Tech Tool of the Week: Google Custom Search

This week's tech tip is yet another cool tool from Google. Did you know that you can create your own customized search engine? Google Custom Search allows you to build a search engine customized with content for your grade level or for a particular unit of study. 

To get a sense of what a Google Custom Search looks like, check out this kid-friendly search engine created by a teacher. Try typing a term into the search box and look at the results. You'll notice that the results look like any other Google Search results, but now take a closer look at the sources. All of the results are from pages that the search creator chose.

One great feature of Google Custom Search is the ability to invite collaborators to contribute to your search engine. You could collaborate with other teachers to create a customized Google search, or even have your students help you build the custom search engine. 

To create your own customized search engine, go to the Google Search Engine home page and click on the blue button that says “Create a custom search engine”. Now fill out the form. You’ll need a title and a short description for your search engine, plus a list of the sites you would like to add to your search. Once you’ve finished the form, click the next button and you are finished! You can now test your new search engine. If you think of additional sites you would like to add later on, you can always come back and tweak what you’ve done.

To learn more about creating a Google Custom Search, click here for instructions. You can also watch the quick introductory video below. If you're interested in learning about more advanced techniques, check out Google's detailed instructions here.

Tech Tool of the Week: Google Lit Trips

Would you like to bring the literature you teach to life? Then try this week's featured technology tool, Google Lit Trips! A Google Lit Trip is a free, downloadable Google Earth file that maps the journeys of characters in a book. Using a Google Lit Trip, students can actually travel along with the characters in a story to all of the places where the characters go. You can use Google Lit Trips to accompany the literature your students read in class and enable your students to have a much richer experience of the story!

In a Google Lit Trip, a book character's journey is plotted out on Google Earth, and a marker is placed on each location where the character goes. At each place mark you can find a wealth of supplementary information including relevant photos and videos, questions for discussion, and links to information about "real world" references made in that section of the story. Students can see where the characters are and that the characters are in real places...sometimes even interacting with real history! In this way kids can travel with the characters in a fully immersive, interactive, three-dimensional environment.

To get started, go to the Google Lit Trips website to see which books are available.  There is a section for K-5 literature as well as a separate one for middle grades and one for high school. When you find a book that you would like to use, look on the upper right corner of the page for a link in the format "Download titleofyourbook.kmz". Click on this link and the Google Lit Trip file will automatically download. You must have Google Earth installed on your computer in order to view this file. If you don't already have Google Earth installed on your computer, you may download it for free by clicking here.


Once you download the file, open it by double-clicking. Google Earth opens and immediately puts your Google Lit Trip on the surface of the globe! You can start exploring the character's journey by clicking on the place marks as the globe spins and starts you on your journey.

To learn more about using Google Lit Trips, click here for instructions, or watch the tutorial video below:

Tech Tool of the Week: YouTube Teachers

Do you use video in your classroom? Would you like to try, but need a source of high quality educational videos? If so, this week's featured technology tool is just for you! YouTube Teachers is a section of YouTube designed for K-12 teachers to find and use the latest and greatest educational videos on YouTube. 

Who is behind YouTube Teachers? A team of teachers around the country reviews YouTube videos and creates playlists specific to subject and grade level.  There are over 300 playlists currently available on YouTube Teachers. These playlists are broken down by curriculum topics and age level. Even better, the videos are aligned with Common Core standards!

The teachers behind YouTube Teachers try to collect three types of videos for their playlists: hook videos (can be used to build questions at the start of the day), content videos, and further knowledge videos (which get kids to ask deeper questions and bridge to the real world).

To start finding great videos to use in your class, visit YouTube Teachers and click on the "Classroom Videos" tab. On the left you will see a list of subject areas (Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Teaching). Click on a subject area, then search by age level (elementary, middle, or high school). You will find a list of topics, each of which is linked to a playlist of videos.

The best part about YouTube Teachers is that the team behind the site is focused on keeping the playlists small (about 10-15 videos) and choosing short videos. What this means for you is that you can "spend less time searching and more time teaching!" 

Check out YouTube's great answer to the question: why use YouTube in the classroom? Go to YouTube Teachers and click on the "Why YouTube" tab. Or check out the brief video below!

Tech Tool of the Week: Reflection

This week's highlighted technology tool is an app called Reflection.  Reflection allows you to wirelessly mirror your iPad or iPhone to your Mac or PC.  This could be a great tool to use in class!  Imagine that you'd like to show your students something on your iPad or iPhone.  Once your computer is connected to your touchscreen monitor or projector, and the projector is turned on, open the Reflection app on your computer.  Then connect your iPad/iPhone to the computer using AirPlay.  Now everything you do on your iPad or iPhone will be displayed on the projector!

