Why Interactive Whiteboards Work

While attending an informational seminar last week, I learned an interesting statistic: approximately 45% of today's classrooms are using interactive whiteboards. In some ways, this came as a shock; in other ways, it did not. For years, it seems, IWBs (interactive whiteboards), from manufacturers such as SMART and Promethean, have been touted as the next big thing in education. Despite that assertion, they haven't seemed to fully catch on. So I was a bit shocked to learn that nearly half of classrooms are sporting the technology now.

On the other hand, this development is wholly expected - overdue, even. The potential of this innovation is enormous, the possibilities unlocked by its tools and applications seemingly limitless. Why wouldn't schools pony up the cash to deck the walls with IWBs?

It's the little things that help make IWBs such valuable classroom assets. During our seminar, our presenter showed us a sample 'page' from an interactive lesson plan designed specifically for IWBs. It looked like a snapshot of one or two paragraphs from a typical supplemental workbook. But then a Flash animation kicked on, and a diagram was drawn before my eyes, adding a unique element to an otherwise stagnant stream of information. On another page, what appeared to be a photo of a cute dog positioned on a laptop computer turned into a short video of a cute dog positioned on a laptop looking even cuter because he looked at the camera and quivered oh so adorably. Numerous additional bells and whistles were added to most every page, until I was interested (and dare I say excited) to find what trick or bit of fun awaited me with each new block of information.

These details might sound like digital knick knacks, but consider this: if such trinkets can catch and maintain hold of a 27-year-old's attention, what might they do for the open mind of a 12-year-old student?

But we're only looking at the little things - what about the BIG things? Well, let me assure you, they're even better.

Imagine inviting students to the board not just to write words or solve math problems, but to manipulate shapes and objects; to sort categories of pictures or words by dragging and dropping them into boxes; to touch an instrument and immediately hear its sound. And imagine all of these actions, along with so many more, made possible by a student's finger.

Like an iPad or a Nintendo Wii, IWBs are undeniably cool. They ooze fun from each circuit. And students take notice. They are compelled to discover the uniquely interactive elements of an IWB lesson, and each new slide engages them in new and unique ways. It's truly a game-changing moment to witness children using an IWB.

While attending a presentation at a local elementary school, I was thrilled to watch students flinging their hands into the air when asked to volunteer a visit to the whiteboard, to see them bound from their seats and attack problems with wide eyes and wider smiles. Quite a switch from the chalkboard visits of my youth, to be sure. Watching their passion for learning helped remind me of why we're all in this industry, and it made me wonder: why in the world haven't the remaining 55% of classrooms joined in?

For Your Consideration: 6 Top iPad Apps

After attending the ISTE convention last month, we've been reminded time and again that this year's hot piece of educational tech is the iPad. Students want it. Parents love it. Teachers use it. I wish I had it...

Best of all, it works. The iPad offers a wealth of educational opportunities, most of them geared to be flashy, fun, and rewarding. We've compiled a short list of some of the most popular educational apps being downloaded and used right now. Each of the apps below appears on the July 27 edition of appannie's Top Charts for Educational iPad apps (check out the full chart here)

FREE APPS

1. Era of Dino HD Lite

What student - or parent for that matter, don't lie - doesn't want to learn more about dinosaurs? This free app will introduce users to over 300 different dinos. Also covered are the specific eras in which these creatures lived. Slick, colorful graphics complement a wealth of interesting material. (Average rating: 4.5 stars)

2. NASA App HD

Take a tour of the galaxy - and beyond - with this fascinating app from NASA. Official video and imagery (some of which are live) enhance in-depth explorations of planets, stars, current missions, and more. Children and adults alike will lose hours in this virtual solar system. (Average rating: 4.5 stars)

3. ScreenChomp

This versatile teaching tool is like having a digital whiteboard at your fingertips. Create your own lessons with the intuitive interface. Math problems, Venn diagrams, brainstorming webs - this app can handle them all. Even cooler is the ability to record and upload your lessons to the app's website or Facebook. (Average rating: 5 stars)

PAID APPS

1. Stack the States

Students can learn about each of the United States of America with this fun app. By the time they're finished, they'll be familiar with state capitals, shapes, and locations. Bonus games, full-color pictures, and tons of questions are included. (Average rating: 5 stars)

