Discovery Education has a lot of great resources for educators, many free (over 30). They also have fee-based services such as DE Streaming with thousands of videos, audio files, images, lesson plans, and much more.

One of their other resources that I have been using lately is the Discovery Education Science Techbook.

The Discovery Education Science Techbook is more than a digital textbook. ”It’s a different way of thinking.  Thinking outside the box, perhaps. Or more appropriately, thinking outside the book.” ”The Techbook not only provides awesome content aligned to each state’s standards (there are currently Science Techbooks available for most grades K-8 in 30 states across the U.S.), but includes a model lesson for teachers to use with every concept, assessment questions for each standard, a teacher’s guide, and DVDs for when the Internet is not available. Resources such as the virtual labs, reading passages, video segments, science sleuths, explorations, and interactive glossary, etc., are packaged together to follow the five E model of instruction. Teachers have found an easier and creative way to build lessons using technology resources and content, as well as differentiating their classroom.”

It is not just a PDF or other media file with links. It is an entire ecosystem of lesson resources for educators to use in their classroom. It’s not free, but neither are print textbooks or iBooks, and the DE Science TechBooks are ready, aligned to standards, and in use in thousands of classrooms around the country.

The DE Science Techbooks feature

• Lively, interactive resources that capture the attention of students
• Custom, in-person professional development builds capacity to ensure effective implementation
• Cost-effective and efficient
• Organized around the teacher-friendly 5E Instructional Model and integrates the nature of science and inquiry into every phase of learning
• Designed around big ideas and essential questions
• Customized to your state standards
• Student resources for ALL learning styles
• Key teacher resources
• Up-to-date content
• Real-time feedback

From Discovery Education’s press release:

Unlike traditional textbooks, Discovery Education Science Techbook uses an inquiry-based approach to learning, bringing key science concepts to life for both English and Spanish-speaking students. Other interactive elements available only from Discovery Education include an interactive glossary, videos and photos, and clips from Discovery Channel’s award-winning series such as PLANET EARTH, LIFE and MYTHBUSTERS.

Using a real-time assessment component that measures students’ progress and recommends individualized resources, the Science Techbook has the ability to address individual student’s learning styles and prescribe resources targeted to their performance.

The Science Techbook is dynamic and updated in real time, providing teachers the opportunity to incorporate up-to-date scientific issues into their curriculum and students the chance to interact with experts on the front lines. Most recently the Science Techbook has featured such events as the tornados that occurred across the southeast U.S. and the tornado and tsunami in Japan. Finally, Discovery Education Science Techbook is a substantially less expensive option per student than textbooks, with additional savings derived from a lack of textbook replacement or inventory costs.

Some of Discovery Education’s content, including the TechBooks, is Flash Based (for now) but you can access all of it on an iPad using iSwifter.

Here’s a nice ToonDoo-inspired take on the differences between classrooms that are driven by books (digital or otherwise) and those that are driven by inquiry-based instruction from Lance Rougeux at Discovery Education.

Related:

25 Free Resources from Discovery Education

Discovery Education’s Science Techbook: Scientific Explanations in Action

Apple Announces iBooks2 E-Textbooks – my initial thoughts

What I use with Physics classes instead of textbook

Resources to Replace Textbooks

Free Textbooks – online, download, iPad, Kindle

DonorsChoose is an awesome site, created by former educators, that allows educators to create a project idea, select the materials and equipment needed, and get funding for those supplies. The teacher fills out the project format and selects materials and then DonorsChoose does the rest. Donors go to the site (and the site is advertised) and donate to projects. DonorsChoose then orders the supplies and ships them to you. Then you just have to complete the thank you package, which is very easy to do.

I teach in an urban district with serious budget issues, yet I, along with lots of other teachers, have been able to get supplies, materials, equipment and more for my students through DonorsChoose. I’ve gotten literally thousands of dollars worth of lab equipment and supplies and technology through DonorsChoose to help my students learn and experience physics.

Today, four members of the DonorsChoose staff came to visit my classroom. I was contacted by the CFO, Andy Kaplan a while back. It seems that the staff love to go out and visit classrooms where DonorsChoose has made an impact. We chatted for a while, they talked with my class, and then they stayed and learned about electric charges and electric fields and watched the demo and students doing a lab with materials funded by DonorsChoose.

