Teacher Tube

In today's world, it can be hard to find appropriate videos to assist with lessons. YouTube has many videos but not all of them are classroom acceptable.  TeacherTube has videos that other educators have posted with lessons on any subject imaginable. 
For instance, children are supposed to know the Presidents and their accomplishments. Though this video doesn't name the accomplishments it  does have a song with a familiar tune that helps them memorize the Presidents in order. 

USI.7      The student will demonstrate knowledge of the challenges faced by the new nation by:

c)   describing the major accomplishments of the first five presidents of the United States.

Another subject that children are required to know are their multiplication tables and square roots.  Here is a video found on TeacherTube helping children remember their multiplication in a fun way. 

3.9       The student will recall the multiplication and division facts through the nines table.

Also, with TeacherTube, the viewer can upload videos that they've created on the site to help the other members.  With sites like TeacherTube and the previous sites mentioned in prior blogs, teachers are given plenty of options on how to teach a lesson and how to make it creative.   

SmartBoard Lessons

SmartBoards give teachers an opportunity to create or edit a lesson and share it with their students.  There are thousands of lessons that take as little as 5 minutes to make.  There are different options as to what type of template it could be. There are tiles, vortex, matching, multiple choice  and those are just a few.   And after creating a lesson, you can save it on your own computer and have it for a later time.  It allows teachers to be as creative as they want in giving their students the best possible lesson.  And it is not just limited to one subject. You can create a lesson in any subject as long as you know the material. 
Students can also do these lessons on their own (depending on the template style) from the classroom computers.  It may not be as fun as going up to the actual SmartBoard and getting to use it, but it still gives the same lesson but with  just a  little less flair. 
SmartBoards are replacing powerpoint lessons all over the country and it is no wonder why.  The SmartBoard gives a better presentation also allows the teacher to have a bit more fun while creating an unforgettable lesson for their students. 

Google Custom Seach Engine

Google's Custom Seach Engine is another technological advancement that should be incorporated in the classroom.  Google's CSE is something that every teacher should have.  It allows a person to create their own search engine with the sites they approve of. For teachers this is perfect for the classroom.  One wouldn't have to worry about inappropriate sites coming up or incorrect information being given. The teacher can find the sites that they find acceptable and then their students can only use those.  It helps the students stay on the same page with one another and the teacher as well. 


Virginia History Google URL:

 <div id="cse" style="width: 100%;">Loading</div>
<script src="http://www.google.com/jsapi" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">
  google.load('search', '1', {language : 'en', style : google.loader.themes.SHINY});
  google.setOnLoadCallback(function() {
    var customSearchControl = new google.search.CustomSearchControl('016829228860478613354:fwntchnagx4');
    customSearchControl.setResultSetSize(google.search.Search.FILTERED_CSE_RESULTSET);
    customSearchControl.draw('cse');
  }, true);
</script>