2. Math Bingo

This popular app will make math practice much more entertaining. A balance of fun gaming and rich educational content has landed Math Bingo on several top-app lists. It's simple - students must answer math problems correctly in order to complete rows on a Bingo chart. Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division are included. (Average rating: 4.5 stars)

3. Alphabet Fun

Invaluable for early learners, Alphabet Fun teaches and reinforces letter and number recognition and formation. It also teaches users to recognize and identify colors. Pronunciations provide clarity and speaking practice. (Average rating: not available)

What do you think of the iPad? Are you using it with your children or students? Have you tried any of the apps above? Do you know any other must-haves? Start the discussion in the comments section below!

Calling All Classrooms

I bought my first cell phone at the age of 18, a few years behind most people my age. It took me a few weeks to familiarize myself with all the bells and whistles, which, compared to the model I use today, were next to nothing and unimpressive to boot. Nearly a decade after that first egg-shaped, no-color-screen model, I use my phone for just about everything: I send and receive e-mails, network with friends and coworkers, keep track of my budget; heck, I even place the occasional call or two. I'm not alone in having my mobile device practically bolted to my hand. Students, from elementary-level to college- and university-goers, use cell phones each and every day.

Sure, students use their cell phones to text, game, and Tweet. But the usage isn't limited to frivolous social communication and idle entertainment. Students are also using these devices to help them learn. They are using built-in calculators to help solve math problems, search engines to find sources for research papers, and teacher-recommended apps to train and challenge the mind. Some school districts are even using cell phones to help students perform well on standardized tests.

Yes, there are many negative possibilities when phone usage is permitted in a classroom. Distraction is perhaps the worst. Teachers have to either patrol the aisles like a hungry hawk or trust their students to stay away from Facebook and Angry Birds. Using technology moves away from more traditional, proven methods of education and encourages a turn-to-technology-for-everything environment. These are just a couple issues in an angry sea full of potential difficulties and complications.

It is a sea upon which we must set sail. The simple fact is that cell phones (and tablets like the iPad along with them) are too prevalent and potent to ignore. Thinking back to my archaic school days (the nineties), I wish I could open a rift in time and drop my phone into the youthful me's bulky backpack. Equipped with this space-age technology, younger me would have an entire new world of possibilities before him. He could schedule testing and project due dates. He could choose a list of books to check out from the library rather than scratching his head baffling over the Dewey Decimal System. He could download games that helped him practice in an effort to correct a persistent difficulty with math skills.

Oh, what might have been!

The students of today don't have to lament a lack of possibilities, nor wait until they're 18 years old to discover them. The world little me didn't have already surrounds them. The tools for a deeper and more effective education exist. Let's put them in the hands of our students and start soaring.

4 Ways to Spin Your Students Around the Globe

Attention all teachers and parents: It's almost July. Isn't it about time you went on vacation? And shouldn't you take the kids with you? Oh, and how about doing it without leaving your house or school? New innovations and emerging technologies are making this scenario more possible by the day.

Here are a few cool ideas to take your classroom or living room global. Click on the hyperlinked section titles for access to each resource.

1. National Geographic Kids (TM) Countries

Have you ever wanted to visit South America in your pajamas? This is the place for you. This hub will grant your students access to overviews of many of the world's countries. Quick and interesting facts are accompanied by photos, videos, maps, and more.

2. Skype (TM) In the Classroom

You've probably heard of Skype - an internet phone service that allows anyone to be seen and heard by other users around the world. The resource has reached into global education, as well. Among the possibilities are guest speakers from another continent, sharing an online 'classroom' with students from the other side of the planet, and project collaboration with like-minded educators that happen to live in China.

3. Google Maps

Teaching a unit on one of the world's great cities? Google Maps allows you to literally click your way to it. Zooming in brings landscapes both urban and rural into focus. Labels identify cities, towns, bodies of water, and major landmarks. As if that isn't cool enough, you can view photos, live webcams, and even traffic updates. (I smell a problem-solving opportunity: Given current traffic conditions, what is the best route from Big Ben to Buckingham Palace?)

