Pyonkee - Another Coding App for Kids from Scratch

Coding is hot right now in Ed Tech and there are quite a few fun apps out there to get kids excited.  A few that come to mind are Tynker, Hopscotch, Daisy the Dinosaur, Kodable to name a few, and site like code.org and madewithcode.com.

A new one I learned about today at NCCE is made by the same folks at MIT who made Scratch and it's called Pyonkee.  Here's their description:

Tired of consuming? Let's enjoy creating! Based on Scratch, Pyonkee provides a real, programming environment, anytime, anywhere!

Pyonkee is a new dynamic media for developing various ideas. By combining visual blocks, kids/adults are able to create original games, animations, and stories on their own. Through the programming process, we will learn about logics, productivity, creativity, and collaborations.

Pyonkee has been developed from the open-source code of "Scratch 1.4" from MIT Media Lab. Since Pyonkee is fully compatible with Scratch 1.4, millions of existing Scratch projects can be used for reference.

Pyonkee's user interface is optimized for touch interfaces. We do not need a cumbersome typing, even a mouse. Just program wherever you like. Pyonkee nicely supports pinch-in/out display, font scaling for small devices. Moreover, sound recorder and camera are provided for importing your sounds and pictures into the projects. We can mix various media on Pyonkee and program them.

Dive into the fun of visual programming!

Use ThemeSpark to Easily Create Standards-Based Rubrics

ThemeSpark is a great tool that helps you make kid-friendly rubrics in about 30 seconds.  You can login with your Google credentials, choose your grade level and standard, and the tool creates a 4-point rubric for you instantly.  Give it a shot!

Authors Who Will Skype for Free!

I am lucky enough to be at NCCE this week learning about stuff that is interesting to me and it makes me think, "How many times do we frame things for kids in class that aren't interesting?"  I know we have to teach our content but that doesn't mean it can't be exciting and engaging.  I truly think one of the teacher's main roles is to do take the cardboard content and turn it into art using their personality and skill set (and technology).  One thing our pilot teachers have been challenged with is breaking down or poking holes in their classroom walls to see what's on the outside and give their students an authentic audience.

One session I went to today talked about a resource that lists authors who will Skype with classrooms for free, which is a phenomenal idea.  I highly encourage the use of Skype to make connections and reach out to places beyond our peer groups, teachers, and parents.

Authors Who Will Skype for Free

Quickly Create Google Docs via URL & Bookmark

Note: There's also a Chrome extension called Google Docs Quick Create that does the same thing as the tip below (but mine is one-click, there's is two ;o)

Here's a neat tool that allows you to quickly create a Google document (doc, sheet, slide, or drawing) simply by clicking on a bookmark.

You can drag the links below directly into your Bookmarks toolbar or create a folder in your toolbar and drag them into there.  You can also test this by just clicking the links (note: these are specific to Wenatchee School District accounts.  Click the links below them to universal accounts).

• Create Google Doc in WSD Drive
• Create Google Sheet in WSD Drive
• Create Google Slides in WSD Drive
• Create Google Drawing in WSD Drive

Use these links for Google accounts outside of Wenatchee School District

• https://docs.google.com/document/create
• https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?new
• https://docs.google.com/presentation/create
• https://docs.google.com/drawings/create

Always Clear Downloads - Great Chrome Extension

One of my pet peeves is doing the same task over and over again that I do not like.  For example, clicking the little 'X' button in the Chrome browser to hide downloads that have finished downloading.  It's annoying and the 'X' is really small.  I know it sounds like a small issue in the grand scheme of things, but anything to make my life more efficient and easier, that allows me to focus on the task at hand, is a winner in my book.

That's the the Chrome extension Always Clear Downloads comes in really handy.  After a file is finished downloading the extension simply removes the fact that you downloaded it by removing it from the footer bar in Chrome.  It doesn't remove the file, it just stops staring at you, reminding you that you downloaded the file.  Simplistic genius!

Thinglink for Thank You Cards

Mrs. Brown's class at Lincoln Elementary recently took a field trip to Barn Beach Reserve in Leavenworth, WA.  Along the way they used the Android tablets to document their learning and play some bingo too!  I got to tag along and document their process via photos, video, and audio clips.  Today they sent me a virtual thank you card via Thinkglink.  Part of my challenge to our Pilot teachers has been to think outside the classroom and one way Mrs. Brown's kids have done that is by using Thinglink to compile all of their videos, blogs, and images into one place they can then share with Barn Beach as a way to show their learning and gratitude.  Nice job Mrs. Brown and all of the kids who have participated.

Tech TV Episode 3

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