Osmo

I was lucky enough to receive a Osmo a few weeks ago for review purposes and am throughly impressed w/ what I've seen.  My children (9,7,5, and 3 yr old) are having a blast playing w/ all the different games/apps available for the Osmo.  The Osmo itself consists of a plastic reflector that snaps over the iPad camera and a base for holding the iPad in place vertically.  The camera then sees what is in front of the iPad by being reflected from the mirror and works rather seamlessly.  There are 3 apps available: Tangram, Newton, and Words.  All of them are highly educational and very easy to use.

• Tangram - kids will arrange puzzle pieces that come w/ the Osmo to make shapes and learn about the different principals of the Tangram.
• Newton - probably my favorite of the apps, and lets kids use their creativity to draw lines/shapes etc to guide bouncing balls into a target.
• Words - a fun multiple player game that really helps students learn how to spell by placing the correct letter in front of the iPad

Below is a brief demo...



I highly recommend checking out the Osmo by clicking here!!!

20 Web 2.0 Sites that does not Require Sto

This is a post I've been wanting to do for some quite some time but had to do some research to get the information I needed.  A huge factor for schools in dealing w/ students and working online is CIPA/COPPA compliance.  This is to ensure student safety as well as monitor/filter their online behavior.  As Web 2.0 becomes more popular and Educational Technology online sites replace desktop software this has become more of an issue.  A lot of subscription based or Ed Tech sites require a student email address to create an account which can become a BIG issue when dealing w/ CIPA compliance, because a majority of students to not have a school email account.  That being said, there are still a number of Web 2.0 sites that do not require a student email address to create an account.

*This list is in alphabetical order.

20 Web 2.0 Sites not Requiring Student Email

1. 19 Pencils - A excellent site for finding educational resources, creating online quizzes, and bookmarking sites for students.  Also, teach ers create student accounts for access.
2. Aviary Education - A great suite of tools such as image and audio editors, where a teacher creates student accounts and class ID for logging in.
3. BeeClip - A wonderful site for creating digital scrapbooks where teachers create student accounts.
4. Diigo Educator - A nice site for social bookmarking and annotating sites where teachers create or imports student accounts.
5. Flocabulary - A neat site where students learn through educational hip-hop videos.  Teachers create one unique username and password for the class.
6. GlogsterEDU - A innovative site for creating interactive digital posters where teachers create student accounts.
7. GoAnimatae for Schools - A great site for making animated videos where teachers create student accounts.
8. Little Bird Tales - A wonderful site for digital storytelling where teacher creates student accounts or imports them.
9. MentorMob University - An innovative site for creating learning playlists ideal for guided learning.  Also, teachers create students accounts.
10. MusicShake Edu - A great way for students to create digital music online.  A teacher can create or import student accounts.
11. PhotoPeach Class Premium - A nice site for creating digital slideshows/presentations where teachers create student accounts.
12. Pixton for Schools - A terrific site for creating online comics for digital storytelling where teachers create a class code for logging in.
13. SideVibe - A wonderful site for turning web content into online lessons where teachers create student accounts.
14. SpellingCity - A great site for teaching/learning Vocabulary & Spelling where teachers can create or import student accounts w/ a premium membership.
15. Storybird - A nice site for digital storytelling where a parent can create a student account.
16. StoryJumper - A fantastic site for digital storytelling where teachers create a class and student accounts.
17. ToonDooSpaces - A nice site for creating online comics for digital storytelling where teachers create student accounts.
18. VoiceThread - One of the most popular web 2.0 sites for interactive digital storytelling where teachers create student accounts.
19. Yacapaca - A nice site for teachers for creating online quizzes & lessons where they create an activation code for logging in.
20.  Zimmer Twins - A cool site for creating animated movies for digital storytelling where teachers create student accounts.