4. LEP's Very Own Passport Series

Don't have an internet connection? Looking to discover even more detailed information about other countries? This 8-book series is all you'll ever need to take a virtual vacation around the world. Visit more than 50 countries from all seven continents, each with in-depth studies of history, culture, language, food, and so much more. Click here for some sample pages.

GUEST POST: Grant Writing Tips for Schools and Non-Profits, by Dr. Linda Karges-Bone

A couple weeks back, we wrote about education grants as a way to aquire funding for your classroom or school. Read on for some suggestions from an expert on all things grant. Dr. Linda Karges-Bone is the author of The Educator's Guide to Grants, a complete resource dedicated to getting you the money you need for your classroom or school. Check out her other fantastic books HERE. Enjoy!

*****

You might not see yourself as a "grant writer." That is the job of a professional: someone in a suit, carrying a briefcase, and holding a fancy certificate or degree. You would be wrong. Most grants that help to support worthy projects are written by ordinary folks who learn a skill set and fuel it with their passion for the work that they have undertaken.

I wrote my first grant "proposal" at age 18. I was a teenager hired to run a summer program for special needs children in a community "camp" setting. I was very excited, until the director of the board told me that I also had to "get the grant." So, I read the "RFP" or Request for Proposals (the directions) and sipping my TAB (TM), because that is what we drank back then, I sat down at my electric typewriter and pounded out $20K worth of funding. I wasn't even of legal age, so I couldn't sign the forms. The older ladies on the board of directors took care of that, and eight weeks later, a check arrived at our little office in a church attic. I was hooked!

My fourth book on grant-writing came out in the Spring of 2011, and folks want to know the basics of how to go about grant writing. I am going to give you Ten Tips, to get started the right way.

1. Read the application carefully. Remember, the funders do not wish to be annoyed. When they say 10 pages, double-spaced, typed narrative, they mean it. The same goes for due dates. Late proposals will be trashed. There are no second chances.

2. Focus on a need not a want. Grants are designed to move new ideas forward, not to fund your day to day expenses as an organization.

3. That said, be sure to avoid the red flags in funding requests. These are outlined in my book, but one of them is bricks and mortar. Grants do not fund buildings and most infrastructure costs.

4. Read the literature and research surrounding your area of expertise and use it in the proposal. I use footnotes and do a Works Cited page in my larger grants. It makes an impression. Show how you will infuse the research into your objectives.

5. Design objectives and evaluation criteria together and match them up.

6. In all writing, avoid jargon. Do not say: "It takes a village." Or "Every child can learn." Instead: "The 'Right Now Reading Club' will provide an incentive of one new book of the child's choice for every 15 books read during the semester."

7. Focus on a "hot topic" and make it consistent with what the funders are interested in. Work your "need" into that fit.

8. Use "Project Overview Charts" to fit larger pieces of data into a visually effective format. Do not choke the reader with long paragraphs.

9. Grants are never made to individuals, only to 501-c-3 non-profits.

10. Church-related organizations that serve the poor can apply for many sources of funding. These are called "faith based initiatives."

In these tough economic times, grant-writing is a valuable skill and one that you can develop and use to help those who need you most. I suggest taking a course in grant writing, such as the one that I do for the Charleston Area Grant Professionals here at CSU each May. My book is available at the CSU bookstore and is designed to use as a workbook, step by step. Finally, do these three things:

• Start by writing a "mini grant." These are good practice and simple. You need to build a history of successes before larger funders will take you seriously.




• Be sure that you have all your "ducks in a row." Grants require an updated list of your advisory board, resumes or Vita of key players, and a copy of your Mission Statement and 501-c-3 documents.




• Be realistic, yet positive in your tone. don't ask for the "Moon and Stars," just a few "stars" to light your way.

*****

Dr. Linda Karges-Bone currently prepares future teachers at Charleston Southern University in Charleston, South Carolina, where she is a Professor of Education. The author of 27 books for teachers, Dr. Bone specializes in curriculum and assessment and also writes children's stories. She holds an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of South Carolina at Columbia. When she isn't presenting around the country for the National Education Institute, Linda enjoys living in the coastal region of South Carolina with her husband Gary, a bio-medical engineer; their two daughters, Carolyn and Audrey Jayne, and a rescue dog named T.S. Eliot.

