Prezi's- You Can Be Techy Too!

This week was the TN School Counseling and Administrators Institute, a wonderful conference I look forward to every year.
I learned lots, left with many ideas I can't wait to share, but my favorite breakout session was "I'm Techy And I Know It" hosted by the amazing Greene County team.

Here is why I loved this break out:

1) I actually have more tech knowledge than I thought or give myself credit for. For example, I was one of few people in the room who blogged (yay! and thanks for reading) and also one of the few people with a LiveBinder.

2) I went home and immediately used the info given. I updated my Pinterest site to match my website and brand. Visit it here: http://pinterest.com/sassyscounselor/   and visit Nashville Pittie's page here: http://pinterest.com/nashvillepittie

3) It was practical, informative, and inspiring. While I don't have an iPad (yet) I left with many many ideas that I can do.

For example, do you know about Prezi's? I love it! It's like PowerPoint on crack (sorry but there is simply no other way to describe it's awesomeness.) I have created a few since Tuesday just for practice. I also love that you can download them as a PDF and search and share for other Prezi's (you know I love to beg, borrow, and steal!)
Do you have a Prezi to share? Share Share!! Here are mine thus far:

Middle School Transition (for a parent workshop I am hosting) http://prezi.com/qck4nj9zjoxo/middle-school-transition/
*note I am still building this one!






Pittie Please: http://prezi.com/wsu00ohk00en/pittie-please/



The Prezi that started it all: http://prezi.com/nuu24blefvua/im-techy-and-i-know-it/

Keep checking back as I update with more ideas I learned and implemented!

Down the Rabbit Hole

This is actually an entry about time, and when I thought of time I thought of Alice In Wonderland.

Here are my current favorite timers. I use these in small groups, in the classroom, and for individual students that have trouble staying on task.

Timer Tools- This software is loaded on my computer so I can easily pull it up on the SmartBoard. There are a variety of clocks; a countdown timer, hourglass timer, stop watch, and spot light timer are among the many.

Visual Timer-  One of our students with Autism had this one day and I fell in love. On a whim I asked our Central Office if I might have a few to check out to teachers and I got two! (Never hurts to ask right!) If I had a limitless budget I would get every teacher in my school one of these clocks. It runs on a battery and you can set it to however much time you are assigning to a project. The red it a nice visual for students about how much time they have and it disappears as their time decreases. I especially love the three sizes, the small is great to put on a students desk and the largest is perfect for the entire class to see.

Sand Timers- I love "old fashioned" sand timers. I have picked up a few on clearance at Kohls and stores such as TJ Maxx. I love them as decor as well as for practical use.