Archives: Resources

Photographer Lorenz Holder demonstrates some easy & creative smartphone photography tips & tricks. New ways to look at panoramas, “free” zoom and macro lenses, easy tripod & shutter … learn more

A good alternative to Photoshop is Corel’s PaintShop Pro. While not the gold standard, it provides many of the same features and can be easier for schools to … learn more

Explore the endless possibilities of digital imaging with solutions tailored for your unique needs. Whether you’re a digital imaging novice, enthusiast, or professional, work with software that lets … learn more

Pixlr, among other things, has simple and advanced photo editors you can use right on your web browser. They also make cell phone apps and desktop versions available … learn more

This video takes a quick look at the pros and cons of both Photoshop and GIMP. And good news! GIMP version 2.8, mentioned in the video, is now … learn more

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free, cross-platform image editor available for Linux, OS X, Windows, and more. GIMP can be used by graphic designers, photographers, illustrators, … learn more

Paint.NET is a free(!) image and photo editing program for Windows PCs. While not as “feature rich” as PhotoShop, it does a great job and loads faster than … learn more

There are a number of hybrid sites like FreeImages.com that provide both free and for-purchase photos. With over 300,000 free photos, sites like this can provide interesting images … learn more

The Graphics Fairy has over 4,500 free vintage stock images, illustrations, old pictures, antique graphics, and vintage printables. DIY and craft tutorials are offered as well. All images … learn more

Unsplash has over 2 million free high-resolution images “brought to you by the world’s most generous community of photographers”. Covers a wide variety of subjects with high quality … learn more

Check out a repository of digital images from the collections of the National Gallery of Art. More than 45,000 open-access digital images spanning over 700 years of art … learn more

Flubaroo is a free add on for Google Forms (part of Google Docs). In Google Forms, create a test with multiple choice answers then take the test yourself, … learn more

Engage every learner, anywhere with the most comprehensive solution for video recording and streaming, video content management, audience engagement, content creation, and assessments.

Smarter Balanced is a consortium of 15 states, one territory, and the Bureau of Indian Education working together to determine how the Smarter Balanced assessment system is developed … learn more

From 1993 to 2003, the Balanced Assessment in Mathematics Program existed at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The project group developed a large collection of innovative mathematics … learn more

Take a look at sample assessment questions from Smarter Balanced.

Assessment is an aspect of the rigorous formative assessment cycle that requires precision to be effective. The items, which make up an assessment, are the foundation upon which … learn more

Assessment Systems was founded out of work at the University of Minnesota. They have a lively blog covering topics in scoring and partial scoring, psychometrics, test development, credentialing … learn more

Teachers and administrators have been making a move from traditional paper-and-pencil type tests to alternate forms of assessment. Although its use has declined, the student portfolio can be … learn more

This blog post from the Northwest Evaluation Association looks at easy-to-implement ideas for measuring student learning. One idea: Keep the Question Going. The teacher asks one student a … learn more

The National Assessment Governing Board is an independent, bipartisan organization that oversees the National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as The Nation’s Report Card. You will find … learn more

The National Assessment of Educational Progress, first administered in 1969, is the largest continuing and nationally representative assessment of what our nation’s students know and can do in … learn more

What is student-centered student self-assessment? No, it’s not the students grading their own tests and giving everyone A’s. What does it look like in the classroom? Do students … learn more

Standardized testing. Formative assessment. Competency-based learning. Report cards. Explore EdWeek’s full coverage of student testing

Louise Yarnall of SRI International answers the question of why assessment is important in education. Assessment is more than just recalling facts and dates, but ensuring the ability … learn more

Assessment involves the use of empirical data on student learning to refine programs and improve student learning. This article from Westminster College looks at the different definitions of … learn more

The Educational Testing Service site is dedicated primarily to their standardized tests; under teaching and learning is a list of current performance assessment studies and measures.