One nice feature of Reflection is that it allows a teacher to freely walk around the room with iPad in hand.  No more standing next to the wall hooked up to a projector cable!  Reflection creates a wireless AirPlay connection from the iPad to the projector.

Another possible use of Reflection is to have students share their iPad screens, demonstrations, presentations, artwork, music, etc.  Students can connect their iPad to your computer via AirPlay right from their seats!  (Please note that this only works with iPad 2 and 3, so the Lower School iPads are not compatible with Reflection.  For Lower School teachers who are interested in using Reflection with student iPads, please email IT Requests to reserve the Middle School iPads.)

If you are interested in trying Reflection, you can download a trial version that will allow you to try the app for ten minutes.  If you decide you would like a copy of this software for your computer, just contact IT and we will purchase a license for you. 

Below is a short video that contains a demo of the Reflection app:

Tech Tool of the Week: Google Drive for iPad/iPhone

In light of our recent tech training on Google Drive, this is the perfect time to build upon your skills by trying out Google Drive on your phone or tablet!  Google Drive is available not only through the web or on your desktop, but also as an app for your iPad, iPhone, or Android.  Recently Google released an updated version of Google Drive for mobile devices that has some handy new features.  Here are some of the things you can do on Google Drive for your iPhone or iPad:

• Access all the files that you add to Google Drive on your computer
• Share a file (such as a document, photo, etc.) with others
• Read the most up-to-date version of your documents
• Create and edit new documents 
• Format text in your documents (change color, font, size, etc.)
• Create new Google Drive folders and move files into folders



Google Drive on iPhone

• Upload files (like photos and videos) from your iPhone/iPad directly into Google Drive

Best of all, any changes you make while working in Google Drive on your phone or tablet will be automatically synchronized, so you will see all of those changes the next time you access Google Drive on your computer!

Google Drive for iPhone/iPad/Android is great for working on the go.  You can even make files available offline so you can view them when you're in a place with no Internet access (like on a plane).  It's perfect for jotting down notes in meetings, too.  Give it a try!  Stop by the IT office for help installing and setting up Google Drive on your tablet or smartphone, and come to Tech Tuesdays for help getting started using Google Drive on your phone or tablet.

Google Drive on iPad 

Tech Tool of the Week: Popplet

This week's featured technology tool is an iPad app called Popplet, a great tool for organizing ideas and thoughts. In Popplet, users can create large text boxes called "popples". Once a popple is added, it is easy to insert text, drawings, or photos. Resize, add, and move popples with simple, touch-friendly gestures. Once you are finished, export your diagram to a JPG or PDF file. A great app for unleashing creativity!

Popplet can fit into almost any aspect of a lesson. Here are some of the ways you could use Popplet in your classroom:

• Brainstorming
• Map concepts
• Create timelines
• Presentations
• Plan projects using diagrams
• Record thoughts: journals, notes, lists
• Assist with remembering new facts and figures

Michael Hsu and Cheryl Teng recently demonstrated a creative application of Popplet in their classrooms: 5th grade students created Popplets in which they drew a face and then surrounded the face with descriptive sentences. The objective of the lesson was to practice writing Chinese poetry while incorporating moral education (concern for others). Check out the photos below!

5th Grader Soong Ming H. works on his Popplet

Hsu Laoshi helps his students with their Popplet project

Sample of a student's work

Tech Tool of the Week: Motion Math Apps

Looking for a fun way to give your students extra practice with newly learned math skills? How about trying an iPad math game? This week's highlighted tech tool is a group of math games for iPad by a company called Motion Math.  So far Motion Math has released five different math games appropriate for a wide range of ages, ranging from PreK through middle school. Several of these apps were CAIS student favorites in computer class last year! 

Consider borrowing the iPad cart and having your students spend some time practicing their math skills using one of the Motion Math apps. Stop by a Tech Tuesday to get some hands-on time with  the iPads and try out these games yourself!

Here is a description of the Motion Math games:

1. Hungry Fish (PK - 8th): Practice mental addition and subtraction. Includes a game for adding/subtracting negative numbers (appropriate for middle schoolers and up). A highly addictive, well-designed game that is a student favorite!

2. Hungry Guppy (PK - 1st): A great app for early number learning. Similar to Hungry Fish, but geared for younger kids (especially age 3 - 4). Students build basic number sense and addition skills.

3. Motion Math (3rd - 8th): Helps students perceive and estimate fractions in multiple forms (including decimals and percents).  Move fractions to their correct place on the number line.  A very fun app!

