • Powerful search feature that allows search through all of the standards • Add your own progress indicators to each standard • Built on a powerful engine designed to correlate a large amount of content with each standard. Download a variety of documents and data into your own personal library. Common Core Content Bank: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/common-core-conceptbank/id556647873?mt=8 Common Core Standards are super easy to review and understand using this FREE app! This app gives you a simple way to view each Common Core Standard, review the supporting concepts and find sample assessment & practice questions. A great reference for teachers and parents to easily read and understand the core standards in-depth. Find standards by grade, subject and domain/cluster. Do you have some great Common Core resources??? Please leave them in the comments section below. The post Learn about the Common Core with these great apps today! appeared first on TeacherCast.net: Educational Blogs, Podcasts, App Reviews and more. … Read more

On a recent episode of the TechEducator Podcast, we discussed some amazing Google Chrome Extensions.  To help our viewers and readers out, we have broken our show down in to several easily accessible parts to lean how to use these great free web tools. Google Chrome Extentions Smackdown | #TechEducator 65 What are Google Chrome Extensions? Organize your online world using Pocket as a Google Chrome Extension Find AMAZING resources using the Stumbleupon Google Chrome Extension Read and Write for Google Chrome Use the Google URL Shortner Chrome Extension to simplify your internet archiving Use Extensify to provide more buttons on your Chrome Browser Learn how to Screencast on your Chromebook using Screencastify Use CLEARLY to remove clutter from your Google Chrome screens Learn how to Screencast on your Chromebook using Snagit Chrome Extension The post 10 Amazing Videos to teach you how to use Google Chrome Extensions from the #TechEducator Podcast appeared first on TeacherCast.net: Educational Blogs, Podcasts, App Reviews and more. … Read more

Part 1 of this blog post can be found here. Two weeks ago, I accepted the mission of starting the year off by flipping my music classroom.  Not only flipping, but creating an expansive project based learning environment that was dynamic and paperless.  I have had two weeks of amazing lessons with my students and I am very happy that up to this point, the year has started off very well. To assist with my PBL/Flipped/Paperless experiment, I decided to create iBooks for the students.  Everyone is working on the same project, but each student has chosen a different topic from which to draw inspiration from.  The project began with students choosing a song to study.  This song was either one of their choosing (I stressed that the song needed to be school appropriate), or they could choose a song that I provided them through the iBooks. When you assume…. well… ya know…. Using Garageband, students created voice over tracks that were then saved in a shared folder on their Google Drives.  This project was very successful, but not totally successful.  One of the first major snafoo’s came on the first day of the project.  While putting together the iBook, I made some screencasts to show students how to use apps such as Google Drive and Garageband.  We all know what happens when we assume…. right? I created a 10 minute screencast using the version of Garageband on my computer at home.  I assumed that when the computers in the room were updated this summer, Garageband was one of the apps that were updated.  Well, I was wrong.  Students watched my video and then turned on Garageband only to find that it was the 2008 version.  I explained to them that even though the face o the app was slightly different the concept of creating new tracks and hitting there record button hadn’t changed at all from the editions. Some of the students at home are MAC users, and others are Windows users.  I found a number of students actually went home and attempted to the work on their own time.  This was very pleasing, but at the same time, that lead to many emails asking "How do I download Garageband on my PC?"  I told them that the Windows version of Garageband is called Audacity and they can download it for free. Trying to teach students how to fish…. Then they asked me how to use Audacity.  "How do you think you can learn this application?" I would ask.  Blank faces glanced back at me.  "you can search for videos on YouTube if you need help with things."  I love my students, but it amazes me that sometimes the one tool they use more than all others during the day is the one tool they can’t remember exists when they are instructed to learn something new from a teacher.  Could this be because schools have a habit of telling students that YouTube isn’t important or useful in education? Other students come into class and say "I’m ready to do my project!" … "Great" I reply and help them get Garageband ready.  I then ask "What are you going to say on your voice over?"  ….. "I don’t know" they say.  Most of the students are eager to get the project done, but fail to do one of the most vital parts of the project.  RESEARCH Self reflecting about this project… Perhaps it’s my fault… perhaps that despite the blog posts, the websites, the iBooks, the screencasts and the 1:1 extra time I am providing them before, after and during school hours, I might have forgotten to tell them to do their homework to prepare for the time spent in front of the applications. This next week is just  starting and there are many things for the students to do.  In my next post on this project, I will share some tips and tricks for going Paperless and how you can help your students use not only amazing FREE technology, but do so in a BYOD environment. Looking for your help on this one…. Have you ever tried to create an amazing project with students you hardly knew?  How did it turn out?  What advice can you give me and others?  Please feel free to leave some advice in the comments below. The post The Great Flipped, Project Based, Paperless Classroom Experiment: Week 1 appeared first on TeacherCast.net: Educational Blogs, Podcasts, App Reviews and more. … Read more

