Bee A Coder

Bee A Coder is an excellent new site from Honey Nut Cheerios.  This is a fantastic way to introduce kids to programming/coding and integrating STEM into the curriculum.  Bee A Coder uses a fantastic step by step interactive tutorial to help beginners learn HTML, CSS, and Javascript.  After each lesson there is a quiz that helps students retain what they have learned.  There is even an Advanced section for those that want to build and play their own games.

I highly recommend checking out Bee A Coder by clicking here!!!

For my Pinterest board on Programming/Coding click here.

ClassHook

ClassHook is an interesting new (beta) site that I just found out about from Richard Byrne's blog for finding educational video clips.  ClassHook is a search engine for finding educational video clips through popular media.  It searches through TV shows, movies, and other forms of entertainment to bring educational clips to educators.  Best of all an educator can search through different subjects and each video displays wether it is for El Ed, MS, HS, etc.

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

For my Pinterest board on Digital Video Resources click here.

Biteslide

Biteslide is a wonderful site that I've covered many times before that allows users to create beautiful slidebooks/presentations w/ simple to use drag-n-drop tools.  Best of all, it is all done through an educational portal that allows educators to create and manage student account.  Educators are using Biteslide for project based learning, flip a lesson, and more.

Recently, they just announced the unveiling of their "Project Kits" that are digital lessons aligned to Common Core Standard.

Here is more info...

Every project helps you teach the key 21st Century skills that your students need for their personal development: critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity and digital citizenship.

Each Biteslide project kit includes:

• A beautifully designed slidebook to introduce the project to your students
• A project summary
• A starter activity
• Main activities
• Assessment criteria
• Project extension ideas

We are launching with three exclusive project kits:

• Exploring the Earth and Space – A stellar kit about the earth and space
• Digital Travel Brochure – A geography kit to create a fun and engaging city guide
• The Mayans – A historical kit that explores the marvellous Mayans

I highly recommend checking out Project Kits by clicking here!!!

For my Pinterest board for Web 2.0 for Schools click here.

*Biteslide is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

DimensionU

DimensionU is one of the leading companies around for creating innovative educational games in a 3D virtual world.  These games focus on Math & Literacy and are designed for grades 3rd-9th.  These game are designed for Common Core Standards and cover a wide variety of topics for each subject.  Best of all these games have high-replay, track student scores, and ideal for Game Based Learning.

Below are 4 DimensionU games...

Watch the videos below to see all 4 AMAZING DimensionU Games in action:

Meltdown is the DimensionU game
that offers students a second
chance when answering difficult
questions, and rewards creative
strategies to achieve victory.

Swarm is DimensionU's team-based
game that most strongly reinforces
cooperation and collaboration
between students to achieve a
common goal.

Towerstorm is the DimensionU
game that is best for working
through the most curriculum
in the shortest amount of time.

Velocity is DimensionU's
high-speed obstacle course that
ensures players answer questions
correctly in order to continue
progressing through the race.

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

For my Pinterest board on Game Based Learning click here.

*DimensionU is an advertiser of TechnologyTidbits

GoClass

GoClass the wonderful educational tool for mobile learning and flipping a classroom has just had a major redesign.  This new sleeker look makes it easy to conduct lessons via any device and track student progress.  These new icons and drop downs is very user friendly, as well as the ability to generate detailed reports to help differentiate instruction.

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

*GoClass is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Buncee for Holidays

Buncee one of my all time favorite web 2.0 sites for classrooms, has just released a bunch of lessons/templates/ideas for how to use Buncee for the holidays.  This is a great easy-to-use learning tool for creating beautiful looking presentations, stories, posters, eCards, and more.  Finally, educators are using this to "flip" their classroom, project based learning, digital storytelling, and much much more.

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

For holiday ideas click here.



*Buncee is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Flocabulary

Flocabulary is a fun Web 2.0 site for education that I've mentioned a few times on my blog.  This is a great site for introducing or reviewing a subject/concept.  The way this works is through innovative animated videos (or as Flocabulary puts it "Educational Hip-Hop"), that helps students learn through visual and auditory means.  Also, Flocabulary has over 700 videos, interactive activities, and online assessments.

Also, there are some great features that make Flocabulary perfect for the classroom.  For example, the lyrics of each song are displayed below the video and are interactive filled w/ words that are hot-linked to explore in more detail.  The lyrics can also be downloaded or printed out.  Best of all, are the lessons that are included w/ each video to help students reinforce their learning on each topic.

