Latest education updates from around the world
Toy Theatre Offers Tons of Educational Games
Toy Theatre is the topic of our blog post today. Toy Theatre is a platform that offers a wide variety of educational games tailored specifically for K-3 students. Going through the materials there I was indeed pleasantly surprised by the depth and variety of games it offers for young learners and all for free. So, let’s dive into what makes Toy Theater a worthwhile resource for the classroom, shall we?
Toy Theatre Games
Whether you’re teaching math, language arts, art, or music, this platform has got you covered. And it’s not just a few cookie-cutter games; each subject […]
15 Animals That Start with X
Animals That Start with X are the topic of our blog post today!
In the vast tapestry of the animal kingdom, creatures with names starting with ‘X’ may not be the most talked-about, but they’re certainly intriguing in their own right. From birds like the Xeme to amphibians like Xenopus laevis, these animals offer a fascinating glimpse into the diversity and adaptability of life on Earth.
In this post, I’ve collected a variety of animals whose names start with this elusive letter. And just as I always, I’ve provided credible sources for you to delve deeper into each creature’s […]
Best Free Halloween Lessons and Activities
Bring the scares — and the learning — with these Halloween lessons and activities.
VR’s Favorite Mini Golf Game Gets Spooky with New Haunted Course
Walkabout Mini Golf has been on a roll ever since it launched in late 2020, now counting 22 courses strong with the addition of a very spooky level just in time for Halloween: ‘Widow’s Walkabout’.
Developers Mighty Coconut say Widow’s Walkabout brings to the game a “mysterious cliffside manor [..] haunted by a playful spirit who’s possessed an eerie mini golf course like no other.”
The haunted course is said to pack in a bunch of spooky surprises and hints to an unsettling story the player can unravel. There is sure to be plenty of phantasmal objects, […]
Empowering Students Through co.lab-oration
The innovative co.lab program at Leyden High School District 212 in Illinois fosters collaboration, features design thinking, and provides a project-based learning experience
10 Reasons Why Phonemic Awareness Is Important for Early Literacy Development
Phonemic awareness is a key concept in early literacy development, a concept that never fails to spark passionate discussions among educators, researchers, and even parents. If you’ve found yourself perplexed by the term or simply want to deepen your understanding of it, you’re in the right place.
After diving into several research papers and synthesizing insights from esteemed scholars, I’ve pieced together a comprehensive look at why phonemic awareness is important for early literacy development. If you’re intrigued by the discussions here, you won’t want to miss my other post that delves into various scholarly […]
Designing Mixed Reality Apps That Adapt to Dynamic Spaces
Laser Dance is an upcoming mixed reality game that seeks to use Quest’s passthrough capability as more than just a background. In this Guest Article, developer Thomas Van Bouwel explains his approach to designing an MR game that responds dynamically to different environments.
Guest Article by Thomas Van Bouwel
Thomas is a Belgian-Brazilian VR developer currently based in Brussels. Although his original background is in architecture, his work in VR spans from indie games like Cubism to enterprise software for architects and engineers like Resolve. His Latest project, Laser Dance, is coming to Quest 3 late next year.
For the past year […]
‘Budget Cuts’ Halloween Update Twists Stealth Action into Stalker Horror
Budget Cuts (2018), the stealth action game, has always been about taking pensive steps, hiding in the darkness and not tipping off the killer robot guards on your way through the game’s liminal office space. Now developers Neat Corporation released a spooky update that flips the script, turning the game’s stealth action into stalker horror.
The studio today unleashed what it calls ‘Nightmare Mode’, bringing the main foe ADAM to the campaign levels of Budget Cuts Ultimate (2023), which includes both Budget Cuts and Budget Cuts 2: Mission Insolvency (2019).
Like Alien: Isolation (some are dubbing the update ‘ADAM: Isolation’) players must navigate what the studio calls […]
Hit Co-op Horror Game ‘Phasmophobia’ Delayed on PSVR 2 and PS5
Indie studio Kinetic Games announced it’s delaying the release of its hit co-op horror game Phasmophobia on PSVR 2.
The four-player psychological horror game was slated to land on PlayStation 5 and PSVR 2 sometime in August, but was later delayed to October following a fire incident at the studio’s office.
Now, Kinetic Games says in a Steam news update that the game is suffering another delay due to some “unforeseen challenges in adapting the game for consoles.”
“These combined factors have affected our development timeline more than we initially anticipated,” Kinect Games says.
“Additionally, in preparation […]
Gimkit Lesson Plan
This Gimkit lesson plan is designed to help educators implement the digital tool into their instruction
Keep Dot New – Quick Notes
Create a new Google Keep Note quickly! Keep is a Google product to help you to jot down your notes and ideas quickly.
The post Keep Dot New – Quick Notes appeared first on Teacher Tech.
What Is Phonemic Awareness According to Scholars?
In today’s post, I will answer the question what is phonemic awareness? To do so, I ‘ve read several seminal research papers on the subject and synthesized these definitions into a coherent post providing my commentary on each definition. This isn’t just academic navel-gazing; the aim is to provide teachers, parents, and educators with a clearer, research-backed understanding of what exactly phonemic awareness is and why it’s so crucial in the journey towards literacy.
The terms and definitions may vary, but as you’ll see, several core principles emerge, helping to shape a nuanced understanding of this foundational skill. […]
Data Suggests Most Expensive Quest 3 is More Popular Than Expected
Quest 3 just began shipping last week and headsets are rapidly arriving in the hands of eager buyers. While the 128GB model appears to be in strong supply, the more expensive 512GB model might be more popular than Meta expected.