They were friendly and very interested about the school and my classes and wanted feedback about my experience with DonorsChoose. They want to help as many teachers and students as possible. It was a great visit.

The DonorsChoose team speaks to my AP Physics class. From left to right, Andy, Diana, Taylor, and Jeff. A great group of people doing a great job for educators.

If you don’t use DonorsChoose, you need to. It’s easy and a great way to get funding for materials, supplies, equipment, computers, laptops, printers, field trips and so much more. The staff is friendly and responsive to any questions or requests for help.

Get a project submitted and funded.

Vonage announces iPhone and Android apps that allow you to call and text message other Vonage Mobile app users for free, worldwide, on iPhone and Android. You can also call any phone number in over 200 different countries at discounted rates. You can even purchase calling credits through iTunes or Android market accounts.

Calls will work over WiFi, 3G and 4G. You do not have to be a current Vonage customer to use the apps and it uses your existing phone number and contacts list. The app supports notifications also.

The text messaging feature is easy to use and organizes texts by conversation. It even has a group and individual invite feature to invite others to connect with you via Vonage.

Rates are lower than Skype and can be purchased in $4.99 and $9.99 credit options through iTunes or the Android Market using your current account. Rates are very reasonable.

It’s very easy to get started. Simply download the app and enter your mobile number and email address. Vonage will send you a free text message with a code to validate your phone number. Then you can start inviting others to do the same and call and text you for free.

If you call a number that is not Vonage mobile, the app will display the per minute rate for that call before you connect so you can decide whether or not to make the call or if you have enough credits.

This could be a good option for schools to use. Administrators, teachers, and others could use the app for free calling.

Here’s a video that demo’s the app:

Vonage Mobile

Last month, I wrote “10 Important Skills Students Need for the Future.” After reading a few articles about specific tech skills, I thought I write what I think are the 10 Important Tech Skills Students Need.

1. Internet Search - students need to know how to do a proper internet search, using search terms and modifiers. This skill is needed for school, work and life in general.

Tips on Better Searches (from Google)

Infographic on Better Searches

Common Craft Video on Web Search Strategies

2. Office Suite Skills - students need to now how to create, edit, and modify documents, presentations, and spreadsheets. Businesses still use MS Office for the most part, but iWorks, OpenOffice / LibreOffice, and Google Docs are all getting more popular. They all work similarly so the learning curve when switching isn’t that big.

Alternatives to MS Office

Free Alternatives to Paid Software

3. Self learning of tech and where to go for help - knowing how to search a help menu on software or hardware, where to go to find user forums for help, and where to find the manual for technology is a huge skill that many do not know about.

Free Tech Tips and Help

TechEase – technology tips

Online Tech Tips – hardware, software, and more

Tech Support help

4. Typing – yes, typing. I can get much more work done since I know how to type, than people who don’t. It’s a skill that is necessary for any kind of writing.

Learn to Type

5. Social Media - how to properly use social media for school and work, how to protect yourself on it, the issues of cyberbullying, connecting with others in your profession (PLN).

Twitter, Google+, Facebook comparison

Twitter, Facebook, RSS, Email, Google+ – tips on use

Facebook and Google+ security and privacy

Common Craft Video on Social Media

Create a Personal Learning Network

6. Netiquette – Internet/Email/Social Media etiquette - proper way to use the internet, write professional emails, use social media in relation to your job (not complaining about the boss).

Netiquette – Wikipedia

7. Security and Safety - antivirus, spam, phishing, too much personal information sharing, stalkers, and more are all issues they need to know about.

Internet Safety Resources

Google Family Safety Center

Google Good to Know online safety and internet data

Common Craft Video on Secure Passwords

8. Hardware basics and troubleshooting - knowing what different parts of technology are called, how to make minor fixes, and how to do basic troubleshooting for WiFi, networks, OS won’t load, etc.

Free Tech Tips and Help

TechEase – technology tips

Online Tech Tips – hardware, software, and more

Tech Support help

9. Backup data - with all of the data that students create for school and work, it is important to back it up and have access to it at any time.

Backup your Data – tools and resources

Google Takeout – export your Google data

10. Finding apps and software - how to find, evaluate, and use apps for school and business. Also, how to find quality, free alternatives to paid software, apps and services.