University of Delaware researcher studied teachers’ use of on-line essay scoring software in the classroom with third-, fourth- and fifth-graders. Results were mixed, with higher engagement from some … learn more

NCEO offers resources for administrators, educators, parents, and others concerned with the educational outcomes of all students: An extensive publications list that includes technical reports, state activity updates, … learn more

Connecting educators to what works. Includes many topics: Teachers Essentials, New Teacher, Technology in the classroom, and Professional Development. Education World is a complete online resource that teachers, … learn more

Having written safety instructions for all your Maker gear is important. It’s especially important for a laser cutter. While safe in normal use, you are dealing with lasers, … learn more

Joel Hall goes thru the steps needed to convert a 3D file (STL or OBJ) using Slicer for Fusion 360. When done, you have a set of 2D … learn more

Laser Cutters are great tools that can be used to create simple boxs, sengrave detailed graphics into wood, or build complex three-dimensional objects. This beginners guide explains the … learn more

While it looks a little intimidating, Repetier-Host takes you thru the process of slicing and printing your .stl file 3D creations step-by-step. More importantly, it gives you a … learn more

ideaMaker is another slicer program that’s maintained by a printer manufacturer (in this case Raise3D), but is totally free to download and use with any printer. This is … learn more

This video goes thru the steps needed to download and install Cura on your computer and how to set up your printer profile. While the latest versions of … learn more

Cura is probably the most popular slicer program in use. It will create g-code files and can even be used to control your 3D printer directly. While maintained … learn more

This video gives you a quick look at the steps needed to take an .slt file (downloaded in this case) and turn it into a printed object using … learn more

BlocksCAD looks like a cross between the Scratch programming language and SCAD. You can use it “stand alone” to teach programming and math skills. Or combine it with … learn more

Includes a list of the most widely used tools for creating 3D item .stl files.

Our webmaster created this K12IRC paper clip / bookmark to be given out at education conferences. It’s a good introduction to what you can do using OpenSCAD. In … learn more

David Wieland has put together an easy-to-follow set of tutorials for Fusion 360, hosted on YouTube. Geared to those creating 3D printable models, it allows you and your … learn more

Autodesk’s Tinkercad makes a great classroom tool for 3D modeling. It’s free to use, runs within your web browser (so there’s nothing to install), and is beginner friendly, … learn more

In addition to Thingiverse, there a wide variety of places on the Internet with .stl files ready-to-print.

Don’t want to create your own .stl files? Looking for project ideas or see how other people tackled things? Thingiverse is the go-to place for printed objects. Includes … learn more

The stepper motor(s) that control your Z axis (height) has a magic number. Figuring out that magic number and specifying a layer height that’s a multiple of this … learn more

Sort of a “what not to do” video. Thomas Sanladerer goes thru five things not to do with your 3D printer filament. You want to avoid: Tangling the … learn more

As some have noted, 3D printing is as much an art as a science. “Dialing in” – correctly adjusting your printer values – will make a huge difference. … learn more

While some 3D printers come fully assembled, most 3D printers require some final assembly before you can start printing. Here’s an example of what you’re looking at. If … learn more

Not for the easily intimidated, this project describes the design of a very low budget 3D Printer that is mainly built out of recycled electronic components. The result … learn more

To say there is a wide range of 3d printer filaments for an FDM printers is an understatement. DrVax talks about 3D filament terminology and then looks at … learn more

There are over 8 different 3D printing technologies currently available. This site introduces each of them. All have their distinct advantages. Many have distinct disadvantages, including limited material … learn more

Make Magazine has a regularly updated buyers guide that covers the different types of 3D printers, what is available in each price range, and suggested 3D printers for … learn more

This video shows how a Plymouth teacher was able to provide her students with a 3D printer in the classroom, and how her students are using it … … learn more

There are three different types of 3D printers: FDM = Fused Deposition Modeling DLP = Digital Light Processing SLA = Stereo-lithography Apparatus In this primer, we concentrate mostly … learn more

This article from 3DPrint.com explores the different options for producing a 3D “STL” model from topographic map data and explains why Terrain2STL is so special.

Want to create your own .STL files? In just 22 “simple” steps, you too can print a 3D topo map of anywhere. While it can take a while, … learn more

Creating a 3D print and need a grayscale height representation of anywhere on earth? Check out this resource. The resolution detail varies depending on where on earth you’re … learn more

This video shows you how to make incredibly detailed 3d landscape models from publicly available LIDAR data. While not simple, the workflow uses free or very cheap software.

For many locations, maps have already been digitized and posted to Thingiverse. If you have a particular location in mind, try searching for it.