Did you know that you can use Google’s powerful search engine without actually going to Google.com? While in Google Docs, simply hover over TOOLS and click on the Research tab. From here, Google can help you as you work on your collaborative documents. The Research tool can help you look up Images, Quotes, Google Scholar, a Dictionary, and even help you access the files in your Google Drive for awesome document linking. One of the key features about the Research tab area the citations. Google Research allows you to import this information using MLA, APA, and Chicago citation styles. The post Screencast: Learn how to use the Google RESEARCH button in Google Docs | #GoogleDriveInUnder5 appeared first on TeacherCast.net: Educational Blogs, Podcasts, App Reviews and more. … Read more

Google’s new stand alone Slides app for the iPad is a powerful tool for creating your next presentation.Log in to your Google account, and you’ll quickly see that this app has many of the features that we expect from the folks in Mountain View: Drive integration, easy collaboration, and offline editing mode. These make it easy to quickly find and edit presentations in Drive, share them with colleagues, and even work without an internet connection!Creating a new presentation is simple. Click on the yellow ‘+’ sign in the bottom right corner and you’re off! Double tap text boxes to edit content, use the layout manager to select different types of slides, and even customize the font, color, and styling of your text!All of that being said, there is no question that this app’s creative powers are not as robust as its browser-based version. Font selections and overall styling options are limited, and it isn’t yet possible to embed media such as Youtube videos like you can in the browser.Think of this app as Google Slides Lite - a fantastic tool for developing the skeleton of your presentation (e.g., sequence and content) while leaving the heavy lifting to the browser version. As someone who uses Slides for workshops, presentations, and class assignments, the Google Slides app has definitely found a permanent home on my iPad. Post written by TechEducator Podcast Co-host David Saunders     http://www.TeacherCast.net | http://www.TechEducatorPodcast.com TeacherCast Educational Broadcasting Network Welcome to the the Tech Educator Podcast hosted by Jeff Bradbury, Sam Patterson, Jeff Herb and Christopher Nesi.  The Tech Educator Podcast is a weekly round table discussion about current topics in educational technology.  For more information, please visit www.techeducatorpodcast.com. Please join the TechEducator Podcast LIVE every Sunday night at 7:00 P.M. EST on TeacherCast.tv Please contact TeacherCast with any Questions or to become a guest on the show * Host: Jeff Bradbury@TeacherCast * Email: info@teachercast.net * Voice Mail: http://www.TeacherCast.net/voicemail * YouTube: http://www.TeacherCast.net/YouTube * iTunes: http://www.TeacherCast.net/iTunes Watch LIVE: http://www.TeacherCast.tv | Broadcasting Schedule (http://www.teachercast.net/showcal) TeacherCast Broadcasting Community: http://www.TeacherCast.net/broadcastingcommunity Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out our Educators Guide to Podcasting today! | Video | Slideshare Presentation Hire TeacherCast to Speak or Broadcast at your conference Jeff Bradbury (@TeacherCast) is available as a Keynote Speaker, Presenter, or to Broadcast your conference LIVE!  Contact Jeff Today! Check out more TeacherCast Educational Broadcasting Network Shows TeacherCast Podcast (http://www.teachercast.net/education/teachercast-broadcasting/) TeacherCast App Spotlight (http://www.teachercast.net/education/teachercast-broadcasting/the-teachercast-app-spotlight/) The TechEducator Podcast (http://www.techeducatorpodcast.com)        Description:Create, edit, and collaborate with others on presentations from your iPod, iPhone, or iPad with the free Google Slides app. With Google Slides you can: * Create new presentations or edit any that were created on the web or on another device * Share presentations and work together with others in the same presentation at the same time * Open, edit, and save Microsoft PowerPoint files * Get stuff done anytime -- even without an internet connection * Add and rearrange slides, format text and shapes, and more * Present right from your device * Never worry about losing your work -- everything is automatically saved as you typeShow Full Description & Screenshots  Release Notes:* Bug fixes and performance improvements    App Details:  iPhone Screenshots:  iPad Screenshots:  Free! - View in App Store   by 262 users    Free!    The post Video: Learn how to use the new Google Slides App for your iPad and Android devices appeared first on TeacherCast.net: Educational Blogs, Podcasts, App Reviews and more. Create, edit, and collaborate with others on presentations from your iPod, iPhone, or iPad with the free Google Slides app. With Google Slides you can: * Create new presentations or edit any that were created on the web or on another device * Share presentations and work together with others in the same presentation at the same time * Open, edit, and save Microsoft PowerPoint files * Get stuff done anytime -- even without an internet connection * Add and rearrange slides, format text and shapes, and more * Present right from your device * Never worry about losing your work -- everything is automatically saved as you type… Read more

