I am manually reviewing the top sites on Quantcast to find the highest volume educational sites. While I need to refine my definitions, I'm focusing on K12. Data is monthly.
Merriam Webster: Do they count?
addictinggames.com 161
Nick.com 184th
Funbrain.com: 10 M people, 135 Million page views. 189th
Discovery.com 214
Miniclip 232
NationalGeographic 238
Gamestop 269
pbskids.org 310
bigfishgames 372
greatschools.net 425
enchantedlearning.com 448 2.9M people,
coolmath-games.com 541
primarygames.com 575
scholastic.com 586
virginia.edu 705
studyisland.com 732
edhelper.com 735
stanford.edu
christianbook.com 794
wonderhowto.com 795
agame.com 797
factmonster 865
starfall.com 892
nickjr 887
myiqquiznow.com 922
questia.com 984
....
SpellingCity.com 3050
ufl.edu
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Research-based....bah hambug
I received an email inquiry from a bright-eyed new teacher which somehow triggered this response from me....
Inquiry: I am trying to find out if SpellingCity.com is research-based. I am an undergraduate student. I am not working on research so much as finding the best resources to help a student that I am working with. I need the resources that I use to be research-based. As a prospective teacher, I am keeping track of good resources to use in my classroom someday.
My rant of an answer:
Here's my two cents on research-based. It is very expensive to get something properly researched. Consequently, the reseach-based concept is badly undermined. For instance, I might go through the effort refining and documenting SpellingCity.com as research-based. Frankly, I'm considering it. I could then promote it as research-based. People would look at the article on research-based and be comforted and be able to use it.
Research-based might actually mean that I hire a professor to write a report citing references that support this approach. And, perhaps, we take three groups of 3rd grade students, teach with SpellingCity versus some other approach, and document that their spelling improved.
So, how does that tell a tutor of a student, in a one-on-one situation, perhaps a child with APD or ADD or gifted or mainstream, whether this is a good list to use or not for that particular student's needs?
How does that guide a teacher who already has a superior approach to teaching spelling?
What about 1st graders? Fifth graders?
In short, I've generally seen research-based labels used to promote all sorts of things in all sorts of places when in fact, the research had next to nothing to do with the questions being asked.
Here's an intereting point: By restricting spending government money on research-proven initiatives, teachers risk losing confidence in their own judgement and common sense. And students in public schools are inevitably denied use of any new services or anything from a company that does not have extravagent funding. This is probably why charter schools, private schools, and homeschoolers have much better educational experiences than those students in public schools.
Keep thinking on your own to evaluate what's useful and what's not.
Inquiry: I am trying to find out if SpellingCity.com is research-based. I am an undergraduate student. I am not working on research so much as finding the best resources to help a student that I am working with. I need the resources that I use to be research-based. As a prospective teacher, I am keeping track of good resources to use in my classroom someday.
My rant of an answer:
Here's my two cents on research-based. It is very expensive to get something properly researched. Consequently, the reseach-based concept is badly undermined. For instance, I might go through the effort refining and documenting SpellingCity.com as research-based. Frankly, I'm considering it. I could then promote it as research-based. People would look at the article on research-based and be comforted and be able to use it.
Research-based might actually mean that I hire a professor to write a report citing references that support this approach. And, perhaps, we take three groups of 3rd grade students, teach with SpellingCity versus some other approach, and document that their spelling improved.
So, how does that tell a tutor of a student, in a one-on-one situation, perhaps a child with APD or ADD or gifted or mainstream, whether this is a good list to use or not for that particular student's needs?
How does that guide a teacher who already has a superior approach to teaching spelling?
What about 1st graders? Fifth graders?
In short, I've generally seen research-based labels used to promote all sorts of things in all sorts of places when in fact, the research had next to nothing to do with the questions being asked.
Here's an intereting point: By restricting spending government money on research-proven initiatives, teachers risk losing confidence in their own judgement and common sense. And students in public schools are inevitably denied use of any new services or anything from a company that does not have extravagent funding. This is probably why charter schools, private schools, and homeschoolers have much better educational experiences than those students in public schools.
