Prodigy

Prodigy is a fantastic free online Math game that is ideal for Game Based Learning.  This super fun highly engaging game designed for grades 1st-6th and is aligned to Common Core Standards.  Best of all is the teacher portal which allows for educators to assess students and get instant real-time reporting.  Prodigy, even has a unique learning engine which allows the game to differentiate instruction and help students w/ areas they are struggling in.  Teachers can modify the game to suit their needs and select which skills their students need to focus on too.  Also, Prodigy is browser based and works on any device (i.e iPad or Chromebook).

I highly recommend checking out Prodigy by clicking here!!!

Below is a brief demo...



For my Pinterest board on Game Based Learning click here.

Teachley

Teachley is a wonderful company w/ educational iOS apps for learning basic Math skills (i.e. Addimal Adventure and Mt. Multiplis).  These simple to use yet highly engaging fun games help students develop their skills while educators can track their progress and assess them in real-time.  All games help students build cognitive skills through Game Based Learning not just drill and practice.

I highly recommend checking out Teachly by clicking here!!!

Below is a brief demo...



*Teachley is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Otus

"Otus is an easy-to-use, yet powerful classroom tool that brings the best iPad and Chromebook education features together into one secure environment, and uses a single Google login."  

I must say after reading this tag line I was quite intrigued to give Otus a look and it IS a complete mobile learning environment for schools.  Otus comes in two free iPad apps one for the teacher and one for the student.  Keep in mind when downloading it will state that it is a 17+ app and the reason for that is the built in browser.  However, a educator can monitor browser activity inside of Otus as well as a school should have a filter in place via their district policy (Although, it is widely recommend to view your students/child's browsing habits to make sure that they are not viewing anything inappropriate).  Also, a user (teacher/student) will need a Google account to login.

As w/ most Learning Management Systems (LMS) Otus allows educators to create classes, manage attendance/assignments/grades, poll students, and more.  They can create digital bookshelves to host all kinds of digital media (i.e. books, videos, sites, etc) and assess students in real-time.  The split screen feature allows users to take notes using any feature of Otus as well as taking notes during browsing.

I highly recommend checking out Otus by clicking here!!!

RedCritter

RedCritter is a new teacher management app that educators can do to assign awards, assess student behavior/performance, take attendance, generate reports, and much much more.  Also, this is a nice and safe communication/notification tool to use w/ parents and students.

I highly recommend checking out RedCritter by clicking here!!!

Below is a demo video...

Sphero

Sphero is a programmable toy/robot/sphere that is being used in schools worldwide.  This is a super fun and fantastic learning device that lets students program their Sphero on any mobile device.  There is even a curriculum called SPRK (Schools Parents Robots Kids) that is dedicated to teaching kids Common Core skills aligned to STEM (i.e. Science/Technology/Math).  The Sphero is an easy to use device that can be used to play games, in the water, and in wide array of different ways to integrate into education.

I highly recommend checking out Sphero and how it can be used in education here!!!

Below is a demo video...



For my Pinterest board on Sphero Apps click here.

*Orbotix is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Mickey's Magical Math World

Mickey's Magical Math World is a wonderful free iPad app for teaching basic Math concepts to young learners (PreK-KDG).  The game is divided up into 5 different worlds that focus on different Math concepts, such as: shapes, counting, addition/subtraction, and more.  The games main theme centers around using these concepts to help Mickey build a rocket ship.

I highly recommend checking out Mickey's Magical Math World by clicking here!!!

ProjectWriter

ProjectWriter is the new platform from BoomWriter for group Writing projects.  This is done using the innovative BoomWriter collaborative writing process where students will each write their own story (i.e. paragraph, submission, etc). and then as a group vote on the best one to submit.  Best of all using BoomWriter's educational portal, teachers can manage student accounts and monitor and assess all work that has been submitted.  Also, educators can use ProjectWriter to develop vocabulary skills by including key words and concepts into their assignments (think WordWriter).

Here are some more features of ProjectWriter...

• include key vocabulary terms-to-know for students to utilize in their Writing
• boost student engagement and learning
• easily assess students' understanding of key unit concepts
• flexibility: as an end-of-unit summary project or use alongside they unit as you teach
• Common Core Aligned

I highly recommend checking out ProjectWriter by clicking here!!!

*BoomWriter is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits

Buncee Buddies: Digital Pen Pals

Buncee Buddies is the new platform for connecting students and classrooms around the world through digital pen pals.

Below is an excerpt from their blog...

"Whether it’s celebrating Hanukkah in Iowa, or Christmas in Hong Kong, classrooms from across the nation and globe will create and share buncees that highlight their individual and community holiday traditions. Using text, audio recordings, videos, photos, stickers, and animations, students from various cities around the world will bring their traditions to life with buncee. Then, through Skype and Flipgrid, each class will share and explain their creations to other classrooms."

Below is an example of a finished product...



I highly recommend checking out Buncee Buddies and who is participating by clicking here!!!!

