Control Alt Achieve
Eric Curts is the kind of guy who seems to know all the cool things out there and can think about great ways to use them. He’s a Google Education Trainer and Certified Innovator so he’s well connected to the source of the latest and greatest. His blog is a fantastic compendium of resources, mostly related to Google apps and tools, but with many that would work outside of the Google suite. From music education tools (Groove Pizza anyone?) to add-ons for Google Docs, Curts shows how to get the most out of the applications out there. In addition to noting which tools exist, he has great ideas for using them in the classroom. His post on Writing Prompts offers inspirational ideas for starting writing projects and he has a wonderful post on learning the basics of spreadsheets by creating artwork in the style of Mondrian. All his posts are creative and offer real insights and inspiration.
Class Tech Tips
Have you ever seen a great app or program but weren’t sure if it’s really something you can use? Class Tech Tips offers in-depth reviews and ideas for using tech tools in the classroom. Dr Monica Burns is the face behind the blog, and she has published several books on how to incorporate tech in classrooms that focus on creativity, deep learning and thinking skills. Her blog posts include features on creative writing using Writable, augmented reality lesson plans, responsive curriculum management using a new platform Kiddom, and problem solving apps for kids. The posts are often sponsored by the companies, but the content is not advertorial. Her insights and ideas are informed and well-considered, making this a great resource for both teachers and school leaders for finding out about new technology in a meaningful way.
The Innovative Educator
theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com