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

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

*Starting Jan. 26 through Feb. 29, Flocabulary will announce our special winter trial promotion, which will offer schools 60 days to try out Flocabulary for free.

Make Beliefs Comix

Make Beliefs Comix is a fun site/iPad app for creating digital comics. What makes this a really nice option for teachers are all the resources available for educators such as writing prompts, lessons, printables, and the ability to create comics in different languages.



I highly recommend checking out Make Beliefs Comix by clicking here!!!

Super Teacher Worksheets

Be sure to check out all their worksheets/printables on Christmas!!!

Super Teacher Worksheets is one of the best sites around for finding educational resources on a wide range of subjects.  Educators can find, worksheets, printables, puzzle generators and more.  Also, they are constantly updating their site w/ more resources all the time and recently released new crossword puzzle worksheet generator.

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

Check out the new puzzle generator by clicking here.

For my Pinterest board on Educational Resources click here.

*Super Teacher Worksheets is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Galxyz

Galxyz is a wonderful new (private beta) iPad app that is ideal for the El Ed Science curriculum.  Galxyz is a innovative game that takes students on a educational adventure that has them mastering scientific subjects such as: Matter, Energy, Ecosystems and more.  Students will develop concepts such as scientific reasoning, scientific method, and even conduct experiments while having fun.  Best of all, Galxyz is COPPA compliant, is aligned to Common Core standards, and has lots of assessing features for teachers and parents.

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

Below is a brief demo...



For my Pinterest board on Game Based Learning click here.

SpellingCity StarWords Sweepstakes

SpellingCity my favorite site or free mobile (Android/iOS) app for Spelling/Vocabulary has just announced their latest sweepstake for winning a free premium membership.  The way this works is simple, an adult logs into SpellingCity and creates a word list of their favorite "space" movie 5-10 words long.  Then they either tweet about w/ the hashtag #starwords w/ a link to their list or comment on it in SpellingCity's Facebook sweepstakes post here... https://www.facebook.com/spellingcity/

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

SpellingCity is the fantastic site for educators looking to create or find word lists for Spelling & Vocabulary.  They can even integrate their own lists into educational learning games.

*SpellingCity is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

VocApp

VocApp is a free mobile (Android/iOS) app/site that I just found out about from a promotional email, for making multimedia flashcards.  This app can be used to learn any subject/topic as a user can create a flashcard containing audio, texts, images, etc.  Also, VocApp has some prebuilt courses that are ideal for learning languages (i.e. Spanish).  This is a great tool for self paced learning and VocApp differentiates instruction so a student will see items they are having more trouble with.

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

For a more detailed review check out Richard Byrne's excellent blog.

30hands Pro

30hands Pro the excellent iOS app for project based learning, flipping a classroom, and digital storytelling has just released an update to version 2.0.

These new features include...

• New Features in Pro:
— Enhanced Drawing with Editing, Adding Images to canvas, Layering Images, more! (Basic Drawing is still there, too)
— Share-a-Slide to create a single slide video
— Stop Motion is easier with settings and Enhanced Drawing
— Storyboarding is faster and easier
• New icons from Font Awesome and ION
• added support for iOS 9
• fixed some bugs

• Pro has 2 Drawing Modes: Enhanced and Basic
— Enhanced Drawing is vector based which is huge!
— Add images + photos to a drawing
— Edit a drawing after saving
— Drawing lines are crisper
— Text can be on multiple lines
— Resized and stretched text can still be edited!
• Pro has Share-a-Slide to create a single slide video
— Share a single narrated drawing or image to parents, teachers or friends
— Share-a-Slide allows for better collaboration
— Add video slides from multiple students into a central presentation
• Pro has easy Stop Motion settings
— Stop Motion slides can be within a normal presentation
• Easier Storyboarding in Starter and Pro
— New + icon to add a drawing from slide preview/record screen removes extra steps

For more information on 30hands Pro & 30hands Starter click here!!!

*30hands is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

EDpuzzle

EDpuzzle the excellent and free learning tool for flipping a classroom and adding questions to a video has just released a new update.  This update has a new landing page making it easier for students/teachers to sign in, as well as a drag-n-drop interface to add questions to a video.  Also, EDpuzzle allows educators to track and monitor student assignments as well generate detailed reports.

