10 Online Summer Learning Opportunities

It's that time of year again for my annual list online summer learning opportunities or programs.  Being a parent of four kids, I often find myself asking what I'm going to do w/ them when school gets out.  There are lots of options out there for parents but I wanted something that would be fun as well as educational.  Over the last few years Ed Tech companies have started to offer online summer "schools/programs" that are affordable and help prevent learning.  These programs help fill a gap that sometimes is lacking over the summer months and best of all can be done at the comfort from home.

*This list is in alphabetical order

10 Online Summer Learning Opportunities

1. BoomWriter Virtual Summer Camp - An innovative 5 day summer camp that for collaborative writing where educators can earn extra money and work from their home.
2. Brain Chase - Is a online five week program for grades 2nd-8th.  This adventure has students working in the subjects of Math, Reading, Writing, and more, while watching animated episodes and solving educational problems.
3. Connections Learning - A nice collection of technology related online courses for Math and reading grades K-8th.
4. Edgenuity - A great program for districts K-12 that offers at school classes or "virtual" through their online instructors.
5. Electric Company - The Electric Company from PBS is offering a 6 wk multimedia summer learning program that will focus on Vocabulary and core Math concepts.
6. fueleducation - A excellent online program for grades 6-12 w/ a wide variety of courses teaching any number of subjects.
7. GoNoodle (Camp GoNoodle) - A fun and free online program that has students learning through play and other various educational activities.
8. K5 Learning - A online Reading and Math program for grades K-5th w/ real time results and detailed reports.
9. Time4Learning - A fun online program for grades PreK-8th in the subjects of Math, Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts.
10. Treca - An 8 week course for grades 9-12.  Treca offers a wide range of online courses such as: Math, Science Social Studies, and more.

Super Teacher Worksheets for Summer

Super Teacher Worksheets is one of the best sites around for educators looking for printables,
worksheets, puzzles, activities, and much much more.  W/ back to school right around the corner this is a fantastic place for teachers to go looking for ideas/printables such as: desk tags, games/puzzles, calendars, etc etc.  Also, all items are labeled if they are aligned to Common Core Standards and there are even generators/wizards for users to create their very own worksheets/puzzles/etc.

I highly recommend checking out Super Teacher Worksheets for summer learning worksheets such as: puzzles, reading comprehension, and more, by clicking here!!!

*Super Teacher Worksheets is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Schoolze

Schoolze is an interesting new parent communication/engagement platform for K-12 teachers.  Schoolze lets educators communicate w/ parents and students in a safe secure environment.  Also, it provides a suite of tools where teachers can not only share photos, news, and more, but provides professional development to help share and receive best teaching practices.

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

*Schoolze for iOS.
*Schoolze for Google.

Night Zookeeper Star Writing May Challenge

Night Zookeeper is an excellent new site for students to help them w/ their Writing skills through fun interactive lessons/competition.  Also, it has an educational portal that allows educators to: assign lessons, track student progress, and assess their work in real-time.  This makes it easy for teachers to differentiate instruction and implement project based learning in their classroom.

Recently Night Zookeeper announced they are running two different Star Writing Challenges in April, where students will have the chance(s) to get their writing published in the third Night Zookeeper book, The Penguins of Igloo City!

The first challenge is: "Write a speech for your animal to deliver on the campaign trail."

As the maximum word allowance is 500 words, students of all ages can take part. These fun, short challenges with great prizes are a great way to excite students and motivate them to write!

More info...

• The second challenge starts on the 20th May to June 3rd.
• Students just have to visit the Star Writing page and click 'accept this mission' to start writing.
• All teachers have to do is publish and nominate their students' writing to their Night Zookeeper class blog by 4pm GMT 3rd June 2018.
• Maximum 500 words
• You can learn how to publish and nominate student writing by watching this 20 second tutorial video.

Click here for more info about Star Writing!!!

I highly recommend checking out Night Zookeeper by clicking here!!!

Animaker Edify

Animaker Edify is an amazing creative toolkit for students/educators that I found out about from Free Technology 4 Teachers.  AE allows users to create animated videos that includes media such as: videos, infographics, gifs, and more.  Best of all, the educational portal allows teachers to monitor/track student, assess student progress, and differentiate instruction, to allow for more
effective teaching.

