October's Tech Connection

This is the first "tech connection" post of the year.   My hope is to share what we are doing in the classroom in regards to technology.  I also hope to provide you with enough usable information that will help spark conversations at home.

 Read and Write Extension for Google Docs

Found at the Chrome store

This is an extension that we added to our Google Docs today.  It allows any doc to be read aloud to the students.  It can be their own writing as well as any document shared with them.  It will be a great tool for revising their writing as they will be able to listen carefully to what they have typed.  Students enjoyed selected the voice that would read their work.  We especially liked the English accents.  It makes our work sound rather fancy!

Voicenote speech to text app at the Chrome store

This is an app that students can use to record their speech and it will type for them.  They can then copy and paste their work into their Google documents.  Similar to Dragon speak but with better voice recognition.  I think it works really well and can be extremely useful when looking to get a story or writing down quickly.  Then students can go in and revise and edit their work.

The Chrome store is loaded with a lot of great apps and extensions for the Chrome browser.  In order for your children to access these, you will need to download the Chrome browser to your desktop.  Lots of apps and extensions are free and quickly downloaded.  Students found flashcards, typing programs and math games today.  We will continue to look at the Chrome store has to offer throughout the year.

*We are currently working on a global project with our second grade buddies from Mrs. Rushia's class.  3' x 3' squares were marked out just off the trails behind school.  Together teams worked to identify and record data regarding what they found and observed.  That data was entered onto the "Square of Life" online project where our teams will be able to compare/contrast their data with that of students around the country and world.  Together they will choose an online tool to create a visual representation of their findings.  Lots of great collaboration going on.

Upcoming:  We are anxiously awaiting a connection with a classroom somewhere within the US to match up with us for our first Mystery Skype.  This is a great program where classrooms ask each other yes and no questions in order to identify where each classroom is located in the US or World.   Students each have specific jobs during our skype meeting and together work to solve the mystery.  They use their social studies and science knowledge, as well as maps, ipads and computers to prepare questions and pinpoint locations.  We can't wait for our first Mystery Skype.  I'll keep you posted.