Blogs+about+Technology

==Teachers as Technology Trailblazers    [] == ====Teachers as Technology Trailblazers is a blog written by Kristen Swanson, the Technology Director at the Springfield Township School District in Pennsylvania. Kristen is a Google Certified Teacher and her blog has been nominated for 'Best Use of a Social Network' for the 2010 Edublog Awards. Her blog offers teachers with a variety of resources. These resources include various technological websites that teachers can utilize within their classroom for all areas of curriculum. She also offers general technology advice in regards to technological hints such as add-ons teachers can use for things such as Firefox and help sites teachers can use to help them answer questions or problems they may be facing when using technology. Kristen also features other blogs that teachers may be interested in reading as well. Personally, I think this blog contains a wide range of useful resources for teachers to utilize and give it 5 stars. ==== ==   NCS - Tech [] == ====NCS - Tech is a blog written by Kevin Jarrett, the Technology Facilitator at Northfield Community School in New Jersey. This blog is targeted for K-8 teachers with the purpose of it being to provide teachers with free technology resources that they can use in their classroom. While Mr. Jarrett doesn't post daily, his posts and websites featured within his posts offer teachers with good websites or ideas for ways to implement technology within the classroom. What I like about this blog is that in addition to websites related to curriculum, it also provides teachers with websites that consist of games teachers can also utilize within their classroom in order to maintain the interest of their students in the material that is being taught. ==== ==<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Free Technology for Teachers    <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">[] == ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Richard Byrne certainly knows how to attract teachers. On his blog he invites teachers to access “free”resources that will help them use technology more effectively in the classroom. Richard Byrne does a wonderful job posting online technology daily like interactive exhibits, online resources such as educational videos and lists of educational blogs written by teachers, and even resources to help your own blog reach new readers. The blog contains links to technology resources for specific content areas and how-to tutorials for different technology that can be used in the classroom. Along with technology that is related to curriculum, this blog also offers general technology information, ranging from blogs, hosting sites, videos, and podcasts, that all teachers can utilize in their classroom as well. It even has a post that discusses how teachers can lend and borrow copies of ebooks endorsed by the author. This blog has been awarded the Edublogs award for “Best Resource Sharing Blog” each of the last three years and has more than 25,000 subscribers. This is one blog that you should check out! ==== ==<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">  Langwitches Blog “The Magic of Learning” [] == ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Silvia Tolisano authors this blog about the “magic of learning through technology.” She discusses different topics related to technology and its place in the classroom. Some great discussions she initiated on her blog include social bookmarking in schools, assessments using Skype, and preparing students for blogging. Silvia Tolisano is a proponent of 21st century skills in the classroom. She has traveled and lived all over the world and showcases the differences and similarities of schools in one blog entry titled Around the World in 80 Days. This blog is very useful for educators of most grade levels, especially elementary teachers, and touches on a variety of topics related to technology in the classroom. This blog gets 4 stars. It was almost 5, but I feel it could be better organized to make it easier to navigate. Silvia puts lots of graphics and other things all over her blog that distracts from the text. Despite this flaw, it is worth checking out. ==== ==<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">    The Education Technology Blog [] == ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The author of this nominated ed tech blog is an elementary school teacher named Jonathan Wylie. Jonathan has spent much time reading various blogs, researching educational technology, and staying updated on what is available online. He has created this blog to better help educators. His focus is on Web 2.0 tools and he offers suggestions or tips on how students can better learn through the use of technology. He only posts what he feels is most useful for teachers in the K-12 classroom. Some of the topics he has posted about include internet safety curriculum, Google Apps for schools, and the best IPad books for schools. He also has a list of blogs he currently subscribes to that the viewer might also find useful. This site easily gets 5 stars as it is organized well and extremely relevant to today’s educators. ==== ==<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">  Educational Technology Guy **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">[|http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com] ** == ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In this blog, David Andrade, a Physics teacher and educational technology specialist, talks about educational technology, educational theory, and educational pedagogy. His blog explores free educational technology resources, ways to integrate technology into the classroom, professional development, project based learning, atips and resources for new teachers. One particular post from January 11th, 2011 titled “Bloom’s Taxonomy and Technology” highlights a Bloom’s Taxonomy triangle created with links to different technology tools that can be used at each of the six levels. This can be a very useful tool for teachers trying to teach to higher levels. Educators will benefit from posts about integrating technology into their classrooms and resources covering a wide range of grades and skill levels. This blog received 5 stars. David’s blog is well maintained, well organized, and very helpful in providing quality resources in one central location. ==== ==<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; height: 24.75pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in; visibility: visible; width: 25.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">   <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Emerging Ed Tech [] == ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">K. Walsh authors an insight into how the huge expectations placed on teachers and the lack of plannintime often interfere with the integration of technology into the classroom. According to Ms. Walsh, time is at a premium and we must find ways to simplify the ways we use technology. She provides links to tools like GoAnimate.com ([]) where students can create their own movies with limited support needed. Additionally the author includes blogs for professional development opportunities in technology for beginning teachers to those that are more experienced. She also refers to the information in her tweets, encouraging her readers to investigate another tool of technology. This site receives 4 stars. The content is useful, however the blog lacks organization ==== ==<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">   iLearn technology []== ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">iLearn Technology is a blog run by Kelly Tenkely, an elementary school computer teacher. It focuses on new, engaging ways to integrate technology into the classroom. Every couple days a new technology tool or website is posted and discussed. Many of the resources that are discussed would be great in any elementary classroom; however it is an even larger help to K-2 teachers looking for appropriate technology to integrate into a younger classroom. This site also has “ezines.” One of particular interest was information on Prezi (which I have used and love) and other ways to incorporate phonics, grammar, and even algebra. As this blog is run by a fellow teacher, she has insight on what teachers need and what students will respond to. I gave this blog five stars because it is so practical and easy to use. I also gave this blog an outstanding rating because the ideas are ones that when put into the classroom, will keep children engaged. Lastly, I like the constant communication of the creator with anyone who posts a response. She cares about the outcome of the ideas posted and is interested to hear how others use the same technology in their own classrooms. ==== ==<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">  Digital Directions [] == ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">This blog is sponsored by //Education Weekly//. It is an up-to-date on the latest and greatest uses of technology in the classroom. The website contains articles describing the latest technology and how it is being incorporated into the classroom world-wide. For those cutting edge teachers who love have to have the newest technology available, this website is for you. It is designed to educate teachers in all educational settings. I gave this blog four stars. Although it did not specifically give you details on everyday lessons, it does allow you to know what some schools are already able to do and new technology that will be available soon. ==== ==<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">    <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cool Cat Teacher Blog [] == ==== This blog is written by Vicki Davis who is teacher and an IT director in Camilla, Georgia. She has won many awards for her blog and other collaborative projects that she has been involved in world wide. Not only does Vicki offer technology resources for educators, but she also offers inspiration. Her blog is down to earth and very honest. She not only describes technology in the classroom, but also thoughts on how this technology will enable our students to become productive citizens. I gave this blog five stars. It offered great resources for the classroom along with encouragement as to why technology is important to our students. ==== ==<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">    <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Learning.now [] == ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Sponsored by PBS Teachers, this blog is hosted by Andy Carvin. This is not a blog that is going to necessarily help you in your every day lessons, but Carvin does give you much to think about in the realm of education and technology. He brings to mind the social responsibilities that we have as teachers in regards to technology. I gave this blog five stars. Andy Carvin is very informative and promotes deep thought as to where education, and our students are headed in regards to technology. ==== == <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">K  <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">athy Schrock’s Kaffeeklatsch []  == ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">In this blog Kathy Schrock, a director of technology for a school district in Massachusetts, posts her ideas for integrating technology in the classroom at all levels and content areas. She tries to keep up on the newest technology available and posts her thoughts on how to use them in the classroom. If you click on the Guide for Educators link on her site you will find many valuable resources, including resources for specific content areas. From her main webpage ([]) you will find a link to other educational technology blogs which are full of valuable information. Some of the links I felt were not that great and some of her postings I felt were irrelevant. This blogs gets only 3 stars from me. ==== ==<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">   Weblogg-ed: learning with the read/write web [] == ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This blog is