Graphite & Mindset

I missed Tech Tuesday, so here is Where-did-the-week-go Wednesday!

I have mentioned Graphite before, it is the teacher resources section of Common Sense Media, the organization that we use for digital literacy instruction. Graphite is a great first stop if  you are looking for education apps.

This week Graphite announced a Lesson Plan Challenge that ties in perfectly with our study of Mindset this year. The primary focus is on math lessons, but they said they will accept technology rich lessons from all disciplines as long as they have a Mindset focus. I know a February 29th deadline is difficult with everything going on, but maybe you have an existing lesson to enter? If nothing else, I look forward to sharing the winners so we can watch Mindset in action.

Graphite

If you bookmark one site I recommend all year, let this be the one. Seriously.

You all know by now how much I rely on CommonSense Media. I use their reviews to help me purchase books, I use their curriculum to teach digital citizenship, and now, I use Graphite. Created in collaboration with the Bill Gates Foundation, CommonSense Media created Graphite to be a resource for teachers who are trying to find the best websites and apps to use in the classroom. It’s visually attractive, and easy to search by subject, grade, price, or platform (app, PC Game, website). The site is like mine, only way, way better! There’s tons of content to explore, including a blog with great ed tech ideas. You can also create “boards,” or collections of apps you use or want to use, and add your own “field notes” based on your experiences.