It isn’t uncommon for a school to have an interactive board on hold for teachers to check out. I applaud any school that is putting technology like this in the hands of teachers in any way they can. Typically though, teachers seldom venture to check it out. Why? Is it too cumbersome to lug down to your room and set up? Lack of time with the software? Or maybe it’s a lack of knowing what exactly can be done with one in a short span of time.
How do you spend …

I’m on my way back from NECC, which means that blogging will go back to normal. I hope the Brainpoppers that hang around enjoyed the updates. There are a couple of other BP posts that are still in the works, but for the most part I will return to blogging about the other resources, tips, and ideas.
Just a reminder for anyone still interested in checking out BrainPop for the first time. Check out BrainPop.com/necc2008 and grab yourself a free 30 day trial.
Thanks for an incredible week BrainPop!

The much anticipated Educators page over at BrainPop has had its debut, and teachers can head on over and start getting involved in the BrainPop Community. BrainPop.com/educators.
Some things to do while you are there:

Check out the blog, and leave your tips, ideas, and thoughts in the comments.
Take a look at the improved state standards tool.
Browse the “Tips and Tools” section and find all of the extra activities, resources, and other fun stuff.
Check out the lesson plans, and submit your own!
Watch the video tutorials to brush up on your BrainPop best …

As attendees of one of BrainPop’s presentations were discussing some of the cool ways that they were using BP in their classrooms, I had a chance to pick up an awesome tip. Monica Nahas, an Instructional Technology Specialist, mentioned that Readwritethink.org has a tool for creating your own comics, and it could be used to create your own BrainPop styled comics.
Taking this tip, I decided to check it out. The tool is simple, and probably best for younger students, but I could imagine that even …

Tuesday morning started off with a presentation by Allysin Levy of BrainPop on using their movies to make your science lessons more interactive. I’ll be covering some of the highlights here as I  paraphrase and elaborate on the content of the presentation.

Robert Miller, one of the very talented educators traveling with BrainPop at NECC, presented how he uses BrainPop to make science lessons more interactive, something that Robert seems to be quite good at. My first meeting with Robert gave me a chance to see how his 5th grade students took "interactive" to the next level by making their own BrainPop videos. Link.
During the presentation, Robert walked through a typical science lesson that incorporates the BrainPop videos and activities. He started right off using the added activities included with each BrainPop …

At 10:00, 11:00 and 12:00 Brainpop will be giving away free BrainPop shirts at booth 8074. Wear it while you explore NECC because three times a day, they will be flagging lucky shirt-wearers to win a BrainPop School Combo subscription. Stop by booth 8074 for more information.

This week at NECC, BrainPop will be debuting a new section of their site just for teachers. I had a quick chance to look it over yesterday, and was thoroughly excited. The idea behind the section seems to focus around tieing together the network of educators that use their services. So it’s no suprise that a blog is at the center. I’ll be talking more with their blogger to find out exactly what the blog means for BP and what kind of information they will be featuring, but in the …

I had a chance today to sit down with a Robert and Lorraine, two of the educators that are here with BrainPop. They will be presenting ideas and best practices for incorporating BrainPop and BrainPop Jr. in the classroom throughout the duration of NECC. The first to be presenting is Lorraine Prince.
Though I’ve talked about BrainPop several times on TTB, not much has been said about BrainPop Jr (which focuses on the early primary grades). It not only extends the content to reach the younger ages, but it was also …

I’m settling in and getting ready for the big show here in San Antonio. Like I mentioned, I will be blogging with BrainPop during my stay. If you happen to be in the area, stop by and let me know your favorite tips for using BrainPop. I’ll be featuring them through the duration of NECC.
Feel free to email any tips or comments as well. Those are welcome too.