Previously On The Teq Blog… Last time, we discussed what IFTTT was (If you didn’t read that post, Then check it out and come back here) and some of the ways it could be used in the classroom. Around that time, my kids and I created a “recipe” to send me weather data for a certain zip code every day at 5:45 PM. That was 274 days ago and it is still collecting data for me. My “recipe” sends the weather data for the day to a Google Docs Spreadsheet [view it here]. You are welcome to make a copy and use it in your classroom. Better yet, start a free account at ifttt.com and create a recipe for your area.

This data is a treasure trove of numbers that I’m using to do many things.

I’m using it as an example when guiding educators through use of spreadsheets in the classroom.
Danielson’s Framework: DOMAIN 4: PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Component 4e: Growing and Developing Professionally

I’m using it to teach my kids about climate.
NGSS: 3-ESS2-1 Represent data in tables and graphical displays to describe typical weather conditions expected during a particular season.

I’m using it to teach my kids about statistics.
CCLS: 6.SP.5c Giving quantitative measures of center (median and/or mean) and variability (interquartile range and/or mean absolute deviation), as well as describing any overall pattern and any striking deviations from the overall pattern with reference to the context in which the data were gathered.
NGSS: HS-ESS3-5 Analyzing data in 9–12 builds on K–8 experiences and progresses to introducing more detailed statistical analysis, the comparison of data sets for consistency, and the use of models to generate and analyze data.

I’m using it to encourage my kids to graph data.
NGSS: 3-ESS2-1 Represent data in tables and graphical displays to describe typical weather conditions expected during a particular season.

I’m using it to teach my students to use math to see patterns and look for correlations.
NGSS: HS-ESS3-5 Analyzing data in 9–12 builds on K–8 experiences and progresses to introducing more detailed statistical analysis, the comparison of data sets for consistency, and the use of models to generate and analyze data.

Get Help With Research
Curate News Articles

Here is one more really cool “recipe” that students can “cook up” (did you catch that play on words?). In my PBL classroom, our “problem” is to identify school-wide initiatives that will reduce our carbon footprint. For this, we need to gather information on global warming and in order to stay accurate, it’s best to stay as current as possible. Our “personal assistant” IFTTT is searching news articles and sending us links to the articles it finds. We just created a “recipe” that sends an email which includes a link to the article matches it finds in The New York Times. Now we can focus on other important matters while our “assistants,” The New York Times, IFTTT, and our email account, find news articles for us to read.
NGSS: 3-ESS2-2 Obtain and combine information from books and other reliable media to explain phenomena.

Unrelated Use
Have an Excuse to Get Away
Let’s say that you are going to be with a friend or acquaintance later today (Tim). Now, you like that person but you really have something else you need to do (sleep), and you don’t want to offend them. Let IFTTT get you away. All you have to do is build a “recipe” that will call or text your phone at a specific date and time. Just make sure you know what your side of the fake conversation will be! Good luck!

Tell us about your recipes! How will you, as IFTTT puts it, “put the Internet to work for you”?