We checked stock availability for direct purchases from Meta.com for Quest 3 (128GB) and Quest 3 (512GB) across all regions where the headsets are sold. The latest shows that most regions estimate delivery of the 128GB model within one week, but the 512GB model won’t deliver for a week or more in most regions:
Ubisoft Details ‘Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR’ Gameplay, Coming to Quest Next Month
Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR is set to arrive on Quest headsets November 16th, offering up a new first-person VR experience for the storied franchise. Now Ubisoft has released an explainer video that goes into how it all works, including the game’s combat, parkour and comfort systems.
Check out the video below, presented by the game’s creative director David Votypka and associate game director Olivier Palmieri, both of whom have been a part of Ubisoft’s earliest VR gaming efforts, including Werewolves Within, Eagle Flight, and Star Trek: Bridge Crew. Check out the full nine-minute video below:
In case you can’t watch it […]
Kikori: How To Use It to Teach
Kikori is an SEL tool that aligns with teaching standards to help in the classroom and beyond.
Apple Expands Vision Pro Developer Labs to Two New Cities
Apple is adding two new locations to its Vision Pro ‘Developer Labs so devs can get their hands on the headset before it launches early next year.
It might not feel like it but 2024 will be here before we know it, and Apple has recently said it’s on track to launch Vision Pro “early” next year.
To get developers’ hands on Vision Pro launches, Apple has a handful of ‘Developer Labs’ where developers can go to check out the device and get feedback on their apps. Today the company announced it’s opening two more locations: New York City, USA […]
13 Tips & Tricks for New Quest 3 Owners
Quest 3 is here and comes with a bunch of quite helpful but often hidden features (most of which will also work on Quest 2!). Here’s a breakdown of tips and tricks you’ll definitely want to know.
Quest 3 Tips & Tricks Contents:
Quest 3 Screenshot & Video Capture Shortcut
Quest Voice Commands
Switch Between Controller-tracking and Hand-tracking
Force Screenshots & Videos to Actually Sync to Your Phone
Double-tap for Passthrough
Turn on 120Hz Refresh Rate
Extended Battery Mode
Set Your Own 360 Background in Home
Lock Individual Quest Apps for […]
Have Students Sketch & Show Sketch in Desmos Classroom
Teaching a lesson with the lesson builder in Desmos Classroom? It can be helpful to have student responses and sketches from one screen appear on another screen. Here is how to make a Desmos Classroom Sketch and Show.
The post Have Students Sketch & Show Sketch in Desmos Classroom appeared first on Teacher Tech.
9 Great Books on Essay Writing
Books on essay writing are the topic of our blog post today!
Essay writing stands as a cornerstone in education. It sharpens critical thinking, conveys ideas, and showcases understanding. Yet, mastering it isn’t just about practicing the act of writing. Reading, in all its wonder, plays a pivotal role too. By diving into books, students can absorb styles, structure, and nuances, essentially refining their own writing arsenal. It’s like training the mind, equipping it with tools for better essays. So, if one wishes to elevate their essay-writing game, turning pages is a brilliant place to start.
Image source: […]
Best YouTube Sites and Channels for Education
Take advantage of the fantastic free educational videos YouTube provides
‘Rainbow Six Siege’ Inspired Team Shooter ‘Breachers’ Coming to PSVR 2 in November
Triangle Factory announced its squad-based shooter Breachers (2023) is finally coming to PSVR 2 next month.
The studio announced the news via X (formerly Twitter), saying the PSVR 2 version will include adaptive trigger support, trophies, and enhanced visuals. It’s also slated to include crossplay with Quest and SteamVR headsets. Unlike the PC version, the game’s spectator mode isn’t coming to PlayStation however.
Inspired by Rainbow Six Siege, Breachers brings some pretty familiar action to the table, letting squads attack or defend weapon in-hand. As Enforcers, rappel and breach through walls, swing through windows and catch your opponents by surprise with stuff like […]
Awesome Fall Classroom Decorations
Fall classroom decorations are the topic of our blog post today!
There’s just something about the fall that invigorates the senses and sparks creativity, don’t you agree? As someone who’s passionate about educational technology and fostering vibrant learning environments, I get particularly excited about decking out classrooms in autumnal splendor.
But it’s not just about the aesthetic; it’s about creating spaces that engage and inspire our students. With the right decorations, you can trigger meaningful discussions, provide educational prompts, and even integrate your decor with edtech tools for an interactive learning experience. It’s all in the details, and today I’m […]
Beautiful Fall Bulletin Board Decorations
Fall bulletin board decorations are the topic of our blog post today!
Fall is a fantastic time to bring that seasonal autumnal charm right into the classroom! And trust me, as someone who’s spent over 15 years in the teaching field, I can tell you that a little classroom décor can go a long way in setting the mood and stimulating learning. That’s why I’m so pumped to share with you some of the best Amazon finds for fall-themed classroom bulletin board decorations. From vibrant pumpkin cutouts to elegant maple leaf garlands, these pieces can really make your teaching […]
Apple is Approaching Social on Vision Pro the Way Meta Should Have All Along
As a leading social media company, it seemed like Meta would be in the best position to create a rich social experience on its XR headsets. But after almost a decade of building XR platforms, interacting with friends on Meta’s headsets is still a highly fragmented affair. With Vision Pro, Apple is taking a different approach—making apps social right out of the box.
Meta’s Social Strategy in a Nutshell
Horizon Worlds is the manifestation of Meta’s social XR strategy. A space where you and your friends can go to build or play novel virtual games and experiences. It’s the […]
BLOG: Avocor’s R Series: Uniting Technology and Education in a Single, Powerful Solution
BLOG: Avocor’s R Series: Uniting Technology and Education in a Single, Powerful Solution