Eclectic Technology

Here is the list of the top ten "S'cool Tools" for 2013 from EdSurge. Last week I scooped the tools from 11 - 20. Once again there is a range of tools and they are all free. Three are detailed below but you may view information on all ten in the post. Have fun exploring!

* Mathigon is an amazing math resource with videos, slideshows, e-books, apps and more. Resources are available for primary and secondary students.

* Google Treks - Are you looking for lesson plans based on Google Maps? If so check out Google Treks. Lesson plans are across the curriculum and all use Google Maps so the concept of geographic location is involved. If you want to create your own Trek there is a tutorial and a rubric to help you out.

* NuSkool uses "popular culture to enhance learning both inside and outside the classroom." Geared to students in grades 6 - 12 you may search for by grade, subject and genre. Genres include music, film, television, video games, sports, social networking and popular culture. Select your grade level, subject and genre and you will find a choice of lesson plans that include the media, a description of the lesson, procedures and assessments.

As teachers must is expected from us daily and more and more we are asked to do assessments. Many of us think of testing as soon as we hear assessment. This post discusses assessment stating "assessment isn’t always employed correctly. It sometimes gets over, under, or misused. Assessment should work seamlessly into the classroom routine. The traditional test can be intrusive and stressful. True assessment flows into the lessons and gives a constant pulse on student learning."

The author then provides links to five Learnist boards that focus on assessment, specifically:

* Simple Ways to Monitor Student Progress

* Assessment

* Exemplar Rubrics for Assessment

* Socrative Response Systems

* Metryx

The first three boards have seven to ten resources. The last two links are on a board that is called 21st Century Assessment - Digital Documentation and additional resources are also found here.