Digital Classrooms for Teachers

John Wiley & Sons publishers, together with the American Graphics Institute, offer an e-learning system that, at this time, includes more than 3000 videos, learning tutorials, and over 50 digital books. It’s a comprehensive online learning resource that offers a blended learning experience. The Classroom helps teachers, parents, and students learn about apps, operating systems, Web design, and graphic design techniques. For individuals, the cost is $20 a month or $10 a month with a year’s subscription. Group rates are available.

iCivics by Sandra Day O’Connor

Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor was worried about students’ lack of knowledge about our government. Deciding to do something about it, in 2009, she founded iCivics. O’Connor says she wanted to make learning about civics motivating for students, so her company created, according to Common Sense Media, “an engaging educational site cleverly disguised as a gaming spot, with innovative games, cute animated characters, and a real-world reward component.” Topics covered include: Citizenship and Participation, Separation of Powers, The Constitution and the Bill of Rights, The Legislative Branch, The Judicial Branch, The Executive Branch, and Budgeting. You and your students can access iCivics on its Website.

iPads Everywhere

The software vendors I visited with at ISTE were mostly either using iPads for their presentations or showing products they’ve developed for the iPad.  Although it’s difficult for schools to know which direction to head with digital devices, it looks like with the wealth of apps already available, the apps coming in the fall at the App Store, and those in production, we won’t be taking a chance if we select iPads for our courses. Pearson and McGraw-Hill (see below) have a number of mathematics and science full-year etexts ready for the iPad. These are priced at less than $15 each.  Just compare that to what you usually pay for new texts in these fields. PBS and Wanderful (mentioned in another recent post), among others, have educational learning apps, which are interactive, beautiful, and fun. Inspiration Maps is available for $6.99 at the App Store, and it is easier than ever to use for brainstorming and visual thinking. Then there’s NearPod, a free app designed for classroom collaboration, assessment and reporting, content creation, and classroom presentations. With NearPod, teachers have control over student devices and can monitor what students are doing on their iPads. More information about these apps and others will be available in Power to Learn articles this Fall.