Friday Treats: 4.20.2012

I hope you all have a lovely weekend.

First up this week is the Twitter link to #edchat has discussions, ideas and connections with people interested in education.

Here are some other Twitter Chats you can check out: http://www.sociableblog.com/2012/02/01/twitter-chats-for-educator/ - I get a lot of great info & ideas from Twitter (& Pinterest)…you can follow me on both.

SMART Notebook has an update coming next week.  Want to get a sneak peek at some of the new features?  Check out this blog.

Have you always wanted to take a class at Princeton or Stanford and it just never worked out?  Try coursera.org which offers free courses from some of the most prestigious colleges & universities (did I mention it’s free?) here’s an article about it:  http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/18/11270140-top-universities-to-offer-online-courses-for-free?lite

These next ones are free teaching kits from Tech4Learning (the people who make Pixie).  You have to sign up for them:  Elementary Science Resource Kit (grades K-2), English Language Acquisition Resources, Bring Technology into reading (Grades 2-6), Meeting Common Core with Pixie (which we don’t really use, but might have some good ideas)

Need to print a poster on a regular printer?  Try Blockposters.com

Check out this article from the Washington Post

iPads especially helpful for special-needs students

Schools in the Washington region are using tablets to assist special-education students, especially with learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorders.
Read the entire story here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/advice/ipads-especially-helpful-for-special-needs-students/2012/04/17/gIQAQn1iQT_story.html

Use baking soda & vinegar to inflate balloons: http://www.momto2poshlildivas.com/2012/01/blow-it-up-exploring-gas-with-balloons.html 

Another great way to incorporate “social media” into your classroom:

Interesting article the effect of drinking water has on test scores: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-17741653