Below is brief demo...



I highly recommend checking out Animaker Edify by clicking here!!!

NameCoach

NameCoach is a wonderful web service that educators are using to learn student's names and pronounce them correctly.  This is especially useful w/ commencement/graduation ceremonies on the horizon.  The way this works is simple as a teacher creates a name/web page and then has the student's speak their names.  The audio gets embedded into a page and a user can access them all on one page at anytime.  Also, NameCoach makes it very easy to share recordings and keep track of student's name/email.  It's easy, accurate, and 100% safe for schools to use.

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

Below is a brief demo...



*NameCoach is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.educational resources

Peergrade

Peergrade is an all-in-one peer assessment platform.  The way this works is an educator creates an assignment and rubric while students upload their work to Peergrade.  Peergrade then automatically and distributes that work to other students.  The students then anonymously evaluate and assess their peer's work while providing constructive feedback.  This helps students learn by "grading" and become effective communicators.

Below is a brief demo...



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

Answerables

*Be sure to check out their latest updates!!!
**Answerables iPad app available here!!!

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.

Google's Tour Creator

I'm a little late to the party but recently Google just announced their new Tour Creator for creating virtual field trips.  This is done right from the browser and interacts w/ Google Maps while users select points anywhere in the world and get a 360 panoramic view.  Best of all, u can annotate over these images or upload your own.  Once a tour is created it can then be viewed using any 3D viewer or Google's VR Cardboard.

Below is a detailed demo...



I highly recommend checking out Google's Tour Creator by clicking here!!!

EDpuzzle

EDpuzzle is the amazing learning tool that educators everywhere are using to flip their classroom, assess student learning, differentiate instruction, grade, and much much more.  This is done by adding questions to a video and modifying it to make it work for YOU.

Best of all, are the wide range of lessons and resources that are available for students and educators.  A user can search through subjects and grade levels to see how best EDpuzzle can work for them.

Finally, EDpuzzle is available as a browser plugin and free mobile app for Android and iOS.

I highly recommend checking out EDpuzzle by clicking here!!!
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*EDpuzzle is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Sped Sheets

Sped Sheets is a site I just found out about that is ideal for Special Education teachers.  Sped Sheets is a free resource (i.e. direct instruction, chunking, and graphic organizers) where educators can find worksheets on wide number of topics, audio files, and more. Best of all, this is a great time saver for
teachers.

I highly recommend checking out Sped Sheets by clicking here!!!

I Know It

"i Know it just keeps getting bigger and better! Currently, there are more than 22,000 interactive math questions live on the site! Sign up for a free account, and you'll see why iKnowit.com is the next best thing for your classroom!" 

Be sure to check out this excellent site for grades K-5th for interactive Math practice in these fun engaging games/exercises.

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

*I Know It is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Lalilo

Lalilo is a new (beta) site for Reading/Literacy for grades K-2.  This is done using an innovative online curriculum that not alone differentiates instruction but generates detailed reports as well.  This saves teachers time and lets students learn in groups or at their own pace.  Students will learn a variety of aspects of Literacy such as: phonetic awareness, word identification, spelling, and more.


Below is a brief demo...



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

Otus

Otus the excellent and easy to use Learning Management System for schools has a sleek new design, that allows for easier functionality, a brighter customizable color interface, and real-time analytics and third party integration (i.e. Khan Academy), and of course Otus Worksheets.

Here is a list of some of their features...

• Cleaner Interface: A polished, streamlined functionality lets users more easily navigate existing features including polling for instant feedback, a real-time assessment center, blogging capabilities and classroom organization tools.

• Real-Time Analytics: A comprehensive analytics dashboard integrates a wide range of performance indicators into one place, including content from select third-party apps like Khan Academy. Teachers can link data to Common Core State Standards or integrate their own custom standards to report on. Otus tracks a variety of data like attendance, participation, student blogs, assessments and grades. In addition, teachers can also create and track meaningful behaviors like grit, leadership and staying on task through Otus ‘Recognitions’. Because Otus logs all student activity in real-time, teachers can quickly gauge their impact on student growth and provide timely, constructive feedback.

