Monday, January 23, 2017

Super Teacher Worksheets

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.

Cram

Cram is a nice educational site for creating flashcards.  Flashcards are a great way to memorize and study facts, and Cram makes it easy to create, share, or use already created flashcards.  There are millions of flashcards to search through in education (i.e. K-2, Speech, Capitals, etc.) as well as other topics such as Medicine, Computers, and more.  Best of all is a free mobile app (Google/iOS) for those who use Mobile Learning.

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

Saturday, January 21, 2017

Towerstorm

TowerStorm is a fantastic free iOS app/broswer based game for Game Based Learning in the subjects of Math and Literacy. As w/ any game created by the award winning company DimensionU, this game takes place in a multiplayer 3D virtual world.  Players can create their avatar and unlock special power ups as they immerse themselves in a fun 3D world while solving problems in Math/Literacy aligned to Common Core Standards.  Best of all, the game tracks a players score and generates detail reports as well as lets a player customize and select what problems they want to encounter (i.e. Algebra, Vocabulary, etc.).  Also, TowerStorm has high replay value as each game lasts only 5 minutes and has students trying to answer as many questions correct as they can while trying t
o score points by changing the color of rings on the Tower.

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

For more DimensionU games click here.

For my Pinterest board on Game Based Learning click here.
To find TowerStorm on Edshelf click here.



* DimensionU is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Bouncy Balls

Bouncy Balls is a neat little site I just found out about from the great blog, Teachbytes.  This is a fun site that uses the computer's microphone to monitor sound levels.  The greater the sound the more the balls bounce around the screen.  This could be a great and fun visual way to monitor classroom noise levels and show students that they are being to loud.

I recommend checking out Bouncy Balls by clicking here!!!

Thursday, January 19, 2017

RoomRecess Hangman

RoomRecess's Hangman is an excellent online game for those working on LA or Spelling skills.  This is a 1 or 2 player game that focuses on different parts of Speech such as: nouns, verbs, adjectives, and more, while incorporating Spelling skills.  This is a super fun age-old game where students select letters and try to solve the word before breaking all their pencils (10 chances).

I highly recommend checking out RoomRecess's Hangman by clicking here!!!

For other educational games by RoomRecess click here.


Pindex

Pindex is an interesting new site for educational videos/courses.  It is very similar to Pinterest where a user can "pin" a image or video, w/ some nice sharing options.  However, there is a nice feature that awards digital badges for users who complete a "course" on a given topic.

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

Pear Deck

Pear Deck is a cool educational tool that interacts w/ Google Chrome (extensions) or Google Drive to create interactive quizzes/slides/presentations.  The way this works is an educator creates a dynamic deck/slide w/ or w/out multiple choice questions, then has students join the sessions via their Google in Education domain or Chrome extension.  Then the teacher can ask questions and have students respond to them on their own devices.  This is ideal for Differentiating Instruction and assessing students in real-time.

I highly recommend checking out Pear Deck by clicking here!!!

For my Pinterest board on Differentiated Instruction click here.

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Class Compete

Class Compete is a fantastic Game Base Learning and Assessment system that educators are using to help boost student's test scores and eliminate test anxiety.  Class Compete works on any mobile device (iOS, Android, etc.) and follows the familiar "running/racing" game formula.  Students will answer questions from any subject as they race against opponents to try an win.  Educators can even create their own content and best of all assess student progress through detailed reports.  This makes it easy to differentiate instruction and even works for Blended Learning or the "Flipped" classroom model.  Finally, there is even a parent portal where parents can track their child's pro
gress and engage in their learning.

I highly recommend checking out Class Compete by clicking here!!!

Below is a brief demo video...



For my Pinterest board on Game Based Learning click here.

ClassDojo Student Stories

ClassDojo the widely used (free) tool for behavior management and communication for education now offers Student Stories. Student Stories is a new way for students to create digital portfolios and share them w/ others.

More info from their press release...

  • Students take the lead - students can share and celebrate their learning by snapping photos of projects, taking videos of presentations, and writing reflections.
  • Work is shared, not stored away  - rather than being stashed in desks or stored in boxes, work is shared instantly w/ parents sparking hours of conversations at home.
  • All communication in one place - parents, teachers, students, and school leaders on ClassDojo can now use it for all communication between home and school.
  • Perfect for shared device classrooms - no need for every student to have their own device; Student Stories can be used on one device shared by all students in the classroom.
  • Closed platform creates a safe space for sharing - a student's Story can only be seen by the teacher, and that student's parents.
I highly recommend checking out Student Stories by clicking here!!!