In the last few months, Google has doubled down on its approach to mobile devices, releasing stand alone apps for Drive, Docs, Sheets, and now Slides. Sheets is one of my favorite Google apps, so I was excited to give the app a try. First of all, the app, when opened, will show you all of your spreadsheets in a most recent list.  This is really helpful, since you don’t need to pour over tons of documents to see your spreadsheets. However, there are no folders in this view. On each sheet, there is a three line more options menu, where you can rename, share, and view additional details. When creating, I found some differences, based on the device. My nexus 7 tablet allowed me to create an Excel file, as well as a Google Spreadsheet.  That feature was missing on my Samsung Galaxy S3 (shown in the video). In a spreadsheet file, the view is minimalist, but most features are there. You can insert formulas. You can format cells. You can share and edit the background details.  Two key missing features, however, include extrapolation (copying down a formula) and sorting. Hopefully, they’ll add these soon. All in all, this is a decent, lightweight spreadsheet app with online integration and accessibility on iOS and Android.  Google has a track record of improving things over time, so I don’t doubt we’ll see some of those limitations absolved over time! Now, enjoy the demo! Post written by TechEducator Podcast Co-host Josh Gauthier    Description:Create, edit, and collaborate with others on spreadsheets from your iPod, iPhone, or iPad with the free Google Sheets app. With Google Sheets you can: * Create new spreadsheets or edit any that were created on the web or on another device * Share spreadsheets and work together with others in the same spreadsheet at the same time * Open, edit, and save Microsoft Excel files * Get stuff done anytime -- even without an internet connection * Format cells, enter/sort data, view charts, insert formulas, use find/replace, and more * Never worry about losing your work -- everything is automatically saved as you type * Protect your spreadsheets with a 4-digit passcodeShow Full Description & Screenshots  Release Notes:* Bug fixes and performance improvements    App Details:  iPhone Screenshots:  iPad Screenshots:  Free! - View in App Store   by 3779 users    Free!    The post Screencast: Learn how to use the Google Sheets app on your iPad or Android Tablet appeared first on TeacherCast.net: Educational Blogs, Podcasts, App Reviews and more. Create, edit, and collaborate with others on spreadsheets from your iPod, iPhone, or iPad with the free Google Sheets app. With Google Sheets you can: * Create new spreadsheets or edit any that were created on the web or on another device * Share spreadsheets and work together with others in the same spreadsheet at the same time * Open, edit, and save Microsoft Excel files * Get stuff done anytime -- even without an internet connection * Format cells, enter/sort data, view charts, insert formulas, use find/replace, and more * Never worry about losing your work -- everything is automatically saved as you type * Protect your spreadsheets with a 4-digit passcode… Read more

