Here are some great interactive activities for use on a SMART Board (or any IWB – interactive white board). I found these on a great resource sharing site: http://seamanits.edublogs.org/2009/04/14/jeopardy-online/.

JeopardyLabs – Online Jeopardy Template via kwout

2.

Super Teacher Tools via kwout

These tools are very easy to use and work great on an interactive white board. Super Teacher Tools has 10 interactive activities that are ready to use without any setup or downloads needed. Your computer will just need to have the Adobe Flash plug-in.

1. Google Earth Resources – I am a big fan and advocate of using Google Earth (GE) in the classroom for just about any subject. These are some great overlays or layers you can add to GE. Click on the GE tab at the top of this page to view a presentation about learning how to integrate GE in your class.

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2009/04/nearly-400-google-earth-files-for.html

http://www.free.ed.gov/resource.cfm?resource_id=193

3. FunnelBrain.com is an academic question and answer site that provides an environment for collaborative online learning. Create flashcards with videos, photos, audio, text, and math equations!

http://www.funnelbrain.com/

4. Powerpoints and interactive activities galore! Mostly geared towards elementary use.

http://www.pppst.com/index.html

5. Twitter Handbook for Teachers. I’m sure you have heard of Twitter and if not this very helpful document will help you learn all about it as well as the many uses it has in education. Feel free to follow me as well – http://twitter.com/jfarm

http://www.scribd.com/doc/14062777

Google Documents allows you to create word processing documents, spreadsheets, forms and presentations. The beauty is in the simplicity and ease of use. I can start a project at work on one computer and then complete the presentation, letter, spreadsheet or whatever it happens to be on any other computer that is connected to the internet. All your work is done on your Google Documents web page. You do not have to download a word processor, spreadsheet, or presentation program. Did I mention that all this is free; all you have to do is sign up for a free Google account.

Here is a presentation that I have created and shared at conferences.

I wanted to share an article from Education World that I thought you might find useful. Hopefuly some of the information and resources can be put to use in your classrooms.

Click here to go to the article.

The article mentions ikeepbookmarks which is what we use in the computer lab for easy access to websites for students. I have folders on the top of the page that keep sites organized by subject area and then weblinks at the bottom of the page that are frequently used sites. This makes it easy for students to get where you want them within a few mouse clicks instead of them having to type in a long web address. Feel free to bookmark my page (Click here) or you can easily create your own by following some simple steps on the site. If you are at Center Elementary and want help with any of these shortcuts and tips, feel free to come by the computer lab and I will gladly help you out. If you are from some far far away place, I am not opposed to flying or sailing to your location. (No cold weather, sorry.)”What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.”
–Ralph Waldo Emerson