• Toolbox:  Otus functions as an open, interoperable educational ecosystem allowing teachers to integrate and quickly access the third party apps and content that they use everyday in their classroom. Any Otus user can access free third-party apps or content. If third-party apps and content require a subscription, the subscriber must simply link their account to Otus and they will never have to sign-in to access it again.

• Colorful Work Environments: Now teachers and students can choose from a variety of theme and background color options to create a more personalized, vibrant work environment.

Below is a brief demo...



I highly recommend checking out Otus by clicking here!!!
For more information check out Otus on Technology and Learning.

*Otus is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Milestone Math

Milestone Math is an interesting new iOS app for Math grades 4th on up.  Milestone Math uses a "self paced learning" style to help students learn math in a non-stressful environment.  Also, Milestone Math differentiates instruction so a user will gradually build up their math skills and get
rewarded for progress.

I highly recommend checking out Milestone Math by clicking here!!!


For a more detailed review check out Tech & Learning by clicking here.

Reading Racer

Reading Racer is a free new iOS app that I just had the pleasure of reviewing.  This is an excellent easy-to-use app that uses the mobile device's microphone to "listen" as a student speaks the words on the screen.  This is really innovative and separates Reading Racer from other educational apps on the market.

Reading Racer is designed for kids ages 5-8 and uses speech recognition as the user speaks the words/sentences as fast as they can.  The way this works is the student presses the microphone button and holds it down while speaking the word.  The words highlight as they are read and calculating how many in a row are read.  If a user takes their finger off the microphone the word is then read to help them along.  This continues as other characters race against them.  The better a student finishes the more points they get to help them unlock other racers and tracks.

This is a great educational app to use for Reading and Comprehension and to use Game Based Learning in the classroom.

I highly recommend checking out Reading Racer by clicking here!!!

Below is a brief demo...

Math is Fun

Math is Fun is a great site for all things Math grades K-12th.  This is a nice place to find educational games, animations, resources, and more.  Best of all, Math is Fun is a free site and covers a wide range of mathematical topics such as: Geometry, Physics, Algebra, and more.

I highly recommend checking out Math is Fun 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.

10 Sites for Online Tutoring/Teaching

Over the last few years online tutoring sites have really boosted in popularity. The reason for this is people just don't have the time or the money to spend at an actually tutoring center. Online Tutoring is an ideal solution as it can be done at home on a computer or mobile device and is usually a much cheaper alternative. Also, online tutoring/teaching is a nice way for educators to earn some extra money doing what they love to from the comfort of their own home and setting their own schedule. Plus, students should love the ability to view and choose courses that work for them.

*This list is in alphabetical order.

10 Sites for OnlineTutoring/Teaching

1. Buddy School - A excellent site for tutoring online w/ the ability to promote your classes and increase your teacher score (rating by students).
2. Chegg Tutors - A fantastic site for students to find a tutor in any subject.
3. Classmill - A free site that lets users create classes that includes: links, videos, images, and more.
4. Happy Tutors - Is a free place where tutors and students can go to find what they're looking for.  Also, tutors can pay a fee for extra exposure on Happy Tutors.
5. Sophia - A great site w/ a very polished look where educators can share what they know via different teaching strategies (ie, blended instruction, flipped classroom).
6. Tutor.com - One of the best and most popular places to go for online tutoring. Students can not only get help w/ any subject but homework as well. Also, there are nice mobility features as well.
7. Tutor Hub - A UK based community where students can find answer to their questions or find an online tutor who sets their own rates.
8. Tutor Vista - A very popular site where students work in a one on one secure environment on an interactive whiteboard. 
9. Ulessy - A new easy-to-use site that is a cross between a online tutoring hub and social network for educators.
10. WizIQ - Probably one of the most popular online sites for teaching/tutoring. There are different pricing plans available for students who take classes in a private virtual classroom.

Modern Chalkboard

Modern Chalkboard is a wonderful new free site for finding SMART board resources.  This is a great place to find interactive lessons on a wide variety of subjects such as: Math, Grammar, Science, Social Studies, and more Also, this is a nice place to find other resources such as links and help files.

I highly recommend checking out Modern Chalkboard by clicking here!!!

For my Pinterest board on Educational Resources click here.

*Modern Chalkboard is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.