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

Below is a brief demo...



*EDpuzzle is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

For my Pinterest board on Flipping a Classroom click here.

Thinker Town

Thinker Town is the latest educational iOS app from Yogome, one the leaders in Game Based Leader.  Thinker Town follows the similar formula of other Yogome games where players play a variety of educational mini games (programming, science, Math, etc) while earning power cubes to unlock other features, levels, and Yogotars.  This game has high replay value, follows Common Core Standards, and ideal for STEM.  Best of all are the features for parents where Yogome games will email parents/educators w/ updated progress reports of their child/students.

I highly recommend checking out Thinker Town by clicking here!!!

Otus Worksheets

Otus Worksheets is the latest update from the innovative easy-to-use Learning Management System, Otus.  This feature allows educators to create a assessment/worksheet for students to take inside of Otus.  The questions can be T/F, multiple choice, EdPen, or short answer.  Best of all, Otus grades the assessment automatically except for short answer

Below is a brief demo...



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

*Otus is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Top 50 Sites/Apps of 2015

It's the time of year again for my favorite annual sites and apps.  This year's list will be a little different as I list my favorite 50 instead of 100.  The reason for this is not as many new learning tools came out this year compared to years past, while more current tools focused on regular updates.  However, that does not mean there are not a lot of new items to look through, as sites/apps for programming/coding, Math/STEM, and Game Based Learning played a predominant role in this year's list.  As w/ any of my previous annual top lists, all tools listed in previous posts will not be eligible for this years'.

