Safer Internet Day (SID) launched in February of 2004 and has gained popularity ever since. The event promotes “safer and more responsible use of online technology. . .especially amongst children and young people across the world.” This year, on February 10th, SID will be turning 12! If you’re interested in participating, you can register here. SID also has resources for schools here. How do you promote internet safety? Be sure to submit your strategies!
All posts by Theresa
Enhance your YouTube experience!
YouTube fans, start the celebration! Mark O’Neill of MakeUseOf has a great resource for you – his list of 5 Useful Tools For The YouTube Enthusiast. O’Neill highlights apps and other programs that are designed to work with the YouTube website and making your tubing experience easier (and more enjoyable). Whether you’re listening to music or want to send a friend just a part of that funny video, he’s got a tool for you!
Your Favorite Literature in 140 Characters or Less
Thanks to Twitter and other social media, we live in a sound byte world. Keeping that in mind, what would our favorite authors and characters say in just 140 characters? Well, these Twitter accounts attempt to give us some answers! Check out a sassy Voldemort, a modern Shakespeare, and 7 Other Hilarious Twitter Accounts You Should Follow. You’ll find some clever things, like this tweet from @HalfPintIngalls (as Laura Ingalls Wilder) on Black Friday:
HOLIDAY SHOPPING IS CRAZY!!! IT'S 6AM & I'VE ALREADY TORN 3 PAGES IN THE MONTGOMERY WARD CATALOG!!! FLIP FLIP FLIP FLIP FLIP FLIP FLIP…
— Laura Ingalls Wilder (@HalfPintIngalls) November 28, 2014
Image credit: http://tinyurl.com/octmsd6, licensed under CC BY 2.0
Recommended App: Umano
Recently, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) came out with their 25 Best Apps for Teaching & Learning for 2014. The apps were chosen because they foster innovation, creativity, active participation, and collaboration.
One of the featured apps is Umano. This app presents the news verbally – news stories are read out loud (multiple languages are available), but users can look at the full text of the article as well. Users can also change the narration speed! AASL says, “there are also social media tools built in, allowing readers to share stories they have listened to, comment, and read reviews and opinions.”
Umano is recommended for grades 6-12 and is available for free on iOS and Android. Check out the promotional video:
Recommended App: Kodable
Recently, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) came out with their 25 Best Apps for Teaching & Learning for 2014. The apps were chosen because they foster innovation, creativity, active participation, and collaboration.
Kodable is one such app. The app teaches coding to kids in a gaming environment. Fuzzes – the characters users play with – “are very logical and will follow every command exactly as you tell them,” says the AASL. Rewards of stars and coins encourage users to keep playing.
The free app is available on iOS and is recommended for grades K-2. See Kodable in action: