The Connected Classroom Presented by Brandi Jordan, Managing Director of The Teachers’ Lounge, a Really Good Stuff blog Tips for Using Technology in Lessons

Why connect? Digital age Proficient in technology Expand students’ worlds Relevant/timely lessons It’s fun!.. Photo by mikecogh (flickr.com)

Ways to Connect Class Blog Twitter Polls Cultural Exchanges Chat With.... Make a Video.. Photo by Asthma Helper (flickr.com)

Ease of set-up Blogger, WordPress, NiNG, EduBlogs, Kidblog.org Availability of privacy controls Password protection Stress privacy issues with parents Easy to update.. The Classroom Blog

Twitter Polls Set-up an account & link to other educators Ask questions about anything education related Direct followers to an online GoogleDocs survey.. Photo by Josh Semans (flickr.com)

Modern day pen-pals Connect with classrooms around the world using Skype, Twitter, videos, blogs, and Student teachers abroad.. Cultural Exchanges

Chat With... Skype, Twitter Chats, other video messaging Astronauts, authors, artists, museum curators, zoo keepers, other classrooms, etc... Photo by Julie Lindsay (flickr.com)

Make a Video Plays, poems, reading books, songs, etc. Post on password protected class blog/site. Share with other classes... Photo by DaveFayram (flickr.com)

Lesson Ideas Math: Graph data from a Twitter poll Reading: Book discussion via Skype Social Studies: Cultural exchange with students abroad Science: Make a daily video showing plant growth Writing: Student blogs!.. Photo by One Laptop per Child (flickr.com)

Now What? Check your school’s policies Check software & Internet access at school Talk with other teachers Start small, but dream big!..