Star Wars, Star Wars, Star Wars? Yep. Star Wars!!!!!

Written by Michael Hakkarinen on December 18, 2015. Posted in Education.

Today is the day, or yesterday may have been the day, or perhaps Wednesday late at night was the day if you're a really special Star Wars fan. Either way, as you read this blog post you are living in a galaxy where Star Wars: The Force Awakens is playing in theaters!

I'm so excited.

So let's take this awesome news and make a connection to instructional technology (cue Wookie roar). Here are a few "Star Wars" themed activities you can use online with your students…

1. The Hour of Code STAR WARS Activity is now available!

2. Find some fantastic Star Wars Universe inspired lessons and activities from fellow Star Wars Fan teachers at Star Wars In The Classroom

3. Get your own Star Wars: The Force Awakens Google Cardboard and take a virtual tour of the all new planet "Jakku" from the new movie.
Choose from either BB-8, Kylo Ren, R2-D2, or a First Order Storm Trooper cover.

4. Customize your online experience with the "Awaken THE FORCE Within" Google Chrome Theme
Sign in with your Google Account and then select from either the "Light Side" or the "Dark Side" to see images from the new movie as browser backgrounds, color coordinate all of your Google Tools, and you may even awaken some special features – my favorite is the light saber loading icon that now lives at the top of my Gmail page.

Michael Hakkarinen

Michael Hakkarinen specializes in helping teachers engage students in the classroom with technology such as Mac Tools, Google Apps for Educators, iPads and more. He earned a Bachelor’s in English from the University of Maryland at College Park and a Master’s in Elementary Education at Mount Saint Mary’s University, where he also taught Instructional Technology at the undergraduate and graduate levels. He was a Technology Resource Teacher in Frederick County, Maryland, where he taught elementary school, and an EdTech for Canyons School District in Utah before joining the UEN PD team in 2014. He currently serves as President of the UCET Board.