Quixey – Search engine for apps

Free Alternatives to Paid Software

Google Apps Resources

Free Apps

On device apps/software vs. web apps

SmartPhone Experts – apps, reviews, tech tips, and more for all smartphones

Okay, so there are 11….

11. Copyright and Citing Sources - students need to understand copyright laws and rules, how to cite a resource, and how to integrate someone else’s work into their’s properly.

Taking the Mystery out of Copyright

Citation Help

What do you think are the top tech skills students need to know?

NASA Educational Standards Quilts are a quick and easy way to find free NASA educational resources that align to National Math and Science Standards.

The materials are available online for download and print, or you can order copies.

The site starts with a menu of 5 quilts: Space Science, Mathematics, California Science, Girl Scouts, and More Education Resources. They are available online, text version, and an Excel version. The online version is easier to use and interactive. The text and Excel versions have the resource links in each box.

You click on the quilt you are interested in. The online versions take you to another page where you select the grade level (K-4, 5-8, 9-12), area (Science: Science as Inquiry, Technology Connections, Personal/Social Connections, Nature & History of Science, Unifying Concepts and Processes). The grid then has different concepts across the top. In science they have forces, motion, sky, solar system, etc.

The light blue boxes have resources. Click on the box and the resources show on the bottom left of the screen, with a summary of the resource on the right.

In less than 5 minutes I was able to find 22 resources for one lesson for my physics class. It’s a great resource for any Science or Math teacher.

Here are a lot more great, free Educational Resources from NASA

Top 3

This week I’ve had two colleagues and three or 4 students ask me what technology apps and services I use the most or can’t live without. The reason was that they were looking to get started using some new things and wanted to pick a couple that they could learn and use for a majority of their needs instead of learning and using lots of different apps. So, here are my 3 apps/services that I can not live without:

1. Evernote - Evernote, an electronic notebook with lots of great features, is my main tool. I have lesson plans, lesson notes, lesson resources, research, travel info, recipes, lesson schedule, meeting notes, attached files, clippings from web sites, to do lists, personal references, tech resources and instructions and so much more. It is the main app I use for almost everything.

2. Dropbox – Dropbox is a great file sync, backup, and sharing service that you can use for free. The rest of the files I need to use that are not in Evernote are setup in my Dropbox so that they are synced on my home and school computers and my smartphone. I can access my files from any web browser also. I never have to worry about losing a flash drive or forgetting to copy or email myself a file.

3. Google - I know this is kind of vague because Google has so many services, but I use a lot of them. Blogger for this blog and my class blogs, Sites for my class website, Gmail, Google+, Calendar, iGoogle, Docs, search and so much more.

With these three apps/services, I am organized and have all my data and materials available at any time. All three have great apps for my Android SmartPhone also.

When I help get people started using web 2.0 apps like these, I always want to start them with just one or two at a time. These three can do most of what people need. They are easy to use, yet powerful, and there is a lot of resources and support for using them.

What are the three apps or services you can’t live without?

Runner-Up:

I use Tweetdeck in Chrome browser to access my PLN on Twitter. So, I guess I really have 4 I can’t live without.

Related:

Why I use Google Resources and Tools as an Educator

Android Smartphone and Apps I use as an Educator

Edudemic has a great article entitled “The Must-Have Guide To Helping Technophobic Teachers”. It explores ways to help non-tech savvy teachers get started using educational technology to improve teaching and learning. It has some great tips and points.

Over 2 years ago, I wrote an article entitled “Getting Started with Educational Technology” that also offered tips and ideas on how teachers could get started using educational technology successfully.

Many teachers are afraid of new technology, set in their ways, or just overwhelmed with what is out there. Those of us that use educational technology on a regular basis need to help them use it based on their needs.

Find out what they want to do and then share a technology resource that can help them do that. Show them how to use it, and then provide support for them as they implement it.

Start off with one or two tech’s at a time so that they don’t get overwhelmed.

Educational Technology can engage students, expose them to new things, allow them to do different things, get teachers and students organized, differentiate teaching, learning and assessment, improve communications and so much more.

How do you help newbies to tech get started?

Related:

10 Tech Skills Every Student Should Have (and every educator too!)

My Favorite Resources for Students and Teachers

The How’s, Why’s and Value of Educational Technology

Discovery Education Web 20.11 - great ideas and tips for getting started with Ed Tech

The 3rd Annual DEN SCIcon was held this past Saturday, January 28th. The DEN SCIcon provides participants with effective strategies for transforming science classes through effective integration of digital media content. The conference was broadcast live and online so many people joined in from home. There were also in-person events around the country, hosted by the local DEN Leadership Council (made up of educators). It was all FREE.