*Mobile App

Top 50 Sites/Apps of 2015

1.   * Seesaw - Excellent free mobile app (Android/iOS) for students creating digital portfolio w/ educational portal.
2. Code Kingdoms - One of my favorite sites for learning how to program (Javascript) by drag-n-dropping blocks of code (i.e Scratch).  Also, has an abundance of lesson plans and students can learn how to create their own Minecraft style game.
3. * Oncore - A free to use iPad app for teachers that acts like an all-in-one Learning Management System, where educators can assess students, take attendance, communicate w/ parents, and much more.
4. * Plotagon - A wonderful site/app for digital storytelling where students create animated movies (i.e Xtranormal) by typing a script.
5. Grammarly - A terrific site for helping students w/ their grammar, spelling, and more w/ detailed reporting.
6. * Sketch Nation - A great free site/app (iOS/Android) for creating games.  Students can also work on their STEM skills and learn the basics of programming.
7. * Ignite Teaching - An excellent free iPad app for Project Based Learning through collaborative digital presentations/projects.
8. Help Teaching - A very nice site for educational resources, printables, assessments, and more.
9. * Class Compete - A super fun and innovative Game Based Learning system for grades K-8 in the subjects of Math and English.
10. * WhatsDue - A cool new free mobile app (iOS/Android) for keeping students and parents up to date on what is happening in the classroom.
11. Modern Chalkboard - A great site for finding free Smart Board resources and tutorials.
12. * Galxyz - An innovative mobile app (Android/iOS) for Elementary Science that is COPPA compliant and aligned to Common Core Standards.
13. * Mystery Word Town - The excellent mobile (Android/iOS) app that uses Game Based Learning to help learn and spell words.
14. * Box Island: One Hour Coding - A fun free iOS app for ages 6 on up learning the basics of coding.
15. TenMarks - A very popular site for Math for grades 1st-12th that tracks student progress as well as helps teachers differentiate instruction.
16. * Bloomz - Bloomz is a free (iOS/Android) app for educators looking to communicate w/ parents via mobile devices.
17. * Monster Math - An excellent iOS Math game w/ high replay value that helps students learn their basic Math Skills through an innovative platform-type game.
18. Versal - A nice site for creating interactive digital lessons, that is ideal for online learning.
19. Learnteria -  A new site for educators looking for reviews on a wide variety items, such as: sites, books, apps, and more.
20. * WonderBox - A wonderful free iPad app for students learning a number of different subjects (i.e Math, Geography, Science, etc) through use of videos, maps, images, and more.
21. Story Shares - An interesting new site for readers grades K-12th.  Story Shares creates digital books that are customized per Reading Level.
22. * Quiz Hero -  One of my favorite (iOS/Android) free apps that uses RPG game elements to learn a variety of subjects, such as: Math, Vocabulary, Science, etc).
23. * Tickle - A fantastic iOS app to learn how to program by dragging blocks of code together, that works on items such as: Sphero, drones, etc.
24. Quizizz - A excellent site for creating multiplayer quizzes where educators get results in real-time.
25. * CodeQuest - A fun iOS app that helps teaches students learn how to code in CSS or html, ideal for STEM.
26. Choosito - A new and safe way to search the web for students and library resources.
27. AlfaTyping - A great site for educators for students to learn how to type while educators track their progress.
28. * Milk Hunt - A entertaining Math game for 1st-5th grade that has students collecting bottles of milk while answering different questions.
29. * Make It - A nice iOS app for grades K-2nd for creating games, stories, slideshows, and more.
30. * Flashsticks - An innovative site/app for learning a foreign language through interactive post-it notes.
31. * Brownie Points - An excellent free iPad app for Math grades K-7th, that uses an incentive based learning system.
32. CodeCampKidz - An interesting site for students 5th-8th learning how to code in html, Javascript, and more.
33. * myBlee Math - A nice free iOS app 5-12 yrs old learning Math.  myBlee not only tracks student progress but offers rewards and puzzles in a wide range of Mathmatical topics.
34. Erase all Kittens - A unique site that has students "hack" through the levels of a game to rescue all the kittens.  A nice way to learn how to code and ideal for STEM.
35. Lumio - Excellent site/company for Math games and resources, ideal for mobile learning or a 1:1 environment.
36. * JellyBean Scoop - An interesting new site/app (Android/iOS) for finding "true" stories divided into four Reading levels.  Be sure to check out JellyBean Writer too!!
37. LearnBop - A great site for educators teaching Math in grades K-12 that tracks student progress and allows educators to differentiate instruction.
38. FlipQuiz - A fun site for creating Jeopardy style game quizzes.
39. * Spell 'till you Drop - A super fun iPad app that has students learning how to spell while playing through a game of building a bridge, w/ over 600 words included.
40. * Code Blast - A nice introductory to problem solving by programming a rocket in this fun iPad app.
41. * Explain 3D - Is a innovative mobile (Android/iOS) app that acts as an interactive encyclopedia that has a wide range of simulations on topics such as electronics, machines, and more.
42. * Scoodle Jam - A great iPad app for grades K-6th ideal for Project Based Learning.  Students can create presentations, drawings, projects, and more as well as choose through lots of educational templates.
43. Study Ladder - A wonderful site for educational resources and games on a number of different subjects.
44. * Monster Physics - An excellent iOS app for kids ages 9-11 learning the basic concept of Physics by creating their own interactive creations.
45. * Zap Zap Math - A cool free mobile (iOS/Android) app for self paced learning in Math.
46. * NumberShire - A terrific site/app for K-2nd learning basic Math concepts that tracks student's progress and is aligned to Common Core Standards.
47. * Counting Kingdom - One of my favorite iOS apps for addition/Math for kids 6-8 yrs old that uses the popular "tower/defense" style game.
48. * SlateMath - A free iPad for young learners learning the basic concepts of Math and numbers, w/ over 38 different activities.
49. Kidtopia - A nice safe COPPA/CIPA compliant search engine for kids/students.
50. Telling Time w/ the Smurfs - A great and fun way for students to learn how to tell time through an interactive story w/ Papa and Brainy Smurf.

Spell 'till you Drop

Spell 'till you Drop by Reading Laboratory 2.0 is a fun free iPad for Spelling.  The plot is simple as a student listens to a word then tries to spell it.  In the game a player tries to "beat the clock" and spell 5 words correctly as they add planks to a bridge to cross it.  There are 3 levels to conquer over 600 words to spell, and power-ups that kids can unlock as they progress further through the game.

I highly recommend checking out Spell 'till you Drop by clicking here!!!

For my Pinterest board on Game Based Learning click here.

Chronicle

Chronicle is an amazing iPad app that helps educators harness and organize their best teaching methodologies.  This is done by "chronicling" a students' data and using it in a beneficial and meaningful way.  Chronicle is an all-in-one tool that teachers are using for classroom management, grading, assessing, and so much more.

Here are some of Chronicle's features...

