Using Tablets as Interactive Whiteboards

Have you seen other teachers use their ipads as whiteboards?  I have and I was jealous because I didn’t have an ipad.  BUT, I do have an android tablet that I just love.  I recently came across an app that will let you control your computer from anywhere in your classroom.  You can annotate over anything on your computer screen and display it through a data projector.  I LOVE IT!  The app is called Splashtop Whiteboard and it works for ipads but it’s also the 1st app I have seen that works for android tablets.

 

Check out this video -

 

 

 

I’ve used this app to control a PowerPoint presentation as I roamed around my classroom.  Another time, we played a PowerPoint game with it.  I took the tablet to students and let them select the correct answer.  Let me tell you, student participation for that lesson was at an all time high! 

 

All you need to get started is the Splashtop Streamer app for your computer, the Splashtop Whiteboard app for your tablet, and a WiFi connection.  Easy peasy!

 

You can get more information about Splashtop Whiteboard from the Splashtop website or from the Google Play store.

 

Have a great week!

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Bye-Bye Google Reader, Hello Feedly

Google has decided to pull the plug on Google Reader.  As of July 1st, we will no longer be able to enjoy our favorite blogs through Google Reader.   If you are like me and depend on Google reader, I have found a solution for you.  Drum roll please…

It’s Feedly!  I’ve been using Feedly for a little while and what I like the most about it is the ability to change the way you view your feeds.  Check out these options:









I’m a visual person so magazine and card views are my favorites.  With both options, you get a small preview.  If you’re interested in reading the entire post, click on the title and it instantly pops up.  If there are posts you are not interested in, click on “mark as read” and they disappear. There are a lot of options with Feedly and it’s easy to use.  The best part is it’s available on iOS, Android, and through a web browser so you can use it on your phone, tablet, and computer.  If you’re interested, import your Google Reader feeds into Feedly Cloud and you’ll be seamlessly moved over.
When I first heard that Google Reader was retiring I was not at all thrilled.  However, I think Feedly will fit my needs perfectly!

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Font.My for Android Users

I don't know about you, but after seeing so many iPad users/bloggers create their own fonts, I've been green with envy.  I wanted so badly to make my own fonts but I don't have an iPad.  However, I DO have an android tablet and this past weekend I discovered an amazing new app in the Play store. Drum roll, please...

The trial version is free and you can make and download 1 font (lower case letters only).  It didn't take me long to decide I needed, okay, wanted the full version. I was able to get the full version for $2.99 which I thought was a good deal.  

This is an example of the first font that I created.  It's pretty basic but I still love it.  I'm sure I'll be creating plenty more.  This app is so simple to use that my children were zipping right through it creating their own fonts too.

Even though this isn't the typical Monday Made It post, I thought I would link up any way cuz I'm just so dang happy about my new find!!  I want to make sure all the Android users out there find out about this one!!

Have a great week!

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Browser Themes

I’ve been using Firefox as my browser for a long time and it has been working very well for me until recently.  Last night I had to switch to Google Chrome to play my favorite FB games because Flash kept crashing while I was using Firefox.  I can’t just leave anything plain so I started searching for the perfect Chrome theme.  I really do have more important things to do, but… I decided it couldn’t be too difficult for me to create my own. This is what I came up with.  I’m not absolutely crazy about it, but I do think it’s cute.



Since we are encouraged to use Chrome at school, I’m going to keep tinkering around with making my own theme.  I can’t decide if I’m going to make a Chrome theme to match my classroom theme or if I’m going to create one with our school mascot.  Hmm…so many possibilities!

I have found two easy ways to create a Chrome theme if you are interested in giving this a try.  The easiest theme creator I found was My Chrome Theme from the Google Chrome store.  It is super easy to use but it doesn’t offer many options.  I ended up using Theme Creator from ChromeTheme.net.  Theme Creator has basic features similar to My Chrome Theme, but it also has an advanced tab that gives you more options to work with. CNET has a wonderful tutorial on using Theme Creator if you need help.

I’m off to create more themes!  Let me know if you decide to create your own Google Chrome theme.  I would love to see what you come up with.

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