Tech EDGE is an exciting resource that presents and explores ways technology can be incorporated into classroom learning. Their podcast reviews apps and other resources that teachers can use. Their podcasts cover the whole range of teaching: elementary and secondary education, and many, if not all, subjects taught in high school. They also present apps useful for teachers in general, like Google Drive, Khan Academy, iTunes U and others. It's a great resource for a teacher who wants to stay updated about the latest resources for education.
Here are the ones about which I'm most excited:
Here are the ones about which I'm most excited:
Duolingo
I already use Duolingo as a way to keep my Spanish sharp when I'm not taking Spanish classes, and also to brush up on my Hungarian. (Side note, my iPhone is in Spanish instead of English. So, when I practice my Hungarian, I'm given the Spanish translation and Spanish instruction, which twists my mind a little bit. :) ) Tech EDGE suggested that teachers use it in the classroom, which I think is a great idea. There's even a school version. In this version, you can track the progress of your students and create a community. My mind is reeling with different applications. Duolingo makes learning interactive and fun. As I'm learning in my Foundations of Education class, "gamifying" lessons is a great way to motivate students and promote genuine learning. Also, to begin, every user takes a test to measure their previous knowledge. With this, students won't be bored going over material they already know, but will be able to push themselves and go at their own pace. I could give it as an extra credit assignment. I could use it to supplement my lessons; it's always good to handle the material in multiple ways. I could even base the lesson plan off of the material in Duolingo. It's also a great resource to help students to continue their education outside of the classroom. |
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Google Arts and Culture This website lets you explore museums without being there in person. In my Spanish-American civilization course, we've been talking about the Mayans, especially their famous calendar that "ended" (restarted, really) in 2012. My first instinct was to find the museum in which it's kept, El Museo Naciónal de Antropolgía. I easily found it, and explored some of the nearby exhibits. This Google site also has features to search by region, by artist, by movement, and by historical figure. This way, students can focus on specific topics as they're exploring the most important artifacts of humanity. If I teach art, this has obvious uses. It's a great way to teach about art movements throughout history and look at specific artists' work. Seeing the artwork would get students' minds reeling about what they could create. The applications are also clear for a Spanish classroom. A big part of Spanish classrooms is learning about Spanish culture and a big pull to speaking Spanish is travelling to Spanish-speaking countries. How exciting that the students can now virtually travel to the places about which they're learning? It's not as cool as a field trip, obviously, but it's a great second best. |
iTunes U
This app is literally a free university online. Thousands of courses are offered on it. Whether you want to learn Chinese, philosophy, coding, nutrition or photography, iTunes U has the courses you want. The best part is it's all free. Yes, free college didn't come through Bernie Sanders, it came through a business with a good idea and crowd sourcing. But let's not get into politics. This is super exciting for people who are addicted to learning as I am. It's always necessary that teachers (and everyone else) are informed and smart. This is a great way to stay on top of my game in the future. With iTunes U, students can learn on their own, at their own pace. If they need material explained in another way, or want to know more than we're able to cover in class, they can use the resources available on iTunes U. Professors can also design their own courses. So, I could design a course. I think this has great potential for a flipped classroom, or even for better organization in a traditional classroom. |
Guy Trainin discusses iTunes U at 6:42 of this video. He also discusses other useful resources like Google Drive.
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Most of all, I want to teach my students to become life-long learners. I don't want their education be primarily in school. I want to pique their curiosity and give them the resources, like these apps to explore our fascinating world.