I attended at the live Connecticut event, which was hosted at the Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford, CT. We also got to have a short tour of the house that Twain lived in while writing his seminal works. Very interesting house.

The day started with breakfast catered from Panera Bread and then the sessions started. SCICon is broadcast using WebEx and presenters share their links, videos, and presentations through that, as their voice is simulcast. There is also a chat window that the presenters use to interact with the audience around the world, answer questions, and much more. There were about 35 of us at the CT site participating, and Patti Duncan, the final speaker of the day, broadcast from our location.

These are my notes from the different sessions. There are also links to the actual presentations.

9 AM
Opening Session
Your Attention Please: 10 Ways to Engage Your Students in Science

Lance Rougeux

Download the presentation.

Engage: use these to hook students on a new topic

Demo, video, Show image – I see, I know, I wonder… Discussion – lead into new topic

E.ggtimer.com - online timer to keep on schedule

Writing prompts – use a picture to get them writing

Scientific Method is not a chapter, its a yearlong method for all science – Discovery Ed #scicon goo.gl/hF0V5

Too many “versions” of scientific method and too linear. It’s a cycle that starts with ?. Discovery Ed #scicon goo.gl/hF0V5

Scientific method starts with question, has various routes and methods – Discovery Ed #scicon goo.gl/hF0V5

Scientific method, engineering process – both are way to answer questions and solve problems. Discovery Ed #scicon goo.gl/hF0V5

Students know how to investigate and solve problems informally – they go online and figure stuff out. Now use that in school. #scicon

Give students opportunities to practice scientific skills like question, observe, research, compare, analyze, experiment, conclude #scicon

Have students analyze commercials on TV to see fact vs fiction. Good observation practice. #scicon

Do labs, investigations, virtual labs and simulations at start of unit instead of end to get them inquiring and actively learning #scicon

Start unit with a problem and then students get info from unit work and resources during unit to solve problem. #scicon

Failure is ok! It’s part of discovery, learning, investigating, problem solving, science and engineering #scicon

Tell students what they are supposed to be learning and then ask if they think they learned it. Everyday. Then have them do it. #scicon

Make sure they really understand before they get to a test. #scicon

Less step-by-step labs, more open ended. Have students then apply conclusions/results to solve original problem. #scicon

We started with Lance Rogeux’s presentation Your Attention Please: 10 Ways to Engage Your Students in Science . Lance shared some great activities to engage students in learning both at the beginning of a lesson and throughout lessons.

Next we saw Trinette Green’s presentation Inquiring Minds Want to Know: Student Learning Through Inquiry-Based Instruction. Trinette defined inquiry-based learning and shared a variety of great ideas for both directed and guided inquiry.

Next came Brad Fountain’s presentation: What’s the GIST? Bridging Science and Literacy. Brad demonstrated some terrific strategies for connecting Science and Literacy from the primary grades through high school.

We spent lunch with Kelly Pauling: Taking a Bite Out of the Common Core: A View from the Balcony. Kelly presented a no-nonsense approach to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and how Science instruction can support teachers as they implement the CCSS.

Mike Bryant started his session, Busting the Myth of Project-Based Learning, with a Common Craft video entitled Project Based Learning: Explained. You can find this simple explanation on You Tube at . He went through a number of myths about PBL and dispelled them with practical examples. He also showed a great Discovery Ed video of penguins who have turned to “a life of crime” which left the room roaring with laughter. He also connected with Terri Johnson who shared information about the International Energy Challenge. For more info, go to: http://energychallenge.wikispaces.com/.

Those of us in the room in Hartford were treated to Patti Duncan’s live presentation: The Scientific Method…It’s Not Just for Chapter One Anymore. Patti’s dynamic presentation focused on the importance of teaching students the scientific method. She showed examples using the DE Science Techbook. She stressed the importance of teaching students that the scientific method is a mindset, not a chapter in the textbook. We need to teach them the skills and steps in the scientific method and then teach them how apply these skills in the larger context of their lives. As teachers, we need to be doing this every day, and not just in Science class!