mcSquares 2017 Podcast
In this episode of the TeacherCast Podcast, we take a look at some pretty awesome \u201cUnplugged EdTech\u201d in the form of interactive whiteboards known as mcSquares. \xa0For the last year, I have been a big fan of mcSquares and have actually been using them to teach the EduTriplets how to write their names. The simple yet durable form factor of mcSquares makes it not only easy to use in class, but very easy to store away when not in use. \xa0There are several things that you can do each day with your mcSquares from basic writing and drawing activities to complex programming and coding planograms with your students. \xa0 In this episode, you will learn 3 ways to use mcSquares in the classroom. Elementary School One of the easiest ways to use mcSquares is as a simple dry erase board. \xa0Both version 1 and 2 are built from combining a front and a back form surrounding a sheet of paper. \xa0This paper can be interchanged with anything you wish to use as a template for whatever project you are working on. \xa0For my children, I like to cut out pages from their favorite coloring book and they can use mcSquares and it\u2019s clear outer marker board to color their favorite characters over and over again. Middle School Because each square magnetically can stack on top of each other, mcSquares make a great tool in any foreign language class. \xa0Verbs have never been able to be conjugated this easily before! High School Because mcSquares creates a grid of removable, modular tiles on your board, they make the perfect assistant in your coding or programming classroom. \xa0Each student can create a block of code (as seen on \u201cScratch Programming\u201d) and together you can use the squares to learn video game programming. From the Archives In 2016, mcSquares was featured on the TeacherCast Podcast. \xa0Check out our recording below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5TVAQ_YbXI Links of Interest www.mcsquares.com www.mcsquares.com/youtube www.mcsquares.com/facebook http://www.twitter.com/mc_squares https://vimeo.com/mcsquares Follow our Podcast The TeacherCast Educational Broadcasting Network | @TeacherCast Follow our Host Jeff Bradbury | @JeffBradbury What are mcSquares? mcSquares are personal, hand held whiteboards that easily snap together on a wall to create a larger, collaborative system that is infinitely flexible and completely customizable. About our Guest Anthony Franco Along with founding 7 different successful companies and holding multiple patents, Anthony has held leadership positions in creative direction, feature film post-production, technological architecture, advertising production, enterprise product development, computer aided design, hospitality management, and physical product manufacturing. Most notably, Anthony founded the large, Denver-based consulting firm, EffectiveUI, the world\u2019s first and leading user experience and digital product development firm. EffectiveUI is responsible for the creation of hundreds of award-winning digital products for many of the world\u2019s most recognizable brands. O\u2019Reilly publish a book based exclusively on our philosophies and practices, titled \u201cEffective UI: The Art of Building Great User Experiences in Software\u201dHis most recent start-up, mc squares, was born from lessons learned in running brainstorming workshops within fortune 100 conference rooms. The company has just come out of 2 years of product R&D and has released its first iteration in a long line of collaboration systems. Join the Conversation Our favorite part of each week is participating in the great conversations that happen on our live chat, on social media, and in our comments section. \xa0 This weeks question is: Does edtech really need to be plugged in?\xa0 In what ways can students learn 21st-century skills such as Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, and Critical Thinking without the need for apps? Please leave your comments below. Join our PLN Are you enjoying the TeacherCast Network, please share your thoughts with the world by commenting on iTunes today? I enjoy reading and sharing your comments on the podcast each week. Let\u2019s Work Together Host: Jeff Bradbury @TeacherCast | @JeffBradbury Email: info@teachercast.net Voice Mail: http://www.TeacherCast.net/voicemail YouTube: http://www.TeacherCast.net/YouTube iTunes: http://www.TeacherCast.net/iTunes Check Out More TeacherCast Programming TeacherCast Podcast (http://www.teachercast.net/tcp) TeacherCast App Spotlight (http://www.teachercast.net/appspotlight) Educational Podcasting Today (http://www.educationalpodcasting.today) The TechEducator Podcast (http://www.techeducatorpodcast.com) Ask The Tech Coach (http://www.AskTheTechCoach.com) View LIVE Professional Development from TeacherCast Join us LIVE every Tuesday at 8:00 PM EST: http://www.TeacherCast.tv Need a Presenter? Jeff Bradbury (@TeacherCast) is available as a Keynote Speaker, Presenter, or to Broadcast your conference LIVE!