Amendments to the Constitution Project

I was making my rounds though Albert Hill Middle School yesterday and of the 8th Grade Civics teachers mentioned a project his kids were working where some of them were actually creating smartphone apps. Intrigued I stopped by to check it out and was so impressed I grabbed a copy of the project to post here.

Along with creating an app students also had the option to do a number of other things including PowerPoint presentation or podcast. Along with posting the lesson I've included links to resources for students that wish to use the technology options in their final product.




Brochure/Poster:
Canva

PowerPoint Presentation:
Google Slides
Prezi

Podcast:
Audacity
Speakpipe

Smartphone App:
Code.org App Lab
MIT App Inventor

The teacher that provided it to me, Mr. Kimbrell, couldn't remember where he had originally found this project and despite some Google sleuthing on my part I couldn't fully determine the source either. If it's yours please comment so I can provide proper credit.

Favorite Apps - Clarify

A few weeks ago the data analyst I work with at one of my schools asked me to put together a walkthrough for how to do paper and pencil tests in PowerSchool. I don't have need to create such things often but when I do my go-to app is Clarify.

Compared to creating walkthroughs in Word or Pages where you must use a separate screenshot app with additional steps involved, Clarify allows you to use the app to take the needed shots and automatically embed them. From there you can add instructions along with arrows and bullets to explain whatever it is you're trying to do. From there it can be exported into a clean and professional looking PDF for sharing.

Below is the aforementioned walkthrough for PowerSchool created using the app. I also used it to create one for Blogger last year that can be found here on a previous blog post.

A Few Favorite Tweets from VSTE 2016

I wasn't able to attend this year's Virginia Society for Technology in Education conference this year but many folks I follow did. While many great resources were shared I also found the following Tweets particularly thought provoking.

Basic Needs - Updated @thomascmurray #truth #vste16 pic.twitter.com/HnsoqJ890P

— Tamara Letter (@HCPSTinyTech) December 6, 2016

No matter how excited you are about the latest gadget, remember it is the worst technology your 2-year-old will ever see. #VSTE16 @jcasap

— Eric De Boer (@edtechwolverine) December 4, 2016

Do you realize we now have students who have NEVER known life without a computer, iPad, Smart phones and WiFi? #VSTE16

— Sasha Bridge (@mrssajb) December 4, 2016

20 years from now kids will find your iPhone at a thrift store and be shocked you used to plug your phone to the wall for HOURS #vste16

— Tamara Letter (@HCPSTinyTech) December 4, 2016

I also liked this Tweet collecting the names of other educators to follow on Twitter. Read this post I made on my blog last year for additional folks.

Follow these great educators on Twitter from #vste16 Connected EDU Meetups. Last Meetup begins at 8:45 in #vstepopup 1! pic.twitter.com/aj4quCZ6bi

— VSTE World Hqtrs (@vste) December 6, 2016