Jot Pro

03/29/2012

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I just received the fine point stylus I ordered (6 day turn around is impressive) and it's a really good fine point stylus.  It handles just like a ball point pen and gives a good deal more control and accuracy than your finger or a standard Targus stylus.  The Pro version ($35) includes the cushioned grip which is nice, but the basic version ($20) would work just fine for most people.

If you're using the iPad as a classroom whiteboard or writing for students to see, this is a must have.  Even if you're just taking notes, then it's a pretty nice toy to add to your iPad arsenal.

Here's the link
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Fine Point Stylus

03/23/2012

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The only styluses I've found for the iPad have been the ones with a wide point which makes writing and drawing nearly impossible, and makes applications like Notepad and Penultimate less amazing.  

I have found a fine point stylus that works with the iPad.  As soon as it comes in I'll let you know whether I just wasted $35 or not.  I ordered the deluxe model (in for a penny, in for a pound), but the basic model runs $19.99 plus shipping.

Here's the link. 
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Creating your personal "Siri"?

03/15/2012

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I stumbled on an exciting program that is ideal for both Middle School and High School students.  It requires research, critical thinking, and creativity. 

Virsona, allows you to upload a picture and then fill in a database of questions about every aspect of an individuals life, history, and personality.  The avatar can then be interacted and chatted with, and it will give responses to questions and statements.  The site has a set of basic questions that will require a good amount of research.  Then students will have to come up with a good amount of  other questions tailored to the person and any question that someone might ask along with the answers to fill out the virtual personality.

This is a great project for history and literature classes.  There is no way to publish your creation  on a website but the student can put your email in the invite field and an invitation to chat with the character will be sent.  The basic account is free, but a teacher account that will allow all your students to interact with every other students' character is available for $100 a month or $1000 a year.

Virsona

Screen shot of a sample chat with a Virsona character available after the jump.
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History Music Videos

03/10/2012

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Nope, this isn't Web2.0, PBL, PLC related, but it is history related (my first love) and just really cool. 

I will say that if you want your students to create educational lyrics or music videos these are good examples to show.

You can find all of this group's music videos (exclusively World History) here.
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Real World Science

03/07/2012

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One of the great things about the digital revolution and access is the explosion of research and the ability to collaborate research across the planet.  The link below is a list of options for science teachers to allow their students to participate in real current research.  One of the things I love about PBL is that students have a chance to do real-world work. These options make great starts for a quality PBL.

I only wish there was a  list like this for history students to participate in current historical work.

Citizen Science Options
courtesy of the Instructify blog
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Scribble Maps

03/01/2012

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Scribble Maps uses Google Maps along with a pretty user friendly interface to allow students to create maps showing features, routes, legends, and even import symbols and pictures.  This isn't a replacement for GIS classes, but for normal geography classes looking for an easy way for students to create their own maps with data and symbols, this is a pretty easy and  painless way.  The site does not require a login to use, but that option is available for more involved usage. When students are finished they can simply download their map as a jpg image file for grading for posting and grading.

Sample map created using Scribble Maps after the break....

Scribble Maps
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