Terrain2STL allows you to easily create 3D STL models of the surface of Earth. Zoom into the area you want to model and click on the Center To … learn more

Here’s a way of taking great 3D printing time-lapse videos. It’s a bit unorthodox, but it works great and definitely doesn’t involve burning your hands. Look for a … learn more

No only are 3D prints intriguing, but watching the process can be mesmerizing. Here’s an example time lapse video (no sound). Adding a simple time lapse camera can … learn more

Chuck shows you how to use Wire Printing experimental feature in CURA 4.0 to create unique pieces. He shows the settings you’ll need in Cura 4 and how … learn more

This post by Josh Price goes into more detail on the steps needed to turn a drawing into complete articulated 3D objects with Fusion 360. While has a … learn more

Want to do more than just extrude a 3D drawing? Need more control or accuracy? This video by Josh Price shows you the steps needed to trace over … learn more

Lithophanes were first created in the 1820s using porcelain. By varying the depth of the material, you can create a seemingly 3 dimensional black & white image that … learn more

3D printed artwork can take many forms, including 2D wall hangings. Here’s an example of what you can do when you take a line drawing and convert it … learn more

MIT gives us a glimpse into the future of 3D printing technology with an inexpensive printer that can print 10 materials at once, no assembly required. Combining multiple … learn more

We know about 3D printing with plastic, but what about printing magnetic fields? This video by Destin Sandlin looks at how Polymagnet has come up with a way … learn more

The Geneva Drive is an elegant mechanism used to convert rotary motion into intermittent motion. The link includes a YouTube video as well as the STL 3D printer … learn more

Awwww. Meet Peggy. When this little kitty was rescued, they found the lower portion of her rear legs were gone. The author was asked to design a wheelchair … learn more

This is an example of using a 3D printer to create the connectors and other parts needed to assemble an item, in this case a simple solar powered … learn more

Not only is this a fun print that shows how you can print moving mechanisms in place, but it’s practical too. Someone discovered you can spin the Air … learn more

This video shows not only the sphere being printed, but also the steps needed after the print to get everything to work. As you can see, 3D printing … learn more

The PLA Spring Motor Demonstrator was originally designed as a “proof of concept” tool to test whether a 3D printed PLA spring could power a gear train and … learn more

This model is an exemplar of many different 3D prining concepts. When the model is well designed, you can print a multi-part articulated item all-at-once with even an … learn more

This collection of bubble wands can be printed and used for students of all ages. Younger students can have fun while learning about bubbles. Older students with access … learn more

Tom Stanton shows how he used a 3D printer to print wing ribs for his model aircraft. Combined with foam sheets, packing tape and a lightweight wooden spar, … learn more

While most 3D printers today “print” with plastic, there is a lot of experimentation and new products that can print on other media. If you can push it … learn more

When it comes to 3D printing and the materials that can currently be printed in a home or classroom environment, the range available might surprise you. Everything from … learn more

3D printing has been heralded as the future of manufacturing. This post takes a quick look at explaining 3D printing, then takes an in depth look at who … learn more

Here’s the actual site referred to in the “Now What?” article. Built using Weebly.com, a web site hosting service specializing in online shopping, this site allows adults (faculty, … learn more

A teacher at a recent conference turned us on to this idea: Rather constantly changing color filament spools, they print everything in white PLA. They then let the … learn more

This blog post from Makers Empire goes into detail on 7 good reasons for bringing 3D printing into the classroom: Creating inventors Bringing art back Engaging reluctant learners … learn more

This blog post talks about how one teacher manages one 3D printer and “lots” of things to print – 15 new items out of one class. Other posts … learn more

Dr. Martin Leary hosts this short, non-technical explanation of how 3D printing works and what you can do with it. While the printers come in many shapes, sizes, … learn more

No matter where education takes place, Zoom can help engage students, faculty, and staff for learning, collaboration, and administration. See how Zoom supports remote and hybrid learning environments … learn more

Naveed Husain, from Teachers College, Columbia University, outlines 20 best practices for educators thrust into the remote-learning journey. The list includes: Be as present as possible through video … learn more

Many teachers have been caught off guard trying to figure out how to pull off lessons. Darin Nakakihara created this edtech tip to help teachers teach remotely. Darin … learn more