Ashley Walker's SLIS 761 Blog

Type of Equipment:  Chromebook Description: A Chromebook is a lightweight, typically inexpensive laptop that runs using the Google Chrome operating system (OS). Chromebooks are manufactured by many different companies , including Dell, Lenovo, Samsung, Acer, HP, and more. The primary thing that separates a Chromebook from a more traditional laptop is the way the user stores and saves files. Chromebooks operate completely using Chrome, meaning that there is no "hard storage" available on the device itself. Everything must be saved to some sort of cloud feature (many people use Google Drive for this, but anything web-based is possible). Programs cannot be downloaded to the Chromebook, so it is not ideal for users who need specific, non-web-based programs. They are often used in K-12 schools because they are inexpensive, lightweight, and not too complicated. They also have a typically longer battery life and quicker start-up time since they do not have to run large or com...

Infographic Tool: Infogram Are you tired of the same "make a poster" activities in your classroom, but unsure of how else to combine creativity with a visual display of learning? This new tool is perfect for you if: You are looking for some variety in your classroom You enjoy building creativity and art into your lessons You want your students to be able to display what they've learned Infogram is a great tool for any content area, but today I'm going to specifically focus on its applications to social studies classes! I was inspired by this post, " Infographic Tools " from the Library Tech Talk Blog. The Basics : Infogram is a free online tool for creating different styles of infographics. There are tons of options, but a few tools stand out and make it an excellent option for student use: Real-time instant saving, like Google Drive tools, so that students never lose their progress An easy "Share" button that provides studen...