Happy Friday Everyone. Several updates below regarding our AV classroom refresh as well as updates regarding several online tools.
Please let me know if you have any questions. Enjoy the long weekend!
AV Refresh: As mentioned at Tuesday's staff meeting, we are looking at interactive touch panels as a possible replacement for our classroom projector and speaker system. The other option would be an interactive Epson Brightlinks projector. Loker went with the BrightLinks when that school was reopened K-5.
Last week we had the opportunity to test out an interactive touch panel manufactured by ViewSonic called ViewBoard.
We found it to be very easy to use. It's like a giant iPad that would be mounted on your wall. Here are some of the benefits and features -
- Easily connect laptop
- Easily connect doc camera
- Attach an external camera for use when hosting a video chat (Skype or Google Hangout) as it captures the entire room not just those in front of your computer screen.
- No need to calibrate a stylus
- No need to charge a battery for the stylus
- Use stylus or finger
- Built-in speakers (No external speakers needed)
- No projector needed
- Crisp image
- Several HDMI and USB slots
PebbleGo (generally good for K-2)
PebbleGo Next (generally good for 3rd-5th)
Wordle: FYI - May brought it to my attention that Wordle is not working on any of our browsers. I connected with Joe and it appears that Wordle will not work anymore as browsers are blocking Java applets, which Wordle requires. Below are a couple of other options you can try if you wish to create word clouds.
https://worditout.com/word-
https://www.wordclouds.com/ (May is using this tool so she may have some advice or guidance)
https://www.wordclouds.com/ (May is using this tool so she may have some advice or guidance)