To Use or Not to Use: The Facebook Debate

Facebook has become an integral component of our lives. Sure, there are those who avoid it like the plague; and there are probably a few scattered individuals who haven't even heard of it. But for most of us, the sensationally popular website is a part of our everyday existence. It has spread from a few colleges and universities to homes and businesses across the world. But should it spread into your classroom?

Last month, The Edublogger posted about the merits of using Facebook as a tool for education (check out the entire post here). They pointed out some of the benefits the networking site could provide teachers, parents, and students. They also addressed some of the problems Facebook presents to educators and offered solutions to several of them.

There's even an official guide for using Facebook in education: Facebook for Educators.

It's certainly no secret that students are using Facebook. It's likely that their parents are, too. And you, teachers, probably have your own accounts. At first glance, it seems like a no-brainer: we should figure out a way to use this tool for education. With the three major players in the process already hooked up to the apparatus, it should be a simple task to make the proper connections and start running together...right?

Of course, it's not that easy.

Facebook presents a number of unique and sensitive complications. It's capable to use the site to track literally everything you do. There are many pieces of information that would be unquestionably inappropriate in a classroom setting. As the Edublogger notes, many schools have instituted policies forbidding teacher-student interaction via Facebook for such reasons. After all, educator and educated lead separate lives outside the classroom, the specifics of which are none of the other's business.

For every complication, however, there seems to be an offsetting benefit. Yes, we lead separate lives, but the opportunity to easily initiate after-school communication is an appealing one. The obvious example: a student struggling with an assignment can go to a teacher or classroom Facebook page looking for help. Wait, you might say, the teacher can't always be available to answer questions. This is definitely true. However, other students (who the student has likely 'friended' already) might be available to assist. Perhaps even more tantalizing is the option for easier communication with a student's parents. No longer are we restricted to parent-teacher conferences and quick before- or after-school discussions. A Facebook message can address an issue within minutes.

It's easy to oversimplify this debate into clear-cut pros and cons. In reality, the issue is not that simple. It's an incredibly complex question that requires much thought and plenty of contingency plans. This might lead some educators to question whether or not it's all worth it. Why not ignore Facebook and concentrate on other options?

With such a versatile and potentially game changing resource already at our fingertips, can we really afford to ignore it?

What do you think? Have you considered using Facebook with your students? Do you already do so? Does the idea make you sick? Share your stories and opinions in the comments section below.

3 Reasons to Give Grants a Go

Teachers: are you concerned about funding for next year's classroom? It's a realistic worry - with education budgets tightening around the country, it's getting more difficult to stretch available money to cover an entire school year's worth of costs. When the well runs dry, you have to dip into your own pockets or imagine more creative options. Your students' educational experience shouldn't be limited by shrinking budgets. But, more and more, this is exactly what's happening.

There is another option, one which educators and administrators are turning to with increasing frequency - education grants. We think that you should give them a try. Here's why.

The money is available. Despite the financial difficulties besetting educators, funding is available - lots of it. Right now, for instance, innovation grants are particularly popular. According to a recent article on The Washington Post website, the federal government awarded 650 million dollars for innovative ideas directed towards making classrooms better in 2010. The article goes on to mention that there are still some 150 million dollars waiting to be dispersed in 2011.

It's summer. At first glance, this might not seem to have anything to do with education grants. But summer vacation is the perfect time for teachers to research, plan, and write grant proposals. As you plan for next year, you can determine exactly what you need grant money for. Time off will allow you to take the required time to write a better, and therefore more likely to succeed, grant proposal.

There are many different kinds of grants. Innovation isn't the only kind of grant being rewarded. You can submit a grant proposal for just about anything. Does the basketball team need new uniforms? Do you want to start a special-needs program? Are you looking to get hold of an interactive whiteboard or other technologies? There are funds available for all these and more - you just have to go after them!

Are you ready to get to work? Looking for a few tips or places to submit your grant proposal? Check out LEP's The Educator's Guide to Grants for all you need to know about the process.