*ClassDojo is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.


Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Level it Books

Level it Books is the excellent mobile app (iOS/Android) that people everywhere are using to scan a book and get a Reading/Lexile Level.  Educators are using it to create a digital library of class books, as well as creating a class roster of students w/ their Read Level.  Also, a user can add a book, select a "book of the day", and manually search for any book as well.  If you're a parent, librarian, or educator this is the perfect app for you to find the appropriate type of reading material for your student/child.

I highly recommend checking out Level it Books by clicking here!!!

*Level it Books is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Tell-a-Story

Tell-a-Story is a nice little site I just found out about from Technology & Learning for digital storytelling.  All a student has to do is drag-n-drop characters/objects onto the screen, add some text into a box/bubble, and then select the background, to create their story.  They can add up to 14 frames and then share the link when they are finished.

I recommend checking out Tell-a-Story by clicking here.

Monday, January 16, 2017

Photos for Class

Photos for Class is an excellent new site that is ideal for finding safe images for students.  This search engine uses Flickr safe search as well as some built in filtering to find Creative Common licensed images.  Best of all when a user clicks download the image gets cited automatically w/ the proper licensing terms.

I highly recommend checking out Photos for Class by clicking here!!!

For my Pinterest board on Educational Images click here.

Sunday, January 15, 2017

iPracticeMath

iPracticeMath is a wonderful FREE (Common Core aligned) site for Math grades K-12.  I like to think of this as the "ultimate" Math resource, as students/educators can find whatever they are looking for, such as: worksheets/printables, interactive problems, detailed problem-walkthroughs, and more.

Also, iPracticeMath covers a wide variety of Math problems.  A user can find Math in all grades/subject areas, from basic Math topics such as addition/subtraction to fractions/decimals/algebra, etc etc.  In the "Math Practice" area students can practice their problems and use the built-in scratch pad as a "blank" sheet of paper (i.e. works on mobile devices too!!!).


iPracticeMath offers a wide variety of worksheets/printables that anybody can use.  It even lets users print out the answers or view them online.  Other nice printables is the quiz generator as well as the "Award" section that lets parents/teachers print out certificates.

Best of all, is the educational portal which allows educators/parents to manage/track student accounts and generate detailed reports.  Not only are these reports generated in real-time but they make it easy to assess students and differentiate instruction.



For another detailed review on iPracticeMath click here.

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


Saturday, January 14, 2017

Kidjo

Kidjo is an excellent free mobile (iOS/Android) app for finding educational videos, songs, cartoons, and more for kids ages 2-7.  Best of all, Kidjo is COPPA compliant so you know all digital content is safe for kids to use.  Also, parents can set time limits through Kidjo's parental control and even store videos off-line to view w/out an internet connection.  Finally, new videos are added every week.

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

Friday, January 13, 2017

I Know It

I Know It is the excellent new (beta) site from Super Teacher Worksheets for interactive Math lessons grades K-5th.  This is a super fun easy to use site for practice on a wide range of topics, such as: place value, multiplication, counting coins, time, and more.  Best of all, I Know It, allows a user to use a certain number of "hints" to help solve a problem and it gives the correct response w/ reason for the wrong answers.

I highly recommend checking out I Know It by clicking here!!!

*I Know It is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Thursday, January 12, 2017

10 Sites Teachers Really Love

10 Sites Teachers Really Love (Sorry Admins)

Though it’s the administrators’ job to steer the ship with regards to technology use in school, every teacher has their favorite edtech websites and apps they love to use with their students.  After all, teachers are the ones who work most closely with their students and know which technology best meets the specific needs of their class.  I’ve heard from many teachers over the years I’ve been writing this blog of new tech tools and their standby favorites.  Here’s a list of some of teacher’s most talked about edtech websites and apps that might not yet be on your admins’ radars:

*In no particular order

  1. emaze — Emaze brings presentation creation to the next level.  With beautiful template designs and engaging animations, whether you’re creating an overview for a lesson or having students create a presentation for a project, emaze is sure to inspire your class.  Emaze is easy to use, fun for all, and will spice up any presentation. (https://www.emaze.com/education/)