Keep thinking on your own to evaluate what's useful and what's not.
Monday, March 09, 2009
Math Facts
The math facts start with addition and continue through addition. In addition to getting a firm conceptual understanding of what they mean, the kids need to memorize them. What are the best online tools for this?
Of note,
Time4Learning's Math Facts
Do you know how deaf you are?
I've often thought an online hearing test could be a great service. Also a great business. Here's someone doing some work in this direction. They have an unscientific list of tones that go from 8Hz all the way up to 22,000Hz. It’s fairly common for people who are over 25 years of age to not be able to hear above 15Hz, so this will help you find out where your high frequency hearing cuts off.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Hottest Trends in Educational Choice
I tried the other day on the back of a napkin with a friend who is also involved in education to try to summarize the current K12 educational choices and trends.
We have each read many reports on many pieces of the puzzle but at the end of the day, these are our impressions of what the nationwide statistics look like at the start of 2009. Would anyone care to share their data or opinions?
The red hot growth trend in K12 education is the public virtual schools which are approaching 1% of the K12 population. It is growing at a rate of about 40% annually.
Three growth trends that had their moment as the hot growth trends but which are just simmering at this point:
Charter schools - 1% of the K12 population growing 20% annually
Homeschooling - 2% of the K12 population growing 20% annually
Magnet schools - 1% of the K12 population growing 20% annually
We have each read many reports on many pieces of the puzzle but at the end of the day, these are our impressions of what the nationwide statistics look like at the start of 2009. Would anyone care to share their data or opinions?
The red hot growth trend in K12 education is the public virtual schools which are approaching 1% of the K12 population. It is growing at a rate of about 40% annually.
Three growth trends that had their moment as the hot growth trends but which are just simmering at this point:
Charter schools - 1% of the K12 population growing 20% annually
Homeschooling - 2% of the K12 population growing 20% annually
Magnet schools - 1% of the K12 population growing 20% annually
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Vocabulary Word Games
Vocabulary Learning Fun is a free website that shares technology with SpellingCity.comThey recently added five educational word games that are worth bookmarking for regular use with your students:
Slang - a game that teaches common idiomatic English expressions
SAT Words - a vocabulary word game teaching a 1000 words commonly found on the SATs
Eight Letters in Search of A word - This is fun and educational to play in groups or alone.
MatchIt - This implementation allows you work your way systematically through the entire dictionary. It helps build grammar skills since there are various forms of the same word.
Letter Blocks - A great implementation of the word game where you form words from adjacent letters under time pressure to advance through levels.
Slang - a game that teaches common idiomatic English expressions
SAT Words - a vocabulary word game teaching a 1000 words commonly found on the SATs
Eight Letters in Search of A word - This is fun and educational to play in groups or alone.
MatchIt - This implementation allows you work your way systematically through the entire dictionary. It helps build grammar skills since there are various forms of the same word.
Letter Blocks - A great implementation of the word game where you form words from adjacent letters under time pressure to advance through levels.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Educational Conference Schedule
BrainPlop Conference schedule
February 2-4, 2009 - Etech Ohio Columbus, OH
February 4-6, 2009 TCEA Austin, TX
February 9-10, 2009 PETE&C Hershey, PA
February 16-17, 2009 Mobile Learning Washington, DC
February 20-12, 2009 AASA San Francisco, CA - STEVE to attend?
February 23-24, 2009 VSTE Virginia Beach, VA
February 24-27, 2009 ICE St. Charles, IL
March 5-7, 2009 CUE Palm Springs, CA
March 10-12, 2009 CoSN Austin, TX
March 13-16, 2009 ASCD Orlando, FL - CONSIDER
March 27, 2009 Palm Beach County District Tech Fair Palm Beach, FL - REGISTER
March 19-21, 2009 NSTA New Orleans, LA
March 22-24, 2009 WEMTA Madison, WI
June 28–July 1, 2009 NECC Washintgon, D.C.