Plug In! Gaming in the Classroom

...Your students are on a quest. They are deep underground, beneath a massive snow-capped mountain. They are looking for an ancient relic, a relic that will save the universe from a terrible invading evil. But this relic is hidden by clever puzzles and protected by hostile guardians. The only way your students can get their hands on it is by working together to pool their intelligence and creativity. A plan is conceived, and your students voice battle cries as they charge into the epic challenge ahead...

That scenario might sound more like a Friday or Saturday night for your students; but can you imagine it taking place in your classroom? On a Monday or Tuesday morning? As an approved part of your lesson plan? Madness, you might say. There are others - a growing number of them, in fact - that want to change your mind and make such mythical classrooms possible.

Why? Education is due for a change, say those in support of gaming in the classroom. The current model is growing staler by the day, and its results are hardly encouraging. The dramatic advances in educational technology are quickly outpacing the capabilities of the standard teaching model. What better way to take full advantage of these wonderful gadgets and tools than by fashioning a new method that embraces them wholeheartedly?

Not only is the educational landscape ripe for this tactical shift; students are also in dire need of the skills provided by technology - especially those provided through gaming! The jobs of today and tomorrow demand technological know-how, a condition that will only become more concrete as time progresses. Games help students think more like machines. That might sound a bit scary on the surface, but consider the skills emphasized: problem-solving, logic, systems, cooperation - these are the skills of today and tomorrow.

So. The timing is right. The need is obvious. What more convincing do you need? How about this - your students will love it! It's no secret that certain classic aspects of teaching are boring, at least to some students - lecture, reinforcement, homework. Imagine the rejuvenation if these were connected to gaming. Might your students be a little more attentive during a lecture if they knew reinforcement would come in the form of an interactive and challenging game? Think they would do their homework before dinner if it involved a controller or tablet or cell phone? Gaming doesn't need to replace traditional methods - nor should it. There's no denying, however, that its inclusion would light a fire in classrooms around the world.

What about you? Are you ready to include gaming in your lesson plan? Or will you stand against the tech tide? Be heard in the comments section below!

Help Your Students Honor Our Veterans!

November 11 is Veteran’s Day! It’s an excellent opportunity to discuss the importance of America’s armed forces in the past, present, and future. There are many ways to let this special day inspire your work in the classroom.

This is the perfect time to introduce a unit discussing America’s conflicts. Students will learn how wars and skirmishes have shaped the world we live in; and that those battles were fought and decided by American men and women. A more focused unit about Veteran’s Day and the people it celebrates is another possibility.

Celebrate a local veteran (or a group of them). Invite a veteran or soldier who is comfortable speaking to your students about Veteran’s Day and what it means to him or her. Let the students ask questions. Arrange a special activity beforehand to thank your special guest. Have students create Thank You cards to give to the speaker. Such a gesture will mean a lot to most veterans – it’s always important to thank these men and women for the amazing things they do.

Arrange a donation for troops currently stationed overseas. It’s easy to assemble a simple care package that could make a soldier’s day. Stock your package with treats, hygienic items, and cards expressing thanks and encouragement. Search the Internet for various organizations and information on care packages. You could also raise money for a care package through a bake sale for the entire school. For more information on this idea, check out the following web site: http://www.uso.org/

How will you celebrate Veteran’s Day with your students? What have you done in the past that has been special? Do you have any suggestions for other educators? Click the ‘Comments’ link below and share your ideas with us!

Veterans have played a huge role in ensuring our country’s future. It’s very important to explain this fact to students of all ages. On November 11, do something to celebrate Veteran’s Day. No matter how big or small the gesture, you’ll honor the men and women that continue to keep America safe.

Nutritious and Delicious October

Our last post encouraged you to create a safety unit for your students. We hope this has left you hungry for more ideas – because we just so happen to have another one!

October is the perfect month for a nutrition unit. It’s Vegetarian Awareness Month; Eat Better, Eat Together Month; and even Spinach Lover’s Month. While it might be too difficult a task to turn all of your students into spinach lovers, October is a wonderful opportunity to encourage healthy eating habits to last a lifetime. Here are some ideas on how to introduce a little good nutrition into your classroom.