1. Ideal for Reading and Writing Workshop conferring notes, but great for any subject

2. The ability to capture multiple pics, videos, and audio recordings within a note enables teachers to easily provide rich feedback, document student growth, share student achievements, and intervene for student needs.

3. The integrated grade book and traffic light system equip teachers with a means of formatively tracking unit goals, grades, report card descriptors, and more!

4. Many customizable features, including the option of associating any Common Core Standards with a class, if desired.

Below is a demo video...



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

*Chronicle is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits

Winter Holiday Classroom Activites

Storyboard That the free online resources that educators everywhere are using for a wide variety of teaching strategies has just released their Winter Holiday Classroom Activities teacher guides...

From their site.... Sometimes we use the seasons and holidays around us to engage our students in the skills we are teaching. Whether you want to use these activities just for fun, or if you have lesson plans centered around the winter holidays, Storyboard That is an excellent resource. Check out some of the great things your students can do!

I highly recommend checking out Storyboard That for Winter Classroom Activities by clicking here!!!

Storyboard that is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Box Island: One Hour Coding

Box Island: One Hour of Coding is a wonderful fun free iOS app for the "Hour of Code" that helps students age 6 on up learn the basics of coding.  This interactive tutorial has kids follow along and help "Hiro" collect all the clocks on Box Island by arranging blocks of code together (think Scratch).

I highly recommend checking out Box Island by clicking here!!!

For my Pinterest board on Programming/Coding click here.

Prodigy

Recently voted 1 of 12 of the best apps for Math by TeachThought.

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-8th 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).

*Prodigy is now for 7th-8th grade too!!!
** Prodigy has added thousands of questions covering more than 150 new Math skills!!

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

For more information on the latest news from Prodigy click here!!!

Below is a brief demo...



For my Pinterest board on Game Based Learning click here.

*Prodigy is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

WhatsDue

WhatsDue is a nice free mobile (iOS/Google) app for keeping students and parents up to date.  All a student or parent has to do is subscribe to a course/class via an embed code, add assignments, and the user will get reminders and control what is due when.

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

NameCoach

NameCoach the innovative site for learning students names and how to pronounce them correctly has just released their latest update, Directory Integration Service.  Directory Integration Service allows a district/school to embed a voice recording of your students' name pronunciation directly into your existing directory listings.

Here are some more benefits...

• Build a stronger community, promoting diversity and enhancing team relations. 
•  Encourages inclusion not just diversity
• Helpful in orientation and recruitment
• Helpful with Alumni relations
• Communication made easier across your institution
• Helps build student-faculty rapport
• Seamlessly integrate with our Commencement Service
• We make all of this secure, scalable and easy to deploy

I highly recommend checking out NameCoach's Directory Integration page for schools by clicking here!!!

Below is a brief demo...

*NameCoach is an advertiser of TechnologyTidbits.

WonderBox

WonderBox is an excellent free iPad app for students of all ages learning about a wide variety of subjects (i.e Science, Geography, Math etc).  This app has over has over 3000 videos, maps, and images to help students learn.  Also, kids can use it to spark there creativity and create digital projects and share them in a safe environment

Below is a demo video...



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

Matific

Matific is a free Math resource for grades K-6.  This excellent site/app has over a 1000 educational activities that are aligned to Common Core Standards.  "Matific offers more than 700 game-based episodes, which are short interactive activities, and digital worksheets that students can access on any device with internet access, including Mac, PC, iPad and Android."  Best of all is the teacher dashboard that allows educators to monitor student's activity as well as assess their learning through detailed progress reports.

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

Help Teaching

Help Teaching is an excellent site for educators, parents, and others looking for educational resources such as quiz/test creators, online assessments, or worksheets/printables.  These printables are for K-12 and cover a wide range of subjects.  Also, there is a test/virtual room where students can take online assessment and get results in real time.

I highly recommend checking out Help Teaching by clicking here!!!
For my Printerest Board on Educational Resources click here.

*Help Teaching is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Code Kingdoms

Code Kingdoms is a wonderful new site designed to teach students/kids how to code.  This is a innovative super fun site that has kids of all ages to learn how to code from the ground up.  The way this works is by playing through levels that teaches the basic concepts of coding.  As the students advance through levels they will interact w/ animals and use computational thinking to discover new abilities and challenges.  Also, a user can create their very own kingdom and have other kids play through them.  This is a very fun way to to coding or Javascript to students.

