Research

[|Article about Animoto] This article discusses Animoto and the easy steps to create video presentations. Animoto allows students to create short videos discussing many topics. Several teachers have suggested Animoto is used to create" trailers" for student information, books, and narrative stories. Students today need to be engaged in the classroom and are use to information being provided in short burst. Animoto allows for this type of presentation. What's more fun then creating your own video? Teachers a thought is to use the videos as a great way to review information at the end of the senester when preparing for final exams. As you review the students can view their own words on topics. Students can be evaluated on their knowledge of the information and their creativity in the video. I recommend keeping the information simple and easy (i.e. qualifications for the President, Senators, or House of representatives) to keep the vidoes short.

The article that can be found [|here] explains the history, intent, and security that is reflected with Teacher Tube. It explains how the videos are monitored to help ensure that the only content found on the website is related to education and gives directions on how to upload your own educational videos to share with the world. The article answers frequently asked questions about the site, and even addresses a section of the website where student work can be uploaded and displayed.

ELMO machines This [|website] features an overview of the ELMO machine. It also provides more in depth information as to the uses, cost, and locations for purchasing such a tool. The website tells exactly how the ELMO camera works to project real time images and its usefulness in the classroom. Next, this website addresses some frequently asked questions about the ELMO machine and also provides a search bar for more in depth information. Finally, there is a section for customer/teacher comments for how they have used this technology and the ways in which it has benefited them. Teachers can also post their experiences on this site for free without signing up or subscribing.

Who's First (quiz show style classroom game) This game is a wonderful tool, not only because it keeps students engaged and eager to learn, but most importantly, because it can be used at any age level with any content or subject. This first [|website] provides a detailed description of the game along with two videos. The first video is a demonstration of how the product works and its uses. The second video is a warehouse "stress test" to show the game's durability and functionality. This website also provides information on pricing and purchasing, and most importantly, testimonials from customers and teachers who use this game in their classroom. A second website can be viewed by clicking [|here]. This website is an entire website of interactive technology games for classrooms. It features a description of this game, as well as a search bar to find other interactive games for students and teachers!

This link is from Northeastern University explaining the benefits and some of the features of using Prezi. Prezi is a great tool that is free for educators. You just have to have a school e-mail account and educators can use this. This website is good for learnig the basics of Prezi. It also has a video you can watch to demonstrate how Prezi can be used. Also included is a link to the Prezi website where you can sign up, manage and create documents and learn even more about Prezi.

Google Earth is a great tool for educators of all grades. Here is a [|link] from the Geological Society of America talking about the benefits of this program. Google Earth is a tool that is modernizing how we see the world in class and at home. This website also has information on training sessions you can go to if you wanted to expand your kowledge on Google Earth. Also found on the links in the left hand side are some lesson ideas in addition to some interesting projects that people have come up with using Google Earth. Some of the information is a little outdated, but the left hand links are a great resourse for educators.



This website is called Smartroom Learning Solutions. It is a great website if you are thinking about purchasing classroom clickers. They break down the education field, basic questions and give gret information for those educators not sure if clickers re right for them. This website also gives you ideas on how you can use this in class, create lesson plans and then create a test to go along with the unit. This is a great way of getting the shy students involved and making them feel a part of the class.

Smart Response (Benjamen Edwards)  There are many benefits using the smart response (clickers as some people call them).  Engages students  Very easy to use  Evaluates students' understanding  Student's responses are automatically summarized in a pie chart or bar graph  Enables teachers to view and manage all student assessment data in one location  An article, "Teacher and Learning with Clickers: Are Clickers Good for Students" located at: __[]__  This article is a research experiment on clickers and if they really do help the students. They compared students using clickers to students not using clickers. First the research said students using clickers were more engaged in learning than those being lectured. Students were also more motivated when using the clickers. Students did say the clickers were easy to use and fun. However, most importantly the clickers allowed students and the teacher to get immediate feedback about the standards being taught. The teacher was able to know more about his/her students' achievement and understanding what standard was being taught that day.