eduTecher July Newsletter Header

Thank You for subscribing to the eduTecher Newsletter

 

In this "Mega-Newsletter" we are not only sharing some great new tools and resources, but you can also learn more about all of the new apps we have just released, see some of what went on at the ISTE conference last week, and find out about some upcoming appearances.

WebTool of the Month: Tildee
Tildee
Tildee is a free web tool to help users create and share instantly and easily tutorials on any subject. This is a very simple to use, yet excellent tool for teachers to use to help students understand steps or specific instructions for doing things in the classroom. This could also be useful to students with disabilities that need a simplified structure or visual explanation of a task. The site has a great interface to go along with a great concept.
 
Resource of the Month: Desmos Calculator
Desmos Calculator
Desmos is web based graphing calculator that allows students to do all the things they would with an a traditional graphing calculator right from the web. All the graphs that students create can be shared by a shortened URL to their peers, teachers, or to themselves for later reference. I spoke with the Desmos team and they have some great features on the horizon including the ability to make Desmos compatible with mobile devices such as the iPhone/iPad. A great tool that can help replace expensive hardware in the classroom.
 
Check out the Desmos Calculator by Clicking Here

App of the Month: Show Me 

Show Me App Icon 

Show Me is an amazing new iPad app that turns your iPad into your own personal interactive whiteboard! Show Me allows users to record voice-over whiteboard tutorials and share them online. It is simple to create these screencasts and they look and sound great! Ever wanted to produce content your own Khan Academy-esque content - now you can and it is fast, free, and easy to do! This is a must have for teachers with an iPad.

 

 

Show Me is now Available on iPad as a Free Download
The All NEW eduTecher Apps are Here!
eduTecher New Apps

We have taken all the great features of the new website and  

packed them into a slick and easy to use mobile apps for iPhone, iPad, and Android.  


Please check them out in your App Store - They are 100% Free.

Updates will be pushed out soon to enable some more great features  

and fix a few little buggies that came along for the ride.  

The new eduTecher app is a huge leap forward.  We have taken all the great features of the new site and packed them into a slick and easy to use mobile app.  iPad and Android versions look and act pretty much the same way.  Listening to complaints from users that the Android app we originally came out with was not as good as the iPhone version, we used the exact same interface from the iPhone version to bring a near identical experience to the Android device in this new version of the app. 

eduTecher Backpack iPhone App Tutorial
eduTecher Backpack iPhone App Tutorial

 

App Features
Links
eduTecherTV
Favorites
Notes
Forums
Contacts
Profiles
Links

Searching through Links on the new app is really easy to do.  Just like the original app, you can do a full library search, but now you can choose your subject areas and levels just like on the site.  In addition you can look at the details, or quickly scroll through the site logos.  You can share any links via Email, Facebook, or Twitter.  You can also add to the link to your Favorites, and even take notes on it. 

eduTecherTVWatch all the eduTecherTV Webisodes right from your app streaming in HD quality video.  The app, like the site, no longer streams through YouTube so it can be accessed from all schools no matter what the filter is like.  You can also share the webisodes or even stream them to an AirPlay device like AppleTV.
Favorites

Remembering your favorite links is easy with the new eduTecher. Simply click on "add to favorites" from any of the link descriptions on the site and your link will be saved. Click on "My Favorites" in your Backpack to view all the links you've saved. You can also share links with your contacts and view links that your contacts have shared with you.  

NoteseduTecher now allows you to take notes on any of the web tools we review.  Say you want to write a note to remind yourself to try a specific web tool with your 2nd period class - just add a note to the link and it will appear in your Backpack under "Notes".  Notes can easily be edited and shared with other eduTechers.
MessagesExploring and finding great web tools on eduTecher is great - but sharing your findings with other like-minded educators is even better.  Now you can easily choose to send and receive messages with users that you have connected to.  Simply click on "Messages" to get the conversation started.   
Blog Want to have a blog? Well it couldn't get any easier than this.  The eduTecher app offers a safe and free way for teachers and students to create their own blogs.   Blog posts can be shared and commented on (with moderation if you so choose). You can easily create a new post or respond to a post on the go. 

 

Forum
Visit the Forum on the eduTecher app to read and respond to entries created by other eduTechers.  This is a great place to provide your "2 cents", give helpful feedback or advice, and weigh in on issues facing educators today.  

 

ContactsBuilding a PLN (Personal Learning Network) is easy with the new eduTecher app.  Users can connect with other registered members that teach in the same location, teach similar subjects, have the same educational technology interests, and more.  Becoming a contact will allow users to share notes and favorites as well as send and receive messages and chat.
Profiles


Creating a profile on eduTecher is simple.  You can share as much or as little information as you want with other users.  You can choose to include a picture from your Gallery or even take a new one. You can also include your Twitter ID, details about who you are and what you do. 

News and Upcoming Appearances
Presenting at the ISTE Kickoff Event
ISTE 2011 Logo

 

The Annual ISTE conference last month in Philadelphia was a wonderful experience for me.  In addition to presenting two sessions and receiving an award, I was asked to speak at the Kickoff Event on Sunday Evening.  It was truly an honor and a privilege.

 

I used TubeChop to select the portion of the event where I got to share a little about what I do and why and you can watch it here   

 

But more importantly than presenting or getting awards was the experience itself of being with over 15,000 educators passionate about educational technology and what it can do for students and teachers in their lives.  It was so great to meet old friends and make new ones and that is what face-to-face conferences are all about! 

 

I will be presenting at several upcoming conferences throughout the country including:

 

CMI 2011Curriculum Mapping Institute is a wonderful conference run by Heidi Hayes Jacobs.  I will have the pleasure of presenting some tools teachers can use to upgrade their curriculum maps on July 14th. 

 

140edu conferenceThe #140conference edu (August 2nd/3rd)  This unique conference dreamed up by the fabulous Jeff Pulver gives users of social media a voice for ten minutes each to share their vision of how social media impacts education and "the state of now".  I am excited to be part of this year's conference and the sessions should all be streamed live as well as there being a healthy back-channel on Twitter.   

 

TSETCOn November 19th I will be Keynoting at the Tri-State Educational Technology Conference.  This year the conference will be held at NYU and if last year was any indication of how great this event will be, than it is one you will not want to miss if possible.  The conference theme is "Learning without Boundaries"

 

 

VSTE Logo In December I will be giving the Spotlight Address to close out the Virginia State Technology in Education Conference.  Even though it is some months away, I am greatly looking forward to it. 

 

 

I am also currently available for Keynote or Spotlight Presentations on educational technology which can be tailored to fit a specific audience or theme. 

Feel free to contact me here.

It has been a great start to the summer with the launch of these new apps.  We are really proud of the new apps and hope you love them! 

Please feel free to share this app and website with your friends, students, and colleagues.

explore.  share.  contribute.

Adam S. Bellow
www.eduTecher.net
Follow us on Twitter                              View our videos on YouTube

eduTecher does not share or distribute any information about visitors to any 3rd parties.

eduTecher is FREE for educators, students, and parents.