Deb Norton Tech

This week I tried out a new site called Kahoot and it was a HUGE success with my students and with the teachers in Hartland, WI where I presented this past weekend. Kahoot allows you to create a quiz (survey or discussion).  The teacher needs to sign up for a free account to create a quiz.  The students do not need an account to take the quiz.   The teacher projects the quiz in the front of the room and the students answer the multiple choice questions on any device. Students only need to get the pin to enter into the quiz.   Questions appear very visual and the choices are colored boxes with shapes.  After each question, the quiz also projects the students with the top 5 scores.  While taking the quiz, music plays in the background and the questions are timed, which the teacher sets the time when setting up the quiz.  When the quiz is finished, teachers can download the results.   One of my favorite features is the ability to preview a quiz before launching it.

Feedly is a sight I use to follow a lot of different blogs.  It has been such a great week on the blogosphere that I just have to share some great finds from Feedly this past week. #1 CLICK HERE to access Richard Byrne's blog (Free Technology for Teachers).  Richard shares that Educlipper now has a new feature which allows teachers to create assignment portfolios.  #2 CLICK HERE to read The Digital Scoop blog where Susan shares a great lesson on inferring using Google Drawing.     #3 CLICK HERE to see how Kristin from Technology Tailgate showcases different ways that she is using Augmented Reality in her classroom.  I'm very close to implementing some Augmented Reality into my math class.  I'm just waiting for the Layar App to be installed onto our iPads. #4 CLICK HERE to read The Whiteboard Blog where Danny Nicholson shares a new app called Touchcast.  Touchcast is used to make interactive video presentations.  I actually first heard about this ap

Recently I attended an Intel Summit for Teachers Engage.  Each participant was asked to create a short presentation to introduce themselves to the group.   The variety and creativity of presentations that were submitted were incredible.  I love the fact that each participant was able to use a tool of their choice to present their information. Because the presentations contain personal information, I will not include them here.  I do want to share with you all of the presentation tools that were used.  So many choices. #1 Prezi - This presentation tool has transformed over the years and offers a lot of choice which helps to make each Prezi special and unique.  I really like the fade-in animation option that was added.  #2 Glogster - This online poster maker allows for many forms of media including video, animation, audio, links, images, and text.  When I used Glogster with my students recently, they praised this tool and many of them told me they loved making a Glo

In just a few short days, I'm off to Portland, OR to work with Naomi Harm , Marshal Conley and Intel for Education .  I am really excited and I can hardly wait to spend time "getting my tech on". Since I will have quite a long flight, and I am hoping to spend some time reading during the flight, I need to get prepared.  Now I just heard that airlines are supposed to be allowing passengers to turn on electronic devices during take offs, landings and taxing, however, I'm not going to count on it.   In case you didn't know this about me, I am an avid Kindle user.  I never purchase books anymore.  Basically if I want to read a book, I immediately look to see if it comes in ebook format.   One way that I love to read on my Kindle is to send webpages from the web directly to my Kindle.  To do this I use an extension called Send to Kindle for Google Chrome .  When I come to an article or blog post that I want to read on my kindle, I simply click on

I use a lot of images off of the Internet.  Sometimes I use them for this blog, or other times I use them for my websites or classroom assignments.  Recently I needed images for a slideshow that I had to make. My students also use images all of the time for their projects and assignments.  This week we are making ebooks on our ipads. Here is some help with finding copyright free images. GOOGLE IMAGES! Many of us allow our students to use Google Images to search for pictures.  Here is how you use the advanced search to find images that are free to use and share. Go to images.google.com Click on the gear icon Click on advanced search Type in what you are searching for Scroll down and click on Usage Rights Then click on Free to use or share Lastly click on Advanced. FLICKR! Flickr is one of the most well known sites for finding images. However, all of the images on Flickr are not copyright free.  To find images safe for reuse: Type in what you are