The Technology Integration Matrix (TIM)

The Technology Integration Matrix (TIM) illustrates how teachers can use technology to enhance learning for K-12 students. The TIM incorporates five interdependent characteristics of meaningful learning environments: active, constructive, goal directed (i.e., reflective), authentic, and collaborative (Jonassen, Howland, Moore, & Marra, 2003). The TIM associates five levels of technology integration (i.e., entry, adoption, adaptation, infusion, and transformation) with each of the five characteristics of meaningful learning environments.

Stocks, Dividends, and Inflation Explained in Under Two Minutes

a great collection of short video explanations of important topics in economics. Investopedia has a great YouTube channel in which they explain in two minutes or less concepts like inflation, stocks, and dividends.

This post originally appeared on Free Technology for Teachers

Watch, Know, Learn

WatchKnowLearn

What is WatchKnowLearn?

Imagine hundreds of thousands of great short videos, and other media, explaining every topic taught to school kids. Imagine them rated and sorted into a giant Directory, making them simple to find. WatchKnowLearn is a non-profit online community devoted to this goal.

Math Playground

Math PlaygroundHere is a site for comparing fractions- it teaches students how to do it then they can practice interactively.

Thanks to Paul Mueller for the link!

February Teacher Update From Scholastic - February Themes

President's Day

Valentine's Day

Black History Month

Book Reviews for Kids, By Kids

Scholastic has a great service called Share What You Read that students can use to create and read book reviews online. Scholastic provides a simple form on which students can write and submit their book reviews. Students do not have to create an account to use the book review service.

Scholastic's Share What You Read service is very easy for students to use and for teachers to incorporate into the classroom. The advantage of using the Scholastic service over a creating a wiki for the class is that the Scholastic service saves teachers time. The Scholastic service does not require users to create an account prior to writing a review. In fact, the only information they ever ask for is the student's first name, grade, and state.
This post originally appeared on Free Technology for Teachers

Microsoft Security Essentials

According to the Microsoft’s website this is the anti-annoying, anti-expensive (its free), anti-virus program.  This anti-malware software can be used with Windows XP or higher including windows Vista and Windows 7. Microsoft Security Essentials will guard against viruses, spyware, and other evil software. It provides real-time protection for your home PCs and laptops is simple to install, easy to use and it runs quietly and efficiently in the background so you don't have to worry about interruptions or making updates.