Best of all, this is safe to use for education as a username & password is supplied to each student.  Also, there are a ton of educational resources to help teachers integrate Code Kingdoms into their classroom.

I highly recommend checking out Code Kingdoms by clicking here!!!

For my Pinterest board on Coding/Programming click here.

Plotagon

Plotagon is an excellent app for digital storytelling that reminds me of a cross between Xtranormal and Alice Storytelling.  It's a super easy tool to use that lets students create a digital story by choosing a character and selecting and then typing their script.  Plotagon does the rest.  However, a user can also create their characters from scratch, add sound effects, and more.  Best of all, is the educational portal that allows educators to manage/create student accounts as well as "house" their animations/stories in a safe controlled environment.  Finally, educators are using Plotagon to help teach any subject and curriculum as well as for Project Based Learning and to "flip" their classroom.

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

For my Pinterest board on Digital Storytelling click here.

*Plotagon is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Oncore

Oncore is a free iPad app that acts as a learning management system for teachers.  This simple to use app allows educators to track student behavior as well as assess students in real-time.  The way this works is by uses color-coded data, to help educators visualize student's performance and help assess data.

"By using the seating chart as the classroom interface, Oncore helps teachers collect color-coded, one-touch data on student learning, integrating formative assessment and feedback into their daily practice.

Oncore focuses any K-12 classroom on mastery learning by helping teachers engage all students, check for understanding, create collaborative groups and communicate learning and behavior progress to parents. 

Unique to Oncore is its integration of Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards. Teachers can tie a standard to classroom activities, groups, assignments, or individual participations with students."

I highly recommend checking out Oncore Classroom Productivity app by clicking here!!!

*Oncore is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Projector Screen

ProjectorScreen.com is an excellent site for people or educators to find projectors and other type of equipment for their classrooms.  Not only can a person search through an immense amount of screens, but from other categories such as fixed or manual, multimedia carts, boards, chairs, and more.

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

*ProjectorScreen is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Answerables

*Be sure to check out their latest updates!!!

Answerables is a wonderful new innovative site/game that is perfect for Game Based Learning (or more accurate Game Based Learning meets Learning Management System).  It reminds me of Second Life but geared more toward kids w/ their fantasy/SciFi environment.  The game takes place in the 3D virtual world of Answerables on a planet called Proxima, where the native Ansibles (students) encounter an alien race.

What makes this so great for education that is the safe/COPPA compliant environment that Answerables provides.  This is an ideal place for students to collaborate w/ others and develop their social learning skills.  Answerables provides windows (i.e. Second Life) to view the web, go on quests, etc.  The student dashboard allows students to track their quests, notifications, events, PODS (Personal Online Development Spaces), and more.

Educators can create a lesson/POD (manage permissions), create webquests, internet scave
nger hunts, host live events, and best of all "Gamify" their lesson.  This is great for introducing a new concept, guided/differentiated instruction, and even "Flipping" a classroom.  Also, teachers (parents too) can track/monitor student progress, share and view resources by collaborating w/ other educators, and even setup tutoring courses where they set their own rate.

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

Below is a brief demo that has to be seen to be believed...



For my Pinterest board on Game Based Learning click here.

*Answerables is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Kidtopia

Kidtopia is a nice educational search  (COPPA/CIPA compliant) for grades K-6th.  This search engine created by librarians uses Google's custom search engine to find educational sites, videos, games, and more.

For more info check out Edshelf.

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

For my Pinterest board on Search Engines click here.

Buncee for Fall Activities

Buncee is far and away one of my favorite sites/apps for the classroom.  This is an easy to use learning tool that educators are using for a wide variety of purposes such as: digital storytelling, project based learning, flipping a classroom, and much much more.  Also, through their educational portal educators can track and manage student account, assess students projects in real-time, find educational resources, etc.  Recently, Buncee released their Classroom Activities for Fall package which contains lots of templates and lesson plans for teachers looking to use Buncee in their Classroom.

I highly recommend checking out Buncee for Fall Activities by clicking here!!!

*Buncee is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

AlfaTyping

AlfaTyping is an excellent free site for keyboarding/typing that I just found out about from Free Technology 4 Teachers.  This is a great way for students to learn how to type and for educators to track their progress.  Educators have the option to create a classroom and their lessons or select from a wide variety of them.