The Tech Educator Podcast is a weekly round table discussion about current topics in educational technology.  For more information, please visit www.techeducatorpodcast.com. Many great ways to participate in the TechEducator Podcast. TechEducatorPodcast.com Follow us Live on Video: http://www.TeacherCast.tv Leave a Voice Mail: http://www.TeacherCast.net/voicemail Email: feedback@Teachercast.net Twitter: @TechEdShow (http://www.twitter.com/techedshow) Hashtag: #TechEducator Hosts: Jeff Bradbury - TeacherCast.net - @TeacherCast Jeff Herb - InstructionalTechTalk.com - @InstTechTalk Sam Patterson - MyPaperlessClassroom.com - @SamPatue Chris Nesi - Education the Nesi Way - @MrNesi David Saunders @DesignSaunders Josh Gauthier @mrgfactoftheday Guests: Show Information Herb Talking Desktop Evernote Using parallels to run windows Demo acocunt, and a sound of music reference Set up notebooks in advance Use checkboxes in Evernote to track your class agenda Skitch and it’s uses to help people Jeff Takes on mobile Evernote Device agnostic iphone recording his lessons Sam IFTTT Scansnap connects with Evernote Josh Clearly chrome plug in Please join the TechEducator Podcast LIVE every Sunday night at 7:00 P.M. EST on http://www.TeacherCast.tv Please contact TeacherCast with any Questions or to become a guest on the show Host: Jeff Bradbury @TeacherCast Email: info@teachercast.net Voice Mail: http://www.TeacherCast.net/voicemail YouTube: http://www.TeacherCast.net/YouTube iTunes: http://www.TeacherCast.net/iTunes Watch LIVE: http://www.TeacherCast.tv | Broadcasting Schedule (http://www.teachercast.net/showcal) TeacherCast Broadcasting Community: http://www.TeacherCast.net/broadcastingcommunity Interested in starting your own podcast? Check out our Educators Guide to Podcasting today! | Video | Slideshare Presentation Hire TeacherCast to Speak or Broadcast at your conference Jeff Bradbury (@TeacherCast) is available as a Keynote Speaker, Presenter, or to Broadcast your conference LIVE!  Contact Jeff Today! Check out more TeacherCast Educational Broadcasting Network Shows TeacherCast Podcast (http://www.teachercast.net/education/teachercast-broadcasting/) TeacherCast App Spotlight (http://www.teachercast.net/education/teachercast-broadcasting/the-teachercast-app-spotlight/) The TechEducator Podcast (http://www.techeducatorpodcast.com) The post Podcast: The Ultimate Educators Guide to #Evernote! | #TechEducator 67 appeared first on TeacherCast.net: Educational Blogs, Podcasts, App Reviews and more. … Read more

Have you ever wondered what Evernote is all about? in this video excerpt from the TechEducator Podcast, we show you why Evernote is the single most important app that you can have as a human being! http://www.TeacherCast.net | TeacherCast Educational Broadcasting Network Video recorded by Jeff Bradbury: @TeacherCast For more information about having TeacherCast broadcast at your event, please visit www.TeacherCast.net and follow @TeacherCast Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel today! The post Video: Why should educators use @Evernote? appeared first on TeacherCast.net: Educational Blogs, Podcasts, App Reviews and more. … Read more

Learn how to use the Evernote Web Clipper to save Files, Websites, PDFs, and more to your Evernote account. This video excerpt is from a recent TechEducator Podcast. For more information, please visit http://www.TechEducatorPodcast.com http://www.TeacherCast.net | TeacherCast Educational Broadcasting Network Video recorded by Jeff Bradbury: @TeacherCast For more information about having TeacherCast broadcast at your event, please visit www.TeacherCast.net and follow @TeacherCast Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel today! The post Video: Save time while planning your lessons while using @Evernote Web Clipper appeared first on TeacherCast.net: Educational Blogs, Podcasts, App Reviews and more. … Read more

