Thursday, February 27, 2014

Operation Math Code Squad Review an iOS Math App

If you are looking for a fun way for students to practice their math facts in a timed setting, look no further!  Operation Math Code Squad is an engaging app that allows students to practice math facts.

One thing that I found interesting with this app, is the fact that up to 4 people can play the app at the same time.  As a teacher, you could group your students by ability and have them practice their timed tests in subtraction, addition, multiplication and division or a mixture of all 4 areas.  The other twist with this app is the "missions" the students are on.  Students will learn the value of cooperation and teamwork as they work together to defeat Dr. Odd.

After selecting the math fact to practice, students will be given the opportunity to choose between easy, medium or difficult fact questions.  After 5 wrong answers, the student's keypad will disconnect from the game.  At the end of the round, the students will see a mission summary that explains how many correct answers each player scored.  Teachers and students are able to take this information and continually build on more balanced teams and focus on where students need more work.

My personal recommendation is that every elementary and middle school math teacher should have this on their "must have" app list.

The app is very reasonably price at 2.99.  Here is the app address:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/operation-math-code-squad/id555750694?mt=8

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Google's Gadgets for Drive - Tips to help educators

Google's Gadgets for Drive
Tips to help educators


Hoping to pass on some inspiration for teachers who are currently using Google Drive or those who haven't found the awesomeness of Drive.

1.  gClass Folders 2 - Instructions.  Website to download.  
What it does:  gClass Folders is a script that Google will run to create folders for you for as many course sections as needed.

What it does: Doctopus is a Google Apps Script that can be used to manage and share documents with students or groups.

3. Flubaroo.  Help Video.  Website to download and Instructions.
What it does: Is a script that helps you quickly grade multiple-choice or fill-in-the-blank assignments automatically using Google Forms.  Will also compute average assignment score, average score per question, and flag low-scoring questions.  It can also show you a grade distribution graph and gives you the option to email each student their grade and an answer key.

4. FormRanger - Help Video  Website to download and Instructions
What it does:  Is a script that allows you to automatically populate the options in any multiple-choice, checkbox, or listbox style question in Google Form from any column in the attached spreadsheet.

5. Goobric - Website to download and instructions
What it does: script attaches a rubric created in Google Forms to a document that you sent to students using Doctopus.  It allows you to grade the assignment and it will then attach the rubric to the document and send an email with the rubric to the student.

Do you have a favorite Google Script?  If you do please share in the comments!




Friday, February 14, 2014

Thursday, February 13, 2014

This Is IT2!


Mark your calendars for the SW/WC's 8th Annual Technology Conference!
Pre-Conference will be held on Thursday, March 13, 2014
Conference will be held on Friday, March 14, 2014

March is always an exciting time for me.  First, it's my birthday :) Second, it's the Technology Conference in Marshall, MN!  This year the conference has some awesome presenters.  The keynote speaker is Mr. Rob Mancabelli from San Francisco.  Rob is a dynamic and engaging speaker who will discuss ways that technology is drastically changing education.

Pre-Conference Workshops are:
  • LEVEL Up Your Classroom!
  • Creating, Adapting, and Using Open Education Resources
  • Schoolwires User Session
  • iPads in the Elementary Classroom
  • Maximizing the Digital Learning Environment
For more information on the conference, please visit SW/WC 2014 This is IT2




We hope to see you at the conference on March 14th.

Friday, February 7, 2014

Free App Friday Feb 7, 2014

FREE App Friday!

Kid in Storybook Maker
Todo Telling Time
Daily Art Pro
Physics: Mechanics
Build Your Own Interactive Science Experiments
Math Algebra
English Grammar Pro
Number Pieces (blocks for math)
Learn My Info - great for lower grade levels and special needs students
Lola's Math Ship
Quick Math
EleMemory - Periodic Table of Elements

All apps were free at the time of this posting.  10:23am CST 2/7/14

3.14 = Pi Day!

Image from pi314.net

Math & Science Teachers: Celebrate Pi Day on 3/14!  Teachers all around the globe take time out of their normal classroom routine to celebrate Pi Day on March 14th.  Join many of your fellow colleagues and host a party for Pi Day and Albert Einstein's birthday.  

Below are some resources to help guide you.
Making a Pi Necklace (Grades 5-8)
The Derivation of Pi (Grades 6-8)
Proving Pi (Grades 9-12)
(Pizza) Pi Project (Grades 4-8)
Pi Day Connections (Grades 6-12)
PiQuest (Grades 7-8)
Circles in Geometry (Grades 3-5)
Pi Day Activities (All grades)
Pi Day Activities for Trigonometry Classes (Grades 9-12) (archived copy)
Pi Day Activities for Algebra II Classes (Grades 9-12) (archived copy)

Downloadable "Happy Pi Day" Sticker




Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Google Chrome & Smart Ink Issue


If you are a Google Chrome user, you have probably noticed that your Smart Ink tools are not working when using your SmartBoard.  Chrome recently did an update and now the Smart Ink tools fail to work.  Please note that both companies are aware of the issue and are working on a solution.  Hopefully this will be fixed soon.

In the meantime, you can download Firefox.  Firefox is another web browser that is working with Smart Ink.