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

For my Pinterest board on Typing/Keyboarding click here.

Storyboard That for Thanksgiving Activites

Storyboard That the excellent learning tool that educators are using in a wide variety of ways (i.e. project based learning, graphic organizers, storyboards/telling, etc.) last week released a free teacher guide for different Thanksgiving activities.  These activities are great for telling the story of Thanksgiving, labeling different items, telling what you are "thankful" for and more.  Best of all, a teacher can copy the storyboard and use or edit it for creating their own template.

I highly recommend checking out Storyboard That's Thanksgiving activities by clicking here!!!

*Storyboard That is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Knowledge Battle

Knowledge Battle is a wonderful free iOS app for Game Based Learning.  This game has students playing through a wide variety of subjects (i.e. Math, Science, Programming, etc) as they defeat different villains/yogotars and unlock special power ups.  Also, parents can sign up for monthly or yearly plans to get the most educational content from Yogome.

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

For my Pinterest board on Game Based Learning click here.

Prodigy

Recently voted 1 of 12 of the best apps for Math by TeachThought.

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-8th 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).

*Prodigy is now for 7th-8th grade too!!!
** Prodigy has added thousands of questions covering more than 150 new Math skills!!

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

For more information on the latest news from Prodigy click here!!!

Below is a brief demo...



For my Pinterest board on Game Based Learning click here.

*Prodigy is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Sketch Nation

Sketch Nation is a wonderful free app (iOS/Android) and website for creating games.  Sketch Nation reminds me of Pixel Press Floors but w/out the paper.  All a student has to do is select their category of game (i.e. platform, jumping, etc) then draw their backgrounds/characters/items and let Sketch Nation do the rest.  The advanced level editor will help students create more complex games and work on their STEM skills.  Sketch Nation even has a nice section for education w/ a collection of games created by students.

I highly recommend checking out Sketch Nation by clicking here!!!

Below is a brief demo...



For my Pinterest board on Programing/Coding click here.

BoomWriter for Districts

BoomWriter the excellent free collaborative writing tool for schools has just released their district wide program.  This is a wonderful innovative way to integrate technology into the classroom.

More from their press release...

BoomWriter for Districts ensures that a complete education technology experience will be delivered to your teachers and students resulting in improved fiction and nonfiction reading, writing and content assessment skills, and enhanced vocabulary development.

Regardless of in-school computer/device access, elementary, middle and high school-grade students will demonstrate increased engagement and writing output levels, allowing teachers to better assess levels of understanding and writing proficiency while providing more personalized and impactful levels of instruction.

Program Benefits

• Professional Development
  • On-site & On-demand Professional Development Sessions
  • Ongoing Technical and Educational Support
• Enhanced Teacher Tools
  • PRO Memberships for all Participating Teachers
  • Online Assessment Tool and Growth Monitoring using Common Core-based Writing Rubrics
• Copies of Published Stories and Textbooks
  • Group Published Stories and Textbooks for all Participating Students and Teachers
• Analytics
• Administrator Performance Data & Analytics Dashboard

I highly recommend checking out BoomWriter for Districts by clicking here!!!

*BoomWriter is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Innovation Age of Crafting

Innovation Age of Crafting is a fun free iOS game for learning about how inventions were made.  This is done by playing this challenging puzzle game where users slide tiles across a board to make inventions (i.e. two rocks together makes a cave, or two cave people make a family, etc.)  There are over 120 levels and 5 time periods (i.e. Stone Age, Renaissance, etc). to play through and unlock other potential combinations/inventions.

I highly recommend checking out Innovation Age of Crafting by clicking here!!!

For a more detailed review click here.

For my Pinterest board on Game Based Learning click here.

Bloomz

Bloomz is a free iOS/Android app for communication that I just found out about from Free Technology 4 Teachers.  Bloomz reminds me of a cross between Class Dojo and Remind as it lets teachers communicate w/ parents by sending them class updates such as: pictures, emails, events, reminders and more.

The way this work is a educators signs up then selects their school.  Once their school is selected a teacher can then create a class an invite parents to join their class.  All communication is private as teachers control who gets invited and is secure.  Then parents will get updated automatically via texts in real-time or for those that don't sign up can receive an email.  Educators can even schedule parent teacher conferences using Bloomz.

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

Below is a brief demo video...



For my Pinterest board on Mobile Phones in Education click here.