August 19, 2008 Houston ISD Houston, TX
October 6-7, 2008 ITiE Symposium 08 London, UK
September 14-16, 2008 EdNet Boston, MA
oct 13-15 Oct Handheld Learning London, UK
October 14-16, 2008 ILC San Jose, CA
October 14, 2008 NJAET Lakewood, NJ
October 17, 2008 Hillsborough County Elementary Vendor Day Tampa, FL
October 28-30, 2008 NSBA T+L Seattle, WA
October 30-November 1 National Middle School Association Denver, CO
November 5-7, 2008 GaETC Atlanta, GA
November 5-7, 2008 South Carolina EdTech Conference Myrtle Beach, SC
November 19-20, 2008 NABSE Atlanta, GA
November 24-25, 2008 NYSCAT Rochester, NY
December 8-9, 2008 TIES 2008 Education Technology Conference Minneapolis, MN
December 10-11, 2008 TETC Nashville, TN
January 14-17, 2009 BETT London, UK
January 22-24, 2009 FETC Orlando, FL
February 2-4, 2009 - Etech Ohio Columbus, OH
February 4-6, 2009 TCEA Austin, TX
February 9-10, 2009 PETE&C Hershey, PA
February 16-17, 2009 Mobile Learning Washington, DC
February 20-12, 2009 AASA San Francisco, CA - STEVE to attend?
February 23-24, 2009 VSTE Virginia Beach, VA
February 24-27, 2009 ICE St. Charles, IL
March 5-7, 2009 CUE Palm Springs, CA
March 10-12, 2009 CoSN Austin, TX
March 13-16, 2009 ASCD Orlando, FL - CONSIDER
March 27, 2009 Palm Beach County District Tech Fair Palm Beach, FL - REGISTER
March 19-21, 2009 NSTA New Orleans, LA
March 22-24, 2009 WEMTA Madison, WI
June 28–July 1, 2009 NECC Washintgon, D.C.
August 19, 2008 Houston ISD Houston, TX
October 6-7, 2008 ITiE Symposium 08 London, UK
September 14-16, 2008 EdNet Boston, MA
oct 13-15 Oct Handheld Learning London, UK
October 14-16, 2008 ILC San Jose, CA
October 14, 2008 NJAET Lakewood, NJ
October 17, 2008 Hillsborough County Elementary Vendor Day Tampa, FL
October 28-30, 2008 NSBA T+L Seattle, WA
October 30-November 1 National Middle School Association Denver, CO
November 5-7, 2008 GaETC Atlanta, GA
November 5-7, 2008 South Carolina EdTech Conference Myrtle Beach, SC
November 19-20, 2008 NABSE Atlanta, GA
November 24-25, 2008 NYSCAT Rochester, NY
December 8-9, 2008 TIES 2008 Education Technology Conference Minneapolis, MN
December 10-11, 2008 TETC Nashville, TN
January 14-17, 2009 BETT London, UK
January 22-24, 2009 FETC Orlando, FL
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Audio Word Match
SpellingCity just totally revised the Audio Word Match game which follows on the heels of a huge upgrade of their
The New Audio Word Match Game does exactly what Lisa D suggested: it shows each word for awhile after they get it right. Also, they seem to have switched to the more traditional matching game where there is only type of card.
Best of all, they've added a FULL SCREEN MODE which looks great on the SmartBoard Whileboard or Promethean ActivBoard!
The New Audio Word Match Game does exactly what Lisa D suggested: it shows each word for awhile after they get it right. Also, they seem to have switched to the more traditional matching game where there is only type of card.
Best of all, they've added a FULL SCREEN MODE which looks great on the SmartBoard Whileboard or Promethean ActivBoard!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
One third more homeschoolers
The homeschool population in the US grew by a third from 2003 to 2007 says the US Dept of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. The data shows that the homeschool population increased from 1.1 million in 2003 to 1.5 million in 2007.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Scarf Creativity - a point to launch from - - -
If the truth be known, there is a big part of me that is a slightly reformed hippy. For instance, I'd love to live with about 80% less stuff. I know of what I speak since I spent years as a Peace Corps Volunteer and frankly, I didn't miss much of the stuff. I've lived at times for years with no television and thought it was fine. In many ways, I think life without so much stuff is more interesting.
