Summer Tech Tips!

My friend, Amanda, and I have been trying to encourage our colleagues to catch the 'Tech Bug'.  Together we e-mail our weekly, 'Tuesday Tech Tips'.  We try to mix up ideas for class and ideas just for fun.  We both believe that experimenting with technology is easier when done with a topic you are passionate about.  Below is our end of the school year tips for summer.
 
Teachers- Need some fun apps for summer on your phone or Ipad?  Here are our top ten.  In no particular order. Some are educational, and some are just for fun!

1.       Sand Timer- A cool timer (that doesn’t make a hideous sound like Smart Notebook).  You can place phone under your document camera at school, or a time-out timer at home.  It is less intimidating that watching numbers tick away when you are taking a test.

2.       My Script Calculator- You write on the screen and watch it magically turn to typing while it solves equations.  You have to see it!    Click the link to see the magic.

 

3.       Shazam- do you ever wish you know what the name of a song was?  Shazam will tell you within seconds.  It is even pretty good at tv shows and streaming lyrics.  Great for games of ‘Name that Tune.’

4.       SnapChat- This app can be really fun.  Snap a picture and send it to a friend.  You set the timer on how long they can view the Snap (talking seconds).  Wake your children up with a SnapChat this summer… or remind them to clean their room!

5.       Decibel 10^th- Are your children ever too loud?  You can use your phone to measure the decibel level with Decibel 10^th.  Science connection on that roadtrip.

6.       Kindle- Kindle isn’t just for Kindle! You can have your books on your phone or any tablet.  They will also sync between devices.

7.       Getting in shape this summer? Amanda likes My Fitness Pal- it tracks calories burned as well as calorie intake.  Think of it like your food diary. You can connect with others to help motivate and hold each other accountable.  Endomondo is a fitness tracker for tracking calories burned.  It can calculate distance, time, calories, average speed and keep a GPS map of where you’ve been.  They even sync together!

8.       4 pics 1 word- bored waiting for an appointment? Play this game.  It is slightly addictive.  It also gets progressively harder. The game will give you four pictures and you have to guess the word that connects all four pictures.

9.       Ruzzle- play boggle with friends or random strangers.  Highly addictive (especially late at night).  Connie Hayes is very good.  You should challenge her!

10.   Pandora- a free app that let’s you personalize your ‘radio playlist’.  Suggestions: Jill - Prince, Tricia -Hunter Hayes, and Amanda – Dolly Parton, Dani -Adele, and Krissy - Mumford and Sons.

Ok, so, it was technically 11 apps.  What are some of your favorites?  This summer we are going to be playing with VIDEO!  We are going to be using Vine, Magisto, and 1SE.  We will let you know our thoughts and suggestions.

Have a great summer.  Hope you won’t mind if we send you a few Tech Tip Tuesdays (there will be a 1 in 7 chance that they will be published on Tuesday).

Amanda and Jill

How do you share your love for all things techie with your staff?