Odyssey Academy Tech Corner

If you like using YouTube videos in your classroom but can’t stand the sometimes (okay, usually) inappropriate “clutter” surrounding the videos, try using ViewPure. ViewPure.com is a simple website that lets you paste a link for a YouTube video into a textbox and click a button to get a reusable link to an advertisement-free presentation of the video. The reusable link will allow you to setup your videos in ViewPure before showing them to a class. You could also add the links to your Favorites or place them on your classroom website for later use.

View the video below for a step-by-step tutorial on using ViewPure.com.

Social media and social networking services have been around for quite a while now. From Friendster, to MySpace, to Facebook, to Twitter, to Google+, to the latest social networking craze, Pinterest, everyone who uses the Internet has some awareness of social media. Unfortunately, much of this awareness has to do with the triviality of the content being posted by users. My wife often jokes when she sees me checking my Twitter feed, “Are you seeing what everyone had for lunch?” My response is usually, “I think you must be confused, that’s what I read about on Facebook.” I think the entire world is on Facebook currently, so if you’re reading this, you know… Read the rest of this entry »

Mrs. Partlow attended the TCEA 2012 Convention & Exposition with me and other OA teachers in February. She chose to write about a website she learned about that is a resource for project-based lessons using Google Earth. After reading through the post, I hope you all take some time to learn more about Google Earth Walks!

Google Earth Walks is a website for students and teachers which provides virtual tours using Google Earth. You must download and install Google Earth before you can use Google Earth Walks.

Using Google Earth to provide virtual tours allows the creator of the tour to fly travelers anywhere on Earth, showing cities, buildings, famous locations, and local businesses. Google Earth Walks then uses pictures of actual locations to mirror real-world exploration for students. The handful of tours currently on the Google Earth Walks website are focused on teaching and reviewing math concepts. Math walks include an Introduction to Multiplication, Fractions, Shapes and Solids, as well as others. There is currently one science walk for fifth grade focused on energy sources. Read the rest of this entry »

Quite often, my role as Technology Integration Specialist and Resource Center Specialist at Odyssey Academy overlap; however, at the Texas Computer Educator’s Conference this year, they came together in a magic (albeit somewhat geeky) way.  While walking through the exhibit hall, I came upon the booth for Follett Software Resources, our vendor for Follett Destiny, our library circulation system. Tracy, one of the sales reps I had worked with asked if I had the new Destiny App. I didn’t even realize they had an app. She explained a little about it to me, and I left for my next session. Before the session began, I downloaded the app to my phone and set it up for our library catalog and my account. This app allows me to see what books we have in our collection, put items on hold and write reviews for books. Read the rest of this entry »

Mrs. Steele attended the TCEA 2012 Convention & Exposition with me and other OA teachers in February. She chose to write about a website she learned about that is a resource for creative technology projects. After reading through the post, I hope you all take some time to check out the link.

It is hard to pick just one session or event from the TCEA Conference to talk about because I can honestly say I enjoyed all of it.  However, I enjoyed the Print, Cut, Fold session because it gave me something I can use right away without any cost or equipment to purchase! Read the rest of this entry »