Week 8-Pixie

Pixie is a K-5 software with many capabilities. At its basic, it can be used as a drawing program. Some advanced features include audio recordings, creating slideshows and publishing videos. Pixie offers a variety of activities/templates for use with students. (While in the program select Open, Activities, and then select a subject) Teachers have the ability to create their own activities for students as well. Tech4Learning, the company that makes Pixie has an image website called Pics4Learing. These images can be accessed through Pixie.

Tech4Learning.com has some great resources for teachers using their software. You can visit the Trading Post to access activities/projects that have been created by other teachers. (You need to register to access them.) You can visit the Connect tab to read their blogs and forum. Here they also provide ideas for using Pixie as well as their other software.

While exploring the website I found some helpful pages regarding features, integration, training, and videos. They also have a website, Recipes4Learning, made up of full and partial tutorials. Read a recipe when you want to learn all about the application OR read a snack when you want to know about an individual feature. Click on Recipes or Snacks, select your level by clicking on the diamonds (1, 2, or 3) and then select Pixie 2. Finally, choose your tutorial. (I would suggest clicking on the PDF icon or Get Printable Version so you can view it full screen. Otherwise it opens in a small window that cannot be maxamized.)

For this weeks post, visit Tech4Learning and explore the resources available. Use any of the links provided above and share how you plan to use Pixie with your students connected to your grade level curriculum. (Remember Pixie is available on classroom teacher laptops and in the computer labs.)