The Journal

I came across a site that intereseted me.

http://thejournal.com/Forms/Search-Results.aspx?query=technology%20in%20the%20classroom&collection=THEJournal_Web

Many of the headings seemed to be precisely what I was looking for.
Some of the headings included:

• THE Journal: Educators' Mobile Devices of the Future
• Teachscape Reflect Video Expands Classroom Recording Support
• THE Journal: New Media: It's a 'Pull, Pull' World
• New Service Puts Texting Back in the Classroom- THE Journal

Mobile Devices of the Future told educators to conjure up what they would love to have as a movile device that could help students achieve higher learning skills. Some of the Apps that were mentioned were My Big Campus which helps the teacher access educational resources easily like You Tube videos, online assignments, activity feeds, group discussions, and more, using a filter to monitor all activity. (All the users must have My Big Campus accounts though). Another language and literacy software developer Imagine Learning launched a learning application called Gamester. It's designed for young students, and has interactive games that help them master the alphabet. I think it's funny that since we were just discussing in class how games had pros and cons to them. This app times the students, like a race, to race the clock and see how many letters they can identify.

One other mobile device app I found was eChalk. After doing the SKYPE in class and talking about how we would or wouldn't use Facebook in the classroom, I find myself being more open to it. eChalk is just another one of those accounts you can create and have parents/students get access to be up to date on school information, events coming up, assignments, and ever class discussions. Once again it's just another place a parent would have to log into and check up on their student. Facebook seems to simplify that issue.

I've considered using texting in the classroom and IMing. This service called StudyBoost just encourages me more. It's obvious teen-agers are attached to their phones like their life depends on it, as am I SOMETIMES! The problem is, when a student whips out their phone in class it's because they want to talk with a friend, or discuss something, or use their device for something more interested than listening to the teacher in the classroom. Why not include them with the tools they enjoy using, THEIR PHONES! StudyBoost is a service that recently launch officially, concluding a lengthy run in beta mode where it gained a small following, mostly among curious teachers. The service allows students and teachers to create batches of questions and answers online, which can be used individually or shared with the whole class. students simply add StudyBoost to their contacts list on their phone. When there is a new question post they recieve a text. They respond with an answer and they recieve a text back telling them if their answer was correct or not. Teacher have send and reveived  more than 200,000 text messages. There are new features with the service including statistics page, embed an IM-style chat box within Moodle and otehr edu. websites.
The Founder is Raphael Hickling says, "My goal for StudyBoost was to be an enhancement, or a sidekick that can help students study, as it stands now, it's not a central study tool. It's like an assistant."

I keep finding new tools that interest me! It's amazing how many are out there...now the hard part, putting it to good use and in a innovative way!