  1. BoomWriter — Using a unique collaborative writing and peer assessment platform, BoomWriter features interactive tools for fiction writing, vocabulary development, and assignments across grades 2-12 for all subject areas.  On BoomWriter, students write their own individual pieces, submit to you for feedback, and then all review the anonymous submissions of their classmates to vote for the best entry.  This process continues until the story, assignment, or project is complete. (https://www.boomwriter.com/)

  1. Kaizena — Kaizena is one of the most innovative way to provide students with personalized and in-depth feedback.  With audio feedback, curated lessons, chat features, and skills tracking, Kaizena is your comprehensive solution to provide each student with the detailed assessment you want, easier and faster than grading by hand.  Kaizena also seamlessly integrates with Google Drive, so keeping track of everything is a breeze. (https://kaizena.com/)

  1. TextHelp — Using award-winning assistive learning technology, TextHelp supports students of all ages through reading, writing and language learning.  With a host of different learning solutions, TextHelp can help build students’ confidence and understanding both in the classroom and at home.  Many of TextHelp’s tools integrate with Google, and their software for exams and assessment is aligned with the Common Core and other State Standards. (https://www.texthelp.com/en-us)

  1. Formative — Formative is a great standards-aligned way to go paperless in your classroom for all your assessments.  You can easily and quickly transform your current files onto Formative and start getting live results from students.  Students can show their work and receive your feedback in real-time. (https://goformative.com/)

  1. Canva — Infographics are a great way for students to showcase their comprehension of a lesson, and Canva features great templates that make it easy for students to create and design.  Canva has tons of presized and themed templates great for students to incorporate in their work and projects. (https://about.canva.com/education/)

  1. Buncee – Buncee is a wonderful tool that educators are using everywhere for project based learning, digital storytelling, presentations, flipped lessons, and much more.  Best of all, is the educational portal that allows teachers to create/manage student accounts in a safe environment.  There is even a free iOS app for mobile learning that allows users to share projects publicly/privately.  Finally, there tons of educational resources/projects for educators to browse through on the site or app.  (https://edu.buncee.com/home)

  1. EDpuzzle – Edpuzzle is a fantastic free tool (site/app) for editing a video, cropping, adding quizzes/polls, narration, etc. then embedding into a site/blog.  It is being used to flip a classroom or lesson, project based learning, grading/assessing, and even for differentiating instruction.  The educational portal allows students to sign-up w/out needing an email account and lets educators to track student progress in real-time.  (https://edpuzzle.com)

  1. Storyboard That – Storyboard That is an excellent Web 2.0 site/graphic organizer for schools that educators everywhere are using for a wide variety of purposes such as: digital storytelling, writing prompts, project based learning, timelines, and much much more.  Also, the educational portal makes it easy to track and monitor student progress while generating detailed reports.  (http://www.storyboardthat.com/education)


  1.  The Answer Pad – The Answer Pad is a great student response system and mobile learning tool that allows educators to turn their classroom paperless and do all testing/assessing on an iPad.  Teacher are using Answer Pad to differentiate instruction and assess learning in real-time as they push out their lessons to a student’s iPad. (http://theanswerpad.com)

Toontastic 3D

Toontastic 3D is the fantastic new digital storytelling app from Google that continues in the Toontastic series.  This free mobile (iOS/Android) app allows students to create amazing digital stories through a drag-n-drop interface.  Like the other Toontastic apps, there are lots of characters and scenes to choose from, and a student has the ability to record their story.  Toontastic 3D has some new features that allow user to draw their own characters and then have them rendered into 3D.  They can even create and mix their own soundtrack through a wide range of songs.  Best of all are the 3 different stork arcs for storytelling such as: short story, classic, and science.

I highly recommend checking out Toontastic 3D by clicking here!!!

Below is a demo video...



For a more detailed review click here.

Thursday, January 5, 2017

Wixie

Wixie is a wonderful site/app for educators that I just found out about from EdTech Digest.  Wixie gives students a digital platform to create digital art, presentations, and more.  It reminds of Kid Pix a bit but w/ the ability to record your voice.  Best of all is the educational portal that allows educators to track/manage student accounts, as well as assess student work/assignments.

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

Below is a demo video...

Wiz Kid

Wiz Kid is an excellent platform game from RoomRecess.  This fantasy inspired game focuses on Language Art skills such as: word meaning and homophones.  Like other RoomRecess games a student tries to collect coins and answer questions while avoiding/defeating enemies.  As the student progresses through the levels they can unlock/purchase power ups as they game gets progressively harder.

I highly recommend checking out Wiz Kid by clicking here!!!

*RoomRecess is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.