Category: Tools for Teaching

Google+ Chapter 2

Okay so now we’ve gotten invitations to the beta-release of Google+.  And of course, so have many others.  We have our circles, and our opinions and ideas are beginning to form.  So are the ideas and opinions of many others. The Chronicle of Higher Education also has a blog post about the potential for classroom use, with…Continue Reading Google+ Chapter 2

Coming this fall to WPI…new options for student response!

Many faculty and students on campus have requested that WPI look into the possibility of using a virtual clicker system in the classroom.  Virtual “clickers” allow students to use a mobile device (Smartphone, Cellphone, Laptop, Tablet, etc) to respond to questions posed by the instructor. The TTL team has completed a review of products that…Continue Reading Coming this fall to WPI…new options for student response!

Technology in the Classroom: Teach to your talent

Recently, I was listening to a webinar with one of my favorite speakers in education – Sir Ken Robinson.  He gave a famous TED talk in 2006 (4 million downloads!) , and then followed up with a new one in 2010, talking about the role of creativity in our school systems.  Although the talk is really…Continue Reading Technology in the Classroom: Teach to your talent

Tools we use – Screen Captures

Have you ever found yourself writing an email (or a blog post!) and wished you could just show what you mean instead of having to try to describe it? We often find that being able to quickly capture what’s happening on a computer screen is invaluable for saving time and communicating more clearly. There are…Continue Reading Tools we use – Screen Captures

Academic Continuity: Defeating the Weather with Technology

Much of the talk on campus these past few weeks have centered around the weather and the record amount of snow we have been receiving.  However, the snow has incited much more than talk.  In an almost unprecedented move, WPI has had to delay or cancel classes more than once this winter!  With such short…Continue Reading Academic Continuity: Defeating the Weather with Technology

Guiding Self and Peer Assessment – Two Technologies

Self and Peer writing assessments can be very powerful tools in the classroom.  This type of an assignment can aid students in improving their editing and writing skills.   Through Peer Assessment students learn to collaborate and provide constructive peer criticism. However implementing this type of review assignment in a classroom setting can be a rather…Continue Reading Guiding Self and Peer Assessment – Two Technologies

Understanding the iPad Display Capabilities

Did you know that your iPad can actually display video using the dock connector on the bottom of your iPad and an adapter (purchased separately)?  This can be great in the classroom or for quick meetings in technology equipped spaces.  If this is something you have considered before, or are considering for the future, there…Continue Reading Understanding the iPad Display Capabilities

Wondering what cool new technologies are on the Horizon?

Well then look no further than the Horizon Report! Published each year as a joint publication  of the New Media Consortium (NMC) and the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative (ELI), the Horizon Report seeks to identify the six technologies that have the greatest potential to impact education over the next five years.  The report is broken down…Continue Reading Wondering what cool new technologies are on the Horizon?

Free yourself from chalk dust!

Wondering what that monitor-that-doesn’t-quite-look-like-a-monitor in your classroom could be?  If it has a plastic pen attached, it’s called a Sympodium, manufactured by SMART Technologies, Inc.  If you’re thinking about trying it out this term, here are some things for you to consider: Pros. The ATC has been surveying students who participated in captured lectures (using…Continue Reading Free yourself from chalk dust!