MobiStories makes wonderful virtual books. Rick Toone, MobiStories’ creator, doesn’t think that their books “should replace a parent hugging a child and reading a book together” and designed their site to give kids another way to read. I think MobiStories is a great way to help motivate reluctant readers and provides kids with another way…
Education
Old School vs New School Technology
Since I was out too late partying it up with Top Chef’s Spike and my fellow DC Metro Mom bloggin’ mamas on a school night (more on that later!), I bring to you my new post over on LeapFrog Teacher Tagvocates where I’m thinking ahead to Little Miss Techie’s kindergarten experience and wishing that those…
Website of the Week: PBS Kids Play!
What in the world has Little Miss Techie been up to these days? Besides enjoying her recent trip to the circus and delighting in the world’s largest collection of blocks that now fills our dining room, she’s been spending her computer time enjoying our free trial of PBS Kids Play. Launched less than 2 weeks…
Website of the Week: PBS Frontline’s Digital Nation
Yesterday I had the pleasure of participating in conversations about digital technologies for PBS Frontline’s new multi- platform project called Digital Nation. While the site just launched, it is informative, fascinating, current, and is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. And this is just the beginning. Digital Nation is an experimental, participatory web site seeking user…
Looking For a Few Good Reviewers!
The team at MomSelect likes to keep me informed about the latest and greatest technology stuff that is coming out by connecting me with trials where I get to scrutinize the site and write about it just for you. Now MomSelect is looking for parents review a new online game about the animal kingdom. To…
Website of the Week: Scholastic’s Free What Can I Do Journal Helps Kids and Families Cope with the Economy
As adults we are painfully aware of each new downturn the economy takes. Every time I turn on the news, the unemployment rate reaches a new high which means increasing numbers of families are struggling with their household budgets trying to make ends meet. The financial difficulties faced by families certainly affect children too. Being…
Website of the Week: SmartyCard, A New Online Educational Entertainment Site for Ages 6-12
Interactive multimedia sites are the new way to learn. Each week I seem to get more and more pitches about new subscription sites for parents to purchase to enhance their children’s learning. Since I pledged to always write about the best of the best, I’m really excited to tell you tell you about SmartyCard! SmartyCard…
Celebrate National Reading Month and Win a LeapFrog TAG Prize Pack!
While Read Across America Week is winding down, National Reading Month is just getting started! To celebrate reading, I’ve teamed up with LeapFrog and the National Education Association (NEA) to spread the word about the TAG Reading System’s 1 Million Reading Hours Pledge to celebrate National Reading Month. Throughout the month of March, LeapFrog wants…
Doodle 4 Google: Win for You and Your School!
Have you ever noticed the Google doodles when you go to the homepage to start a search? Google has a competition called Doodle 4 Google, a competition where K-12 students create new designs with the homepage logo around the theme “What I Wish For The World.” Students in U.S. schools in grades K-12 can submit…
Reinforcing Reading Skills with Interactive Websites
Today I’m on the PBS Media Infusion site talking about reinforcing reading skills with interactive websites. Learning to read can be a difficult challenge for children when the traditional methods of teaching with books, paper, and pencil don’t fit their learning style. When I was teaching, I always varied my methods to make sure that…