“This article by Hope Mulholland for TeachThought offers up what looks like a great list of resources on this very important topic. If you are just wading into the world of BYOD or want to learn more, have a look.”

"BYOD policies–Bring Your Own Device–allow schools to bring technology into the classroom with a “bottom-up” approach. Such an approach can save money, allow students to use their own devices, and encourage a student-centered approach to learning.

Recently we explained that “digital natives or not, technology dropped into the laps of students in schools isn't always as accessible as it might be. By allowing students to bring in their own devices for learning–rather than insisting that they learn both content and device in school–there is an important opportunity to connect with not just their personal lives, but their natural way of doing things.” But when you allow students to bring in hundreds of unique devices into a formerly closed technology setting, chaos can result–which is where, unfortunately, policy can be necessary."

The Quality Information Checklist is a great resource to engage students with how to evaluate websites and promote discussion in small groups about why it’s important to do this.

This tutorial from Center Moriches School is good too but the links are not always live, so may need to be adapted to fit your purpose.

“We often talk about seizing the teachable moment. By using online forums, the teachable moment can be 24/7. This EdTech Review article from Chris Carter talks about using online forums for learning anywhere and anytime. Online forums are not magic bullets that save time; they require frequent and meaningful instructor participation that is, at the same time, balanced in a way that allows the students to come to their own understandings.”

Very interesting article about ICT in practice in the classroom: 
http://fluency21.com/blog/2013/08/23/raising-digital-hands-running-effective-forums/

Ever wondered how to cite Twitter in an assignment?

"Twitter is a big part of education and technology. But what happens when it needs to be included in an academic paper? Until now, you had to do your best to guess the proper citation for tweets in academic papers. That all just changed."

Have a look at the article linked to above or click here for a link to another site for MLA and ALA referencing rules. The sooner students discover these new rules (to add to how they currently reference print and other digital media), the easier they will find transition to the next level of education both within Cashmere High School and beyond. 

SmackFiction is here!

SmackFiction is a brand-new mobile app, aimed at teens, that allows readers to discover upcoming novels, read free sample chapters, earn rewards and share what they're reading with friends.  You can add reviews or comments about the books on the app and tell others about what you're reading on Facebook.  It's an awesome app for readers of all ages. These can be downloaded from iTunes™ and Google Play™.

For more information about SmackFiction read the media release below: 

A new mobile app aimed at getting younger adults reading has been launched by Wellington-based SmackFiction. The app features sample chapters for readers to browse when they are commuting or waiting for class, as well as entertaining articles about authors and their creations. People can see what their friends have been reading, and status points are awarded to readers who explore new books and share comments with friends.

Early interest in SmackFiction has come from The New Zealand Book Council and Hutt City Libraries who see the app as a way to divert a mobile focussed generation away from games and onto reading. Authors are interested because they can participate on the app community, allowing them to have direct contact with their fans.

Public Libraries of New Zealand Chair Paula Murdoch says "SmackFiction is to be congratulated in offering readers a new choice in the way they read and the added appeal of connecting with others in an online community to share their love of a good book."

SmackFiction is supported by HarperCollins New Zealand and many other leading New Zealand publishers who have provided content such as Gecko Press, Steampress Books, Huia and Victoria University Press. SmackFiction particularly celebrates Kiwi fiction, but has attracted interest (and content) from quality publishers in Canada, Australia and the US, who are watching the New Zealand pilot with interest.

The SmackFiction app can be downloaded from the Apple™ App Store by anyone with an iPhone or iPod Touch and a Facebook™ account. An Android™ version will be released shortly.

Libraries and schools will be able to get aggregated reporting on their reader activity by signing up at http://www.smackfiction.com.

For a quick easy banner for your classroom or display, there are several free banner making programmes. This one (Rand's banner maker) is particularly easy and takes only a few second to create the banner you need. Limited colours and fonts but if you're not fussy, give it a go.

This is the programme I use the most for large block posters. The image has to be of reasonable quality to translate well when blown up. 

What I like about this programme is that you can easily choose landscape or portrait and how many pages you'd like it spread over. Simply done in a matter of seconds once you've chosen your image. Print it, slice it, stick it together and it looks pretty cool.:)

Tips from our IT team:

A few of you have iPads now so here is a useful link with applications for education - worth a look.

http://appsineducation.blogspot.co.nz/

... and if you are looking for free apps then I suggest "appsgonefree" where you can get high quality paid apps for free each day. You can download this app from the App store or using iTunes.

https://itunes.apple.com/nz/app/apps-gone-free-best-daily/id470693788?mt=8