4. Zoom (1st - 8th): Master place value by placing numbers on a number line.  Starts at basic numbers and moves into negatives and decimals.

5. Wings (1st - 6th): Improve mental multiplication and estimation skills. Students must direct their flying bird to pass over the larger of two numbers, represented in various ways: rows of dots, clusters of dots, groups of dots, a grid, a labeled grid, and symbols (e.g. 2 x 3).

Not only have CAIS students played Motion Math apps in the past, but they have also contributed to the development of some of these apps!  The Motion Math team visited CAIS twice last year and once this fall to test their apps with our students. Last spring, 1st - 4th graders helped test "Motion Math: Wings" before it was publicly released. Motion Math returned to CAIS in early September to test their latest app with our 6th graders. This new game focuses on estimation skills and adds a competitive element: it is designed to be played in pairs or small groups. Stay tuned for news on its release!

Motion Math co-founder Jacob Klein works with CAIS student Arthur S. (then a member of the 1st Grade Green class) in May 2012.

CAIS 6th graders Henry P. and Harrison H. test the latest Motion Math app in technology class, September 2012.

Tech Tool of the Week: SpellingCity

Exciting news in the 6th grade!  This year students will learn spelling and vocabulary through a fantastic program called SpellingCity.  I've heard teachers rave about this website at conferences, so I was thrilled to learn that our very own Mr. Sproull is trying this program with his students this year!  Even better, SpellingCity has a new iPad app to accompany its website, so our 6th graders can use the app on their iPads (provided through the new, 6th grade 1:1 iPad pilot program).

On SpellingCity, teachers can choose ready-made lists of words or create their own custom lists.  There is a wide variety of word lists to choose from, ranging from comprehensive grade level lists (levels PK through 12th grade) to lists of words specific to certain topics (like science or math vocabulary).   Students can practice spelling these words and study their definitions.  To help students learn the proper pronunciation of the words on their practice lists, SpellingCity provides clear, spoken recordings of every word.  Students can study spelling, make flashcards, play games, and take tests to check their progress.  

The new SpellingCity iPad app!

One feature of SpellingCity that Jake particularly likes is that kids can take as many games and quizzes as they want and can progress at their own pace.  In his class, the requirement is to pass at least one test per week, which amounts to about 20 words.  His students are to spend at least two days per week for 20 minutes at a time practicing spelling/vocabulary on SpellingCity.

As an added benefit, parents can log on to monitor their child's progress!  Best of all, SpellingCity is free for basic membership.  Premium membership gives kids access to additional learning activities, allows students to have individual log-ins, and enables teachers to track their students' progress.  At an affordable price of $1.95 per student, it is worth the upgrade for Mr. Sproull's 6th grade class!

To learn more about SpellingCity, take a moment to watch these two short (1-minute) videos that provide a quick introduction to SpellingCity.  The first is geared toward Teachers and Parents, and the second shows students how to use the site.

Want to learn more?  Check out SpellingCity's Teacher Resources section or look through their Training Videos.  Or, as always, you can ask me for help...and be sure to ask Jake how it's going with his 6th graders!

Tech Tool of the Week: VoiceThread

VoiceThread is a terrific tool for digital storytelling that is available both on the web and on the iPad. Students can upload photos or documents and record audio or video commentary. In addition, they can invite others to record and add their own commentary. Using simple tools, students can quickly create multimedia presentations. Ideas for ways students could use VoiceThread include: 

• Create virtual tours
• Report on books they've read
• Comment on historically significant photographs
• Debate a topic 

Two things make VoiceThread unique as a digital storytelling tool. First, VoiceThread makes it easy to add audio commentary to images and documents. Second, VoiceThread allows users to add multiple commentaries to a single artifact.

To learn how to use VoiceThread, you can watch this tutorial video.

To see examples of how VoiceThread can be used in a classroom setting, take a look at VoiceThread's library of articles about successful VoiceThread projects. In particular, here is an example of an immigration project on Ellis Island from a 5th grade class.

Tech Tool of the Week: Edutopia

Welcome back to school!  Hope you had a great summer and are feeling energized for the new school year.  One of my favorite parts about teaching is the unique opportunity we get as educators to start fresh every year.  It's a chance to try new things in your classroom; to repeat things that worked well or change things that didn't; to recreate yourself as a teacher and, as our mission says, to strive to "become your best self".  How many other professions get the same type of opportunity?  We are lucky, indeed!

Here at CAIS we have had a lot of change in our technology program in a short time.  We sincerely appreciate everyone's patience and cooperation.  Xiaoqing and I are looking forward to helping you find new and exciting ways to integrate technology into your curriculum this year!