If you are one with your ear to ground, I’m sure you have a pulse already on what is transforming instruction in education. As a classroom teacher, I thought I did too. But since changing my job to Instructional Technology, I have had the opportunity to work with educators in varying districts.  I have also had the opportunity to expand my understanding by attending more tech conferences. These new experiences have given me a better outlook on what edtech trends are truly shaping education, whereas my prior knowledge mainly came from Twitter. I’m almost hesitant to use the word "trend" in this post, because that usually implies something that comes and goes like the latest one-hit-wonder on the radio. But I don’t know what else to call it. They are happening right now, but I guess we can’t say they are here to stay without some long-term proof (I’m looking at you, electronic classroom clickers). But there are some trends that have certainly made some noise in the last few years, and I predict will only continue to change the classroom instructional landscape. So even though these may not be the most cutting edge, teachers who have not caught on need to be made aware that these trends are not fading any time soon, and resistance is futile. 1. Flipped/Blended Learning I know, Flipped Learning is nothing really "new" in education. Jon Bergmann and Aaron Sams got the fire going in 2007, but now I’m starting to see more implementation of it in 2014. More than ever teachers are asking about it, and wanting to know how to adapt to their classroom.  This is a method that incorporates technology in order to really change the format and instruction inside the classroom. Want to know more? Go here. Wan to learn how to start doing it? Go here. Which leads me to the next trend on the list… 2. LMS The use of an LMS (or Learning Management System) was first used for pure online distance learning. It was central hub where students could go to access class content 24/7. A place where they could build a community of learning by sharing resources and ideas. Those LMS’s where usually a little cumbersome and difficult to navigate. Now, more and more teachers are adopting MUCH easier LMS’s such as Edmodo  Schoology  and even Google Classroom.  Students have busy lives and sometimes have to miss school. And I don’t know a teacher that enjoys getting the "What did I miss?" question every class period. Teachers are starting to see the real impact of being able to put their content online. For some, that’s the gateway to using the built discussion forums, assessment tools, and badging. Gradually, the teacher creates an instructional environment that looks more "blended" than traditional. 3. Wireless Projecting The concept of a school going 1:1 is still slowly spreading to districts all over. But something that just started to form in the last few years is the ability to wirelessly project. If you have an Apple device, this is called AirPlay. If you have a Chromebook or Android device, this is called Chromecasting. To learn how to do this click HERE (Apple Devices) or HERE  Chromebooks). Why is this instructionally changing? Teachers are now taking themselves away from the front of the classroom and allowing the content to take center stage. This allows more emphasis to be put on the learning, not the "do as I say" traditional way of instructing. 4. Augmented Reality This seems like something in the distant future, but there are teachers incorporating this right now - teachers like Jason Rude (@PyroRude). You know all of those posters that you have hanging around your room? Some might be informational, some might be there to make the room not so dull. But now imagine those posters, pictures, signs, etc. are interactive. With AR (augmented reality) programs such as Layar  teachers can take those 2D objects and make them much more interactive than QR codes (a trend that will eventually fade due to AR). Imagine students opening their Layer app and being able to do THIS  with those boring posters. Your classroom is now an immersive interactive space that students can utilize more for content specific activities. 5. Google Apps Google Apps have been around for handful of years, but look how far they have come. They truly changed the landscape of instruction in a classroom. I still remember where I was when I first saw that I could type on the same document as someone else in real time. AND IT SAVES AS YOU TYPE!? I’m pretty sure I fainted…but I don’t remember.  Google Docs truly brought new meaning to "collaborative writing." Then Google Sheets, Slides, Drive, etc. Soon after the mobile world wanted them, and they got them. You want to collaborate on a Google Doc on your iPad and leave comments within the doc? Yeah, you can do that. You name the Google app of your choice, and teachers have been using it in their classrooms. But this is something that I am STILL seeing grow with teachers. Every month, more and more schools adopt Google as their school domain. This has forever changed the distribution, collection, assessment, collaboration and feedback of student learning…and will only continue to do so in the future. There you have it, the five edtech trends that are changing instruction for the long term. Did I leave out any? What are your thoughts? Leave them in the comments below. Jarod Bormann EdTech Rocks! The post Guest Post: Top 5 EdTech Trends Changing Education for the Long-Term by @Jbormann3 appeared first on TeacherCast.net: Educational Blogs, Podcasts, App Reviews and more. … Read more

In this video excerpt from the TechEducator Podcast, we show you how to scan in your documents using the new Scansnap Document Scanner into Evernote. For more information on our show, please visit http://www.TechEducatorPodcast.com http://www.TeacherCast.net | TeacherCast Educational Broadcasting Network Video recorded by Jeff Bradbury: @TeacherCast For more information about having TeacherCast broadcast at your event, please visit www.TeacherCast.net and follow @TeacherCast Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel today! The post Video: Learn why the @ScanSnap @Evernote scanner is right for your classroom appeared first on TeacherCast.net: Educational Blogs, Podcasts, App Reviews and more. … Read more

In this video excerpt from the TechEducator Podcast we demonstrate how Evernote can be used on your mobile devices such as your iPad or Android Tablets. For more information: http://www.TechEducatorPodcast.com http://www.TeacherCast.net | TeacherCast Educational Broadcasting Network Video recorded by Jeff Bradbury: @TeacherCast For more information about having TeacherCast broadcast at your event, please visit www.TeacherCast.net and follow @TeacherCast Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel today! The post Video: How do I use @Evernote on my iPad in my class? appeared first on TeacherCast.net: Educational Blogs, Podcasts, App Reviews and more. … Read more

What happens if you want to connect your If This Then That account with your Evernote account? In this video excerpt from the TechEducator Podcast, we show you our favorite IFTTT recepies! http://www.TeacherCast.net | TeacherCast Educational Broadcasting Network Video recorded by Jeff Bradbury: @TeacherCast For more information about having TeacherCast broadcast at your event, please visit www.TeacherCast.net and follow @TeacherCast Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel today! The post Video: Connecting "If This Then That" to your @Evernote Account appeared first on TeacherCast.net: Educational Blogs, Podcasts, App Reviews and more. … Read more