Plan a unit on healthy foods and eating habits. Start by asking students about their favorite foods. There are likely to be plenty of answers like these: pizza, hamburgers, ice cream, etc. Explain that while these foods are delicious (and, in parts, healthy), they are also unhealthy if eaten too often. Ask students to list healthy foods. Help them understand why these foods are important for growing bodies. Ask students to keep track of what they eat for one week. At the end of the week, have everyone write a short paper assessing how healthy their meals were; they should also include how they could eat healthier from then on. Fill the rest of the week with grade-appropriate nutrition topics. Bring in a delicious, healthy snack for each day to help your students eat better!

Here are some FREE activities you might want to use to reinforce your nutrition unit:

Grades 1-2 Healthy Snacks
Grades 3-4 Jellybean Sugar Count
Grades 5-6 Calories
Grades 6-8 Healthy Hidden Foods
Grades 9-12 Nutrition Sense

Plant your own classroom vegetable garden. This doesn’t have to be anything too fancy. If you live in a suitable climate and have a safe space, try planting outside. Many healthy foods (tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, and other greens) can be grown indoors, as well. Students will love getting their hands dirty planting the seeds and watching the plants grow. This activity can easily complement a science unit. If all goes well, you could be eating classroom-grown salads and other snacks in no time!

Encourage other students in your school to eat better by putting together a healthy foods sale. Much like a bake sale (minus the brownies, cookies, and other sugary treats), the sale should offer a variety of healthy snacks. After securing permission for the sale, let students share their ideas for what to sell. You might want to provide some simple recipes or ideas to avoid a table full of carrots and bananas. Sell your healthy snacks during lunch, if possible; or before and after school. Use the proceeds to benefit a local charity – or to fund your classroom vegetable garden.

Have you had success transforming your children into spinach lovers? How do you teach students about nutrition? If you try any of the above ideas, please share your stories with us. It’s easy to make October all about nutrition – and to get your students eating healthy.

For more information on healthy foods and eating right, visit the United States Department of Agriculture web site. Interested in more activities that teach nutrition and healthy living? Check out these great books!

Make October Safety Month!

One of our goals with Bridging the Gaps in Education is to provide teachers and parents with educational ideas. After discussing this goal, we decided to try something new this week. We know you’re incredibly busy – why not let us help you plan some lessons – not for this week, but for next month? This way, you have time to develop the ideas and add your unique touches and improvements to them.

With this idea in mind, let’s get planning! October 4 – 10 is Fire Prevention Week. This is a great time to teach younger children about firefighters and all that they do for the community. It’s also an opportunity to present fire safety units to students of all ages. You might consider planning a field trip to your local fire station; or you could invite a local firefighter to speak to your class. Practice your home or school fire escape plans and encourage everyone to learn fire safety and prevention information. Top the week off with a surprise fire drill to reinforce what you’ve learned. Here is a simple fire safety activity to help you get started.

Why not try making the month of October Safety Month? Being relatively early in the school year, it’s a great time to establish classroom practices and rules – and it never hurts to make your space safer!

The concept of safety is pretty enormous, so here are a few ideas for units or lessons.

Work with your students to improve the safety of your classroom or home. First, ask students to identify potential risks in the environment – these could be sharp edges on desks or chairs, scissor storage, or slippery surfaces, to name a few. If there are valid risks, discuss ways to correct or improve them. Help students craft safety plans and enact them. Develop a classroom- or home-specific list of rules and precautions for the entire year.

Discuss safety outside the classroom. The world can be a dangerous place, and you can teach children to be better prepared. Possible topics include: traffic safety and laws, drug awareness, community threats (strangers, crime, etc.), and much more. Pick topics that apply to your grade level and region.

Teach about weather safety and natural disasters. Students are often fascinated by natural phenomena like thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes; and these topics naturally lead into science vocabulary, experiments, and activities. If you live in a region that is at risk of particular dangers, develop and practice safety procedures. Have students create and decorate safety lists to display in the classroom. A wealth of material is available for the planning and implementation of units/lessons like these. Click here for some products that focus on weather and natural disasters.

These ideas, along with your own expertise and planning, can turn October into Safety Month. These are only starter ideas; put your own spin on safety for a month filled with practical learning that can be applied in and out of the classroom. Have some ideas on teaching safety? Put them in the comments section below and share them with others!