*Buncee is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Moovly

Moovly is a excellent site for creating custom animations/presentations.  This site reminds me a lot of Powtoon, and w/ their educational portal offers a nice solution for classrooms.  Moovly can be used to flip a lesson and for Project Based Learning.  Also, a finished project can then be embedded into a site or blog.

I highly recommend checking out Moovly by clicking here!!!

Below is an example...

My Weather Book

My Weather Book is a fun iOS app that students are using for word and letter recognition.  The way this works is by tracing letters and coloring pictures while learning different vocabulary words about the Weather.  As they are learning their words and practicing letters they are selecting pictures and creating their very own coloring book.  Upon coloring their digital book a student can bring up drawing/coloring tools that includes a microphone that speaks the highlighted words.  This helps students w/ word recognition and build up their vocabulary around Weather.

I highly recommend checking out My Weather Book by clicking here!!!

*The App Tree is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

The Foos: Code for an Hour

The Foos: Code for an Hour is a super fun free iOS app that teaches beginning programming concepts to students.  It's very similar to Scratch where users connect blocks to form commands.  There are 24 levels that students can complete to unlock new characters and abilities.  Some of the concepts covered in Foos are: problem solving, sequencing, spatial visualization, and more.

I highly recommend checking out The Foos: Code for an Hour by clicking here!!!

For a more detailed review check out Edshelf.

For my Pinterest board on Programming and Coding click here.

30hands Pro

30hands Pro is the new paid iOS app from 30hands Learning.  This is a great purchase as it unlocks all the features in the free 30hands app such as: importing video clips, Dropbox/Google Drive integration, and Hi-Res video exporting.

30hands is the amazingly simple to use app w/ drag-n-drop interface that allows users to sync up photos w/ audio recordings to create stunning presentations.  This can be used for digital storytelling, Project Based Learning, or even to "Flip" a lesson.  Also, the exporting features allows the video to be saved to the mobile device's camera roll or uploaded to the free 30hand online educational community.

I highly recommend checking out 30hands Pro by clicking here!!!

For more info on 30hands Pro visit Edshelf.
For my Pinterest board on Digital Storytelling click here.

*30hands Learning is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

VideoTelling

VideoTelling is a site I found out about from Shelly Terrell, that is an interesting new concept for telling stories.  This educator uses short stories and viral videos to tell a story and educate students on any given topic.

The project supports these 3 goals...

• Planning and using teacher-led videotelling in the classroom
• Creating tasks that require students to create their own videotelling texts
• Using video cameras to film students’ video telling performances

I highly recommend checking out VideoTelling by clicking here!!!

For my Pinterest board on Digital Storytelling click here.

Math with Amigos

Math w/ Amigos is the brand new game from Yogome that is a blast to play and great for Game Based Learning.  This free iOS multiplayer game lets players take on villains w/ other players from around the world in this turn-based RPG/Fighting style game.  Students must answer basic Math questions (i.e. addition, subtraction, etc.) correct in order to attack and defeat their enemy.  The faster a player answers the question the more points they receive.  Also, they can earn currency to buy in game items and unlock other worlds/boards to increase replay value.

I highly recommend checking out Math w/ Amigos by clicking here!!!

To check out other great games by Yogome click here.

For my Pinterest board on Educational iOS Apps click here.

ClassDojo

ClassDojo is one of the most popular free "web 2.0" sites on the web for educators.  This fantastically simple site to use has teachers all over the world integrating ClassDojo into their classroom to help track and manage student behavior.  This is done through a very fun and simple user interface that has educators add a point (for positive or negative behavior) to reinforce appropriate behavior.  Also, CD allows educators to generate detailed classroom reports and share them w/ others (educators/parents) via email.  Finally, ClassDojo has one of the best resource sharing pages I've seen that allows educators to find out how others are using CD in their class, and print out resources too.

I highly recommend checking out ClassDojo by clicking here!!!

For my Pinterest board on Web 2.0 click here.
For my Edshelf board on Web 2.0 click here.

*ClassDojo is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Land of Venn

Land of Venn is a fantastic iOS game for practicing Geometry.  This is done in a tower defense style game (i.e. Plants vs Zombies) as students try to defend their land Venn from monsters by drawing geometric shapes.  This game has tons of replay value as users have over 30 levels to complete as well as earn money to buy spell upgrades and more.  This game is ideal for Adaptive and Game Based Learning, as well as aligned to Common Core Standards.

I highly recommend checking out Land of Venn - Geometric Defense by clicking here!!!

For a more detailed review check out Graphite.
For my Pinterest board on Game Based Learning click here.

Super Teacher Worksheets

Super Teacher Worksheets is absolutely one of my favorite sitse for finding worksheets and printables in a wide variety of subjects.  Also, this is a great site for finding other educational resources such as: custom puzzle/worksheet/crosswords generators, Smart Board files, and more.  Almost every resource at STW is aligned to Common Core Standards and very easy to use.

I highly recommend checking out Super Teacher Worksheets by clicking here!!!

For my Pinterest board on Educational Resources click here.