For my first post of the new school year, I wanted to recommend one of my favorite resources for learning about educational technology.  Edutopia is a fantastic website run by the George Lucas Educational Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging innovation in schools.  The website has a wealth of resources for teachers on topics such as project-based learning, technology integration, social and emotional learning, integrated studies, teacher development and comprehensive assessment.  

In addition, Edutopia sends out a weekly newsletter that contains links to practical, interesting articles and videos.  The newsletters also provide great ideas about how to use technology in the classroom.  Sign up for Edutopia's weekly newsletter here.  Spending a few minutes each week reading Edutopia's newsletter would be a great way to get new ideas for ways you can integrate technology into your curriculum.


From everyone here in the IT office, we wish you a terrific start to the school year!

Build Your Tech Skills This Summer

School's out for summer!  Congratulations to all of the CAIS faculty and staff on wrapping up a terrific school year.

While you are enjoying your time off this summer, why not take advantage of your free time and learn a new technology skill?  CAIS recently subscribed to lynda.com, a website with thousands of classes you can take on subjects such as digital photography, video, software, basic computer use, operating systems...the list goes on and on!  Peter Moore described this as being like "great surf, Christmas, and my birthday all rolled into one."


Take a look at Lynda and see what courses interest you.  You can watch just one short tutorial per day (each video is about 2 minutes long) and complete a course in no time at all.  You will learn more about a topic than you ever thought possible!


Here is how to get started:

1. While you are on campus at 150 Oak St. (you cannot set up an account from home), go to: http://iplogin.lynda.com
2. Click "Create a Profile"
3. Sign up using your CAIS email address
4. Start using lynda.com!  (Once you have signed up, you will be able to access Lynda from anywhere.)

Hope that you enjoy using lynda.com!  We think it will be a terrific resource for our faculty in providing another way to build new technology skills.  The beauty of lynda.com is that you can access it anytime, anywhere, whenever it is convenient for you.

From all of us here in the IT Department, we wish you and your families a fun, relaxing, rejuvenating summer break!

Tech Tool of the Week: TED Talks

This week's highlighted technology tool is TED Talks.  TED (Technology, Education, and Design) is a nonprofit organization that sponsors "riveting talks by remarkable people".  These talks are made free to the world through TED's website.  More than 900 talks are available, and they are all free to watch and use!  There are many fascinating talks by smart, interesting, creative people.  TED Talks are great for watching on your own or for sharing with your class!


Now you can not only watch TED talks on your computer, but also on your iPhone or iPad!  TED just released a free iPhone/iPad app which you can use to download any TED talk and watch it offline.  In addition, our school iPads all have the TED app installed.  So if you find a TED talk that you would like your students to watch, you could either project it in front of the entire class or have individuals students watch it on the iPads.


Here are a few recommendations for TED Talks to get you started.  These are all favorites of our very own Peter Moore.


Steve Jobs
John Wooden
Sheena Iyengar
Ken Robinson
The 20 most-watched TED Talks (as of June 2011)

Tech Tool of the Week 2: Storia

Since our first Tech Tool of the Week is a Chinese app, here is a similar tool that is appropriate for our English classes.  Storia is a new iPad app that is designed for reading Scholastic eBooks on iPads, Android tablets, or Windows computers.  The app is free and comes with five free eBooks.  Beyond that, teachers (or parents) can purchase from a wide selection of books appropriate to a variety of different age levels.  Scholastic is continuously expanding their library of eBooks, so more and more titles will become available over time.


The eBooks include audio narration, pronunciation tools, and phonics and vocabulary activities.  Older readers can highlight, take notes, and watch videos that provide real-world context for book topics.  Scholastic also offers a series of "Enriched eBooks" which feature word games, story interactions, and animations.


This is a great app to recommend to parents who are looking for educational iPad apps for their children to use at home!  While Storia is not currently installed on our classroom sets of iPads, we would be happy to install it if teachers are interested in using it in their classes.

Tech Tool of the Week 1: ChildRoad for iPads!

Many of our Chinese faculty are already familiar with ChildRoad, a website that offers over 1,000 books read in Mandarin by professional actors and television hosts in China, with characters and Pinyin for reading along.  ChildRoad has now released an iPad app featuring all of the books from its website!  This app is newly installed on our Lower School and Middle School iPads.  Now Chinese faculty who are interested can borrow the iPad carts and allow children to read and listen to ChildRoad stories on the iPads.  Please feel free to spread the word to parents who may like to download this app on their personal iPads for children to use at home.