maintained by Will Richardson, author of the book Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms. His book is full of wonderful ideas for integrating technology into the classroom, and his blog is equally valuable. In this site he discusses the uses of various types of technology in the K-12 classroom. This site contains many great resources for teachers. For instance, under the ed blogs tab you will find links and descriptions for hundreds of education blogs. His blog archives are also displayed by topic so you can find information on a specific subject. ==== ==<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I   ntegrating Technology into the Classroom [] == ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This blog was very helpful and interesting. At first glance it seems slightly scattered and unfocused. Once you look more into the blog site and read the postings you can see that the author(s) provide examples of different ways to bring technology into the classroom. The main contributors are Jill Malpass and Mrs. Shepard. Both of which contribute to blog with innovative ideas. The blog does not provide lesson plans, but it does provide idea starters with clear cut examples and steps to creating these ideas. I gave this blog 4 stars due to its disorganization when you first arrive at the site. ==== ==<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">﻿2 Cents Worth [] == ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2 cents worth is a blog created by David Warlick that is dedicated to teaching and learning in ever changing new technologies. While the blog is written by a fellow educator, I had a hard time following how many of the posts related to the field of education. All the posts are well written scholarly works, but were essentially musings on technologies the creator had stumbled across and was using in his personal life. I was looking for something more useful with ideas that could be applied to a classroom and the young students that occupy that classroom. While the blog is relatively easy to navigate, the paragraphs are in no way “to the point.” If you are looking for an adult’s take on brand new technology gadgets, it is well worth reading. However, if you are seeking something that could be more useful in your classroom, I would move on. ==== ==<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bloggin about the Web 2.0 Connected Classroom [] == ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Bloggin about the Web 2.0 Connected Classroom is a blog written by Steven Anderson, an ED Voices nationally syndicated blogger. Furthermore, Mr. Anderson is currently a District Instructional Technologist in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, North Carolina. Anderson has also been selected as a panelist at the #140 Conference in Los Angeles, where he discussed the impact of Twitter and other social media on education. Likewise, Anderson’s blog provides links to excellent educational technology resources such as 100 ways to use your iPod to learn and study better and best practices for your classroom wikis. Anderson also blogs about various topics ranging from professional development to using technology and social media to eliminate the need for snow days. A final feature about this blog is that it utilizes a very user friendly audio option for each blog post. ==== ==<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">   <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Whiteboard Blog [] == ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Danny Nicholson, a freelance educational consultant, created and maintains the Whiteboard Blog. In his blog, Nicholson focuses primarily on the use of interactive whiteboards. With more and more classrooms gaining access to smartboard technology, this blog is a must! Educators accessing this site can find several resources ranging from Smartboards to games and interactives. An added plus is many of these posts include videos for the visual learner in all of us. The only reason I gave this site a 4 is because it is only useful for those teachers with SmartBoards. ==== ==<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">  Generation Yes Blog [] == ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">﻿Generation Yes Blog is a blog that advocates increasing the role of students in the process of integrating technology into the classroom. The blog has three main contributors: Sylvia Martinez, Dr. Dennis Harper, and Megan Evander. Furthermore, Generation Yes Blog provides several resources to educators including: student project examples, podcasts, and professional development. Students, parents and teachers can find trending resources (like a parent’s guide to facebook) under the top post section of the blog. This site gets 3 stars. ==== ==<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">   <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Integrating Technology in the Primary Classroom [|http://primarytech.globalteacher.org.au] == ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The creator of this blog, Kathleen Morris (McGready) is a second grade teacher in Victoria, Australia. She produces a free weekly e-newsletter with Simon Collier called Tech Tools for Teachers that can be located on her blog. She also writes a regular column in [|Education Technology Solutions] magazine about kids and technology. Her blog is filled with useful information ranging from setting up classroom blogs to getting parents involved in your blogging. Her postings are well written and the quantity is updated every week to ten days. Mrs. Morris has included an astonishing array of Web 2.0 tools allowing users to imbed video, audio, and slideshows into ones blog. If you need resources to spice up you own blog, this is the place. I would rate this site with four stars out of five. The site was a bit difficult to navigate at first glance; however, after spending a bit more time on the site it became easier. Also some of the graphics were distracting to the eye. Overall this blog is worth adding to your RSS reader. ====