EdTech Resource: Teacher Tap

This is another new resource I stumbled across for this blog. Welcome to Teacher Tap 

At first glance this webpage does not seem like all that much, and in 2016 - it looks like it out of date...well it kind of is...

Teacher Tap was last copyright in 2007 (Nearly 10 years now) But here is why I think it is still might be worth a look, especially if you are new to the teaching profession, or are just starting to dabble into online teaching, and your students either know more than you; or are having trouble answering student questions. 

The landing page does have a warning statement that they are in the process of updating the resources, so there is a mixture of newer and older resources. 

Teacher Trap is free , professional development resource that helps educators and librarians address common questions about the use of technology in teaching and learning by providing easy access to practical, online resources and activities.

As an English teacher, I was excited for the Literature and Literacy page; however, the links for Informational Inquiry are all dead...(the cons of an older resource). Otherwise, the page breaks down some of the digital basics for students, such as copyright information, and plagiarism, and how to safety and accurately surf the internet. 

While these may seem like basic digital literacy skills, many students till lack these skills, and only learn of their lack of digital literacy once they reach Post-Secondary and cannot find valid internet sources. 

That is the section on Information Skills and Digital Ethics would work perfectly or Digital Literacy lessons starting at a Grade 9 level.  

The Page of Technology Tools actually gives a basic breakdown of the majority of software students will encounter in school and at home. Basics like how to navigate a PDF file, to how to use email, and filters to your advantage. 

Overall - if you are already a Technology Teacher, Teacher Tap is not for you. It will be well below your level of understanding and the lesson levels are probably below the ones you already have developed. If you are a new teacher and looking for a kick-start to your own lesson portfolio, Teacher Tap may be able to give you a hand. 

EdTech Resource: ReadWriteThink

To visit this resource, please click: ReadWriteThink 

Mission Statement: "Here at ReadWriteThink, our mission is to provide educators, parents, and after school professionals with access to the highest quality practices in reading and language arts instruction by offering the very best in free materials."

This is the first time I have come across ReadWriteThink. So if you have any feedback on this resource that you would like to add - please let me know. 

ReadWriteThink has partnered with the International Literacy Association, the National Council of Teachers of English, and The Verizon Foundation to help improve the literacy rates across the United States. 

Why is this helpful to Canadians you ask? Well it might not be in every case; but it is still a resource for helping improve literacy rates at your school. ReadWriteThink also has some of the highest standards for online lesson plans that I have seen. 

ReadWriteThink says that, "every lesson plan on ReadWriteThink has been aligned not only to the IRA/NCTE Standards for the English Language Arts but to individual state standards as well."  

If you want to read more about their Standards of Alignment, please see their webpage for details. 

ReadWriteThink has divided their webpage into four key sections, 

1. Classroom Resources 
2. Professional Development Resources
3. Videos
4. Parent and After School Resources 

I think the Professional Development and Parent Resources are some of the most important to teachers and parents alike. There are so many webpages out there that offer lesson plans, but very few that offer a good set of tools for Professional Development. 

The PD section offers a library suggestions, however the majority of its recommendations are just there as recommendations, they are not online publications, and you have to go elsewhere to purchase the book. The PD section also offers different strategy guides, and online meeting and events (again in the US - so for those of us North of the boarder, it doesn't help.) 

What I find most interesting about the PD section is it's exclusive online PD. While there are currently no planned online webinars, they do offer webinars on demand, as well as links to other online programs and courses.