*Super Teacher Worksheets is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

GoClass

GoClass is a wonderful new (beta) site/app for flipping a classroom.  This is a fantastic solution for educators to be able to manage their classes/students and create dynamic lessons that can be shared on mobile devices.  Students can login to a session on their mobile device and then follow the lesson following the "show-explain-ask" method.  Teachers can then get instant real-time feedback on student engagement and learning as well as attendance.

I highly recommend checking out GoClass by clicking here!!!

*GoClass is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

BoomWriter Winter/Holiday Activity

BoomWriter has released a fun and step by step activity to for the winter/holiday season.  A teacher can download the easy to use lesson plan for WordWriter which uses the innovative BoomWriter collaborative writing process to help students develop vocabulary.

I highly recommend checking out BoomWriter's holiday lesson plan by clicking here!!!

*BoomWriter is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Skaffl

Skaffl is a nice new (free) iPad app that I just found out about from iPad Apps for Schools.  This app lets teacher hand out assignments and then collect them.  Once an assignment has been "handed" in the teacher can then grade and assess students, as well as annotate and ask questions about their assignment,

I highly recommend checking out Skaffl by clicking here!!!

For my Pinterest board for Educational iOS Apps click here.

Answer Pad

The Answer Pad the great student response system and mobile learning tool has just been updated w/ a brand new polished look.  This is an excellent site/app that allows educators to turn their classroom paperless and do all testing/assessing on an iPad.  Also, educators can use Answer Pad for any subject and easily integrate it into their curriculum.  Teachers are using this to differentiate instruction and assess learning in real-time as they push out their lessons on to student's iPads and gauge their learning.  W/ tons of templates to choose from (i.e Math, Geography, etc.) an abundance of draw tools, and innovative portfolio feature that lets educators take a snapshot and save any lesson/exercise they have created, making Answer Pad a perfect mobile learning solution.

Also, besides the whole new website redesign new features are on the way such as: new drawing tools, improvements to Go Interactive making it easier for teachers to use, and much much more.

I highly recommend checking out Answer Pad by clicking here!!!

Below is a brief demo of Answer Pad...

*Answer Pad is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

What Tiime is it Mr. Wolf?

What Time is it Mr. Wolf?  Is the wonderful free iPad app that I just found out about from appydazeblog.  This is a simple to use app for kids 3 on up, to learn how to tell time.  The way this works is Mr. Wolf spins a clock using the face of the moon as the surface.  Students are then challenged to select the correct time from a number of different answers.  Best of all are the different settings that can be adjusted for telling time (i.e. half hr, 15 min, etc.).

I highly recommend checking out What Time is it Mr. Wolf by clicking here!!!

For my Pinterest board on Educational iOS Apps click here.

Meltdown

DimensionU has just released their innovative Math/Literacy game for the web.  This game immerses a student in a 3D world as they compete against other players grades 3rd-9th.  They are offering a contest right now from today till the Dec 5th that the player w/ the most points at the end of each day will receive a $25 Amazon gift card.

I highly recommend checking out Meltdown and all DimensionU games by clicking here!!!

For my Pinterest board on Game Based Learning click here.

*DimensionU is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovators Program

PBS is offering a exciting program in 2015 to recognize a 100 educators who use Ed Tech in their classroom.

Below is more info...

"Exciting news for educators – today, PBS LearningMedia announced the 2015 PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovators Program. The program recognizes the top 100 applicants nationwide who are using digital media in classrooms and serving as leaders in edtech. Beginning today through February 11, K-12 educators can apply for the program at pbslearningmedia.org/digitalinnovators.

In addition, the top thirty applicants will be designated as Lead PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovators and will receive an all-expense paid trip to Philadelphia to participate in the 2015 PBS LearningMedia Digital Summit and this year’s ISTE conference. Lead PBS Digital Innovators will also receive a Samsung Galaxy(R) tablet.

For more information about the program, please see the press release below."

SpellingCity

SpellingCity is probably the most robust and popular site around for Vocabulary/Spelling.  This is a tool that educators are using in classrooms of all grade levels to help improve student's skills.  Best of all educators can find or create their own word lists and then integrate them into over 26 different games.  This is a great and fun way to help students practice their Spelling & Vocab skills while learning at the same time.  Also, SC has lots of resources for teachers to use as well as a free mobile app (i.e. Kindle, iOS, Amazon) that integrates w/ the site for mobile learning.

I highly recommend checking out SpellingCity by clicking here!!!

Below is a brief demo of their mobile app...



*SpellingCity is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Mathtopia

Mathtopia is an excellent iOS app for practicing basic Math skills.  This game kind of reminds me of Candy Crush but instead of crushing candy you are solving Math equations.  Mathtopia is geared towards El Ed learners and is aligned to Common Core Standards.

I highly recommend checking out Mathtopia by clicking here!!!

For more information check out Edshelf.

EDpuzzle Chrome Extension

EDpuzzle the fantastic and simple learning tool to use to flip a lesson or classroom has just released a free Chrome extension for making editing YouTube videos a snap.  Just add the extension and click on the button "edit w/ EDpuzzle".

I highly recommend checking out EDpuzzle's Chrome Extension by clicking here!!!

Below is a brief video...



*EDpuzzle is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.