I have a half finished idea for a book which explores how much education a family can squeeze out of deck of 52 cards (any serious low cost volunteers to help write such a book would be appreciated).
So I read Diane's post about scarfs with enthusiasm. It's about squeezing the most entertainment and fun out of the least, a simple scarf. She cites a friend, MaryAnna, a homeschool mom of three children, who helped compile the ideas for using scarves (and I quote a small number of her list)...
Play Peek-A-Boo! (of course!)
Scarf Parachute - Make a scarf toy parachute following these directions.
Scarf Knapsack - Make a knapsack.to carry your stuff by tying all four corners of the scarf together.
Scarf Blindfold – Use a scarf as a blindfold and play "Blind Man's Bluff."
Scarf Blankie - Use the scarf as a comforting "blankie" at home or on the road.
etc.....
Now, Diane is one of the best writers on homeschooling that I know. She might be the best.
But looking at things as I do from a blogging/marketing perspective, her post triggers some thoughts in me (Note, these are not ideas from my hippy side).
For instance, the scarves post could be a great kick-off for a meme? I think audience participation and creative discussion can be fun. Perhaps the audience might have some good ideas of what to with scarves? Perhaps it would be fun to challenge others to add to the list and then pass it on to someone else? Could we get this list to twenty-five? Are there fifty good ideas? Where could the wisdom and creativity of the group take that list?
If a meme is too involved, another idea would be to end the post in a way that encourages comments and onsite discussion. She ended with "Have fun". But how about, "What ideas do you have? Lets see who can come up with the best idea? Please add your ideas."
She could even have added that the following week, the readers will vote on the best idea suggested....."
I tend to think this way since I'm into blogging and have helped create the Blog Writing Course, which raises awareness about the possibility of taking these ideas into a new realm of audience involvement.
I have a half finished idea for a book which explores how much education a family can squeeze out of deck of 52 cards (any serious low cost volunteers to help write such a book would be appreciated).
So I read Diane's post about scarfs with enthusiasm. It's about squeezing the most entertainment and fun out of the least, a simple scarf. She cites a friend, MaryAnna, a homeschool mom of three children, who helped compile the ideas for using scarves (and I quote a small number of her list)...
Play Peek-A-Boo! (of course!)
Scarf Parachute - Make a scarf toy parachute following these directions.
Scarf Knapsack - Make a knapsack.to carry your stuff by tying all four corners of the scarf together.
Scarf Blindfold – Use a scarf as a blindfold and play "Blind Man's Bluff."
Scarf Blankie - Use the scarf as a comforting "blankie" at home or on the road.
etc.....
Now, Diane is one of the best writers on homeschooling that I know. She might be the best.
But looking at things as I do from a blogging/marketing perspective, her post triggers some thoughts in me (Note, these are not ideas from my hippy side).
For instance, the scarves post could be a great kick-off for a meme? I think audience participation and creative discussion can be fun. Perhaps the audience might have some good ideas of what to with scarves? Perhaps it would be fun to challenge others to add to the list and then pass it on to someone else? Could we get this list to twenty-five? Are there fifty good ideas? Where could the wisdom and creativity of the group take that list?
If a meme is too involved, another idea would be to end the post in a way that encourages comments and onsite discussion. She ended with "Have fun". But how about, "What ideas do you have? Lets see who can come up with the best idea? Please add your ideas."
She could even have added that the following week, the readers will vote on the best idea suggested....."
I tend to think this way since I'm into blogging and have helped create the Blog Writing Course, which raises awareness about the possibility of taking these ideas into a new realm of audience involvement.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Bilingual Kids Books
A huge percent of us are bilingual. Or we want to be. I've always thought it would be fun to read books that were written in the two languages that we know. So I was pleased when I read about Zooprise Party Fiesta.
