The top art-ed Tech tools ranked according to how often i use them

# 1 QR Codes

In my classroom, QR codes are king.

I love posting the link via QR code, and allowing my students to use iPads to access SOME information on the internet. It is awesome to create a Youtube vide and allow my students to access the digital information.

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#2 Ipad + apple tv + flat Screen

I just submitted a request to have my smartboard+projector removed. GASP!! It's true. My 'ol smartboard has become a redundancy in my classroom, when my television will sync wirelessly with my computer (reflector app on a mac) or my iPad. I'm not saying I'll never need the projector, I just really don't need the Smartboard anymore. I read an article....(can't remember where I saved it)....that reminded teachers not to use new technology exactly like they used old technology. Replacing the overhead projector with an iPad on a stand isn't really doing anything new with the technology...and I agree with that to some extent....its just hard to imagine delivering some content differently, but I'm working on it. Also, having a television with good speakers is just a million times better than those crappy computer speakers.

# 3 Smore.com Flyers

I just can't say enough good things about using a Smore flyer to deliver content. I love blogging, so these flyers look enough like a blog to satisfy the layout that I like and still structure the information in an interesting way that is easy for students to understand. Something new that I am trying this year, is providing a QR code that links to a Smore flyer, that provides information that students missed I'm still experimenting with how to use this if students are absent for a portion of the project, that allows them to view the information that was presented in class and instructions on how to catch up. I just introduced this concept to the students this week, I'll get back to you on how successful it is. (And how realistic it is to maintain this plan....perhaps I could have students who finish early take the photos and draft a description for the students who are absent.....still thinking about this whole process...)

#4 Justand ipad Stand

I know I've blogged about this before, but I love this stand. Last week, I used it as a tripod to record myself doing a painting demonstration, and I edited the video using iMovie. I felt very techny, and my students thought it was pretty cool...

Often I use it to hold my iPad while I thumb through a presentation or show a video, but its nice that my iPad has a home....instead of being buried under a pile of papers and a stack of art supplies.

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#5 Haiku Deck

Powerpoint is a great presentation software, but sometimes I just want something new and different. Haiku Deck is great, I can create the presentation on my iPad or my computer, and they have a plethora of images to use as the background on every slide, relating to the words on the slide. I've used it several times this year and I really like the clean format of the slides.

Have you heard of emaze? Its a presentation platform online that I tried recently and I am anxious to use for presentations, especially the 'art museum' one. Pretty cool!

Okay so those are the top five that I use regularly. I feel like I haven't shared anything completely NEW or DIFFERENT, but these are the ones I use all the time, that I am most comfortable with and that I feel like I have a good grasp on the success of each one.

This post is part of the blog challenge for teachers on the Teach Thought Blog.