Written by Joy Delgado of Puerto Rico, it combines English and Spanish. She is an exciting new author/illustrator who is intereviewed on Kathy Semke's blog.
Sadly, I speak English and French so I can't read it. But for my kids who speak English and French and are learning Spanish, it should be great. Thanks Kathy.
Written by Joy Delgado of Puerto Rico, it combines English and Spanish. She is an exciting new author/illustrator who is intereviewed on Kathy Semke's blog.
Sadly, I speak English and French so I can't read it. But for my kids who speak English and French and are learning Spanish, it should be great. Thanks Kathy.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Sites that Work Together
I like it when different sites figure out how to work together. Check out this clever connection. The Learning Vocabulary Fun website has some science songs. They are a great way to learn science.
They do use some vocabulary which can be challenging. So underneath the songs, there is a vocabulary list. And then, they have built links directly to the vocabulary and spelling games on SpellingCity.
It's cool. You should do the same from your classroom. Put together a vocabulary list and link it directly to that list on SpellingCity.
They do use some vocabulary which can be challenging. So underneath the songs, there is a vocabulary list. And then, they have built links directly to the vocabulary and spelling games on SpellingCity.
It's cool. You should do the same from your classroom. Put together a vocabulary list and link it directly to that list on SpellingCity.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Have you ever lied to your kids?
Have you ever lied to your kids?
This got me to thinking. I can't wait to see this discussion develop.....
This got me to thinking. I can't wait to see this discussion develop.....
OK. Lets hear it. “Have you ever lied to your kids? If so, how did it work out”. I’m going to start a discussion here and then send it around as a meme.
I’ll start off. Two lies. One was when we had a rat problem. I was baiting a mouse trap with peanut butter and cheese and my four year old daughter asked: “Is that so the rat can eat when he’s caught in the trap?”
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Teaching technology to today's tweens and teens
Teachers in schools are coming up with great ways to teach technology to today's kids, and, as one would expect, the kids are eating it up!
One great example is a teacher at the Randazzo School in South Florida.
She teaches a computer class to middle through high school kids. This class was impressive from the very start. Within weeks the kids were taking apart CPUs and installing hardware.
They soon moved on to learning Microsoft Word. Homework was done in Word and emailed to the teacher through the student's Gmail accounts.
Currently, this teacher who also works on the city of Coral Spring's website as well as the school's website, has started teaching her students to use Joomla. Joomla is a content management system used currently by forward-thinking web developers.
Her students are now researching and writing articles for the city web site's teen section CS-Teens and adding them to the website using this content management technology, a skill that is currently in high-demand in the web world.
Half way through their school year, I can't wait to see what they move onto next!
I want to join this class!
One great example is a teacher at the Randazzo School in South Florida.
She teaches a computer class to middle through high school kids. This class was impressive from the very start. Within weeks the kids were taking apart CPUs and installing hardware.
They soon moved on to learning Microsoft Word. Homework was done in Word and emailed to the teacher through the student's Gmail accounts.
Currently, this teacher who also works on the city of Coral Spring's website as well as the school's website, has started teaching her students to use Joomla. Joomla is a content management system used currently by forward-thinking web developers.
Her students are now researching and writing articles for the city web site's teen section CS-Teens and adding them to the website using this content management technology, a skill that is currently in high-demand in the web world.
Half way through their school year, I can't wait to see what they move onto next!
I want to join this class!
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Homeschool blog with give-a-aways
A friend just pointed me towards a blog that's doing a clever promotional effort: 7 reviews with 7 giveaways.What I really liked about Shanna's blog was the December 3rd post: This counts as school, right?
Somehow, it captured the spirit of homeschooling at it's most simple and charming. And I quote:
All on their own, the kids decided to create a script, build a set, and act out their own lego film. They asked me to film it and put it on my blog. Well, how could I resist?
The give-away idea is good. It's effectiveness depends on how well promoted it is and whether the giveaways are significant enough to endear the visitors to the site. That's my $.02. (In any case, that's what I learned when I took my Intro to Blogging and Blog Promotion course).
Check out her site.
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